Volume 2, Issue 12 (January, 2016) Online ISSN-2348-3520 24 Available online on www.saiompublications.com Published by: Sai Om Publications Sai Om Journal of Arts & Education A Peer Reviewed International Journal INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN IN SEIJANG VILLAGE, IMPHAL EAST DISTRICT, MANIPUR Peichui Vashum 1 Guest Lecturer, Manipur University, Imphal, India Email: peichuivashum@gmail.com Dr. Sonia Chanam 2 Assistant Professor, Manipur University, Imphal, India Email: chanam.ed@gmail.com Irabanta Laishram 3 Student, Manipur University, Imphal, India Email: iralaikhuman@gmail.com Dr. Ranjan Kshetrimayum 4 Assistant Professor, Manipur University, Imphal, India Email: kshetrirs@manipuruniv.ac.in ABSTRACT With the increase of cost of living in the present society, families cannot always depend on the earnings of the male in the household. In order to come out of the vicious circle of poverty, besides the household activities, women need to be engaged in income generating activities. They also need to be exposed to the technical know-how, knowledge of financial management, special schemes being initiated by the government for the women, knowledge of organisational management and entrepreneurship. More focus should also be given on women oriented economic activities. Keywords: Income Generating Activities; Working Women; Businesswomen; Economic Development; Poverty Eradication INTRODUCTION The low status of women in large segments of Indian Society cannot be raised without the opening up of opportunity of independent employment and income further. Economic independence makes women conscious of their rights. Working outside home and coming into contact with other people have broadened their outlook and mental horizon. Till recently, a woman was considered unfit for roles other than that of housewife, nurse, primary school teacher, sales girl, telephone operator, stenographer and receptionist. The image of women in society is fast changing. But it is difficult to define or describe clearly the changing shape of the image. One thing is clear that women are entering the labour force in a large number. For many women, work is regarded as an unfortunate economic necessity or that it is seen as very much a secondary activity to the main business of running a home and looking after children. The entire change and development of civilization to a large extent is the result of trade, commerce and industrialization. In this development, the human resource in general and entrepreneur in particular plays a pivotal role.