From crisis to courage: Manipur’s youth turn to odd jobs and street ventures amid economic strain

Amid prolonged conflict, rising unemployment and deepening economic stress in Manipur, a quiet but significant shift is underway as young people increasingly turn to odd jobs and self-created livelihoods, signalling a revival of work culture and resilience in the state.

For years, the dominant aspiration among Manipuri youth was to complete higher education and wait for government employment or migrate outside the state for private-sector jobs. Part-time work while studying was uncommon and often socially discouraged. However, over the last few years—accelerated by the ongoing crisis—this mindset has begun to change. Many young men and women are now choosing to earn while they learn, engaging in small-scale work without hesitation or social stigma.

A visit to Ima Market and areas around the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences reveals a growing number of youths in their early twenties selling goods by the roadside, running food stalls, delivering items, cutting fish and meat in shops, distributing newspapers, or working in salons. These occupations, once largely associated with uneducated individuals or older people struggling for survival, are now being embraced by educated youth as viable means of income.

Among them are Yaikhom Rishikanta and Swaminanda Yumlembam, popularly known as Luwang, both in their twenties, who have been running a street food venture for the past two years. Operating from a truck named “Lu-Ri’s Ramen” near RIMS, the duo serves freshly prepared ramen from 1.30 pm to 8 pm daily. Rishikanta handles the cooking, while Luwang prepares raw noodles from scratch.

Rishikanta, a graduate, said family pressure and financial constraints forced him to discontinue further studies. Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture and a passion for cooking, he decided to start the venture to support his family economically. He emphasised that their ramen is not instant food but a complete meal made from raw noodles, vegetables and meat, which has helped them build a loyal customer base. He added that most of his culinary skills were learned through online platforms and expressed hope of undergoing formal training and eventually opening a full-fledged restaurant.

Luwang said the motivation behind the venture was self-reliance and reducing the financial burden on their families. With limited savings, the two friends built the food cart themselves and purchased essential equipment. Before this, Luwang had worked in a private job but quit due to dissatisfaction. Today, he prepares around 1.5 kg of noodles daily, and while income fluctuated during the peak of the crisis, business has gradually improved.

Nearby, Naoba, another entrepreneur, runs a roadside food stall serving duck, chicken and pork curry cooked in traditional earthen pots. Started five months ago, his business now sells nearly 200 pots a day. Unable to manage alone, he employs seven young men and women aged between 25 and 30. He said the venture was born out of repeated trial and error and encouraged unemployed youth to pursue self-employment with determination and courage.

At Ima Market, a 21-year-old undergraduate selling scrubbers, soap and spices said poverty compelled him to take up roadside vending. With no access to capital or institutional support, he said small trading was the only way to make ends meet while continuing his education.

Academicians view this trend as both a necessity and an opportunity. Professor Chinglen Meisnam, Head of the Department of Economics at Manipur University, said the crisis has severely affected youth employment and disrupted academic life, pushing the state’s economy close to collapse. Although signs of gradual revival are visible, he cautioned that the sustainability of such informal work must be carefully considered.

Professor Meisnam noted that Manipur’s outstanding debt stands at around Rs 21,000 crore against a budget of Rs 30,000 crore, and that the combined impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing conflict has worsened the state’s financial health. He stressed that Manipur’s economic challenges cannot be addressed by the state alone and require central intervention through targeted policies and special rehabilitation and revival packages.

Referring to the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said Manipur has a significant youth population, but the displacement of nearly 60,000 people due to conflict has pushed many into poverty. Without substantial economic support and revival of sectors like MSMEs—once a strong area for the state—even well-intentioned national targets may remain out of reach for Manipur.

He warned that youth, while being the state’s greatest asset, could become a liability if their energy and skills are not properly channelised. Reviving MSMEs, strengthening work culture and providing policy-backed support to young entrepreneurs, he said, are critical for long-term recovery.

As Manipur’s youth step forward to shoulder family responsibilities and carve out livelihoods under difficult circumstances, the emerging work culture underscores both their resilience and the urgent need for institutional support to convert survival-driven efforts into sustainable economic growth.

The story has been produced under the Award in Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU, Imphal. For further details, please contact Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer, CAU Imphal, at prmmcell@gmail.com)