The fourth edition of the two-day HOPEFEST kicked-off at Tiddim road near Sangaiprou Awang Leikai on Saturday, with the objective to lend a helping hand in rebuilding and reconnecting the economy through promotion of local businesses.
The event was started amid the restless conflict as an initiative to provide the internally displaced people with opportunities to develop a sustainable means of livelihood.
HOPEFEST 4.0 has been organised by The RiseUp Foundation and is powered by Fatafat, an online food delivery service provider and supported by Association of Meiteis in the Americas (AMA).
In collaboration with the event, Akhoka Theatre also performed the play ‘The Fainting Lamp’ at Sappho Beauty and Wellness centre. The play is directed by Victor Thoudam and is inspired from Saratchand Thiyam’s poem ‘Itanagar’.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press on the sidelines of the event, founding member of The RiseUp Foundation Swati Thounaojam stated that the event had been organised with the goal to promote sustainability of small local businesses in the state amid the crisis.
“We aim to promote sustainable livelihood of people affected by the crisis and small businesses which have incurred a huge economic blow as a result of the conflict,” she said.
She highlighted that the ongoing unrest had hugely impacted the economic trajectory of small business based in Imphal.
“The sales went downhill; forcing some businesses to close shops. The foundation initiated this event so as to provide the local business owners with a platform to reconnect with the customers, she said.
She exuded confidence that the two-day event would provide customers with the opportunity to assess new products which are being projected in the local market. Plus it will help the businesses generate revenues and kindle connections with a wider customer demography, she added.
She further stated that the event was a humble attempt to rebuild the market one step at a time and help the businesses in fostering reliable business partners.
Meanwhile, director of Keithel Express delivery services Ksh Lenin highlighted that the RiseUp Foundation was formed by four local entrepreneurs amid the conflict.
“Members of the foundation also reeled under pressure amid the conflict. Therefore, we conceptualised the event as a means to foster hope and motivate local entrepreneurs and small businesses to keep pushing,” he said.
He stated that the previous three editions of HOPEFEST focused on promoting products made by displaced persons staying in relief camps and helping them establish a sustainable livelihood.
The fourth edition focuses on exhorting the collaboration of small business owners and growing collectively, he added.
He noted that there would be many more editions of HOPEFEST in the future and stated that the event would also attempt to create an inclusive expressive space for contemporary arts and culture.
Theatre practitioner and actor Victor Thoudam expressed gratitude to the event organisers for their efforts in promoting, not only the business sector, but also the artistic space.
He pointed out that ‘The Fainting Lamp’ was a play which centered around raising collective consciousness regarding environmental issues and the conflict at hand.
Several local businesses dealing in a variety of products, ranging from clothing, accessories and processed foods, are taking part in the two-day event.
On top of that, a Trauma and Response center is also opened at the event venue to help conflict victims and the general public cope with the distress of the unrest. The first edition of HOPEFEST was held in October, 2023.
