Fast evolving as a springboard for tribal business, ‘Tribal-goo’ has now launched its official e-commerce platform across its website and mobile apps, along with its first physical store in downtown Ukhrul.
The online business portal was conceived and established by three young passionate Tangkhul professionals namely, Mashungmi Zingkhai, Dearson Khansu and Shinmi Rumthao (as BDM & Project Manager, COO & Marketing Director and CEO & Developer in their capacity respectively) in collaboration with an array of local entrepreneurs and manufacturing units as business partners.
The company aims to digitise the traditional business operations to provide a unified, hassle-free experience for both of its business partners and its growing customers spread across the North-East region and the rest of the country, while it also retains bricks-and-mortal business through its newly-opened physical store for local entrepreneurs and customers alike.
Pre-launched in September, the e-commerce platform, along with the physical store, was officially inaugurated by Rev Remember Rimai, pastor Union Baptist Church (UBC) in the presence of two of Tribal-goo founders Mashungmi Zingkhai and Dearson Khansu and Tangkhul professional model Songashim Rungsung and a host of well-wishers at Viewland on Monday.
“In such a time when a large number of our youngsters are facing job security issues in the wake of reverse migration due to Covid pandemic, we believe this new e-commerce portal will create new job opportunities for many of our youths,” Rev Rimai said, congratulating the trio on successful launch of the new venture.
He observed the typical crisis that the district is facing is not one of a resource scarcity. “There is no dearth of human or natural resources in our lands, but what matters is we are not doing enough to capacitate our local resources. Disciplining our young talents and resources is what we need to shape the future of the upcoming generation,” he exhorted.
“Time has come for us all to work towards creating and consolidating our own means of livelihood, rather than depending on others, which we have done for years now. For this, we need to first discipline all the available local resources,” he reiterated.
He also underscored the need for the tribals to develop a sense of responsibility and belongingness in their respective occupations, so that there is sustenance and durability in all business ventures.
“Tribals tend to cease or switch their businesses in a matter of months. This trend of short-term adventures needs to be stopped in order to reap the benefits of one’s labour,” Rev Rimai said.
In his speech, Co-founder Mashungmi Zingkhai said that the portal was a long-felt need and that the same has now materialised because of God’s grace.
According to him, the name Tribal-goo is formed by suffixing ‘goo’ which is a local coinage that stands for empowerment and thus, its main vision is to empower the tribals by way of promoting their lifestyle and indigenous products. “In this, we at Tribal-goo, envision a viable market scenario where this e-commerce platform acts as a facilitator in cementing the gap between a wide range of tribal products and their buyers/customers, existing and prospective,” he anticipated.
He continued the vision encompassed the whole gamut of business aspects including income generation, fair market price and job opportunities keeping in view a holistic approach towards developing tribal economy.
Digitization is another aspect that will impact the local market significantly. “It is our belief that digitizing our local products will redefine the landscape of our traditional marketing system,” Zingkhai further exuded.
To start with, several leading local enterprises like YRP Agro Pvt Lt and Herbs & Me are already partnering with the company. “Currently, we have some seven business partners but we are planning to bring all such local units on board very soon,” Dearson Khansu told Ukhrul Times on the side-lines of the launch.
To all of Tribal-goo’s current and prospective business partners, he said: “If you are a good product, we are your good opportunity. Grow your business with us and who knows the next big brand on Tribal-goo could be you.”
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