MU PhD scholar interacts with President
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 21: Manipur University PhD scholar (Economics) Sanju Akoijam interacted with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on May 19.
Sanju Akoijam was the only woman representative from Manipur among a select group of artisans and weavers from North East States invited for the special interaction, said the university in a statement.
Sanju Akoijam, hailing from Singjamei Makha Oinam Thingel, Imphal East, is the founder of HI Store, Imphal — an online enterprise promoting sustainable, handcrafted Kauna products, dried floral arrangements, and traditional gifts.
What began as a modest venture with just Rs 3,000 investment has grown into a promising enterprise with an expected turnover of Rs 3 crore, operating primarily through its online platform.
Her outstanding performance earned her a Rs 7 lakh grant as one of the top 20 performers under the North Eastern Council’s (NEC) NEEDP scheme, facilitated with the support of the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) under the Ministry of DoNER.
"This proud achievement has been made possible under the inspiring mentorship of Prof Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma, Department of Economics. Prof Sharma has played a pivotal role by seamlessly integrating academic rigour with real-world entrepreneurship. Through continuous guidance, insightful research supervision, and constant encouragement to pursue innovative livelihood models, he has helped Sanju transform her traditional craft knowledge into a thriving sustainable enterprise while maintaining high academic standards in her PhD research," said the university.
Sharing her experience of building a successful venture, Sanju Akoijam said, “My entrepreneurial journey received its first major boost at Manipur University when Dr Sorokhaibam Keshorjit Singh, Assistant Professor at the Manipur Institute of Management Studies (MIMS), guided me in pitching my business projects for the first time. That initial support proved to be the crucial stepping stone for my career.”
During the May 19 meeting with the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the artisans were felicitated with pashmina shawls, hosted for lunch, and given a guided tour of the Presidential estate. Sanju Akoijam described the experience as deeply motivating, further strengthening her resolve to preserve indigenous crafts and create sustainable livelihoods.
"This milestone beautifully demonstrates the power of effective mentorship in bridging academia, tradition, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Manipur University remains committed to fostering such exemplary mentorship. The University strives to empower every student through holistic academic and professional mentoring, enabling them to emerge as successful entrepreneurs and contributors to a Viksit Bharat, while proudly preserving and promoting Manipur’s rich cultural heritage," said the university.
Today, in a heartfelt ceremony held in his chamber, Prof Ganga Prasad Prasain, Vice Chancellor (In-charge) of Manipur University, felicitated Sanju Akoijam.
The VC in-charge recognised her remarkable achievements in both academics and entrepreneurship, and encouraged her to continue her "inspiring journey."
The VC in-charge also expressed deep gratitude to Prof Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma for his exemplary mentorship, noting that "such dedicated guidance is truly contributing to Nation building by creating empowered scholar-entrepreneurs who blend knowledge with action for the progress of Manipur and India."
IMPHAL, May 21: Manipur University PhD scholar (Economics) Sanju Akoijam interacted with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on May 19.
Sanju Akoijam was the only woman representative from Manipur among a select group of artisans and weavers from North East States invited for the special interaction, said the university in a statement.
Sanju Akoijam, hailing from Singjamei Makha Oinam Thingel, Imphal East, is the founder of HI Store, Imphal — an online enterprise promoting sustainable, handcrafted Kauna products, dried floral arrangements, and traditional gifts.
What began as a modest venture with just Rs 3,000 investment has grown into a promising enterprise with an expected turnover of Rs 3 crore, operating primarily through its online platform.
Her outstanding performance earned her a Rs 7 lakh grant as one of the top 20 performers under the North Eastern Council’s (NEC) NEEDP scheme, facilitated with the support of the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) under the Ministry of DoNER.
"This proud achievement has been made possible under the inspiring mentorship of Prof Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma, Department of Economics. Prof Sharma has played a pivotal role by seamlessly integrating academic rigour with real-world entrepreneurship. Through continuous guidance, insightful research supervision, and constant encouragement to pursue innovative livelihood models, he has helped Sanju transform her traditional craft knowledge into a thriving sustainable enterprise while maintaining high academic standards in her PhD research," said the university.
Sharing her experience of building a successful venture, Sanju Akoijam said, “My entrepreneurial journey received its first major boost at Manipur University when Dr Sorokhaibam Keshorjit Singh, Assistant Professor at the Manipur Institute of Management Studies (MIMS), guided me in pitching my business projects for the first time. That initial support proved to be the crucial stepping stone for my career.”
During the May 19 meeting with the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the artisans were felicitated with pashmina shawls, hosted for lunch, and given a guided tour of the Presidential estate. Sanju Akoijam described the experience as deeply motivating, further strengthening her resolve to preserve indigenous crafts and create sustainable livelihoods.
"This milestone beautifully demonstrates the power of effective mentorship in bridging academia, tradition, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Manipur University remains committed to fostering such exemplary mentorship. The University strives to empower every student through holistic academic and professional mentoring, enabling them to emerge as successful entrepreneurs and contributors to a Viksit Bharat, while proudly preserving and promoting Manipur’s rich cultural heritage," said the university.
Today, in a heartfelt ceremony held in his chamber, Prof Ganga Prasad Prasain, Vice Chancellor (In-charge) of Manipur University, felicitated Sanju Akoijam.
The VC in-charge recognised her remarkable achievements in both academics and entrepreneurship, and encouraged her to continue her "inspiring journey."
The VC in-charge also expressed deep gratitude to Prof Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma for his exemplary mentorship, noting that "such dedicated guidance is truly contributing to Nation building by creating empowered scholar-entrepreneurs who blend knowledge with action for the progress of Manipur and India."