Colourful handmade products on display during Sales Day at Super Market, Dimapur, on September 23. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23
A sales initiative bringing together persons with disabilities (PwDs), local artisans, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) provided a platform for them to showcase and sell their handmade and locally produced products at Wednesday Bazar in Super Market, Dimapur, on September 23.
Sales Day, organised by LIC HFL Sarthak Prodigals’ Home in collaboration with Pro Rural, Nagaland, was held under the theme ‘From our Hands to your Home.’
The stall featured a vibrant display of products, including keychains, soap bars, fridge magnets, pickles, crocheted flowers, necklaces, baskets and traditional waistcoats, priced between INR 50 and INR 1,100.
Around eight beneficiaries of Pro Rural participated in the sale, including women vendors and unemployed youth. Their products included Gahlo, tea, lemon tea, flowers and pickles.
Speaking to The Morung Express on the sidelines of the event, Neilou Koza, Project Coordinator for Entrepreneurship and Skills at Pro Rural, highlighted the need for young people to explore entrepreneurship and other livelihood opportunities.
She said that married women were, in many cases, more willing to work and pursue livelihood opportunities, while many young people remained hesitant to step out of their comfort zones, invest in a business or pursue self-employment.
Koza said they should not be discouraged by slow sales or setbacks while trying to establish a business.
“Sometimes we rarely sell items, but that should not be a part of their discouragement. So I think that is something that our youth should understand,” she said. We need to come forward, take chances and remain consistent in whatever work we undertake, Koza added.
At the shared stall, Prodigals’ Home displayed an array of colourful handmade items created by persons with disabilities. Among the creative makers were Ngamjon, Inaholi, Menailule and Y Asenla, all persons with locomotor disabilities, and Alika with visual impairment. M Wangjal, who has cerebral palsy, is supported by his parents through various handicraft activities, with the family working together to create and sell their products.
LIC HFL Sarthak is the sponsoring body for the project. Under the initiative, raw materials are provided to persons with disabilities and others who need support to start or sustain their work, said Yangerjungla, project coordinator cum trainer at Prodigals’ Home.
Once beneficiaries are able to make and sell their products, the support continues as part of the initiative. Yangerjungla said that under the business enhancement initiative, the implementing agency, Prodigals’ Home, is forming six Self-Help Groups, with all members being persons with disabilities and assisted by their caregivers.
One such group, Meimlong SHG, Aoyimkum, has already been formed. Its products, including pickles, baskets and flowers, were among those being sold at the stall.
Meanwhile, 14-year-olds Phulumli and Yanguthvii set the mood for the day, enthralling shoppers with their musical performaces. Both visually impaired Class 5 students, the duo expressed their happiness at having the chance to sing and share their music with those gathered.
K Sani, Project Director at Prodigals’ Home, said both students had received vocal training, while Yanguthvii had also learned to play the guitar with guidance from seniors at the Tikvah Centre for Educational and Vocational Training for the Visually Impaired in Fellowship Colony.
Sani said three students have also been selected to undergo music training at Jam Tree Music School, Duncan.
