Kohima, April 2 (MExN): tEA (the Entrepreneurs Associates) in collaboration with Autonomous District Council, Chandel and Women Market, Chandel district organized its first street vendors programme on March 31 in Chandel District in Manipur.
tEA orchestrated this unique event at the Women's Market Chandel, marking the first-of-its-kind initiative in the district, according to a release received here.
Er. Robertson Wanglum, the Chief of Hnatham village, commenced the proceedings by invoking God's presence.
Sopemla Shithung, Development Associate, tEA Manipur, delivered the opening remarks and provided a brief account of how tEA established and its initiatives–Livelihood, training and mentoring the First-Generation Entrepreneurs (FGEs), Trees for Wealth (TfW).
TfW movement is a flagship program of tEA which envisions Nagaland as the ‘Fruit Hub’ of India developing a self-sustaining economy and creating opportunities for its people.
TfW is designed as a movement to trigger the plantation of fruit trees across the state in both rural and urban areas, which will generate valuable additional income for farmers and entrepreneurs and catalyze the growth of various Agri-based industries and food processing units in the region which in turn will generate employment.
Uplifting Women Street Vendors which aims at the street vendor aims to empower women street vendors and petty traders who are inadvertently driving the rural local economy, by addressing issues through multi-pronged approach of training them on financial planning and management leveraging EA’s expertise, healthcare, legal awareness, administrative provisions for them, ethical Business to win trust of customers, better customer service, inculcating values for better services and becoming perceptive to issues pertinent to their and family well being.
The programme also talked on Start Up Village Entrepreneurs Programme (SVEP), a flagship programme of the Government of India and a sub-scheme under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (Ministry of Rural Development).
SVEP aimed to solve the problem of the rural poor and provide support to small enterprises and skill- based workers both in terms of training and credit support.
The first Project undertaken by tEA in Chandel district is the pilot project, “Nurturing Women’s Livelihood and Entrepreneurship,” in collaboration with FWWB- NABARD.
The event witnessed a participation of 64 participants, predominantly street vendors and some women trainees from FWWB-NABARD project and few men folks too.
Kevin from ADC Chandel delivered a speech on the importance of digital payment and its role in modernizing the payment landscape.
He urged the women folk to embrace new technologies and adapt to the changing payment trends to facilitate cashless transactions.
Dr.Tongen Roel, District Leprosy & TB Officer, Chandel District emphasized the significance of maintaining good health and fitness.
She asserted that a sound mind and body are crucial for earning a livelihood and thriving in the business world. She reminded the attendees of the age-old maxim, "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
Ng. Barbara, President of the Elingbung Self Help Group, shared her experiences of how tEA trained and assisted her group in progressing further.
After undergoing a training program offered by tEA, the SHG successfully registered for FSSAI and is now set to launch the third batches of Perkia Speciosa/Stinky Beans Pickles, which is in high demand even in her local community.
The SHG is now planning to expand its business of pickle making and other products.
In order to be hassle free and ease the methods of payments and transactions, tEA has also provided the QR Codes for their business.
Themreiso Awungshi, Project Associate, tEA discussed the project titled "Uplifting the Street Vendors," which is currently being undertaken in Nagaland and some parts of Manipur.
He provided a brief history of how this project took shape in the year 2017 in Nagaland and how tEA signed an MoU with Capri Foundation giving trainings and financial literacy and trained the street vendors in various capacities.
Till today over 5700 women have been trained and over 80% of the women who took part in the trainings have begun savings and 700 women have been provided 0 interest loans.
The concluding remark was given by Sopemla Shithung and benediction by Deenshang Monsang who’s the leader of the Women Market, Chandel District.
