Storekeepers appeal to youths
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 21 2023: People working at different stores at Khwairamband Keithel have appealed to all the Manipuri youth to develop a better work habit and at the same time take part in the movement to keep the unity and the integrity of the State intact whenever the need arises.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, one Heisnam Sanathoi (30) who works at a shoe store at Alu Gulli Temporary Market said that he has been working at the store since he was in the first semester at DM College.

Saying that he usually works from 7 am to 5 pm, Sanathoi maintained that he gets Rs 500- Rs 600 from selling shoes daily.

"It is little difficult but I have been helping my family with the earnings," he added.

He continued that they used to sell shoes worth over Rs 30,000 daily before the May 3 incident but the sales have dropped significantly now.

Maintaining that there are about 130 shoe stores at Alu Gulli Temporary Market and they employ thousands of Meitei and Meitei Pangal youth, Sanathoi continued that there are many other shoe stores in the surrounding areas of Khwairamband Keithel too.

It feels great to contribute/donate whatever I can for the cause of Manipur with my earnings, he said and expressed desire for every Manipuri youth to take up jobs which suit them so that Manipur can become a self-reliant State some day.

Manipur can never become self-reliant if there is no work culture among the youth, he added.

Sajish Pusam, a Meitei Pangal youth who vends different kinds of stuff in the adjacent area of Khwairamband Keithel, said that he can make about Rs 500-Rs 600 by selling shop, mosquito repellent, socks, jewellery to passers-by daily.

About 600 Meitei Pangal youth do vending jobs at the adjacent areas of Khwairamband Keithel, he added.

Sajish also said that he is delighted to be able to contribute a small amount of money during the donation drives carried out for the displaced people at relief camps.

Saying that to look after his family with the earnings is difficult, he added that to make something, however, is still better than to do nothing at all.

"At times, our family starves due to the imposition of bandh or curfew," he sighed.

Oinam Biken who is a salesman at a garment store at Thangal Keithel said that he gets Rs 300 a day from his job.

He said that the sale was pretty much higher before the May 3 incident.

Continuing that he has been saving whatever money he could to lend a help in running his family, Biken said that he also takes part in the movement to protect Manipur whenever he can.

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