From wastes to wealth: SHG redefines innovation

Taorem Bishwajit
IMPHAL, Mar 16 : Many of the waste materials which we think and see as useless can be put to productive uses and even earn money, and this has been demonstrated beyond doubt by the Producer Enterprise.
Notably, the Government of India has been providing financial assistance to such individuals/firms working to put waste materials to productive uses and generate income.
Under the “Waste to Wealth” Mission, the Government has taken up several measures and this initiative covers the handicraft sector too.
Incidentally, over 7 million people are employed in the handicraft sector across the country and the same sector has been contributing 7 per cent to the National GDP.
Complementing both the Make in India and Vocal for Local initiatives, the Waste to Wealth Mission has enhanced the Nation’s productivity.
Apart from manufacturing cane and bamboo products, Yaipha Khongchat Producer Enterprise, Yurembam Makha Leikai has launched an initiative to produce useful products from wastes.
Thokchom Sharmila who has been taking a key role in managing the Yaipha Khongchat Producer Enterprise told The Sangai Express that the enterprise was formed by three women’s self help groups.
Yaipha Khongchat Producer Enterprise made up of three SHGs namely Thounaphabi SHG, Yumleima SHG and Daithalung SHG, has been manufacturing cane and bamboo products since 2024 and under the Waste to Wealth Mission it has been utilising wood shavings to generate income by making flower petals.  
While common products like Lukmai, flower vase, pen-stand, baskets of different shapes and sizes, wall hangings etc are sold at shops/markets, artificial flowers made by the enterprise are sold only at fairs and when ordered, Sharmila said.
She said that artificial flowers made of wood shavings are bought by many youth.
Moreover, bouquets made of wood shavings are also for different functions, she added.
Sharmila said that the enterprise has been making 6/7 different types of flowers out of wood shavings. Leaves are made of bamboo chips, if the flowers should have leaves.
Some Government Departments have recognised these flowers and they often buy bouquets made by the enterprise for their official functions, thus generating a substantial income for the SHGs.
Artificial flowers made of wood shavings worth Rs  20,000 could be sold at a single mela.
The enterprise sells one piece of flower at Rs 15 to Rs 20. If the flowers are sold together with vases, it costs Rs 500 to Rs 600 per piece. The price depends on the number of flowers put in the vase, Sharmila said.
Taorem Sanahal who has been giving training to the members of the Enterprise said that he started making cane and bamboo products when he was reading in Class VII.
He received training from the Craft Society of Manipur in 1995 before undergoing six months training in Tripura in 1997.  
Sanahal also participated in many design workshops held outside Manipur.
On seeing flowers made of bamboo at fairs, Sanahal started making flowers from pinewood pieces with a pencil cutter.
As pinewood is generally hard, he started exploring softer wood for making flowers.
Later, he found that Kokan and Heimang woods are most suitable for making flowers, and he started making flowers from these woods.
Not long after, an idea struck that petals can be made of wood shavings instead of bamboo strips. Thus he started wood shavings for making flowers/petals.
Making artificial flowers does not need much financial investment. Nonetheless, a substantial income can be earned from this vocation.
In fact, skilled craftsmen can earn substantial income from making artificial flowers.
However, Sanahal does not have spare time for making artificial flowers as he is always occupied with meeting orders for different cane and bamboo products.
So he shared his knowledge and expertise with members of the Yaipha Khongchat Producer Enterprise and motivated them to produce artificial flowers.
(This report is filed under the Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU Imphal.  Details can be had from CAU Information and Publicity Officer Dr Indira Thounaojam on [email protected].)