(Left) Participants, alongwith the organizers after the valedictory function on Thursday, September 22 at Chumukedima. (Right) Some of the products made by the participants.
Dimapur | September 22 : Commonly sighted in marshy areas in and around Dimapur, the plant known as water hyacinth is primarily harvested by the locals as feed for swine. Other than this, the people here have no or little knowledge of its other uses. ‘It’s just a plant that grows in stagnant and polluted pools of water’ is usually the people’s presumption and hence, associated with filth.
On the flipside, the potential of this plant as an employment generating asset is in fact, very promising and some talented individuals are proving it. It will be just hard to believe the myriad artifacts that can be shaped out of this plant, albeit with a bit of innovation and creativity. To cut it short, the stem of the plant when dried and treated results in a fibrous material which can be woven into artistic pieces of crafts; and eco-friendly too. The things that can be made out of this supposedly worthless plant include baskets, mats, bags, wallets, sandals, ornamental trinkets and an endless array of other decorative items. The fibre can also be used as decorative cushioning for furniture. As said earlier, the finished product depends on innovation and a bit of deft fingers.
Seeing the finished products, one is but forced to accept that the adage, ‘Looks can be deceptive’ came into popular usage for nothing.
Water hyacinth and its handicraft potential
Now, let’s take a walk through how this all came about. A little known ‘Vocational Training Provider’ or VTP, which calls itself Touch Life Centre in Dimapur is taking the lead in this aspect. Based in Chumukedima and partly supported by the department of Employment & Craftsmen Training, the centre took up the challenge to train unemployed youth on the art. They took inspiration from the fact that it is already a flourishing trade in the neighbouring state of Assam, where artisans have made a profession out of it and making a living.
The centre got an opportunity to hold a training programme in September in collaboration with IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong. A three-week programme, it had begun on September 5 and concluded on Thursday, September 22. The response was quite positive with 31 young men and women participating under the stewardship of Akumla P Chishi, a veteran in the field of handicrafts. Chishi, herself runs a crafts centre called Fingertips Enterprise at Chekiye village and has got wide exposure participating at several crafts fair around the country.
The outcome at the end of the three weeks was very encouraging. The participants not only got on with the nuances of the art but were also able to come up with their own innovative creations. The trainees will also receive commendation from IIVET, Shillong.
Resource person Chishi at the valedictory programme today said that this innovative art was introduced and promoted by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFI). Artisans in Assam, who were introduced to this, are doing well. The plant may look to be fit as only fodder for swine but it is not so, she reminded as is evident from the many attractive creations that can be made out of it. “Try and be innovative while coming up with ideas and designs,” she urged the trainees.
She added that NEDFI organizes exposure fairs for products made specifically of fibre from water hyacinth. “If you can continue with this, making use of what you’ve learned in the three weeks past and progress there is every chance we can also participate.”
There was also a chance encounter with another craftsman of a different kind. A A Angh had come all the way from Longleng. His field of expertise is completely different from the aforementioned training programme but he took the opportunity to participate at the programme. He specializes in bamboo products and interestingly furniture and decorative items made out of discarded animal horns, buffalo to be precise. He said that it has been a decade since he has been in the trade and has also taken part in some government sponsored expos in the mainland. His ardent wish is to impart his knowledge and skills to other Nagas. He already has four youths working with him in his home town in Longleng.
On the flipside, the potential of this plant as an employment generating asset is in fact, very promising and some talented individuals are proving it. It will be just hard to believe the myriad artifacts that can be shaped out of this plant, albeit with a bit of innovation and creativity. To cut it short, the stem of the plant when dried and treated results in a fibrous material which can be woven into artistic pieces of crafts; and eco-friendly too. The things that can be made out of this supposedly worthless plant include baskets, mats, bags, wallets, sandals, ornamental trinkets and an endless array of other decorative items. The fibre can also be used as decorative cushioning for furniture. As said earlier, the finished product depends on innovation and a bit of deft fingers.
Seeing the finished products, one is but forced to accept that the adage, ‘Looks can be deceptive’ came into popular usage for nothing.
Water hyacinth and its handicraft potential
Now, let’s take a walk through how this all came about. A little known ‘Vocational Training Provider’ or VTP, which calls itself Touch Life Centre in Dimapur is taking the lead in this aspect. Based in Chumukedima and partly supported by the department of Employment & Craftsmen Training, the centre took up the challenge to train unemployed youth on the art. They took inspiration from the fact that it is already a flourishing trade in the neighbouring state of Assam, where artisans have made a profession out of it and making a living.
The centre got an opportunity to hold a training programme in September in collaboration with IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong. A three-week programme, it had begun on September 5 and concluded on Thursday, September 22. The response was quite positive with 31 young men and women participating under the stewardship of Akumla P Chishi, a veteran in the field of handicrafts. Chishi, herself runs a crafts centre called Fingertips Enterprise at Chekiye village and has got wide exposure participating at several crafts fair around the country.
The outcome at the end of the three weeks was very encouraging. The participants not only got on with the nuances of the art but were also able to come up with their own innovative creations. The trainees will also receive commendation from IIVET, Shillong.
Resource person Chishi at the valedictory programme today said that this innovative art was introduced and promoted by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFI). Artisans in Assam, who were introduced to this, are doing well. The plant may look to be fit as only fodder for swine but it is not so, she reminded as is evident from the many attractive creations that can be made out of it. “Try and be innovative while coming up with ideas and designs,” she urged the trainees.
She added that NEDFI organizes exposure fairs for products made specifically of fibre from water hyacinth. “If you can continue with this, making use of what you’ve learned in the three weeks past and progress there is every chance we can also participate.”
There was also a chance encounter with another craftsman of a different kind. A A Angh had come all the way from Longleng. His field of expertise is completely different from the aforementioned training programme but he took the opportunity to participate at the programme. He specializes in bamboo products and interestingly furniture and decorative items made out of discarded animal horns, buffalo to be precise. He said that it has been a decade since he has been in the trade and has also taken part in some government sponsored expos in the mainland. His ardent wish is to impart his knowledge and skills to other Nagas. He already has four youths working with him in his home town in Longleng.
