Morung Express News
Ukhrul | April 11
MadeInUkhrul 2018 – an Entrepreneurship Conclave Cum Trade Fair – was held at Bakshi Ground Indoor Stadium in Ukhrul on April 5 and 6.
Held under the theme “Sustainable Ukhrul 2030,” the two day event saw 92 entrepreneurs from all over Ukhrul display products ranging from agriculture and horticulture produce to processed food to confectioneries to handloom and handicraft products.
Organized by a small start-up group – Hill Wild, Made in Ukhrul was conceptualised with an aim to bring economic sustainability in the district town of Ukhrul by connecting entrepreneurs with buyers from within and outside of Ukhrul and creating better market linkages for them all.
The first edition in 2017 was self funded but despite the financial constraints and several other hiccups, the event provided a platform for 25 entrepreneurs to display their products which ranged from clothing, furniture, processed foods, handicrafts, textiles etc.
This time however, the North Eastern Council (NEC) stepped in to sponsor the event.
Hill Wild also approached the Ukhrul Autonomous District Council’s Small Town Committee, Food Safety Division of Ukhrul District Hospital, GST registration team and United Bank of India to set up stalls so that entrepreneurs can avail facilities such as registration of their business licenses, food safety licenses, bank accounts and GST registration.
A vital part of the two day Entrepreneurship Conclave was the interactive sessions and workshops conducted by eminent entrepreneurs.
Karma Bhutia, CEO of ishippo.com, shared about his entrepreneurial journey and the difficulties faced and also the possibilities that one could see in a place like Ukhrul. He threw light on certain branding and marketing certain products viable for huge production.
Satabdee Borah, CEO of GNRC Hospitals, Guwahati, shared about her experiences of being in the healthcare industry and the challenges faced and encouraged the entrepreneurs present to work fervently and consistently.
Vignesh Rmeswamy, CEO of Tartl, spoke about the possibilities and bringing up a platform for content writers in a place like Ukhrul.
Gaurav Gupta, Founder of Swaaha, had an interactive session with ENFOGAL UKHRUL, an environmental group and other interested individuals about waste management.
Dr. Suryanil Ghosh of Total Start Ecosystem Developers had an interactive workshop with 40 entrepreneurs about scaling and incubating their business.
Devna Agarwal, Co-founder of MailTangy, highlighted about Women entrepreneurship and interacted with the entrepreneurs present at the event.
The event also saw Shiroi Lily Shaiza, Corporate Manager, Entrepreneurs Associates & Group of Social Ventures, who shared about her personal experiences and was also a part of the judging panel for the Pitching Competition.
A Pitching Competition was held where 5 entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas in front of a panel of judges – Shiroi Lily Shaiza, Imtisunup Longchar – Co-founder and Director of ilandlo.com, and Khathing Luiram – Sales Manager of Idea Cellular (Assam & Manipur).
The prize was bagged by Pamchui Lunghar of CeePee Handlooms who was awarded seed funding of Rs. 1 lakh. Entrepreneurs Associates also decided to fund the second best idea pitched at the competition which was awarded to Shaileiphy Zingkhai of Phiva Society.
- Roadmap to sustainable Ukhrul –
“The event showed Ukhrul can truly be sustainable in most aspects,” according to Zeinorin Stephen Angkang who co-founded Hill Wild along with her partner Leiyolan Vashum.
These two enterprising youngsters have already prepared a roadmap to achieve the rather ambitious goal of a sustainable Ukhrul.
First, certain products have been identified to be pushed for production on a larger scale to sustain the demands of Ukhrul – for e.g., bread, eggs, fish and pork.
Second, while those have been identified for Ukhrul’s sustenance, there are few others that would be pushed for more production to meet the demands of bigger markets – for e.g., traditional spices and seasonings, honey, pickles and plum.
Third, their goal is to make Ukhrul an organic district by 2030.
