Imphal: The seven-day long exhibition “Mai-own 2021” ended Monday with Chief Minister N Biren Singh attending the closing ceremony as chief guest. The exhibition, under the theme “From our courtyards to the World”, which began on March 16, 2021 showcased World-ready products from all corners of Manipur.
The closing ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, MLA Nahakpam Indrajit, Chairman, Manipur Development Society, M. Asnikumar and Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar among others.
Addressing the gathering, N Biren said, “the State has begun to revive to the status of once called “Sanaleibak” where there was close bonding between the hill and the valley with surplus products of our own”. The state is towards development, he added. The Chief Minister further stated that the exhibition had been organised to provide exposure to the hidden talents of the youth of Manipur, who had been facing constraints in showcasing their innovative ideas and products.
Reiterating that the state had seen many packaging food products being brought in from Myanmar side whose hygienic status is questionable, he added that the government would provide any assistance to the entrepreneurs coming up with our old and indigenous food products to substitute imports from outside the state. He also expressed pride in being a Manipuri and an Indian because of the many talented youth in the state and added that the state has no scarcity of human resources in every sector.
Stating that production, value addition and marketing are important for sustaining a business, he assured that the government would provide any form of assistance to talented entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to make the state self-reliant and self-sufficient under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. He also assured assistance even to talented government employees so that they too could contribute more to the state’s economic development with their innovative products.
He appreciated all the government departments and their officials, organising committee and the participants of the Mai-own 2021 for their contribution in the successful organization of the exhibition. He appealed to the entrepreneurs to bring up their products in large numbers so that these could be utilized throughout the state.
Delivering his presidential speech, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar said that Manipur and its people had been known for their culture, traditions and talents in many fields. However, the state hadn’t been able to showcase it due to lack of exposure. He appreciated the initiative of Chief Minister, N. Biren for providing opportunities and platforms to talented entrepreneurs, to showcase their innovative ideas and products.
Stating that certain products of the State are in high demand from other states, he appealed to the entrepreneurs to put in more effort and produce their items in large quantities so that the products could be exported outside the States.
The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners of different Stall categories. Under the best District Stall in each department category, district agriculture office cum PD, ATMA, Bishnupur bagged first position, Manipur Textiles Processing Institute, Handloom and Handicraft Department bagged second and Senapati VDVK, Forest Department bagged third position.
In the department category, Horticulture Department and Agriculture Department jointly were declared first, the Sericulture Department second while DIPR and Police Department third. Under Entrepreneur Category, Synergy Sustainable Solution Pvt. Ltd came in first position, St. Stone Medical Devices Pvt. Ltd in second while The Spring Ladies Interior and Ingelei Paper and Print Pvt. Ltd jointly bagged the third position.
