Let a thousand flowers bloom
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: July 25 , 2013 -

Flower pot hanging at Ema Keithel :: Pix - 'Blooming Manipur'

In the midst of public protests against Government apathy over one issue or the other, calling of bandhs/blockades against killings and violence, and not to forget, the endless round of political haranguing, from which there are no respite for the people of Manipur, one positive development that could be seen is the message of ‘Green City’ that seems to have caught up fast among the people in different parts of the State of late.

After the ‘Blooming Manipur’ Project initiated by members of members of European Manipuri Association (EMA) succeeded in instilling a sense of belongingness and pride to the people in transforming the look of the historic Ima Keithel at Khwairamband Bazar in the heart of the of capital city Imphal, the ‘My City, Clean City’ campaign has gained momentum at Thoubal and Kakching.

On July 20, around 500 hanging flower pots were installed at Thoubal Keithel as part of the city beautification and cleanliness drive being launched jointly by The Great Thoubal, European Manipuri Association (EMA), South Korea Manipuri Association and Green Revolution Society, Thoubal in association with Thoubal Municipal Council.

A day after this, another 200 hanging flower pots were put up at Kakching Keithel as part of the ongoing drive with active participation from local residents and officials.

Prior to these two latest developments, there were reports of similar campaign at Moirang and Kangpokpi. All these developments surely indicate that, if not all, but at least some section of the people in Manipur, have finally awakened to the need for keeping their city and surrounding neat and clean.

Inspired by the concept of 'Britain in Bloom', a campaign, which has made Britain one of the most beautiful island Nations not just in terms of beautiful flowers and gardens but also in promoting community participation and cohesion in the effort of protection the environment; EMA launched the Blooming Manipur Project for the first time in December, 2011 at Khwairamband Bazar.

For the first phase of the Project, volunteers of EMA put up a row of 46 'hanging flower baskets' along the pillars of the newly constructed market shed - I and II of Ema Keithel facing each other.

Although the volunteers of EMA were disheartened, initially, when the civic responsibility of the authorities concerned towards keeping the market free from the ubiquitous garbage piles and the public awareness on the importance of the 300-year- old Ema Keithel did not step up in tune with the efforts put in for changing the face of the historic market, it is good to see that many people have started coming out voluntarily today to water and take care of the flowers.

Along with the idea of keeping the cities, and more particularly the market places, neat and clean, spreading far and wide, the need for collective responsibility for such activities of common good has been instilled in the mind of the people.

Most importantly, the otherwise lethargic officials of the civic bodies have been forced not only to sit up and take notice but also join the campaign.

And today, they have even started imposing fine on people littering around in market area.

If so much change could be brought about from installing a few hundred flower pots, then our supplication is, let a thousand flowers bloom and spread the fragrance to every heart for blissful joy of living in this strife-torn state.