About 30 trainees are undergoing a month residential artisans' training programme on bamboo handicrafts and furniture at the Naoremthong Laishram Khulem Leikai Community Hall in Imphal.
The training programme has been organized jointly by the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Burnihat Assam and Lifeline Development Organisation and State Bamboo Mission, Manipur.
The objective is to make the youth self-reliant and provide them a source of income.
Joysana Singh, one of the trainees, said: "I joined this workshop to learn something from here so that in the future I can do something, and earn a livelihood."
These youth are quite happy to learn new bamboo crafts and designs, under master trainers from Assam, Tripura and Manipur.
Manik Das, a trainer from Tripura, said: "I told them to learn properly so that it will benefit for them. I also came from far to teach them, they are doing well, let's see what happens in the future."
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"Lifeline Development Organization" was established in 2000.
The centre has been conducting several month-long intensive training programmes, where more than 30 t0 80 trainees were being trained per batch, till now.
The motto of Lifeline Development Organization is to promote skills that will make handicrafts a sustainable venture.
Such skill development programmes will enable the rural men and women artisans to become self-reliant, and to compete in outside markets.
Kriparani Devi, another trainee, said: "It will benefit us a lot. There are many people who doesn't have work, so if we all work together and learn about this kind of handicraft, and if they also teach about marketing, then we can do something good in the future."
Lourembam Linthoingamba Singh, the president of Life Line Development Organization, said: "I am very much interested in making such bamboo items. I wanted to learn it because I know that there is a big scope learning of this, moreover bamboo is easily available in our state so it will benefit me in my future, and also our state."
The Northeast has huge reserves of bamboo, which make a significant contribution to the region's economy.
Professional training in making bamboo products can give a boost to the region's economy and generate employment for the youth.