Manipur’s iconic women’s markets reopen after renovation

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 22 (EMN): Two iconic women’s market buildings in Imphal which were badly damaged during a powerful earthquake in 2016, located in the heart of Imphal town, reopened newly renovated on Jan. 22 Mon.
The reopened buildings—popularly known as ‘Ima Keithels’ of Khwairamband market—were ‘handed over’ to vendors during a symbolic ‘handing over function’ to the vendors of the women’s market.
Councillor L Lokeshwor Singh of the Imphal Municipal Council (IMC); Secretary Bobby Waikhom and director N Gitkumar Singh of the Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD); chairperson L Tombi Devi of the Bazar Committee; IMC staff, were among those in attendance at the function, which was organised by the IMC.
Addressing the function that was held in the crowded market complex, MAHUD Minister Shyamkumar appealed to the vendors to maintain the sanctity and ‘culture’ of the market. He appealed to them to keep their environs. He called the Ima Keithel the face of the state. The market is one of the largest women markets in Asia.
Saying that tourists are ‘attracted’ to Ima Keithel, he said, ‘We need proper maintenance and follow age-old traditional culture. It is our pride and all sections of the society need to collaborate to keep the market clean.’ He told reporters that the basement of the three market buildings in the town would be used as parking lot soon.
The two market buildings were renovated at the cost of INR 21.98 crore with the state’s Public Works department as the implementing agency. The two building were badly damaged during said earthquake.
About 728 women vendors occupy market-two and 1195 vendors market-3.