In a remarkable testament to human resilience, an internally displaced person (IDP) from Manipur, Sorokhaibam Gandhi Meitei, has discovered an unexpected artistic talent while struggling to rebuild his life.

Once a shopkeeper in Serou Awang Leikai under Kakching district, the 55-year-old has now emerged as a skilled handicraft artisan—a transition shaped entirely by circumstances and the desperate search for livelihood after the ethnic conflict uprooted thousands.

Gandhi’s newly acquired craftsmanship was on display at the Manipur International Textile Expo (MANITEX) 2025, where his bamboo and cane products drew considerable attention from visitors. For someone who had never imagined taking up handicrafts, the achievement marks a profound personal milestone.

The conflict that erupted on

See Full Page