From ₹1,000 to a Multi-Crore Enterprise: Manipur Couple Turns Entrepreneurial Dream into Reality

Imphal: In a state where securing formal employment remains a major concern for many young people, the entrepreneurial journey of Chungkham Arunkishan and his wife, Chungkham Ongbi Yengkhom Ningol Nirmala Devi, offers a story of perseverance, partnership and the possibilities of building a business from modest beginnings.

Chungkham Arunkishan and his wife, Nirmala Devi, build a business spanning furniture manufacturing, interior design and construction, with a vision to create jobs for local youth

The couple, who started a small poultry venture in 2014 with just ₹1,000 and 54 chicks, have since built a multi-crore enterprise encompassing furniture manufacturing, interior design and construction services. Their journey, marked by years of hard work, gradual reinvestment and a willingness to learn new skills, has culminated in the establishment of Shang-Gai Construction & Interiors.

Their latest outlet, recently inaugurated along National Highway 102, the Imphal–Moreh road, near Manipur University at Canchipur, provides customers with access to their range of products and services. Their workshop, located at their residence in Thongju-II, Boroi Makhong, employs around 35 men and women.

“Hard work, smart work and patience will eventually lead to success,” Arunkishan and Nirmala told Waari Singbul during an interaction at their newly inaugurated outlet.

For Arunkishan, the desire to become an entrepreneur dates back to his childhood, even though he once aspired to join the police force. After marriage, he began his business journey with poultry farming, taking his first steps with limited capital and the support of his family.

While managing the small farm, he simultaneously trained as a software designer at Takyel Industrial Estate in Imphal West district. The poultry business provided him with an initial source of income, while his technical training opened another avenue for professional growth.

In 2017, after saving from his modest earnings, he purchased a manual furniture-making machine. He began producing furniture and selling his products door to door, introducing his work directly to prospective customers.

His skills as a software designer subsequently led him to work with different companies in Manipur. These professional engagements exposed him to interior design, modular kitchens and the practical demands of furnishing homes and commercial spaces. He gradually translated that experience into a business of his own, establishing Shang-Gai Interiors.

What began with a small poultry farm and a single machine continued to expand as he reinvested in the enterprise and diversified its operations.

A major turning point came in 2023, when Arunkishan acquired machinery worth around ₹1 crore from Ahmedabad. The investment significantly expanded the firm's manufacturing capacity, enabling it to produce a wider range of furniture and fittings, including almirahs, sofas, wardrobes, membrane-finished products and hardwood doors.

The enterprise subsequently broadened its scope beyond furniture manufacturing and interior design to include architectural consultancy, reinforced cement concrete (RCC) construction, cement fibreboard products and ironworks.

The expansion prompted the business to adopt a broader identity as Shang-Gai Construction & Interiors, reflecting its growing range of services.

Behind this growth has been the steady support of Nirmala Devi, who says she stood by her husband throughout the journey, including periods marked by obstacles and uncertainty.

“From the beginning, I supported him at every step. Even when there were difficulties, he remained positive and continued working towards his goals,” she said, adding that seeing the business develop has brought her considerable satisfaction.

For the couple, however, success is not measured solely by the scale of their enterprise or the machinery they have acquired. They see their business as an opportunity to contribute to the local economy by creating employment for people who might otherwise struggle to find work.

With around 35 employees already working at their workshop, they hope to expand opportunities for unemployed young people and encourage others interested in entrepreneurship to consider establishing similar ventures in Manipur.

Their aspiration carries particular significance in a state where many young people seek salaried employment, while locally developed enterprises can offer alternative pathways to earning a livelihood and building professional skills.

The couple also hopes to support aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to enter furniture manufacturing, interior design or related trades, drawing on the experience they have accumulated through their own journey.

Arunkishan and Nirmala were quick to acknowledge the role of their parents, Chungkham Thoiba and Chungkham Ongbi Renu Devi, in their success, crediting them for their support and encouragement.

Their story is not one of overnight success. It is a reminder that entrepreneurship often grows through small beginnings, the willingness to acquire new skills, careful reinvestment and the courage to pursue opportunities beyond one's original plans.

From raising 54 chicks with ₹1,000 to operating a multi-crore business with a workforce of around 35, the couple's journey illustrates how determination and a shared vision can turn a modest livelihood into a growing enterprise.

Now, as they look towards expansion, their ambition extends beyond building a successful company. They hope to help other young people in Manipur discover that employment need not always begin with a job application; sometimes, it can begin with an idea, a skill and the resolve to start small.

Nepram Tombi Meitei is a Manipur-based journalist reporting from the ground since 1999, committed to responsible journalism and public welfare.

Image: Chungkham Arunkishan & his wife Chungkham ongbi yengkhom Ningol Nirmala Devi

Image: Inauguration of new Shang-Gai Outlet

Image: New Shang-gai outlet at Thongju Boroimakhong

Image: Interior Sofa set models displayed at Shang-gai outlet

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