Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Imphal: Sanju Akoijam, a PhD scholar from Manipur University, has transformed a modest ₹3,000 investment into a flourishing online enterprise. Her business, H.I. Store, focuses on sustainable Kauna grass products, dried floral arrangements, and traditional gifts from the Northeast. The startup is now on track to reach an annual turnover of ₹3 crore.
This entrepreneurial success recently earned Akoijam a ₹7 lakh grant. She was recognized as one of the top 20 performers under the North Eastern Council's NEEDP scheme, which is supported by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation under the Ministry of DoNER.
Her work in preserving indigenous crafts caught the attention of national leadership. On May 19, 2026, Akoijam was the sole female representative from Manipur invited to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The meeting honored artisans who contributed traditional crafts to the President's At Home reception held earlier that January. During the visit, the group received gifts and a guided tour of the estate.
Akoijam credits her academic environment for these achievements. She noted that guidance from Dr. Sorokhaibam Keshorjit Singh of the Manipur Institute of Management Studies helped her master the art of pitching business projects. Additionally, Prof. Hanjabam Isworchandra Sharma from the Department of Economics provided the mentorship needed to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world business growth. Manipur University continues to support such initiatives, emphasizing its dedication to student-led entrepreneurship and the preservation of regional heritage.
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