From left to right: Rinku, Kiren Rijiju, Mukul Sangma, Smriti Irani, and Zuboni Humtsoe at the recently concluded 1st Northeast Investors Summit in Shillong.
Zuboni Humtsoe, selected for Nari Shakti Puraskar for outstanding contribution to women’s empowerment, attributes success to hard work, persistence, team effort
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 26
Heralding a new age of next-gen entrepreneurs in Nagaland, Zuboni Humtsoe has been selected for the prestigious “Nari Shakti Puraskar 2016” by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, for outstanding contribution to women’s empowerment.
A cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh along with certificate will be presented to her by the President of India in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Paving the way for many to pursue and succeed in their entrepreneurial dreams, Zuboni Humtsoe, an inspiring young entrepreneur is the founder of Preciousmelove (PML), a brand that celebrates fashion, femininity, creativity and freedom. The company based out of Dimapur is a small home based setup, and has received numerous press mentions and recognition for her innovative concepts like promoting talented young models, photographers, stylists, seamstresses, doll-makers from Nagaland. Started in 2011, PML with an all-girls team is an online fashion brand selling premium Nagaland designs for women, accessories, vintage clothing and handicrafts.
According to Zuboni, entrepreneurship is a mindset and an attitude that one should keep building and growing. “It is a very challenging and lonely road. It has extremely highs and depressing lows, success is never guaranteed. It takes time but the rewards do come and when they do, you realize anything is possible,” she said.
This award, she stated, is a result of all the sleepless nights, the tears, the hard work, the sacrifices and the persistence. Sharing her experience, she said, “Building Precioumelove has been a great team effort and we are so lucky we have had the best of love and support regardless of gender, tribe, caste, creed, religion, and race. My girls have really pushed me and it’s because of the PML team, the company has reached to the position it is today, otherwise many times I almost gave up. So this award is for my girls and everybody who has supported us.”
When asked who her favorite entrepreneur was, she said she cannot decide between Ratan Tata and Walt Disney. “I wish Ratan Tata would personally mentor me so that I can create great industries for our people and become a philanthropist like him,” she expressed.
She also wished to meet Mark Zuckerberg and personally tell him how Facebook changed their lives and empowered dreamers like them to not give up no matter what.
Zuboni also believes that being self-empowered and being able to empower more people is one of the most beautiful feelings. “If we could do it anybody could do it. Start now. I have big dreams and I feel if people can change the world then why not us because no dream is too big or no dreamer too small.”
