Creativity and innovation play a major role in solving challenges and improving lives, whether it is a simple, low-technology cold storage unit or soy wax candles held in beautiful pottery jars. India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) has improved consistently over the years, and in 2024, it ranked 39th out of 133 economies.
Here we describe four interesting innovative ventures from Northeast India, known for its rich biodiversity and culture. They range from the simple to the sophisticated.
These ventures are featured in the book ‘People’s Festival of Innovations – 2023’. The festival was jointly organised by GIAN (Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network), Ahmedabad, founded by Prof Anil Gupta, and C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms).
The ancient craft of Longpi black pottery has been given a modern twist by the Manipur-based venture ‘October Pumpkin,’ which uses these handcrafted jars for scented soy wax candles. Soy wax, a renewable and biodegradable plant-based product, stands out for its eco-friendly properties, unlike paraffin wax, which emits harmful toxins.
The venture has been selected by BITS Pilani for Rs 15 lakh funding under the ‘Womenpreneur for Bharat 2.0 program’.
Rinchon Kashung and Aleks Vashum sell scented soy wax candles in traditional Longpi jars through their venture ‘October Pumpkin’; Image courtesy: October Pumpkin
“Longpi pottery is a traditional craft practised by the Tangkhul tribal community in Manipur’s Ukhrul district,” shares Rinchon Kashung, co-founder of October Pumpkin. “It is made from a unique paste of ground serpentine stone and brown clay, both found exclusively in this region. The pots are crafted by hand, sun-dried, and then fired. They are polished with pine leaves to achieve their distinctive sheen. Unlike other pottery, this process doesn’t use a wheel, making it highly labour-intensive.”
Rinchon and her husband, Aleks Vashum, founded October Pumpkin in 2019.
“We have sold over 7,500 units across India,” says Rinchon, a first-generation entrepreneur from the Tangkhul tribe. “I have learned the art of pottery-making myself. Each Longpi jar takes about a week to craft, with round and cylindrical shapes being the most popular for candles.”
Her mission goes beyond selling products. “I aim to promote sustainability while who make these jars, especially women. So far, we have impacted 300 artisans from Longpi village,” she shares.
The brand name ‘October Pumpkin’ has a personal touch. “I wanted a name that felt close to my heart. I was born in October, and pumpkin happens to be my favourite vegetable,” shares Rinchon with a laugh.
Rinchon with the Longpi jars containing soy wax candles; Image courtesy: October Pumpkin
Soy wax candles burn 50 percent slower than paraffin wax candles, making them more cost-effective despite being slightly pricier. The soy wax used is sourced from Gujarat, where purified soybean oil undergoes hydrogenation — a process that introduces hydrogen to convert the liquid oil into solid wax.
“Many candles in the Indian market suffer from ‘candle tunnelling,’ where the wax burns unevenly, leaving a circular pit around the wick,” she explains. “Our candles are thoroughly tested to prevent this issue, and we also educate customers on proper burning techniques.”
“All our scents are crafted using fragrance oils that are rigorously tested and sourced from companies committed to using non-toxic chemicals,” she adds. “These oils are blended into the wax at a precise temperature. Each scent is designed to evoke specific emotions and experiences. For instance, some of our popular ones include ‘Forest,’ ‘Walk Around the Bakery,’ and ‘In the Library.’” She adds with a smile, “‘In the Library’ even captures the nostalgic scent of old books!”
The company has faced challenges such as courier transportation glitches and packaging issues. They pack their candles in Longpi jars using eco-friendly materials like paper and cardboard boxes. Large Longpi jar candles, containing approximately 1 kg of soy wax, are priced at around Rs 3,500.
October Pumpkin has also participated in two pop-up stalls at Nagaland House, New Delhi, under ‘Home & Heart’ — a collective of Northeast women entrepreneurs based in the national capital.
Farmers in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills struggle with warehousing, storage, and logistics. The lack of affordable, energy-efficient storage solutions for fruits and vegetables often results in significant post-harvest losses and reduced incomes.
“A small project can make a big difference,” says Binolin Syiemlieh, centre manager at the Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), the non-profit driving this innovation. “We have set up simple, small-scale, zero-energy storage units near farmers’ fields to preserve their produce. So far, three units have been constructed in different villages, each costing Rs 1.64 lakh.”
“The NSSS works for the welfare of the community in several areas like farming, mental health, and child services. I am involved in projects for farmers. I mobilise farmers and also help them access assistance from government and private agencies,” she says.
Interestingly, the idea for these storage units came from the farmers themselves. Struggling to store their produce, they faced losses even before reaching the markets, compounded by low prices. While the project began in 2019, its progress was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSSS oversees the construction of these units by hiring contractors, using locally available materials like burned bricks, river sand, bamboo poles, CGI sheets, iron nails, cement, and pebbles. Each unit can store up to a tonne of produce, preserving it for one to four weeks. Remarkably, the units are quick to construct — taking just a day or two — and require no maintenance. Farmers can use them free of charge.
“We fill the gap between two layers of the structure with river sand and pebbles. This sand is watered twice a day. This keeps the produce cool. Each unit benefits over 120 farmers,” says Binolin.
Binolin Syiemlieh, centre manager at the Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), says their non-profit has set up simple, small-scale, zero-energy storage units near farmers’ fields to preserve their produce; Image courtesy: Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS)
These cold storage units, though rooted in scientific principles, involve no elaborate technology. They are managed by the Village Executive Committee (VEC), ensuring equitable access for all villagers while keeping produce clean and fresh.
The project is funded by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), a not-for-profit organisation handling externally aided government projects. “This initiative is supported by the World Bank under an innovation fund that helps improve or scale up solutions. It is part of the Community-Led Landscape Management Project, which focuses on addressing natural resource management issues,” says Wankit Swer, general manager at MBMA.
“Our farmers are smallholders with limited production. After meeting their own needs, the excess is sold. Without proper storage, they often resort to distress sales of perishable items. These prevent such sales and provide a better solution,” he explains.
Nagaland-based venture Hengna & Maben Private Limited is making remarkable progress in harnessing banana fibre. “Our banana fibre project is part of the ‘Runway India’ division of our company,” says Major Tanay Maben, co-founder of the venture. “We are currently in the research and development (R&D) phase, working on producing fabric from banana fibre, which boasts anti-microbial properties.”
The anti-microbial properties of banana fibre, derived from natural compounds in the plant, create a protective shield on the fabric, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. This fabric is expected to be used in medical textiles, and efforts are underway to integrate additional functional properties, such as water resistance.
Nengneithem Hengna (L) and Major Tanay Maben (R) – co-founders of Hengna & Maben Private Limited; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
, as it is biodegradable. Moreover, banana plants require minimal water and chemical inputs, including pesticides and fertilisers, making them a sustainable option compared to water-intensive cotton, explains Major Tanay.
Currently, the company produces handicrafts and packaging materials using banana fibre. With the goal of establishing banana fibre as a signature product of Nagaland, it has trained 700 artisans across Nagaland and other Northeast Indian states to create handmade items from the fibre.
The founder, Nengneithem Hengna, who brings 13 years of experience in the handicrafts sector, began working with banana fibre in 2019. She experimented with different grades of fibre, braiding techniques, and stitching methods. She met Major Maben during COVID relief efforts, and they discovered shared goals. This collaboration led to the official incorporation of the company in 2021.
“Banana is a zero-waste cash crop which yields a variety of products and by-products within a year of planting. It grows well in gently sloping terrain and is low-maintenance. Also, banana fibre is a very versatile fibre,” says Major Tanay. “The coarser type can be used to make coasters while the delicate variety can be used to craft jewellery and hair extensions.”
Trained artisans across Nagaland and other Northeast Indian states create handmade items from banana fibre; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
The banana ‘pseudostem’ is passed through rollers (like in the case of sugarcane) and the mulch is extracted. What remains is the fibre, which is washed, dried, segregated, combed (to get various grades) and graded, he explains.
Some of the products made and sold by the company using banana fibre and bark are vases, planters, jewellery, bags, clutches, coasters, table mats, wall hangings, lanterns and baskets. The prices of these products range from Rs 300 to Rs 10,000, says Nengneithem.
Products made using banana fibre; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
“We have two units in Dimapur and Athibung, employing over 30 artisans. We provide banana fibre and bark as eco-friendly fillers for packaging. We also use these materials to package our own handicrafts,” she shares. “Once the product is delivered, customers can repurpose the fibre from the packaging in their gardens, as it provides valuable nutrients for plants.”
Runway India has also explored creating paper from banana stem mulch. This paper is used for wrapping handicrafts, as well as in crafting greeting cards and flower bouquets.
Training and capacity building are central to the company’s mission. The enterprise has partnered with Assam Rifles to provide training to women in areas affected by poverty and insurgency. Additionally, it conducts workshops in schools as part of the National Education Policy (2020) skill development module.
Country boats are prone to leaks and instability, leading to several fatal accidents each year. While fibre-glass boats are a common alternative, they are neither biodegradable nor recyclable, often ending up in rivers and causing significant environmental harm.
In response, Ravi J Deka founded Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd in Assam in 2020. His startup aims to revolutionise inland water transport by creating safer, composite boats, offering sustainable water mobility solutions.
“The innovation took over two years to materialise. Our boats are made of 85 percent bamboo, 10 percent polymers, and five percent fibre-glass. The main advantage of bamboo composite boats is their sustainability. Bamboo is six times more sustainable than hardwood — it’s fast-growing, abundant, and incredibly strong,” says Ravi.
A glimpse into the boat-making process (L), Ravi J Deka (R); Image courtesy: Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd
“Bamboo composite boards are lightweight, cost-effective, and biodegradable, with an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Their compressive strength and flexibility also provide better shock absorption compared to boats made from other materials,” he adds.
Unlike traditional wooden boats, which require trees to be felled, bamboo boats leave no such ecological footprint. Bamboo composite boats also have the lowest carbon footprint of any boat-making process, claims Deka.
“Our bamboo composite boats are 20 to 30 percent more expensive than traditional wooden boats. For example, a wooden canoe for four people costs Rs 60,000, while our boats range from Rs 90,000 for a four-person canoe to up to Rs 8 lakh for a trimaran. However, our boats are half the price of fibre-glass boats,” he adds.
The process of making the boats is labour-intensive. The core material consists of compressed bamboo mat boards, created by pressing layers of woven bamboo mats together, which are then joined to form the boats. Ravi has also innovated to strengthen these boards and make them waterproof.
Ravi Deka at work designing the boats (L); A canoe made of bamboo composites (R); Image courtesy: Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd
The boats are 40 to 60 percent lighter than their fibre-glass or wooden counterparts. With bamboo boats, you can achieve good speeds using less power, making them more efficient and lowering running costs, he further explains.
The company was incubated at IIT Guwahati and has developed prototypes of six different types of bamboo composite boats, with patents pending. The smallest boat is a three-person canoe, while the company also manufactures canoes with outriggers — structures that enhance stability and improve manoeuvrability. The largest model is a trimaran, capable of carrying 18 passengers and two crew members.
“There are many potential applications for bamboo composite boats,” continues Ravi. “They can serve as rescue boats during floods, transporting people and relief materials, particularly drinking water. They are ideal for forest patrolling in shallow waters and marshlands, as they don’t get stuck in the mud. They offer an affordable option for fishermen and can function as small ferries or water taxis. Additionally, they could play a role in the eco-tourism sector,” he elaborates.
While commercial production has yet to begin, the company has received inquiries from abroad, he shares.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
Here we describe four interesting innovative ventures from Northeast India, known for its rich biodiversity and culture. They range from the simple to the sophisticated.
These ventures are featured in the book ‘People’s Festival of Innovations – 2023’. The festival was jointly organised by GIAN (Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network), Ahmedabad, founded by Prof Anil Gupta, and C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms).
1. Scented soy wax candles in Longpi jars
The ancient craft of Longpi black pottery has been given a modern twist by the Manipur-based venture ‘October Pumpkin,’ which uses these handcrafted jars for scented soy wax candles. Soy wax, a renewable and biodegradable plant-based product, stands out for its eco-friendly properties, unlike paraffin wax, which emits harmful toxins.
The venture has been selected by BITS Pilani for Rs 15 lakh funding under the ‘Womenpreneur for Bharat 2.0 program’.
Rinchon Kashung and Aleks Vashum sell scented soy wax candles in traditional Longpi jars through their venture ‘October Pumpkin’; Image courtesy: October Pumpkin
“Longpi pottery is a traditional craft practised by the Tangkhul tribal community in Manipur’s Ukhrul district,” shares Rinchon Kashung, co-founder of October Pumpkin. “It is made from a unique paste of ground serpentine stone and brown clay, both found exclusively in this region. The pots are crafted by hand, sun-dried, and then fired. They are polished with pine leaves to achieve their distinctive sheen. Unlike other pottery, this process doesn’t use a wheel, making it highly labour-intensive.”
Rinchon and her husband, Aleks Vashum, founded October Pumpkin in 2019.
“We have sold over 7,500 units across India,” says Rinchon, a first-generation entrepreneur from the Tangkhul tribe. “I have learned the art of pottery-making myself. Each Longpi jar takes about a week to craft, with round and cylindrical shapes being the most popular for candles.”
Her mission goes beyond selling products. “I aim to promote sustainability while who make these jars, especially women. So far, we have impacted 300 artisans from Longpi village,” she shares.
The brand name ‘October Pumpkin’ has a personal touch. “I wanted a name that felt close to my heart. I was born in October, and pumpkin happens to be my favourite vegetable,” shares Rinchon with a laugh.
Rinchon with the Longpi jars containing soy wax candles; Image courtesy: October Pumpkin
Soy wax candles burn 50 percent slower than paraffin wax candles, making them more cost-effective despite being slightly pricier. The soy wax used is sourced from Gujarat, where purified soybean oil undergoes hydrogenation — a process that introduces hydrogen to convert the liquid oil into solid wax.
“Many candles in the Indian market suffer from ‘candle tunnelling,’ where the wax burns unevenly, leaving a circular pit around the wick,” she explains. “Our candles are thoroughly tested to prevent this issue, and we also educate customers on proper burning techniques.”
“All our scents are crafted using fragrance oils that are rigorously tested and sourced from companies committed to using non-toxic chemicals,” she adds. “These oils are blended into the wax at a precise temperature. Each scent is designed to evoke specific emotions and experiences. For instance, some of our popular ones include ‘Forest,’ ‘Walk Around the Bakery,’ and ‘In the Library.’” She adds with a smile, “‘In the Library’ even captures the nostalgic scent of old books!”
The company has faced challenges such as courier transportation glitches and packaging issues. They pack their candles in Longpi jars using eco-friendly materials like paper and cardboard boxes. Large Longpi jar candles, containing approximately 1 kg of soy wax, are priced at around Rs 3,500.
October Pumpkin has also participated in two pop-up stalls at Nagaland House, New Delhi, under ‘Home & Heart’ — a collective of Northeast women entrepreneurs based in the national capital.
2. Zero-energy low-cost cold storage units
Farmers in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills struggle with warehousing, storage, and logistics. The lack of affordable, energy-efficient storage solutions for fruits and vegetables often results in significant post-harvest losses and reduced incomes.
“A small project can make a big difference,” says Binolin Syiemlieh, centre manager at the Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), the non-profit driving this innovation. “We have set up simple, small-scale, zero-energy storage units near farmers’ fields to preserve their produce. So far, three units have been constructed in different villages, each costing Rs 1.64 lakh.”
“The NSSS works for the welfare of the community in several areas like farming, mental health, and child services. I am involved in projects for farmers. I mobilise farmers and also help them access assistance from government and private agencies,” she says.
Interestingly, the idea for these storage units came from the farmers themselves. Struggling to store their produce, they faced losses even before reaching the markets, compounded by low prices. While the project began in 2019, its progress was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSSS oversees the construction of these units by hiring contractors, using locally available materials like burned bricks, river sand, bamboo poles, CGI sheets, iron nails, cement, and pebbles. Each unit can store up to a tonne of produce, preserving it for one to four weeks. Remarkably, the units are quick to construct — taking just a day or two — and require no maintenance. Farmers can use them free of charge.
“We fill the gap between two layers of the structure with river sand and pebbles. This sand is watered twice a day. This keeps the produce cool. Each unit benefits over 120 farmers,” says Binolin.
Binolin Syiemlieh, centre manager at the Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS), says their non-profit has set up simple, small-scale, zero-energy storage units near farmers’ fields to preserve their produce; Image courtesy: Nongstoin Social Service Society (NSSS)
These cold storage units, though rooted in scientific principles, involve no elaborate technology. They are managed by the Village Executive Committee (VEC), ensuring equitable access for all villagers while keeping produce clean and fresh.
The project is funded by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), a not-for-profit organisation handling externally aided government projects. “This initiative is supported by the World Bank under an innovation fund that helps improve or scale up solutions. It is part of the Community-Led Landscape Management Project, which focuses on addressing natural resource management issues,” says Wankit Swer, general manager at MBMA.
“Our farmers are smallholders with limited production. After meeting their own needs, the excess is sold. Without proper storage, they often resort to distress sales of perishable items. These prevent such sales and provide a better solution,” he explains.
3. Anti-microbial fabric made from banana fibre
Nagaland-based venture Hengna & Maben Private Limited is making remarkable progress in harnessing banana fibre. “Our banana fibre project is part of the ‘Runway India’ division of our company,” says Major Tanay Maben, co-founder of the venture. “We are currently in the research and development (R&D) phase, working on producing fabric from banana fibre, which boasts anti-microbial properties.”
The anti-microbial properties of banana fibre, derived from natural compounds in the plant, create a protective shield on the fabric, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. This fabric is expected to be used in medical textiles, and efforts are underway to integrate additional functional properties, such as water resistance.
Nengneithem Hengna (L) and Major Tanay Maben (R) – co-founders of Hengna & Maben Private Limited; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
, as it is biodegradable. Moreover, banana plants require minimal water and chemical inputs, including pesticides and fertilisers, making them a sustainable option compared to water-intensive cotton, explains Major Tanay.
Currently, the company produces handicrafts and packaging materials using banana fibre. With the goal of establishing banana fibre as a signature product of Nagaland, it has trained 700 artisans across Nagaland and other Northeast Indian states to create handmade items from the fibre.
The founder, Nengneithem Hengna, who brings 13 years of experience in the handicrafts sector, began working with banana fibre in 2019. She experimented with different grades of fibre, braiding techniques, and stitching methods. She met Major Maben during COVID relief efforts, and they discovered shared goals. This collaboration led to the official incorporation of the company in 2021.
“Banana is a zero-waste cash crop which yields a variety of products and by-products within a year of planting. It grows well in gently sloping terrain and is low-maintenance. Also, banana fibre is a very versatile fibre,” says Major Tanay. “The coarser type can be used to make coasters while the delicate variety can be used to craft jewellery and hair extensions.”
Trained artisans across Nagaland and other Northeast Indian states create handmade items from banana fibre; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
The banana ‘pseudostem’ is passed through rollers (like in the case of sugarcane) and the mulch is extracted. What remains is the fibre, which is washed, dried, segregated, combed (to get various grades) and graded, he explains.
Some of the products made and sold by the company using banana fibre and bark are vases, planters, jewellery, bags, clutches, coasters, table mats, wall hangings, lanterns and baskets. The prices of these products range from Rs 300 to Rs 10,000, says Nengneithem.
Products made using banana fibre; Image courtesy: Hengna & Maben Private Limited
“We have two units in Dimapur and Athibung, employing over 30 artisans. We provide banana fibre and bark as eco-friendly fillers for packaging. We also use these materials to package our own handicrafts,” she shares. “Once the product is delivered, customers can repurpose the fibre from the packaging in their gardens, as it provides valuable nutrients for plants.”
Runway India has also explored creating paper from banana stem mulch. This paper is used for wrapping handicrafts, as well as in crafting greeting cards and flower bouquets.
Training and capacity building are central to the company’s mission. The enterprise has partnered with Assam Rifles to provide training to women in areas affected by poverty and insurgency. Additionally, it conducts workshops in schools as part of the National Education Policy (2020) skill development module.
4. Light, sturdy bamboo composite boats
Country boats are prone to leaks and instability, leading to several fatal accidents each year. While fibre-glass boats are a common alternative, they are neither biodegradable nor recyclable, often ending up in rivers and causing significant environmental harm.
In response, Ravi J Deka founded Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd in Assam in 2020. His startup aims to revolutionise inland water transport by creating safer, composite boats, offering sustainable water mobility solutions.
“The innovation took over two years to materialise. Our boats are made of 85 percent bamboo, 10 percent polymers, and five percent fibre-glass. The main advantage of bamboo composite boats is their sustainability. Bamboo is six times more sustainable than hardwood — it’s fast-growing, abundant, and incredibly strong,” says Ravi.
A glimpse into the boat-making process (L), Ravi J Deka (R); Image courtesy: Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd
“Bamboo composite boards are lightweight, cost-effective, and biodegradable, with an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Their compressive strength and flexibility also provide better shock absorption compared to boats made from other materials,” he adds.
Unlike traditional wooden boats, which require trees to be felled, bamboo boats leave no such ecological footprint. Bamboo composite boats also have the lowest carbon footprint of any boat-making process, claims Deka.
“Our bamboo composite boats are 20 to 30 percent more expensive than traditional wooden boats. For example, a wooden canoe for four people costs Rs 60,000, while our boats range from Rs 90,000 for a four-person canoe to up to Rs 8 lakh for a trimaran. However, our boats are half the price of fibre-glass boats,” he adds.
The process of making the boats is labour-intensive. The core material consists of compressed bamboo mat boards, created by pressing layers of woven bamboo mats together, which are then joined to form the boats. Ravi has also innovated to strengthen these boards and make them waterproof.
Ravi Deka at work designing the boats (L); A canoe made of bamboo composites (R); Image courtesy: Akvotransiro Tech Pvt Ltd
The boats are 40 to 60 percent lighter than their fibre-glass or wooden counterparts. With bamboo boats, you can achieve good speeds using less power, making them more efficient and lowering running costs, he further explains.
The company was incubated at IIT Guwahati and has developed prototypes of six different types of bamboo composite boats, with patents pending. The smallest boat is a three-person canoe, while the company also manufactures canoes with outriggers — structures that enhance stability and improve manoeuvrability. The largest model is a trimaran, capable of carrying 18 passengers and two crew members.
“There are many potential applications for bamboo composite boats,” continues Ravi. “They can serve as rescue boats during floods, transporting people and relief materials, particularly drinking water. They are ideal for forest patrolling in shallow waters and marshlands, as they don’t get stuck in the mud. They offer an affordable option for fishermen and can function as small ferries or water taxis. Additionally, they could play a role in the eco-tourism sector,” he elaborates.
While commercial production has yet to begin, the company has received inquiries from abroad, he shares.
Edited by Pranita Bhat