School of Livelihood and Rural Development, Raid Laban attracts talents
By Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG: Away from the hustle and bustle of the commercial areas of the city, a two-storeyed building is abuzz with activity with the inmates learning the art of moulding and casting “masterpieces” ranging from the Last Supper to the Statue of Mary, Jesus Christ and other sculptures. While there are others who are seen busy carving out simple figures and even making souvenirs.
It is here at the School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD), Raid Laban that the locals are taught various art works suiting their abilities aimed at developing their entrepreneurial skills.
The focus at SLRD, which spearheads entrepreneurship movement in the country, is not only to equip locals with skills but to help them eke out a living by providing the raw materials needed for their works.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Mission Director, SLRD, North East, Abhijit Sharma, informed that the institute has equipped 40 people with the required skills and is currently nurturing 80 others.
He pointed out that initially there were apprehensions about the results, but he gained confidence after the students proved their mettle.
The students create souvenirs specific to Meghalaya which will cater to the large number of tourists visiting the State. The art work also aims at increasing the footfalls in Meghalaya by creating a market for the products.
“We are using 3D printing for fridge magnets where figurines/shapes/characters are embedded signifying tourist spots like Mawlynnong, Sohra, and motifs which include Nongkrem dance, various waterfalls and other Meghalaya-specific events and places,” Sharma said.
The SLRD, Sharma informed, will tie up with shopkeepers at Mawsmai, Sohra and other tourist hotspots for selling the souvenirs.
“It is not possible to patent the products, but since it is a market based activity, we will continuously modify…,” he added.
On an average, a statue takes around 15 days to complete and taking into consideration the raw materials used, Sharma feels that an artisan should earn at least Rs 10000 from the product.
“The primary focus is on their (artisan’s) livelihood and to make it a market oriented activity,” he said.
The trainees, after acquiring the skills, can in turn instruct newcomers in the training-cum-manufacturing centre. They can even set up cottage industries and the Mission programme will extend help as far as raw materials are concerned.
“For the initial few years, we need a lot of support continuously in terms of marketing, logistics and continuous product innovation,” Sharma said.
He envisions that the programme will enable the trainees to learn the trick of marketing within the country and even oversees using latest technological route-the online sales channels.
Sharma stated that the Mission endeavors to reach untouched markets.
Besides the Raid Laban centre, an apparel factory is also run at Mahendraganj.
While talking about a statue of Buddha, he said, “Statues of Buddha have a huge market in Bhutan, Myanmar and other South East Asian countries as Bhutan and Myanmar do not craft such statues. We are looking at innovative marketing.”
“There are specific souvenirs for specific places,” said Sharma adding that plans will be put in place to tap and explore the markets of even the neighboring states.
“The students are already carving out small statues of the one-horned rhino which is so popular in Assam,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the training centre was selected by the State Government to execute the specific souvenirs programme and the Government is extending its support to the initiative.
Bidialin L. Nongkynrih, a student said, “It is a good initiative but our stipend is still pending and it is difficult for me to travel all the way from Mawlai and spend Rs 70 everyday. It will be better if the stipend is made available so as to enable us to get the materials ourselves.”
The SLRD is also eyeing the Mission organic programme of the State Government.
Zardozi
The SLRD is also training women in zardozi embroidery with an im to make them economically independent.
“We have tied up with the National Institute of Design for the project,” he informed.
The women are trained for three hours and given raw materials to start working from their homes.
“We are looking at more localized motifs… We are preparing for Christian weddings by incorporating zardozi on wedding gowns,” Sharma said.
