Manipur artisans handcrafting their way to ASEAN markets

With India pursuing a Look East policy with a lot more vigour than before, an attempt to integrate the economy of the North East is now being made in the hope of forging long term links with member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Part of this goal is being met by artisans of Manipur and other North Eastern States actively promoting their hand­made products recently, a Manipur Trade Fair was organised in Assam's principal city of Guwahati by the North Eastern Development Financial Institution (NEDFi).

The hands appear to be busier than ever before. Markets have come calling on these artisans. Bamboo growers are now on a high and nurturing their fields with greater care. It's a life time opportunity for them. The North East's untapped resources and talents are now being tapped in a big way to make the region India's next vibrant economic hub.

"Today World is moving more and more into hand made things than premium items. World is moving more and more into the organic art of agriculture produces. 80 per cent of the produce of the North East is organic. Chemical fertilisers are hardly used because the soil is very fertile. Therefore this market has to be capitalised. I don't see any limitation to the market. As such I see great deal of opportunity which is existing," Dr. Surajit M itra, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Development of North East Region expressed this opinion recently.

The Third North East Trade Fair in Guwahati this time emphasised on Manipuri handicrafts and dance. "This exhibition has given opportunity to many individuals and organisations to market their products. Craftsmen and artisans of Manipur are highly skilled and their products are unique and different," claimed Ashok, a Consultant with the Society for Handicrafts and Goodwill.

Manipuri handicrafts vary from flower and paper baskets to `Khambal dolls, leather works to items of bell metal, not to speak of the traditional bamboo and cane items. It is this wide and unique range that attracts traders from as far as Mumbai to such type of exhibitions.

"I have seen the Manipur exhibition at different places so many times. Goods from here are I Wed across the country. It is the uniqueness of the products that has brought me to this place. I like many things here. I will try to connect these local products with the cultural way of life of the country," said Vinay Chhibar, a trader from Mumbai.

With India giving Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to the ten-member AS EAN grouping, a wonderful economic opportunity to tap the North Eastern States is there for the asking.