For the first time ever in Manipur, models walked on the ramp wearing traditional costumes woven by People with Disabilities (PwDs) under Ema Panthoibi Chareiphi and Sheloi Apanba at City Convention Centre in Imphal East on Saturday.
The traditional production show was organised under the theme, ‘Pick Local and Style in Global’. The Ima Panthoibi Chareiphi and Sheloi Apanba are modern textiles, handloom and handicrafts emporiums based in Manipur.
A total of 23 models walked on the ramp at the City Convention, wearing the traditional costumes woven by differently-abled persons.
One Th Sunibala, PwD who worked at the Sheloi Apanba since 2015 said, “It was indeed a heart warming and a great pleasure to witness the clothes sewed by models in the ramp.”
“Organising of such an event gives us a lot of encouragement and increases our will power in trying to become more productive in the future,” she said, adding, “glad to know that my work does not go to waste.”
“Although I am physically challenged, I am a self-reliant woman as I am earning Rs 7,000 to 10,000 every month by working in the Sheloi Apanba,” she added.
The models also expressed their happiness and gratitude of having the opportunity of wearing costumes woven by the differently abled persons and said, “Those dresses are not less than any of the designer brands.”
Ahead of the production show, a mega-expo and a cultural programme for the differently-abled persons was also organised at the same location.
As a part of the cultural programme, various traditional dances were performed by students of BB Paul Mental Development Home, Mongsangei, Imphal West.
Indigenous handicrafts and handloom items such as baskets, laiphadibi, clay toy, ngarubak, lu, hidakphu, towel, knife, shawls, wrappers among others were displayed during the expo which was participated by 10 groups from different institutes and associations for persons with disability.
Among them Soibam Birla Devi Doll and Toy, Laipham Khunou, Imphal East is the only stall opened by an individual.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, Birla who is in her wheelchair expressed her happiness to be able to get socialised with different peoples in the expo after a dreadful pandemic of two years.
She started practicing the arts of making ‘Laiphadibi’ at her very young age. Birla started exposing her talent by participating in various expo and mela for handicapped since 2004.
During the pandemic, she did not halt her passion and made two life sized dolls, said Biral.
“We are trying to give a platform to the specially abled to showcase their talent and send a message to let the world know that their contribution towards the society are not less than any others,” said proprietor of Sheloi Apunba Laishram Priyadarshini while speaking exclusively the Imphal Free Press.
She further expressed her dissatisfaction upon Social Welfare department officials who allegedly refused to give any moral support despite several approaches made by the Chareiphi and Sheloi Apanba for organising the event. As the department is for the welfare of the public, especially those persons with disability, we were expecting at least some moral support or encouragement from the officers of the department.
Fortunately, everyone is glad that the newly inducted Minister of Social Welfare H Dingo personally attended the inaugural function as a chief guest, gave moral support and handed a monetary aid of Rs 30,000, she added.
The inaugural function of the event was attended by Social Welfare Minister H Dingo as chief guest, retired director of Horticulture department Nongmeikapam Joymati as president.
