Collective effort
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 25, 2013 -

Cleanliness drive organised at Ima Keithel on May 19 2013 :: Pix - Inat Yokhat Lup - Kangla

The need for collective effort is one common refrain that we often hear when any public leader speaks from any public platform.

Whether is to fight against social evils or to expedite developmental process, everyone swears that collective effort is the need of the hour.

However, in spite of all these exhortations, collective effort remains elusive in everything we do with divisive and separatist mind-set pervading everywhere. But the fact still remains that collective effort, when it is there, can do wonder for the common good of all.

The initiative taken up by Blooming Manipur and KANGLA , two active Facebook groups, for transforming the look of Khwairamband Keithel at Imphal is a case in point.

Everyone knows the importance of this largest all-women market (perhaps in the whole world) not just from the historical view point but also from the economic point of view of the State.

Apart from ensuring livelihood to thousands and thousands of people coming from far and wide, this centuries-old market, which has witnessed the ups and downs of changing political landscape of Manipur, also reflects the independent as well as the enterprising spirit of Manipuri women, who are always at the forefront of any important issues confronting the State.

It’s no wonder that anyone who comes to visit Manipur makes it a point to visit this market to buy a souvenir or just to feel the air of it.

However, in spite of taking pride in calling it a cultural heritage of Manipur, the negligence over the upkeep of the market by the authorities concerned as well as the public has always remained one glaring feature of Khwairamband Keithel.

The changing look of the market from its earlier tin-roofed sheds to the present brick and mortar storeyed structures has not brought about any corresponding consciousness in the mind of the people and the authorities concerned over the need for proper maintenance of this ‘pride of Manipur’.

Like they say, everybody’s property is nobody’s property; garbage or other leftovers generated in the market could be seen littering around everywhere.

While the authorities sleep over from removing the piling garbage in time, the public including the women shopkeepers themselves do not care two hoots about disposing the waste materials generated in the garbage-bins or spots provided for the purpose.

On the other hand, film posters and pamphlets of every kind could be seen pasted on the walls of the market sheds giving a different look to the historic market.

But all these are becoming a thing of the past after Blooming Manipur steps in with a missionary zeal ‘to transform the sacred market into a clean and beautiful heritage’ of Manipuri people.

Inspired by Britain in Bloom, Blooming Manipur started hanging some flower-pots from the pillars of the two market sheds facing each other.

And today, this inspiration has spread with more and more Facebook groups like KANGLA, Manipur Cycle Club, etc, as well as people from different walks of life joining the mission.

This is truly, what we would like to call a collective effort for a common goal.