On September 27, 2023, the grand inauguration of the "Marketing and Logistics Development for promoting tribal products from North Eastern Region (PTP NER)" program took place at the VDB hall in Longleng and was a collaborative effort between the TRIFED, IIE, DUDA, and the District Administration of Longleng.
The inauguration ceremony, presided over by Abhijeet Dutta, Joint Advisor (JA) TRIFED, commenced with the ribbon-cutting and inauguration of the Tribal Artisans Empanelment Mela by Dharam Raj, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Longleng.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Bangjunglemba, EAC (P) Longleng followed by impactful speeches from key individuals involved in this transformative initiative.
Nagedranath Jha, Senior Manager of TRIFED Delhi, highlighted the significance of this program, emphasizing the abundant talent among local artisans in Nagaland. He stressed that the only missing link was connectivity to the market and the need for skill enhancement, which this initiative aims to bridge.
Hongpe, Project Assistant from DUDA, reiterated the importance of empowering tribal artisans and connecting them with broader market avenues. He emphasized the potential of online marketing platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, which would be leveraged to promote tribal products.
Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj shared his vision for the program, describing it as a long-lasting commitment to nurturing and showcasing the rich skills of local artisans. He emphasized the goal of selecting the finest products and connecting them to larger markets through TRIFED's melas in Delhi and Guwahati. Dharam Raj also expressed his belief in the enormous potential for exporting these unique creations to the world and encouraged artisans to utilize the Prime Minister Van Dhan Yojana (PMVK) scheme for further support.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Asif Ekbal Hussain, Senior Program Executive of TRIFED Guwahati, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders and the promise of international training provided by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Around 110 tribal artisans from Longleng District actively participated in this program, marking a significant step towards the empowerment and recognition of the rich tribal heritage of Nagaland.
(Manjong Phom, IA Longleng)