Shillong, April 26: In the 133rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the transformation of the bamboo sector, particularly in the Northeastern region, describing it as a major driver of employment, business, and innovation.
Referring to the Northeast as “Ashtalakshmi,” the Prime Minister said the region is rich in talent and natural resources and has shown notable success in the bamboo sector.
He pointed out that bamboo, which was once considered a burden, is now providing new opportunities. Recalling the British-era law, he said bamboo was classified as a tree, leading to strict regulations that made its harvesting and transportation difficult, due to which people gradually moved away from bamboo-related work.
The Prime Minister noted that this situation changed after the Government amended the law in 2017 and removed bamboo from the category of trees. Following this reform, the bamboo sector has been flourishing across the Northeast, with increasing innovation and value addition.
Highlighting specific examples, he mentioned Bijoy Sutradhar from Gomati district of Tripura and Pradeep Chakraborty from South Tripura, who adopted technology to improve bamboo product manufacturing.
He also referred to Self-Help Groups in Dimapur and nearby areas of Nagaland working on value addition in bamboo-based food products, along with Khorolo Creative Crafts engaged in bamboo furniture and handicrafts.
He further mentioned that in Mamit district of Mizoram, teams are working on bamboo tissue culture and poly-house management, while near Gangtok in Sikkim, the Lagastal Bamboo Enterprise Team is producing handicrafts, incense sticks, furniture and interior décor items from bamboo.
The Prime Minister stated that these are only a few examples among many emerging success stories in the bamboo sector across the country. He emphasised that women, especially mothers and sisters, are among the biggest beneficiaries of this transformation.
Urging citizens to support these efforts, the Prime Minister encouraged people to purchase bamboo products from the Northeast; adding that such items could also be presented as gifts. He noted that even a small gesture would go a long way in supporting and motivating the hardworking artisans behind these products.
