DHEW Zunheboto under Mission Shakti organised one-day skill development training on candle making on August 22. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | August 22
The District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), Zunheboto, under Mission Shakti, organised one-day skill development training on candle making on August 22.
The training, aimed at equipping women and school drop-out students with practical skills for self-employment and income generation, introduced participants to various forms of candle making, including flower-shaped candles, candles in glasses and jars, pillar candles and other decorative designs.
The programme was conducted free of cost at the DHEW Office, Old Town, Zunheboto, with an intake capacity of 20 participants. Preference was given to those who had not previously received BBP skill development training.
Speaking at the programme, a DHEW representative said, ‘women empowerment and skill development remain among the key focuses of the department.’ While such initiatives may not immediately create large-scale businesses, the objective is to equip participants with practical skills that can be pursued from home and gradually lead towards self-reliance.
The representative expressed hope that the training would be fruitful for the participants and encourage them to make use of the skills acquired to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The resource persons, Mughakali Chophy and Avika A Awomi, who are also private school teachers and run candle making as a home-based business, said ‘the idea was developed as a means of supplementing their income while making use of their creativity and skills.’
Skill development has no age limit
Speaking to the media, the trainers said they chose candle making because of its potential in Zunheboto, particularly during the cold season and festive periods when candles and personalised gifts are in demand. They explained that the idea of flower-shaped candles came from the thought of turning flowers, which fade within weeks, into lasting decorative keepsakes.
They said the business can be started with a small investment and does not require a separate shop, as production and sales can be managed from home. According to them, festive seasons and occasions involving gift-giving provide opportunities for young women to earn additional income from the business.
The trainers also highlighted the growing popularity of aesthetic and decorative candles among the younger generation. The training covered different designs, including flowers, jars, glasses and pillar candles, with fragrances also incorporated into some products.
The trainers said they were encouraged by the participation of women from different age groups, including mothers and teachers, noting that the enthusiasm shown by participants demonstrated that skill development is not limited by age.
They further encouraged young women who are currently unemployed or staying at home to develop skills through available online resources. They said social media, tutorials and DIY content had helped them learn and improve their own candle-making skills, and that similar resources could be used by others to develop marketable abilities.
“Even if the skills are not inborn, you can always develop them, polish them, learn them and start,” one of the trainers said, encouraging young women to take the first step towards self-reliance.
The trainers expressed confidence that candle making could be sustainable in the long run because of its use as a gift item, while also noting that it could be pursued as a hobby by working women during their leisure time.
They also expressed their willingness to share their knowledge and expand such skill development initiatives if opportunities arise, saying they would be happy to teach others who are genuinely interested in learning.
The trainers further explained that the name “Eliora Candles” was inspired by a Hebrew name meaning “God is my light,” reflecting both the spiritual significance of light and the nature of their candle-making venture.
