Manipur Commerce and Industries Minister Biswajit on Tuesday exhorted the youth to support the call for ‘Vocal for Local’ while stressing that “the more we buy from outside, the more we will exhaust our money, and that the more we export our own products, the more we will bring in money to our economy.”
He was speaking during an interaction with the local youths of Chadong New Site Village, Muirei, Mayophung and Ngarumphung villages at the end of a function at Ngarumphung Village, Kamjong district.
During the interaction, the local youth raised several issues and highlighted areas including unemployment of educated youth, tourism potential of the region, lack of sporting facilities, among others.
Minister Biswajit encouraged the youth to become entrepreneurs and lauded those who are enterprising. He said, “Entrepreneurs not only enhance their own household economy, but also help in creating jobs and generate employment in the society.”
For handloom and handicraft, any youth seeking to receive benefits from schemes require completion of training, he said.
The government is encouraging all weavers, handloom and handicraft artisans, he further said, adding that various facilities and assistance are provided in the Handloom and Handicraft sector. He said under the Handloom and Handicraft Delivery System, anyone can receive raw materials at subsidised rates at their doorsteps after registering.
Assuring support and help to the youth in any enterprising activity, he said that Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited could help in providing a market for their products.
“Sports are ingrained in our blood and we should promote the sporting culture,” he said and asserted that the government is always ready to support them. Explaining the importance of a healthy lifestyle and sports, he said, “We can be mentally strong when we are physically strong. Education is the backbone of society and much needed to bring sustainable development in our society and sports is also a part of education today.”
Asserting that the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid special focus on the youth, he shared his views on gender equality and women empowerment with the youth. He also explained at length various developmental schemes including the Manipur Start-up Scheme, Labour Card, Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), etc.
Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that minister Biswajit had earlier laid the foundation stone for Indigenous Park, Indigenous Garden and Homestay at Ngarumphung Village.
Speaking at the formal function, he had said that achieving the 1 crore COVID-19 vaccination is a remarkable achievement and further called on the people to take the Covid vaccination and also urged the local leaders to campaign for COVID vaccination.
The foundation stone laying function was attended by headmen of local villages, among others. (DIPR).
