Bishnupur: The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM), under the Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of Manipur, on Monday launched the state’s first Rural Roots Market at Leimapokpam Makha Leikai Community Hall, Nambol, in Bishnupur district.
Hosted by the Senmitlon Sinnai Village Level Federation (VLF), the inaugural edition of the Rural Roots Market witnessed significant public participation. The initiative aims to eliminate middlemen and enable Self-Help Group (SHG) members to sell their products directly to customers at wholesale rates.
Gracing the function as Chief Guest, Secretary of Skill, Labour, Employment & Entrepreneurship and State Mission Director of MSRLM, N Bandana Devi, said the Rural Roots Market was a long-cherished dream that had finally come to fruition.
She emphasised that the platform enables SHG members to directly engage with customers, understand their needs, and improve the quality and design of their products accordingly—helping them reach a wider audience.
Devi further suggested that such markets be organised monthly across various locations, particularly near highways, to ensure higher footfall. She noted this would enhance market reach and help address the common issue of unsold inventory by better aligning supply with demand.
Highlighting the quiet but powerful transformation being led by MSRLM, she said, “MSRLM is a silent revolution—empowering women at the grassroots by making them financially independent and giving them a voice in both family and society.” She also stressed the importance of including more women from vulnerable sections in SHGs so they could benefit from government schemes, thereby contributing to a stronger society.
Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur and District Mission Director, MSRLM, Pooja Elangbam, reaffirmed the District Administration’s commitment to rural transformation through coordinated departmental efforts. She highlighted that the economic and social empowerment of women under MSRLM would significantly elevate their roles within the household and society at large.
“Rural markets like these provide the perfect platform to showcase the diverse skills of women. Once standardised, these products can be exported nationally and internationally,” she said, adding that this would help scale up livelihoods, increase profits, and boost product marketability. The DC also urged women to collaborate and support one another in becoming financially self-reliant. “A family should be co-managed by both men and women,” she added.
She further underlined the importance of financial independence for women and how MSRLM has played a key role in facilitating this. She encouraged women to actively participate and avail themselves of the programme’s benefits for their advancement.
SHG members also shared personal testimonials during the event, describing how joining SHGs had boosted their confidence and enabled them to contribute meaningfully to their families.
The event was also attended by Divisional Forest Officer Waikhom Romabai, who served as Guest of Honour, and Mutum Bebina Devi, President of Senmitlon Sinnai VLF, who presided over the function.
A wide range of products was available at the Rural Roots Market, including handloom and handicraft items, clothing, jute bags, vegetables, and various local eatables.
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