Khumujam Jina (55 years) of Khurai, proprietor of Our Rest House is a hard working woman entrepreneur successfully manufacturing soap brand Mangal with the extracts of locally available fruits and herbs like Heibi (Meyna laxiflora Robyns), Lemon, Nongleishang (Xylosma), Sangbrei (Aloe-vera), Neem, Heiribop (Citrus latipes), Cuccumber, Turmeric, Kekru, Koridak in local toungue.
The pavilion, where varieties of Mangal soap brand manufactured by the woman workers of Jina’s farm OUR REST HOUSE are showcased , at the ongoing Imphal Expo 2014 organised by NSIC at palace compound here has been able to magnet attention of several visitors.
Mangal soap brand is developed by the lady entrepreneur using locally available herbs and fruits which are traditionally known to have positive health benefits in her old process of making soaps. Her soap brand “Mangal” is a symbol of woman empowerment and enlightenment. Only freshly collected herbs are used in this traditionally handmade soap.
Jina fervently appeals the people of the state to encourage the budding local entrepreneurs by using the products they make. “We cannot promote our business without local support. When we thrive in our business, we can generate more employment for many jobless and help improve state economy”, maintained she.
Another distinctive feature of this lady entrepreneur is that she has the expertise in recycling waste materials into productive and income generating items apart from making soaps. She collects discarded empty cement sacks and designs carry bags and other decorative accessory items out of it. She also makes dolls, flowers, incense sticks, doormats, does crochet. She does both hand and machine embroidery work on blouses, scarves, bed sheets, pillow covers, fan covers, almost everything used in a family. Manufacturing compost fertilizers out of rice husk, cow dung and other residues of oil refinery is also her another innovative endeavour. Her products are now widely marketed in the state whereby generating substantial monthly income
Jina becomes a successful entrepreneur after overcoming all sorts of hardships, stumbling blocks in life. The job of soap making and other handicraft items has restored her lost smile with the business enabling her to maintain her poor family with sufficient income.
