Tamul plate manufacturing activity becomes boon for former insurgents

TEZPUR: Indian Army in its renewed and re-energized focus to rehabilitate ex-insurgents, has undertaken self-employment projects in Assam. One such project is 'Manufacture of Tamul Plates' at Borrangajuli village in Tamulpur district.

As a pilot project, few former cadres are being engaged in making bio-degradable, environment- friendly and cost-effective tamul plates which can be used in catering services to serve meals in offices/institutes for large gatherings. The project is conceived and executed by Indian Army in coordination with Aseem Foundation, a Pune-based NGO.

The project, aimed at improving economic conditions and providing an opportunity to earn through self-employment, is currently providing employment to former insurgents and is planned to be further expanded in scale and scope and additional machines are being purchased this year to augment existing capacities. Aseem Foundation is planning to market the product in Maharashtra and Assam, thereby generating more sales.

The raw material for the plates is collected from farms located in remote villages and the finished product is supplied to establishments and institutions as far forward as possible. 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 former insurgents' families are happy since it offers them an opportunity for dignified earning. The villagers are also excited since the tamul leaves and barks, which were earlier thrown away as waste, are being commercially sold. The local youths are being engaged for collection and stocking of raw material.

The success of this project will stimulate mushrooming of more such ventures leading to Engagement – Empowerment – Employment of the youth of Assam. This project will further facilitate constructive mainstreaming of more former cadres and contribute towards a developed Assam.

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