By Bachaspatimayum Bisheswar Sharma
IMPHAL, November 28: A bicycle made of bamboo could be a luxury ride and Elangbam Ajit a native of the State claims to be the second person in India who knows how to make cycle with bamboo.
The mechanical parts of the cycle are however metal.
During a brief meeting at the National Bamboo Mission Manipur, department of Forest premium stall inside the Sangai Festival, Ajit said he was trained in bamboo crafts in China in 2012.
He said during his two-month training stint in China he learned about planting a bamboo tree, nourishing it, cultivating and utilising it.
Ajit said he learned that bamboo can be used as any other wood and help in fighting deforestation and soil erosions.
The life cycle of a bamboo plant is about four years, he said.
He said soon after his training in China, he first tried making a sofa set and took about 45 days.
He said he has already received 24 orders for his sofa set which is exhibited alongside his bamboo cycle in the National Bamboo Mission Manipur stall.
A carved sofa set could cost Rs 45000 while a plain set could cost Rs 35000, he added.
Coming to his bicycle, he said he has produced around 14 bamboo cycle frames, however, he is yet to quote a price.
He further thanked the National Bamboo Mission for providing him a space in the stall to exhibit his crafts.