Street vendors sensitised on livelihood enhancement opportunities

Dimapur, Aug. 5 (EMN): Under its flagship programme ‘Uplifting women street vendors,’ the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA), in collaboration with its partners SIDBI and Capri Foundation, organised a workshop on ‘Livelihood enhancement and capacity building’ for street vendors from across Kohima at the Red Cross Building on August 5.

As the Covid pandemic has adversely affected the business and not spared even the functioning of street vendors, the training was aimed at addressing issues relevant to the street vendors during this challenging situation.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Albert Gangte, SIDBI branch-in-charge of Dimapur, spoke on the need for the vendors to move with the changing times. Emphasising on the role of entrepreneurs and MSME for the state economy, Albert stressed on the need for traders and vendors to maintain credit score for easier loans.

Acknowledging the role of vendors for uplift of rural economy, he encouraged the women to be innovative and continue learning new skills for their personal progress.

Pranjal Bharali, SBI assistant manager of Kohima, elaborated on the PM SVANidhi scheme and benefits for vendors under the programme. The banker also encouraged the women to learn about digital payment options to enhance their work- a need further felt due to the pandemic. He educated them on the process involved in banking and the benefits of the Yono App which is easily operable.

With many street vendors fearing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 due to rumours, Dr. Wemeri Khutsoh, senior specialist at District Hospital, Phek, dispelled myths about Covid-19. He advised the street vendors to carry hot water in a flask to work and practice steam inhalation every night after returning since they cannot wash their hands regularly at their work stations.

Emphasising on the importance of savings, which is one of the main subjects of training for street vendors, EA’s CEO, Neichute Doulo, spoke on the importance of setting long term goals and saving to ensure a better future for themselves and their families.

A short introduction on Micro-ATMs was presented by EA project associate Huka Sumi, while a talk on the need for vendors to provide better customer service and conduct their businesses ethically was delivered by a soft skill trainer Susan Angami.

An update from EA informed that its flagship programme ‘Uplifting women street vendors,’ which began in 2017 has so far trained 3000 women street vendors across Nagaland, while 500 women have also received INR 2000 as bonus for saving more than 10,000 rupees, a drive initiated to encourage long-term saving among the women vendors.

Report also stated that the gathering paid homage to one of the street vendors, who lost her husband during the pandemic.