`Smart Society', a self-help group, came into existence in November, 2008 after a group of educated but unemployed youth in Manipur decided to help other Manipuri youth become self-employed.
This group believes that the best way to bring deluded youth to the right path is to provide them with better employment opportunities.
Today it has over 200 members including weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
To help local farmers, the society collects mustard seeds from them and extracts oil at the society-run small-scale mills. The finished product is sold under the `Acha-Thao' brand.
The farmers are able to get a better price for their produce and the unemployed youth also get jobs at oil mills.
"Smart Society is helping us a lot. It is a good initiative where people like us get better job opportunities," said Meghachandra, a worker of the Smart Society.
"The society has provided employment to many youngsters. We make organic products, which are healthy to consume," said N. Mobi, another worker of the Smart Society.
Moreover, the Smart society is also helping Manipuri weavers by providing them quality yarn through its Smart Micro Division. It assists them in marketing the finished products and organizes exhibitions in the state and in other parts of the country.
The Society today also looks forward to a recognition and support from the government so that it could be of help to agricultural and industrial growth of the State.
"In view of the immense scope, we would like to suggest a new beginning by the support of Government, stakeholders and allied departments to redefine the policy and program of industrialization in Manipur," said Samarjit, President of the Smart Society.
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