Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh flagged off 16 candidates for overseas jobs on August 21. The workers head to Japan for roles in healthcare and hospitality. This effort falls under the State Livelihood Empowerment and Entrepreneurship initiative. The ceremony took place at the Chief Minister Bungalow in Imphal.
Candidates finished language training at the National Skill Development Corporation International Academy. They secured placements in Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa. Dhanapriya Tensubam, who landed a role at the Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel and Resort, shared her outlook. She stated, "I would work with professionalism while remaining proud of my Manipuri roots."
The State Bank of India signed an agreement with the SLEE program to fund the workers. During the event, the Chief Minister handed each person a replica of the Pena. He pushed them to keep their identity while living abroad. He noted that people in Singapore hold their culture high and urged Manipuris to do the same.
Khemchand also confirmed the return of public transport on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati line. Buses are running again on National Highway-2. He told residents to use these services to avoid the high cost of air travel. Officials including MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh and Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh watched the proceedings.
Updated at 21st August 2026 at 10:01pm
The event also featured N. Bandana Devi, Secretary of Skill, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Ejaz Ahmed, Deputy General Manager of the SBI Zonal Office in Shillong, and Masotmi Zimik, the NSDC State Engagement Officer. MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh was specifically identified as representing Thangmeiband.
Khemchand pulled no punches regarding the state's travel woes. He labeled the high airfares between Imphal and Guwahati a punishment for the public, reinforcing his push for locals to utilize the reopened bus routes.
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