Now combo pack for Chakkouba from IDPs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2024: If you are looking for a combo gift pack this Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba for your sisters and family, then this is for you.

Candles for Diwali, incense sticks to fill your home with fragrance, soaps, detergent and a bunch of carefully crafted and alluring handloom items--all packed inside a beautifully knitted bag ! .

This is one of the combo gift packs the Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) is bringing to the people of the State this Diwali and Ningolo Chakkouba.

But, what is special about these combo gift packs? .

Well these are crafted by people who have been displaced by the conflict which erupted on May 3, 2023 .

Now combo pack for Chakkouba from IDPs

When you buy them, you are helping the internally displaced persons earn income and feed their families.

The Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) is procuring various products made by a total of 1,636 internally displaced persons staying in 49 relief camps.

After adding values, packaging and branding, the products are being sold at various Government Departments and to the public.

The Corporation is also preparing special gift packages of the products to be sold on Ningol Chakkouba.

The cost of a Diwali, Ningol Chakkouba combo gift pack will range between Rs 1,100 and Rs 1,400 .

At his office at Paona Keithel, MHHDCL Managing Director, E Jeeten said the combo gift packs are being packaged under the brand "Panthoibi" .

Panthoibi is an already established brand of the Corporation.

He said, the MHHDCL procures the products from the internally displaced people and adds value to it.

The Corporation packages the products and gives them a brand name.

It bears the cost of the service and transportation, Jeeten said.

The combo gift packages are being delivered to offices of the Government Departments.

The gift packs will be made available to the people for Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba festival, he added.

Giving a sneak-peek of a combo gift pack, Jeeten said that it contains household items including detergent, dishwasher, soap, candles, incense sticks and a variety of handloom and handicraft products packed inside a carefully crafted and beautiful bag made of plastic strings.

The Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited, in its effort to aid internally displaced persons in relief camps, has so far procured products from them in 3 phases.

The combo gift packs are being sold as clearance sales, he said.

"We feel bad seeing internally displaced persons coming out on the streets to sell products they make to earn a livelihood.

Our job is to help them earn income and provide them the market.

We aren't focusing on making profits, but helping them," Jeeten said.

The Managing Director added that the Corporation is procuring the products from the internally displaced following the advice of the Chief Minister.

Jeeten urged people to buy the combo gift packs on Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba and help the Corporation help the internally displaced families.

Notably, the Women Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged people to tone down the Ningol Chakkouba festival this year and buy products made in the State, especially those made by internally displaced persons, as gifts.

The combo gift packs are available at Panthoibi Emporium at Paona Keithel and Wangkhei.

The MHHDCL may also launch mobile sale of the products, and is working towards this end.

Interestingly, the State Handloom Expo 2024, organised by the MHHDCL, will be held from October 24 to November 6 at Iboyaima Shanglen.

Handloom and handicraft products of all kinds, including those made by internally displaced persons will be available at the Expo, said the MHHDCL.