'Upakramah 2021' – An initiative towards a self-reliant Assam

GUWAHATI: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when the global economy has seen turmoil and millions have lost jobs worldwide, "self-reliant" has become a necessity and keeping the same in mind, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati organized 'Upakramah, 2021', an exhibition cum sale on fashion and lifestyle accessories on January 11, 2021.

'Upakramah, 2021', which was an attempt to promote the movement “vocal for local” initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was organized at the institute’s premises itself from 10 am onwards.

30 participants from and around Guwahati had taken part in this Exhibition. The participants had been trained under the experts in the institute for 60 days in different sectors of handcrafted fashion and lifestyle accessories -- from showpieces, souvenirs to clothes, pickles, etc.

“All the products are made of waste materials like newspaper, plastics, and other household wastages. Hence we can make all these products at a very low cost and earn well,” one woman at a candle shop told Inside Northeast, adding, “Now I will open a shop of my own in Hajo and for help I know I can visit IIE and the faculty anytime.”

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Asked about the participants' future, IIE Faculty & Head, Dr. Sriparna Baruah told Inside Northeast, “It totally depends on them on the basis of what they want. If they want to take a loan to start their businesses then we can help them with getting it. Many people who come from rural areas do it in groups mostly. So, it varies from person to person.”

Asked about the availability of such avenues in other parts of the state, the IIE head stated, “We have not started the training sessions in other parts of the state yet. But anyone across the state who wants to attend can come here and attend the training sessions free of cost.”

A young girl from the souvenir shop expressed her gratitude. “We had no plans earlier this. But now we are very thankful to IIE for giving us an opportunity to explore and motivation to do something. We will definitely start our own business,” she told this publication.

Describing the products she had put up on display, she stated, “These products have durability. Even though made of news-papers you can wash and clean them. It’d not cause any harm. Additionally, these are not going to break.”

Another shop owner who had completed her one-year Diploma course in Fashion Technology from IIE informed that the course has a "100% placement assurance". "As for myself, I plan to open my own boutique," she said.

Dr. Baruah further informed Inside Northeast that she is overwhelmed by this year’s response and is thinking of expanding the event.

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