Governor releases ‘Leina ga Nungthang ga’

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 20, 2019: For the empowered women of the state, the need of the hour is to give due recognition to their talents and abilities, said Manipur governor Najma Heptulla at the release function of the documentary film entitled ‘Leina ga Nungthang ga (Petals and Hammar)’ organised by Resource- a Community Development Initiative, Manipur at Raj Bhavan, here on Monday.

The governor said Manipur is widely known for its rich culture heritage, arts and traditions. The state’s unique handloom and handicrafts is a testament to the 4000 years old civilization. The rich traditional craftsmanship of the indigenous people has been passed down the generations through the skillful artisans. Recorded as early as 1074, in the royal chronicle ‘Loiyumba Shinyen’, the Manipuri society is stated to be well organised along the lines of their professional callings and practices, she added.

It is an attempt to capture the development of the age old tradition of jewellery practiced by the women artisans of the Kangabam families. Assigned in the work of jewellery, the womenfolk of these families took full part in jewellery making in addition to their household chores, she added.

She said the film deals with women empowerment, an issue close to her heart. Manipuri women have been socially independent enjoying the economic freedom. The ‘Ima Keithel’ stands tall, as a symbol of women empowerment. It is the largest all women market in Asia constituting around 4,000 women vendors carrying out various economic activities, she added.

The governor initiated an interaction programme to help the women vendors of the market with the financial institutions and banks in the state for availing financial assistance, loans or grants under different schemes of the government.

It is also reported that many vendors are enjoying the financial facility now, so the women jewellers present here can also avail the same benefits, she said.

In the documentary film produced by Iswari Haobam, besides empowering women, it inculcates the rich ethos of Manipuri women to the younger generation. It will certainly encourage the artisans and enhance the development of traditional jewellery apart from improving their livehood and empowering themselves in the society. She expressed confidence that the Resource- a Community Development Initiative will keep producing valuable traditional documentary films which will help in elevating the standard of documentary films in the state.