'Blooming Manipur' catches the attention of RHS
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 28, 2012:
With the initial success story of 'Blooming Manipur Project' catching the attention of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), UK, which has shown keen interest on featuring article on the project in its well-known magazine, The Garden, it should be an occasion for joy.
But the members of European Manipuri Association (EMA) are a worried lot today.
Inspired by the 'Britain in Bloom' concept, 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 environmental community participation and cohesion; EMA launched the Blooming Manipur Project in first week of December, 2011.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 transforming the look of the market.
But civic responsibility of the authorities concerned in keeping the market free from the ubiquitous garbage piles and the public awareness on the importance of Ema Keithel have not stepped up in tune with the changing face of the historic market.
"Publishing a feature on The Garden would definitely help in giving the much deserved spotlight on Ema Keithel.
But in the prevailing situation, accepting the request of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and inviting its officials to visit Ema Keithel would be a disgrace not only to the historic market, but also to all Ema-Ebens who are eking out their livelihood from it", Co-ordinator of EMA Dr Bishwarjeet Elangbam said, trying to convince and involve the women vendors in keep the market neat and clean.
"Apart from its location right in the heart of the capital city Imphal, Ema Keithel is an over 300 years old traditional and ingenious women's market of Manipur, which continues to inspire many people across the world.
It is not just the largest only-women market in the world but also the symbol of empowerment of Manipuri woman.
It is a place for pride for all of us", Dr Elangbam added.
"Ema-Ebens should look upon the flowers being planted as if it is in their own courtyard and mobilize among themselves for keeping the market area free from garbage piles", he pleaded.
On other future plans of EMA, Dr Elangbam explained that if the Project in Ema Keithel achieves the kind of success level that is expected, the concept of 'one shop, one flower' would beextended to all the shops along Paona International Market and beyond phase by phase.
For the upkeep of the flowers, EMA had tied up with Basanta Nursery at Mongsangei and three gardeners have been appointed.
One of the EMA members from Churachandpur has also expressed desire for starting similar project in Churachandpur town, Dr Elangbam disclosed.
It is not just Royal Horticultural Society alone, which has caught the attention of Blooming Manipur.
British writer Lady Belinda Morse, who has written 'Calamity & Courage - A Heroine of the Raj - The story of Ethel Grimwood & Manipur', has donated 64 copies of the book to Dr Elangbam and told him to use the money from selling these books for the upkeep of the project.
The cost of the book is 16.99 Pound.
Aged only 21, Ethel Grimwood accompanied her husband Frank to Manipur in remote north-east India, when he was been posted as Political Agent.
While in Manipur, they quickly made friends with the Royal family.
However, two years after their arrival, the young couple were caught up in an unexpected and violent uprising against the British by the Royal Princes.
Calamity and Courage tells the exciting tale of Ethel Grimwood's bravery, endurance and escape in the nightmare that followed.
It also tells of the extraordinary emotional attachment she retained for the prince who organised the rebellion.
Mrs Grimwood had been awarded the Royal Red Cross by the British Crown in recognition of her courage.
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