Manipur has an apparel-manufacturing centre

Imphal, May 29 (ANI): A centre for apparel manufacturing has been set up in Imphal in a first of its kind initiative in the northeastern region. It has come as a boon for educated unemployed youth of the State.

Many Manipuri youngsters have joined Skills for Employment in Apparel Manufacturing (or SEAM) centre.

Set up at Nongmeibung in Imphal East District, SEAM is sponsored by Ministry of Rural Development and Department of Education, Government of Manipur with Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL and FS) Cluster Multi Skills Development Centre.

"Definitely it is going to enhance the local economy. First, by providing local people and dropout students with employment opportunities. Secondly, we are trying to start a production unit in Manipur. Once that comes up, they can start working in Manipur itself," said Manoj Kumar Sinha, Advisor to the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services centre.

"After they finish their training here, they will go to Bangalore and Chennai for three months to work as an apprentice and will get a stipend of 3,000 rupees. After that they can start working on their own," said Md. Kodus Khan, the Nodal Officer. he training programme would last for a month and after that, arrangement for placement would be made outside the State and in metro cities.

Apart from weaving classes, the trainees also have classes on personality and language development.

The people of the State have responded enthusiastically and have appreciated the government's effort.

"This is a very good initiative taken by the government for the employed educated youth of the state. We can now get an opportunity to learn and make a living for ourselves," said Laishram Reena, a trainee.

"I've joined with the hope that after I get this training, I will be able to help my parents. I can work and with the salary I get. I can support my family," said Giya, a trainee.

Unemployed youth, who have studied till grade eight, are eligible to apply for the training programme, which is free of cost.

Unemployment is one of the biggest problems in the Manipur and schemes like SEAM help address it to some extent. By L.C.K.Singh (ANI)