June 20: The National Mission for Bamboo Applications (NMBA) is supporting a woman entrepreneur, Dipshikha Dowerah, to set up a mechanised blind-making unit to produce superior quality blinds.

Dowerah, who runs Vighnaraj, had managed to secure orders from Portugal, Spain and other countries.

Dowerah had approached the (NMBA) for assistance to meet bulk and export requirements. She said work would soon start as the NMBA equipment is already on its way. The mission will also provide specialist advice to Vighnaraj. It is providing the unit with equipment for carbonisation and bleaching. It is also making arrangements for mechanised looms.

According to experts, the art of making screens and blinds from bamboo is not new to the country and for centuries, people have woven elegant screens from bamboo. There is a flourishing market for blinds both in the country and outside the country. Bamboo is one of the natural resources of the region, therefore, it can easily exploit this production advantage.

The Mission has also taught the Vighnaraj workers to use natural commercial dyes.

Dipshikha had participated in a 10-day training programme conducted by the Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Guwahati, on the art of making of venetian blinds.

NMBA officials said that although she had no experience of working with bamboo, she set up her own blind making unit, Vighnaraj Bamboo Products, with just three workers. She participated in trade fairs and exhibitions and started securing orders from these fairs. “Vighnaraj products became popular because of their unique designs,” a NMBA official said.

The mission is also helping another entrepreneur, Hemant Kothari, to set up a bamboo flooring and panel-manufacturing unit at Export Promotion Industrial Park, Amingaon.