By Paojel Chaoba
IMPHAL, June 8: In 2000, he left Imphal with just around Rs 14,000. In a strange land, he swept floors just to survive, he was with his better half and they subsisted on just one square meal a day. This man returned to Manipur to build a textile factory and he opened his showroom at Thangmeiband today with his own brand titled `Manipur Creations.`™
This is a brief story of Koijam Vasunraz, a self made man, textile entrepreneur. He owns a factory at Tirupur, a district of Tamil Nadu and also known as the `textile city`™ of India. There, he has a work staff of more than 200 employees. In his power looms, he has made such designer apparel with names like Van Heusen ,Pantaloon, Polo etc. He opened his own brand titled `Manipur Creations`™ and the apparels are designed by his better half , Koijam Sanjita, `Behind every successful man they say there is a woman ! For me, it was her, she is my strength !` Vasunraz said.
Today, Vasunraz and Sanjita opened their showroom at Thangmeiband near DM college campus, and a visibly impressed Industry minister, K Govindas inaugurated the shop. In a true rag to riches story which could inspire every youth seeking a job in the State, Vasunraz`™s ability to fight the odds and establish his presence in untested waters proves that when there is a will,there is indeed a way.
He has acquired land measuring 25,000 sq feet at Phumlou Siphai , Lamshang, Imphal West for building his factory. Besides this, he has also been offered another 10,000 sq feet of work space with dedicated power supply at Takyel Industrial estate by the State government.
Vasunraz said that the objective of opening up a factory is not entirely about profit alone but to start an industrial revolution assuring jobs and promoting the State through its colourful attires.
`We have produced garments at par with other renowned companies. We will compete with any other brand available in Manipur. The theme is to promote the handloom and handicraft of Manipur, my showroom design is based on our cultural heritage, the straw roofing and the bamboo, cane etc. used is to further promote the craftsmen who are dying out due to unemployment.` He added that his carry bags are also made from recycled paper to conserve the environment.
At the function today, minister Govindas said that Vasunraj is a promising entrepreneur of the state. He applauded that the modest showroom will expand to the rest of the other districts and will have a good market in future, which will also generate employment from the public. `I want to encourage this entrepreneur and have given him all the necessary infrastructure to do so, in the hope that there will be more employment generation in the State, we need more investors like him to promote the Industry sector in Manipur. I applaud his courage and determination of setting up a factory here. We cannot let his factory die away either, this is the land of economic blockade, bands which is a hindrance to progress, to development, there can be various agitations, but the economic blockade is dangerous starting from farmer to the businessmen of the State, it is our sole loss and hinders all development. Blockades and Bandhs are a number one enemy of the State.` Govindas said.
The minister mentioned that all major departments of the State are tying up together to form a program to eradicate unemployment in the State. `We want to explore the potential of the resources of this State, a Fragrance and Flavor development centre is coming up for the second time in the country. We have so much potential but don`™t know how to utilize it.`™ He added that a positive change will happen in the industry sector by next year.
MLA of Thangmeiband constituency , Kh Joykishan said that he never expected a Manipuri to have the capability of running a factory in another state of India. He said that our state is not self reliant and that we survive on the money given from the centre, however if we prioritize on developing industry and entrepreneurship, we can improve the financial condition of the State and along with it the living standards of the public.