By Bachaspatimayum Bisheswar Sharma<\/p>\n
IMPHAL, November 28: A bicycle made of bamboo could be a luxury ride and Elangbam Ajit a native of the State claims to be the second person in India who knows how to make cycle with bamboo.<\/p>\n
The mechanical parts of the cycle are however metal.<\/p>\n
During a brief meeting at the National Bamboo Mission Manipur, department of Forest premium stall inside the Sangai Festival, Ajit said he was trained in bamboo crafts in China in 2012.<\/p>\n
He said during his two-month training stint in China he learned about planting a bamboo tree, nourishing it, cultivating and utilising it.<\/p>\n
Ajit said he learned that bamboo can be used as any other wood and help in fighting deforestation and soil erosions.<\/p>\n
The life cycle of a bamboo plant is about four years, he said.<\/p>\n
He said soon after his training in China, he first tried making a sofa set and took about 45 days.<\/p>\n
He said he has already received 24 orders for his sofa set which is exhibited alongside his bamboo cycle in the National Bamboo Mission Manipur stall. <\/p>\n
A carved sofa set could cost Rs 45000 while a plain set could cost Rs 35000, he added.<\/p>\n
Coming to his bicycle, he said he has produced around 14 bamboo cycle frames, however, he is yet to quote a price.<\/p>\n
He further thanked the National Bamboo Mission for providing him a space in the stall to exhibit his crafts.<\/p>\n\n