NEDFi has been instrumental in promoting water hyacinth craft in India The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has taken a significant step in supporting artisans and handcrafted products from the eight states of North East India by forming "NE-SHILP." NE-SHILP, short for the North East Society for Handicraft Incubation and Livelihood Promotion, operates as a not-for-profit society dedicated to promoting the craft products of North East India. It falls under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of NEDFi and serves as a comprehensive platform for curated craft products and packaged agro-horticultural goods from the region.
NE-SHILP operates through two primary models. Firstly, it procures unique handcrafted products directly from artisans and self-help groups (SHGs) in the North East. Secondly, it facilitates the sale of artisan products on a consignment basis, where the artisans themselves determine the prices. Products are sold at maximum retail prices (MRP) set by the artisans, and once a sale is made, NE-SHILP transfers the sales proceeds to the artisan's account after deducting handling charges, which range from 5% to 15%.
Additionally, NE-SHILP acts as a marketing platform for products from government entities such as TRISSAM, NERAMAC, and APART, among others. Besides its online presence on platforms like nedfihaat.com and various e-commerce websites, NE-SHILP currently operates five physical stores, including NEDFi Haat (Guwahati), Craft Gallery (Dispur), NEDFi Craft Gallery (Pan Bazaar, Guwahati), Craft Showroom (Khetri), Urban Haat (Mamallapuram), and North East Mart (Greater Noida). NEDFi Haat serves as the central hub for distributing materials to other locations.
NEDFi has been instrumental in promoting water hyacinth craft in India. In 2007, a NEDFi delegation visited Thailand during the "North East Business Opportunity Week" and discovered water hyacinth products being made there. To date, NEDFi has trained over 4,000 individuals in water hyacinth craft, benefiting not only people from the Northeast but also artisans from across India. The artisans receive design intervention to imbue a modern touch into their products, aligning with emerging fashion trends. NE-SHILP actively participates in major craft exhibitions in India and abroad to promote North East artisans and their crafts.
With over 15,000 people directly or indirectly associated with NE-SHILP, the majority of whom are women from marginalized communities, the society has made a substantial impact since its initiation in 2006 as the Centre for Practical Livelihood Training (CPLT), later rechristened as NESHILP in 2016.
>> Source : Gplus
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