Women in Manipur have switched to water hyacinth craft, as they see it as a self-reliant job opportunity.
Kharibam Sarju Chanu, a resident of Thongju village in Imphal district, launched the Water Hyacinth Crafts Centre, a self-help group, last year.
She now provides employment to local women, who produce handicraft items with the use of water hyacinth, locally known as Kabowkang, an easily available aquatic weed.
Sarju received craft training under a skill development programme organized by the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFI) and has been imparting training to the local women through the group.
"In October 2013, NEDFI organized a ten-day long free training for us. We were trained under the guidance of Rasho. After training, we start making water hyacinth products instead of staying idle at home. Now, we earn money and take care of our families," said Kharibam Sarju Chanu, Sectretary, Water Hyacinth Crafts Centre.
Sarju currently provides employment to eight people. They produce attractive items like bags, cushions, jewellery boxes, baskets and several other decorative products. The products are in huge demand both within the state and outside. The women workers are happy to be able to earn a decent living and are keen to impart training to other unemployed youth.
In our locality, there are some youth who stay at home. I want to train them and tell the benefit of this training. We can earn money and look after the family," said an artisan Leishangthem.
The growth of self help groups like this one has come as a boon for the local unemployed women who are now able to earn a living and support their families.
