This livelihood project in Assam’s Tamulpur is transforming lives of former insurgents

GUWAHATI | SEPT 03, 2020:

A livelihood project in lower Assam is successfully transforming lives of former militants, also enabling them to live empowered and dignified lives in Tamulpur district.

Conceived and executed by the Indian Army in coordination with Aseem Foundation, a Pune-based NGO, the project, "Manufacture of Tamul (areca nut) Plates" has so far touched the lives of four youths at Borrangajuli village in Tamulpur.

"Currently, we have trained four people only as we have decided to go slow, so as to ensure that they become self-sustainable first and start enabling more people. Our aim is to identify local skills and resources and train them to make products marketable," Sarang Gosavi of Aseem Foundation, told TNT-The Northeast Today.

Apart from finding local markets in Assam and states like Maharashtra, the areca nut plates manufactured under the project have found takers overseas.

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"We will soon be exporting the products outside India. As of now, we plan to train another six youths by next year," Gosavi said.

Aseem Foundation has also started similar projects in Jammu and Kashmir where local resources and needy civilians have been identified for skills upgrade. "We have employed 18 girls there," he said.

An official statement issued on Thursday said the Indian Army, in its renewed and re-energised focus to rehabilitate former insurgents, has undertaken several other self-employment projects in Assam.

"Under the pilot project, few former cadres are being engaged in making biodegradable, environment-friendly, cost-effective Tamul plates which can be used in catering services to serve meals in offices/institutes for large gatherings," the statement said.

"The project is aimed at improving economic conditions and providing an opportunity to earn through self-employment. The raw material for the plates is collected from farms in remote villages and the finished product is supplied to establishments and institutions," it said.

The success of the pilot project can be gauged from the response of the locals who have requested to replicate the project in many more areas.

"The families of the former insurgents are happy since it would offer them an opportunity for dignified earning," the statement said.