Promoting tourism in manipur: A local man shows the way

Kishan Thokchom *

Japan War Memorial Complex at Maibam Lokpa Ching :: April 2011

World Tourism Day is going to be observed throughout the world today. 'One billion tourists, one billion opportunities' is the theme of this year. The aim of observing such a day is to make the people of the world aware about the opportunities offered by tourism. Manipur also has the potential to reap such opportunities. Manipur proudly presents its Loktak Lake, Sangai deer, Shiroi Lily, Dzuko Lily, Polo etc. to the outside world.

But we also know that all these things, of which we are immensely proud of, are now in a sorry state. The condition of the Loktak Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in North-East India is deteriorating day by day. The way in which the endangered Sangai is kept in its habitat is disheartening. The feud between Manipur and a neighbouring state about the boundary of Dzuko valley is a great setback to those who want to visit that mesmerizing place.

Nevertheless, leaving all these problems aside and with the firm belief that Manipur's economy can improve with the coming of many tourists, one young man has been working hard in the field of tourism showcasing Manipur's rich culture, history, flora and fauna and tradition to the domestic as well as international tourist coming in the state. His name is Yaiphaba Kangjam (30) from Langthabal Mantrikhong Makha Leikai, Imphal West.

He is the son of Shri Kangjam Chaoba Singh and Kangjam Ongbi Sanahanbi Devi. The world's largest travel website TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.in), based in the US, has acknowledged his work and awarded 'Certificate of Excellence' for 2015. Being born in Langthabal and growing up listening to the stories of Langthabal Palace, Gambhir Singh, Dr. Kamal, Leihao Leiren and Heibok Ching amongst others inspired Yaiphaba to explore other beautiful places in Manipur and present them to the outside world.

After many failed attempts of trying to meet him due to his busy schedule, I got my chance at the time of the recent turmoil of ILP in the state which also gave him some time to sit at home. It was really interesting listening to his many stories about travelling to different places with different people. Since 2012, Yaiphaba has been working as a Tour Operator and has been promoting Manipur and attracting many tourists from countries like the UK, the US, Germany, Japan, Australia and domestic tourists through his two websites thereby letting them see the beauty to Manipur.

In 2008, just after finishing his graduation in B.Com from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata he got the opportunity to join a Tourism Promoter's Programme organized by Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior. That was a training course specially organized for only 30 selected students from the North-Eastern region. With the knowledge he has gained from that training in IITTM he got all the more motivated to work in the tourism sector. After the training, he got placed in a Tour Operating company in Delhi.

While working in Delhi he always had the urge to do something about tourism in Manipur of which he felt that it has not been exploited enough to reap its benefits or has been sidelined, all these years, for one reason or the other. With the zeal to do something, he came back to Manipur in 2011. While he was trying to figure out his next step he joined a Tourist Guide Training Course organized by Manipur Tourism Forum and there he met Hemant Singh Katoch from Himachal Pradesh who came to that training one day.

Hemant came to Manipur to know more about the part of Second World War (WWII) which was fought in Manipur and also to give awareness to the people about it. Yaiphaba's enthusiasm to work in the tourism sector and Hemant's idea of bringing in tourist to Manipur through the story of the WWII bonded well. Yaiphaba joined in Hemant's already started works like opening www.battleofimphal.com and setting up Battle of Imphal Tours. Gradually, more people, from inside and outside Manipur, come to know about the Battle of Imphal which played an important role in the WWII in the Far East.

Popularly known as 'Japan Laan' in Manipur, the Battle of Imphal was important because the Japanese who were unstoppable in capturing some of the Asian countries were finally halted and were forced to turn back by the British led allies in the fighting around Imphal. The Allies got a significant morale boost after this battle whereas the defeat of the Japanese in this battle played a crucial role in their overall defeat in the WWII.

With more than 30,000 deaths at the battles of Imphal and Kohima, for Japan, it was the greatest defeat on land ever in their history. To make the younger generation aware of such important facts of the Battle of Imphal and also to make the most of our WWII heritage, in terms of tourism, by letting more and more people know about it is in Yaiphaba's mind.

Yaiphaba successfully carried on the work after his colleague Hemant left Manipur. Their hard work bore fruit as 'Battle of Imphal Tours' was awarded the 'Certificate of Excellence' in 2015. Their work has already been covered by some national newspapers and travel magazines earlier. Mention may be made of National Geographic Traveller India, Outlook Traveller, Indian Express, North East Travel and Life, Times of India and Spice Routes. In 2014, Yaiphaba maximised his scope by opening another website- www.imphalwalks.com.

Imphal Walks deals in providing package tours, guide service and other tourist facilities to those general tourists who are not specifically interested in the WWII sites of Manipur. Besides his Loktak lake Tour, Burma Border Tour, Imphal City Tour and other tours, many people like the 'Imphal Walk'- a walking tour. The opportunity to talk at length with the tourist while walking in the lanes of Imphal City about almost everything, from the incidents happening in the city to the discussion about Obama-Modi relationship, is what makes this walking tour a favourite.

Yaiphaba also shared some happy and sad moments of his tours. There are stories of � British tourists, during tours, picking up litter and putting in nearby dust bins; Japanese love for Manipuri food such as Hawaijar (Naato in Japanese), Thangjing, and Chak Hao; How a tourist suddenly felt that Manipur is beautiful in his third visit after the state was re-introduced to him by Yaiphaba through his tours; the emotional reactions of the descendents of the veterans of the WWII after visiting the sites, far from home, where their forefathers were 71 years ago.

He also said that first timers in Manipur got the shock of their lives as soon as they come out from the airport � large number of security personnel in the streets, moving around with their guns and added to it is the collection of half chopped buildings along the Tiddim Road. One tourist even said it was like a replica of war-torn Israel. On the other hand, many tourists appreciated that fact that there are few stray dogs, beggars and slum areas in Imphal City.

Like Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim and other states in India tourism development in Manipur can contribute in the overall development of the state in a big way. The cost of the services used by a tourist from the time of his arrival to the time of his departure is the income of the state. All their expenses in hotels, restaurants, vehicles, guide, entry fees etc. are ultimately going to benefit the people of the state.

For hotel staff, Tour Operators, Guides, Transport Providers Tourist and others who are involved in the tourism business, tourist arrivals are the main source of income. To those who are unable to secure a government job, tourism provides an opportunity to make them self-employed. Besides this, tourism also gives a chance for cultural exchange- to interact and learn the good things from the tourist and make them learn our good things in return.

The ever-turbulent situation in Manipur, which often plays a spoilsport in the tourism business, is what Yaiphaba really laments. News of incidents like tourist not able to move out of their hotel rooms or not being able to return to the hotel due to sudden bandhs and strikes is a great setback which stops potential tourist from coming to Manipur.

Lastly, the government should go all out in stabilizing the situation which will automatically attract more tourists thereby giving a chance to the unemployed youths to get a job through tourism. Also, Yaiphaba feels that people from Manipur who are working outside in the tourism industry should come back and work collectively for the development of tourism in the state.