Woman entrepreneur from Keibul Lamjao soon to launch 'Lotus Tea'
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, August 06 2020: One Moirangthem Anuradha (38) from Keibul Lamjao under Bishnupur district is set to launch a lotus tea brand once the COVID-19 situation improves.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, M Anuradha, who is also the chairman of the Women Handloom and Handicraft Corporation Society, Thanga, said that lotus plant is beneficial to humans as almost all its parts can be used in foods, textile and pharmaceutical industries.

She said that she started working on lotus tea along with about a hundred other women on the advice of Prof Dr Meinam Binota, Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women.

Saying that preparing a lotus tea takes about 10 days on average as one has to remove each petal carefully and then cut it into pieces for drying, she said that preparation of about 1,000 tea packets is almost complete and it will be available in the market soon.

Each tea packet will be sold at Rs 100, she said adding that the society is planning to prepare at least 5,000 more packets soon.

Saying that lotus possesses medicinal properties, Anuradha maintained that consuming lotus tea reduces blood sugar, helps the breakdown of fat, and also protects the heart and blood vessels.

She further stated that about 450 women are currently working under the society.

Continuing that many women have received training on making fish pickles under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) too, she added that the society also makes bags, badges, shawls and decorative items from lotus and banana plants fibres and kouna.

The society had also gifted a scarf made from lotus fibre to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he came to Patsoi, she added.

She then said that the society is closed for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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