Imphal, October 26 2008: A one day seminar held on "Khwairamband Keithel Amadi Eikhoigee Khunai (Khwairamband Market and Our Society)" at Kangla Hall today has resolved to preserve the unique indigenous character of Khwairamband Market.

The seminar organised by the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) also resolved to oppose naming any part of the Market in any language not compatible to the culture of the land.

It further decided to rename those parts of the market which have been given alien names with their former historical names or name them anew with words in the native language compatible to the indigenous culture.

The seminar agreed to urge the authority concerned to develop Khwairamband market in tune with the changing needs of modern day.

In her address read out by a HERICOUN volunteer as she could not attend the seminar due to health reasons, noted writer MK Binodini called upon all those in power, scholars and politicians to concentrate on town planning instead of driving away roadside vendors.

She asserted that Manipuri women can never give up hawking vegetables and other articles for sustenance of their families.

At the seminar, Prof Ch Priyoranjan of Manipur University also spoke on traditions of Manipuri society and its relation with the economy.

The main markets closely related to the economy and productivity of Manipur are those manned by women, he observed.

These women selling vegetables and other articles come out to the streets to sustain the livelihood of their families.

They don't have the capacity to do big business.

For the agricultural produces and handloom and handicrafts products in which these women are dealing in, the State Government has no policy.

There is no wholesale structure nor cold storage facility, he asserted.

At present, 53 percent of the population are engaged in agricultural activities while only six percent are engaged in industrial activities.

The remaining 41 percent are involved in trade and business activities in one way or other, Prof Priyoranjan said.

Noting that the women vendors are dependent on their trades for their and their families' livelihood, Priyoranjan observed that they cannot be prevented from coming out to markets.

Naoroibam Indramani spoke on customs of Manipur markets, its structure and the role taken women vendors in crucial periods in history.

Dr Moirangthem Manimohon presented a paper on increasing population of Imphal city and the changing structure while Mutuwa Bahadur presented paper on the customs and structures of the markets that ought to be.

The inaugural function of the seminar was attended by MLA K Meghachandra as chief guest, Imphal Municipal Council Chairperson Meinam Ranisana as guest of honour and HERICOUN president Renghang Chothe as functional president.

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