We visited the famous Ima Market in Imphal during our recent visit to Manipur. There was so much warmth on this entrepreneur mother's face that I could not resist but request her to pose for me and she happily did.
Khwairamnand bazaar or the popular name Ima market or Nupi Keithel is world’s only all-women marketplace and one of Imphal’s main tourist attractions.important feature of the market is that 4000 odd shopkeepers here are women signifying women’s equality and independence. Not a single man is found selling anything here . ‘Ima’ means mother and Keithel means market in Manipuri. Irrespective of communities and religion, any woman can set up a store here. This market is truly a symbol of women empowerment and women’s leadership in the economic development of this tiny state.
