Nagaland tribal affairs minister Temjen Imna Along urged the people to focus on promoting indigenous products.
“Promote indigenous products as our real freedom lies in exhibiting and promoting the products of the land to the outside world,” Along said.
He was speaking at the three-day Working Woman Expo which began on Wednesday at Dimapur Government College ground.
“One can never be free if his/her freedom is at bondage and dependent on others,” Along reiterated.
“Aim to be self-reliant and also inspire others to be the same,” he added.
“We have started to import everything. Our culture of hard work and indigenous farming practices are obsolete today,” he bemoaned.
Speaking further he said, “Let us support ourselves and let’s buy our own people’s products.”
He emphasised on the importance of organic farming and urged everyone to indulge in producing more organic products.
He further wished the organisers of the expo the best for the future and lauded the initiative.
The expo has been organised by the Working Woman Project- a non-profit organisation.
The aim of the organisation is to create self-reliance among women from low-income households in Dimapur.
A wide range of products from handicrafts to readymade household items and processed food products are available in the expo.
A Christmas carol singing competition has also been organised and the winner will get a cash reward of Rs 50,000.
The three-day expo will culminate on Friday.
