Women entrepreneurship in Manipur : A rising movement

Ereda Lourembam
The Sangai Express brings you a brief thought on entrepreneurship by the women of Manipur, on the occasion of Nupi Lan
Editor
The words ‘Entrepreneur’ and ‘Entrepreneur- ship’ are not uncommon to hear these days. Rewind some years back, and it would have been a completely different scenario. When it comes to career options for a State like Manipur, alongside the other North Eastern States, the holy trinity of doctor, engineer, and civil servant remains the most popular and sought-after professions. It is understandable that for a State connected to the rest of the country through a chicken-neck corridor and relying heavily on resources imported from outside, a career option in business is often frowned upon. A myriad of issues stemming from logistics to storage can arise, not to mention the tensions that can emerge due to the region’s geopolitical situation. If one were to say ‘Karbar ama touge khalli’ the most frequent reply would undoubtedly be ‘Manipur dadi karbar oidabani’ which directly translates to ‘Business is not possible in Manipur.’
However, when we return to the present, it would not be far-fetched to say that Manipur has become a thriving hotbed of entrepreneurs. As a woman myself, it gives me immense pride to say that women entrepreneurs are part of this movement, if not leading it by a mile. Goods ranging from handloom attire, handcrafted items, handmade soaps, shampoos, and other necessities are just some of the products they offer. Some are noted chefs and bakers churning out mouthwatering delicacies and treats. Some, even without any culinary background, simply rely on their own wisdom or recipes passed down through families to make tasty pickles and condiments that are loved by many. Some deal in non-local products beautifully curated as part of gift packages or hampers alongside locally made products for an interesting touch of indigeneity.
What woman doesn’t love flowers ? There are many full-time florists offering beautiful combina- tions of seasonal flower bouquets catered to their clients’ requests. Besides tangible products, some offer their skills in hair and makeup, nails, grooming, and even aesthetician services. Even the ordinary candle has received a complete makeover: exquisite centerpieces for decoration, floral-shaped wax bouquets, scented wax charms for closets and the list goes on. This is another display of the creativity and innovative flair of our women entrepreneurs in giving the perfect twist to an otherwise ordinary product. From cute Pinterest-inspired items to customized designer wear and couture, products are available for every budget.
What’s even more amazing is that most of these women entrepreneurs don’t have a formal degree in business management, yet their success speaks for itself. During my survey as part of my thesis data collection, I discovered that only a few of them had mentors guiding them, while the majority were self-taught. They chanced upon their business ideas through their own lived experiences or while seeking solutions for an unmet need. But their path to success was not without obstacles. Some had to take financial assistance for their starting capital, while others had to juggle being a student or managing a family full-time while pursuing their business. Despite everything, they all shared a common vision of doing something worthwhile and achieving financial independence.
Their efforts have clearly paid off, as evidenced by the booming entrepreneurship scene in our State. Even at pop-up fairs or festive events, we have grown accustomed to seeing a multitude of women vendors pitching their stalls and proudly displaying their goods for sale. Walk down any street, and you would see telltale signs of women entrepreneurs and their stores showcasing enticing desserts, colorful Phees and Phaneks, cosmetics, floral arrangements, and gift baskets, to name a few. Some of them are operating right from the comfort of their own homes. With the advent of social media, many online businesses are emerging. We can see many women entrepreneurs taking full advantage of the digital wave and running very successful online ventures. Social media has become an avenue where direct sales, promotion, advertisement, and transactions all take place in one fell swoop. Here again, we can see the creativity of our women entrepreneurs in the way they create content with eye-catching visuals and engaging background music.
Some online businesses have followers reaching the six-digit mark and boast regulars who keep buying their products every time. Customers love the sheer convenience, accessibility, and ease of use. With just a few taps on their mobile screens, they can get their desired products delivered to their doorstep. Many have moved on from e-commerce sites and are browsing through their social media feeds for anything they might need, whether for an upcoming social engagement, a friend’s birthday party, or their own personal shopping spree.
One of the benefits of this rising wave of women entrepreneurs is the creation of employment for other individuals. Most of them employ sales assistants and production staff to handle their day-to-day business operations. They also outsource their logistics to third-party delivery agencies, thereby generating further employment. Another advantage is the building of networks and relationships among the entrepreneurs themselves. This helps budding entrepreneurs get much-needed advice and access to resources for their business ventures from their seasoned counterparts. Besides developing camaraderie, we can also see collaborations between them as part of product tie-ups, boosting each other’s businesses and proving popular with consumers.
Running a business is not without its share of challenges. Our State’s bandh and strike culture puts a dampner on business activities. Business also suffers whenever the Government bans the internet, which has been a frequent occurrence since the start of the ethnic conflict. Another seemingly harmless yet common obstacle is the trend of duplication or copying. In my conversations with women entrepreneurs, quite a few have complained that the novelty of their products has worn off because other entrepreneurs steal their ideas and pass them off as their own. Since there are no proper copyright laws or protections in place, the market has become saturated with similar products mirroring each other.
These are some of the challenges facing our entrepreneurs, but if we look at the bright side, there is plenty they have gained as well.
Besides the more obvious financial independence, women entrepreneurs have gained valuable skills such as content creation, online marketing tips and tricks, and business tactics and strategies. They have been able to step out of their comfort zones and develop customer relationship management and interpersonal communication skills. They have become adept at problem-solving, people management, decision-making, and planning. They are respected and acknowledged by their communities and social circles. Some regularly receive invitations to participate in skill-sharing workshops or to impart their knowledge to interested students.
For Manipur, women have always been at the forefront of change. As seen in the historic Nupi Lan and the mobilization of Meira Paibis in every leikai, Manipuri women have never failed to display their indomitable spirit and strength throughout the echoes of time. The iconic Ima Keithel at Khwairamband is another testimony to that. On that same note, our budding women entrepreneurs are continuing this legacy of economic resilience and autonomy. They are quietly but steadfastly dismantling the scepticism encapsulated in the saying of ‘Manipur dadi karbar oidabani.’ They’re not just running businesses. They’re creating jobs, mentoring younger entrepreneurs, and showing the next generation of women that there are more paths available than ever before. During my research, I met women who started with nothing but an idea and sheer determination. Their success stories are proof that it was never about whether business is possible here, but about having the courage to try despite the odds.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go. These entrepreneurs face real challenges ranging from internet shutdowns to lack of copyright protection to the disruptions caused by bandhs.
But if we want to see Manipur thrive economically, we need to support them. Buy from local women-led businesses whenever you can. Share their posts online. Push for better policies that protect their innovations and make financial grants more accessible.
These women are writing a new chapter for Manipur, one small business at a time. They’re supporting their families, contributing to the community, and proving that with the right support, anything is possible. I genuinely believe that if we all stand behind this movement, we can help our state get back on its feet and build something better for the generations to come.
The writer is a Research Scholar at the  Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University