Hindu, India
New Delhi (PTI): Unique products ranging from bamboo beer mugs to dry flowers are being showcased by entrepreneurs and artisans from the northeast at a special display at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) here.
Diversified products made from cane and bamboo, bell metal and wood, as well as artefacts, handlooms, cookies and rice products are on display at the 35 stalls put up by entrepreneurs from the northeast, including 12 from Assam.
The display is being held under the aegis of the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi), established in 1985 as a funding agency for promoting industries and infrastructure in the northeast.
Named NEDFi Haat, the display is apart from what all the eight northeastern states have put up in their own official pavilions at Pragati Maidan.
NEDFi has brought in select handicraft and handloom items based on the local material and craft endowment of northeast. There is a conscious effort to improve upon the design and quality keeping in tune with the taste of the buyers, said Manoj Kumar Das, NEDFi Haat’s pavilion director.
He said dry flowers from Nagaland have been a craze with the women of Delhi while muga and eri products from Assam are also much in demand. The total budget for the whole set-up is over Rs 20 lakh, said Das.
The main problem with northeastern handicraft products is the lack of a proper market. IITF brings them in direct contact with over a million buyers.
Exhibitors learn design and product pricing inputs directly from the end users. NEDFi’s assistance in terms of travelling and other allowances and logistic support provides the requisite fillip to the entrepreneurs, said Das.
The uniqueness of NEDFi Haat is the representation of northeast as a single brand. The stalls are mixed to give a heterogeneous display, characteristic of the diversity of northeast, he said.
NEDF Haat has been receiving awards and accolades at IITF for its excellence in display. It received gold medals in 2003 and 2005, bronze in 2006 and a special commendation award in 2007.