First of its kind in Nagaland, Myki Fest 2018, an event to celebrate women entrepreneurs, artisans, artistes, cultivators and SHGs, began at the complex of the old directorate of women resource development department in Kohima on Thursday.
The Nagaland women resource development department is organising the two-day festival to sell the products and produce of SHGs from all the districts of the state.
Commissioner and secretary, women resource development and civil supplies, N. Hushili Sema inaugurated the festival.
In her address, Sema said the Naga women should live in pride as they play an important role in sustaining the economy of the state and also the family. “Naga women are the backbone of our economy,” she stated and exhorted them to work harder and be more innovative so as to raise their standard of living and for a better future.
She assured that similar programmes with more inclusiveness will be organised in future.
Women resource development director Khrienuo Tachü, in her keynote address, expressed happiness the first ever Myki Fest in the state is bringing so many people, especially women, together.
She recalled when Transformative Livelihood Intervention women SHGs were starting to produce goods during 2009-2010, the women resource development department decided to dedicate a name to all products and produces to make them more visible and facilitate easier market linkages. Tachü the department, after thorough deliberation, came up with the name Myki which means women or girls in Nagamese. Nagamese is a common lingua franca in Nagaland.
She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the stakeholders, particularly makers, growers and weavers, for making Myki brand a household name.
Display and sale of fresh local fruits and vegetables, local jewellery, apparels and accessories, home furnishing and fast food are the main features of the event.