Shintha Institute: an answer to unemployment problem
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2012: Self employment is the answer to growing unemployment problem is the message which Shintha intends to send out to the people of the State.

Sintha, an institute being run by an enterprising couple of Thongju Part-II has set a fine example of hard work, innovation and determination by not only imparting training but also providing employment to hundreds of weavers and artisans.

Sintha Institute Handloom and Handicraft was established on February 25, 2006, by Sougrakpam Bhubon and his better half Sougrakpam Ongbi Saroja Devi.

A Diploma certificate holder in Textile Designing from Indian Institute of Textile and Technology, Khanapara, Saroja has an innovative mind with her designs even reaching Israel.

With assistance from one of Saroja's friends residing in Delhi, Shintha has been exporting a type of shwal known as tulit to Israel.

This rare design of shawl could also be used as a scarf and stitching of bags, Saroja said.

Having more than 100 designs to her credit, Saroja's institute is currently earning profits from designs like chang, jala, jaqard and other creative designs of more than 35 traditional shwals of different tribes of Manipur.

Shawls designed by Shintha Institute

Another popular product of the institute is Saroja's curtain which is the modified design of jaqarad having ethnic touches of leirum (Meitei shawl design) and prints of State flower Siroy Lily.

So far, Shintha has imparted training on weaving and textile designing to more than 400 women weavers of valley districts, Churachandpur, Kharam, Mahabali, Silchar and Tripura.

After getting training from her institute, these women, mostly house wives, are now able to add Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 to her family income per month through weaving, Saroja added.

Having already got training on chanaki design from National Innovation Foundation, Saroja is now planning to introduce this Assamese textile design to different products of her institute.

An awardee of Panthoibi Handloom Award 2010, Saroja also mooted on weaving khudei (male loin cloth) with new and creative designs.

On the otherhand, Saroja's husband Bhubon is the brain behind creative handicraft designs being produced from the institute.

He is a pioneer in stool making using dry water hyacith.

Bhubon started making stools with this water herbs in 2008-09 .

Under his supervision, Sintha is currently producing handbag, wall hanging, women bag and file cover using dry water hyacinth.

Sintha has 14 looms in the weaving section which mainly produces curtain, bed sheets, scarf, phanek (women loin cloth), muffler, shirt cloth, cushion cover, table runner, table mat, doormat and different designs of shawls.

Saroja said that her institute is planning to commence a three-month weaving course for 25 freshers after Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Theory, pre-loom, process weaving, textile design, textile calculation and practical would be the main highlights of the course, she added.

With regards to handloom and handicraft development, Bhubon emphasised on the need on systematic marketing of the already popular products of Manipur by the State Government.

He also said that proper implementation of Integrated Handloom Development Schemes under DC (Handloom) and DC (Handicraft) is also a must.