Nienu said his government is willing to help promote entrepreneurship among locals in areas of fashion designing and various other creative fields through financial and logistic support. Dutta, also a Bollywood actor, said models and fashion designers from the northeast need to be more open to new challenges.
Naga fashion designers such as Atsu Sekhose, Rosou Rhi and Asa Kazingmei are making their presence felt in the Indian fashion scenario through taking part in popular fashion weeks. Nienu said, "Recently our government held a programme on entrepreneurs and more such initiatives will come up. Nagaland and the northeast have a whole lot of talent which needs to be tapped. Our government will be pumping in more money from the chief minister's corpus fund. We have also declared this year as the year of the entrepreneur. Next year we have elections and if we win we will continue with the initiatives," said Nienu.
Dutta who has walked the ramp for names like Vivienne West Wood, Christine Dior, Yoto Yashimoro and others said, "Northeast is emerging in a big way and with Mary Kom there is recognition too. I am proud of the fact that I hail from the northeast. New models and designers need to believe in themselves and that nothing is impossible. There is a cultural difference between the national and the international fashion scenario and it is part of the challenge."
The 12th Miss Luit was held on September 29. While Yashodhara Dutta from Guwahati bagged the title, Jorhat-based Tridisha Baruah and Imphal girl Rusie Thokchom were declared first and second runners-up respectively. Medha Saikia, president North East Beauty Forum, said, "Our contest is different from the rest as it provides a launchpad along with logistical and financial support for those who want to pursue their goals at the national level."