Akoijam is the founder of H.I. Store, an Imphal-based online venture dealing in handcrafted Kauna grass products
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal : Droupadi Murmu hosted Manipur University research scholar Sanju Akoijam at Rashtrapati Bhavan after her Kauna grass handicraft venture grew from a modest Rs 3,000 investment into a business projecting a turnover of nearly Rs 3 crore.
Akoijam, a PhD scholar in the Department of Economics at Manipur University, was the only woman representative from Manipur among a group of artisans and weavers from the Northeast invited for the special interaction on May 19.
The artisans had earlier showcased Kauna grass crafts and other handmade traditional products during the Republic Day “At Home” reception hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan in January.
During the interaction, President Murmu presented pashmina shawls to the artisans, hosted them for lunch and arranged a guided tour of the presidential estate.
Akoijam is the founder of H.I. Store, an Imphal-based online venture dealing in handcrafted Kauna grass products, dried floral arrangements and traditional gift items from the Northeast.
Her entrepreneurial journey received a major boost after she secured a Rs 7 lakh grant under the North Eastern Council’s NEEDP scheme. The support was facilitated through the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Following her return, acting Vice-Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain felicitated Akoijam at his official chamber, praising her achievement in balancing academic research with entrepreneurship.
Akoijam credited two university mentors for supporting her early journey – economics professor Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma, who supervised her doctoral research and encouraged sustainable livelihood initiatives, and assistant professor Sorokhaibam Keshorjit Singh, who guided her in presenting her business ideas professionally.
“That initial support proved to be the crucial stepping stone for my career,” Akoijam said. A resident of Singjamei Makha Oinam Thingel in Imphal East district, Akoijam’s success story has drawn attention for promoting indigenous Kauna craft traditions through modern entrepreneurship.
