Legal services, EA give in one for welfare of 'street vendors'

[caption id="attachment_251984" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Participants at a programme that was conducted to highlight the rights and livelihood concerns of "street vendors,” on May 30 in Wokha.[/caption] Dimapur, May 30 (EMN): A programme aiming at the welfare of female "street vendors” was conducted by the Wokha district legal services authority (WDLSA), the district's administration, and the Entrepreneurs' Associates (EA), on May 30 in Wokha. A press release from the organisers that was issued to the media on Thursday informed that the collaborative program was part of an ongoing initiative of the Entrepreneurs' Associates to empower and train female vendors across the state of Nagaland. Delivering the keynote address, district sessions judge Nino Iralu thanked the Entrepreneurs' Associates for their work in "this neglected field." Acknowledging that a lot needs to be done for this group of workers in the society, Iralu emphasised that the vendors should also try to learn about their rights and privileges. That way, she said, they can avail benefits from the system. The magistrate however advised them that “with rights also come great responsibility.” As model citizens, she told the gathering, they need to be aware of that. Neichute Doulo, chief executive officer of the Entrepreneurs' Associates, said that the organisation had began the project in 2017 to empower the ‘guardians of our local economy.’ This section of the society has very little or no help accessible to them, he said. Doulo was stated to have highlighted that "vendors" across the state have no access to toilets, drinking water, waiting sheds etc., while a majority of them have no savings for their future. "In the absence of any financial planning, many of them become embroiled in poverty and extreme situations, unable to break themselves free from their difficulties," the press release stated, quoting Doulo. After having seen their challenging conditions, he said, the Entrepreneurs Associates was on a mission to empower, educate and uplift the vendors to live a life of dignity and respect wherever they are placed, he told the programme attendees. A short speech was delivered by Chonpenthung Ezung, subdivision officer (civil) of Wokha. The government servant urged the vendors in the district to form a union and to make their grievances heard. He promised that the district would provide them with a toilet at the earliest as part of the sanitation programme Swachh Bharat Mission. Since undertaking the project in October 2017, the Entrepreneurs Associates' program to 'uplift women street vendors' has been transforming the lives of 'trainees' who are continuously being mentored, the press release stated. A trainee from the first wave of the program, "Kane" the press release stated, has moved ahead to own her own grocery shop, the press release stated. All this was possible after regularly saving and taking an additional loan from the Entrepreneurs Associates, the updates stated. The movie based on her life titled 'Kane' was screened at the workshop to demonstrate the possibilities that vendors too can have and achieve, the organisers stated. Speaking at the working session of the workshop, WV Patton, chief judicial magistrate spoke about the rights of vendors and the need for a “street vendors act” for Nagaland. She encouraged the women to fight for what is due to them. Further, Patton urged them to avail the services of the WDLSA whenever they need. Shiroi Shaiza, corporate manager of the Entrepreneurs' Associates spoke about the need for people to control resources. She emphasised that vendors need to save for their future and family. Informing that the Entrepreneurs' Associates too began with contributions and commitment of a few people wanting to contribute meaningfully to society, Shaiza urged the vendors to 'think big, so that they can take their families and society forward as a part of their growth.' Iterating that they need to save and invest, the Entrepreneurs' Associates official added that if people like ‘Kane’ could steer their lives forward, they too can. About 103 "vendors" attended the program, the press release stated. 'The Entrepreneurs' Associates provided them with raincoats as a mark of concern for their well-being during the upcoming rainy season. Since 2017, Entrepreneurs' Associates has trained and connected to over 1200 street vendors in different parts of the state,' the press release added.