Lakshmikant Laikangbam is one of the co-founders of KEN, the knowledge exchange network that was created by NRIs from Manipur to improve the lot of the people in Manipur. Lakshmikant talked to Lokvani about the opportunities in Manipur and what KEN is trying to do.

Lakshmikant Laikangbam was born and brought up in Manipur, India. After completing Bachelors of Engineering in Computer Science in India, he came to USA as an Information Technology professional. Currently he lives with his family in Shrewsbury, MA. Lakshmikant Laikangbam is one of the co-founders of KEN, the knowledge exchange network that was created by NRIs from Manipur to improve the lot of the people in Manipur. Lakshmikant talked to Lokvani about the opportunities in Manipur and what KEN is trying to d

I pursued engineering in Madurai, Tamil Nadu as there were no engineering colleges in Manipur during those days. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) offered me a job during campus interview, which I happily accepted. After graduating from college, I worked about a year in India. One fine day in September 2000, my employer sent me to Wisconsin, USA at my client’s location on deputation. That brought me to the US.

India celebrates the Non-resident Indian (NRI) Day, also known as, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, PBD, every year in January, marking the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in Bombay on January 9, 1915, as a national gesture of appreciation to all the NRIs for their contributions towards the development of India.  Inspired by this event, a group of Manipuri NRIs including me attended the PBD 2011. As seen in the context of India as a nation which highly relied on NRIs in many sphere of knowledge and economic activities, we also have the same confidence towards our state of origin, Manipur, for her future developments. With this development for Manipur in mind with  Manipuri Diasporas as the key resource, KEN was started.

High unemployment due to nonexistence of private companies is a huge issue. Currently Manipur is totally reliant on central funding for development activities. Insurgency is also an issue.

Currently KEN is focusing on following topics:

* Attract IT and BPO companies to open their offices in Manipur to provide jobs to eligible educated candidates.

* Promote and sustain tourism industry in Manipur to boost the economy.

Manipur has a huge pool of educated candidates who can work in IT and BPO industry. The youth are also very athletic.  The moderate climate and weather conditions, abundant forest resources like teak wood and bamboo, hills and mountains, international trade border with Myanmar, natural beauties and historical war memorial sites which can be popular tourist destination are all great advantages.   Manipuri women are very hard working. The evident is most of the markets in Manipur are run by women folk.

What advice do you have for tourists who want to visit Manipur?  

All tourists should visit Manipur. Manipur, in every aspect is still a virgin land, for those who want to see and experience the purity of tribalism can visit Manipur. Those who want to explore historical events like war may want to visit war memorials. The greatest war England ever fought in their entire history was in Manipur.

What can people in New England do to help KEN and Manipur? 

* Help KEN to bring in tourist and investors into Manipur

* Help KEN to build confidence in Manipur by the international community

* Help KEN to generate employment in Manipur, because youth of Manipur need a second chance; there is very little opportunity of employment except for government job.

NB. KEN is in a dialogue with the govt. of Manipur which has conveyed that any energy needs and security concerns will be government’s responsibility.