When violence swept across Manipur last year, thousands fled their homes with only a few belongings. Among them was 34-year-old Lemba, who had to leave behind his land, workshop and community overnight. He reached a relief camp with his wife and two young children. The camp offered safety, but the uncertainty troubled him. Life changed in a moment, yet he refused to let despair define his next steps. Over time, the Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane through a craft he learned as a child.
Lemba grew up in a small village where bamboo weaving was a family tradition. His father taught him to shape baskets, trays and storage containers with precision. These skills stayed with him even during the crisis. When other families in the camp saw him weave small bamboo strips to pass the time, they encouraged him to continue. What began as a way to distract himself soon became the foundation for rebuilding his life.
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Camp volunteers noticed his skill and arranged tools, raw material and a small corner where he could work. With these simple resources, he crafted baskets at first. Soon, he expanded into lampshades, stools and decorative items. His creations stood out because each piece reflected patience and devotion. The Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane not only through income but through revived confidence.
Visitors to the camp often paused to watch him weave. Many bought his products to support him. A local NGO then stepped in and offered him a chance to join their livelihood programme. This gave him a wider market and access to better tools. For the first time since displacement, he felt he could rebuild a future for his family.
Manipur IDP Found Hope in Bamboo and Cane Through Skill, Strength and Community Support
Livelihood opportunities have become a lifeline for several displaced families. For people like Lemba, traditional crafts provide dignity and independence. Bamboo and cane are abundant in Manipur, so artisans can continue their work even during hardship. The Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane because these materials connect him to his roots while opening new possibilities.
As his work gained attention, the NGO introduced him to online marketplaces. They helped him list his products under a community craft label. Orders began to arrive from different parts of India. The income helped him buy school supplies for his children and save for a better living space. He said he felt grateful not only for the sales but for the recognition of his culture.
Other IDPs soon joined him. He trained young men and women in basic weaving. Some learned fast and created their own small items. The craft corner at the camp expanded into a regular workshop. The sound of cutting, weaving and shaping bamboo filled the space every afternoon. These activities brought a sense of routine and calm.
The workshop also created emotional healing. People who lost homes, farms and memories found comfort in working with their hands. They shared stories, laughed and supported one another. The Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane not just through income but through human connection.
Government officers visited the camp during a district livelihood review. They saw the workshop and expressed interest in supporting the artisans. Discussions began on providing training, certification and market exposure under a rural development programme. This offered a new layer of hope for the community.
Manipur IDP Found Hope in Bamboo and Cane and Inspired Others on the Same Journey
As months passed, the workshop grew stronger. Some families moved to rented houses after earning stable income from weaving. Others combined cane craft with small-scale farming in nearby areas. The craft initiative improved the overall mood in the camp. People felt less dependent and more confident about their future.
Lemba’s story spread across the district. Local journalists visited the camp to document his journey. They highlighted how one artisan revived a craft tradition during one of the worst crises in the state’s recent history. His resilience inspired many youths outside the camp as well. A few students from nearby colleges even visited to learn basic weaving techniques.
The Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane and turned his talent into a collective movement. Today, he dreams of setting up a proper bamboo craft centre once he returns home. He wants to train children and preserve the tradition for future generations. His dream gives his family strength as they navigate uncertainty.
He often says that bamboo bends but never breaks. This belief reflects the spirit of displaced families who continue to rebuild their lives each day. With support, guidance and skill, they have turned hardship into opportunity. And through this, the Manipur IDP found hope in bamboo and cane, proving that resilience can grow even from the toughest soil.