Source: The Sangai Express
Chandel, January 16 2024: An awareness cum interaction programme on "Sustainable Bamboo Based Feminine Hygiene Product and setting up of Pilot Plant at Chandel (Aspirational District), Manipur" was held at Liimku Inn in Chandel district on January 13, 2024 .
The programme was jointly organised by Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi (SRI), South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) Manipur and North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
The programme was sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and supported by Chandel Forest Division, Government of Manipur, said a press release by the founder, SABF. The programme was attended by Self Help Groups (SHG) and village heads from the area and community leaders of Chandel District.
The project is being implemented under the guidance of Dr Mukul Das, Director SRI and represented by Dr Manmohan Kumar, Deputy Director; Dr Meenu Talwar, Assistant Director and Dr Vinay Tyagi, Senior Scientist and Project Coordinator; Kamesh Salam, CEO (SABF) and Professor Mihir Kumar Sahoo (NEHU) as principal investigators.
A welcome address by Pritam, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chandel marked the beginning followed by Dr Manmohan Kumar briefing about the project on bamboo based sanitary napkins being implemented at Chandel.
Dr Meenu Talwar (SRI) briefed about the importance of the project for Chandel and Dr Mihir Kumar Sahoo briefed about demand potential of the product in Manipur and its future prospects while Dr Vinay Tyagi (SRI) briefed about the process technology and pilot plant which will come up at Chandel.
Kamesh Salam (SABF) explained about the value chain of bamboo and its importance in the development of the region in particular to this innovative project.
The participants actively participated in the programme and interacted with resource persons regarding the project and its implementation etc.
The project is very important as local Moubi wa (Muli) bamboo will be utilised for making value added products and will provide health benefits to women and employment opportunities for local people.