Ukhrul: The closing ceremony of the 30-day Bamboo and Cane Processing Training held at Manipur University, Canchipur, concluded with heartfelt moments that underscored the participants’ resilience and emotional journeys. The training, organized by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) under the North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, in partnership with The Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur, was supported by the Department of Forestry at Manipur University. The program brought together participants who had been displaced from their homes in the Churachandpur and Moreh regions due to the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
Participants, primarily individuals staying in relief camps after being displaced by the crisis beginning on May 3, 2023, shared their deeply personal stories during the ceremony. Chief Guest Shri Mangsatabam Iboyaima Meitei, Adviser (Horticulture) to the North Eastern Council, gave an inspiring address, acknowledging the participants’ perseverance and empathy. He spoke to the struggles faced by those from Churachandpur and Moreh, commending their courage and determination.
Distinguished guests, including Prof. Gopal Kumar Niroula Chhetry and Dr. Huidrom Birkumar Singh, emphasized the training program’s dual role in skill-building and emotional healing. The event saw the presence of notable figures such as Dr. Kh Somorendro, Former Director of the Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM), Guwahati; N. Somorendro Singh, Assistant Mission Director, National Bamboo Mission; Pangambam Rajendro, Former Head Trainer SPG, Ministry of Home Affairs; and Mr. H. Priyokumar, Manager Training, NECBDC, Guwahati, among others.
M.C. Omi Ningshen, IRS, Managing Director of NECBDC, presided over the event, delivering an address that captured the transformative journey the participants had undertaken. “Every story told today reminds us of how our situations can shape our lives,” Ningshen stated. “In this assembly, we have seen the extraordinary transformation from sorrow to strength, from loss to learning. The tears we cry today are a tribute to the resilience and hope this program has fostered.”
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The NECBDC reaffirmed its commitment to socio-economic development in the region through sustainable initiatives and applauded each participant for their courage, resilience, and community spirit. The program not only imparted skills in bamboo and cane processing but also inspired participants to rebuild their lives and futures.
The 30-day training, designed to foster socio-economic empowerment, offered more than technical skills, creating a space for healing and a step toward rebuilding lives for those affected by the crisis in Manipur.