Eternally struggling Manipuri women
It would be nothing less than presumptuous to construe larger number of women street vendors availing loans under the PM SVANI dhi scheme as progression or empowerment of women. Though the government has every right to exalt over 94 per cent of the loan recipients under the said scheme, 7106 beneficiaries are women street vendors, the ground reality is that increasing number of Manipuri womenfolk are in need of institutional support to sustain livelihood activities. Given a choice it is ob vious that not many would prefer to ply their wares on the roadsides as street vending itself is not a pleasant sight or profession under any circumstance. Nevertheless, it is heartening to hear chief minister N Biren saying that the government is putting forth every possible ef fort for empowering the women of the state by implementing various initiatives and schemes to strengthen their livelihood, security and dignity. In his speech at the 15th foundation day of Manipur State Commission for Women and launch function of a two-day 'Socio-Cul tural and Political Convention of North East Women' held on Wednesday, the chief minister mentioned about completion and ongoing con struction of women's markets in almost all the district headquarters and launch of the Manipur Start-Up Scheme to promote entrepreneurship in the state with special emphasis on lending financial support to the women. Among other projects, the incumbent government prioritised establishment of women-centric markets in recognition and honour of the indomitable spirit of Manipuri womenfolk as both homemakers and breadwinners of thousands of families in every stratum of the society.
However, on closer scrutiny bulk of the PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiaries consisting of women street vendors implies that instead of improvement in their socio-economic condi tion, substantial numbers of the womenfolk are fighting for survival. Manipur's iconic Ima Keithel unarguably stands testimony to the firm resolve and resilience of Manipuri womenfolk to face challenges in one's life. However, pres ence of increasing number of women street vendors in and around market places suggests that for many it is about earning two square meals a day under the harshest of condition. It is also an irony that when the government is not averse to the idea of extending financial support to them, the women street vendors continued to be hounded, harassed and treated with contempt by the police. Barring some stray incidents of domestic violence and beastly acts against the fairer sex, there is no serious blot on status and rights of the Manipuri women as is being exemplified through their excellence in diverse fields. From donning the role of warri ors in safeguarding the political and economic frontiers to excellent achievements in the field of sports and education, Manipuri women certainly have carved a niche for themselves in every aspect of life. Moreover, observance of Nupi Lal on December 12 every year not only symbolises fierceness and valour of women of Manipur but also underscores the respect that they have earned through sheer grit and sacrificial spirit. However, it is not a sight to behold sunburned faces of Manipuri mothers, some with toddlers, toiling hard every day to ensure that none of their dependents retire to bed on empty stomach.