'Locally manufactured candles enough to meet State's demand'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2021: Over the past few years, many startups and businesses in different fields have been gaining momentum in the State thereby leading to a rise in successful entrepreneurs across the State.One such entrepreneur is Konthoujam Ananadabi Leima who is also a social activist and has been into the flourishing candle making business since 2019 .

The 44 year old entrepreneur, wife of Konthoujam Thoiba hails from Konthoujam Makha Leikai and she ventured into the field of candle making while attending a candle making training programme conducted under the aegis of National Small Industries Corporation.

The small scale candle making industry of Manipur is able to provide an ample supply of candles in the State which was once dominated by candles imported from the border town of Moreh and the business has been able to generate a regular supply of income thereby making one self reliant, said K Anandi Leima while speaking to the reporter of TSE.

'Locally manufactured candles enough to meet State's demand'

She also imparts training on manufacturing of candles to others thereby contributing in the cause of making Manipur, a self reliant State.

She also runs a unit named 'Thawai Enterprise' at her residence and is also planning to venture in other trades such as making fruit pickles etc.

She further stated that normally 30 kg of candle is manufactured in a day and it generates a profit of Rs 40 per kg and during festive season, more than 100 kgs of candles are manufactured per day.

When there are bulk orders, she engages selected friends, relatives, widows and differently abled persons to manufacture candles at an employment rate of Rs 20 per kg, she added.

Talking about the equipment and raw materials, Ananadabi said that the equipment are procured from local blacksmiths and raw materials like wax, colour etc are bought from outlets which sell such stuffs mainly imported from Guwahati.

Different varieties of candles are made in her unit ranging from scented ones to gift items and so on, she continued.

She maintained that the trade of candle manufacturing has helped in providing a regular source of income to many including unemployed youths, widows and differently abled persons.

Talking about the training programmes, Ananadabi stated that she has conducted training sessions in most of the valley areas of Manipur to around and plans are underway to conduct the same in hilly regions as well.

The training sessions have been conducted through Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL) and she has imparted training to more than 2000 persons till date, she added.

Ananadabi Leima who is also the president of All Manipur Candle Maker Association stated that in terms of candle supply, Manipur no longer needs to import candles from outside and earnestly appealed to all to prioritize the local products and use the same and strive collectively to help in the prosperity of the State.

She also sought the attention of the Government to help in legalising the import of candles from Myanmar and to levy appropriate taxes so as to help in the development of local units.

It may be noted that K Ananadabi Leima has also received accolades acknowledging her contributions in the field of candle manufacturing.