Gangtok: Smita Rai and Chimi Ongmu Bhutia are budding women
entrepreneurs from Sikkim and very young in their chosen crafts but they
are already showing signs of blossoming early with their works being
recognised far and wide.
Smita and Chimi were among 19 women entrepreneurs from the
eight Northeastern states - including Sikkim - to be selected for the
Vasundhara Awards constituted by the Assam-based Sreemanta Sankar
Mission (SSM) on Tuesday.
Smita, who is based in Namchi in South Sikkim, is engaged in making
perfumed candleswith the help of a group of women. Chimi, on the other
hand, works with local artisans to make handicraft items for home décor.
According to Sreemanta Sankar Mission, the Vasundhara Awards
was started with a view to create a regional platform for women
entrepreneurs.
"When I came to know about the award this morning, I was elated. It
will give us visibility and help our business grow," said Smita, who
waded into the untried waters of candle-making by accident.
A product of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Calcutta, the Gangtok-based Chimi is a product designer.
"My work uses local resources, both in terms of raw material
and manpower. I believe in entrepreneurship that is pro-nature and
environment-friendly. Through my small effort, I hope to improve the
living standards of the artisans engaged in Sikkemese handicrafts,"
Chimi said.
The Telegraph