What can you possibly do with a lotus? Take a picture, Pose with it, absorb its beauty, eat it. Anything else?
A young innovator from Manipur has come up with a unique venture to make use of our national flower. Tongbam Bijiya Shanti is spinning yarns from lotus stalks.
This 27 year old entrepreneur hails from Thanga Tongbram of Bishnupur district in Manipur. She decided to make use of the available resource and generate some income out of it.
Intrigued by the lotuses and the Loktak Lake in Manipur, she did some research on the idea before venturing into it. She also took some guidance from elders regarding the process as parts of lotuses are used for various things. Some parts are even considered medicinal.
After the research, Bijiyasanti gathered some women of her village and started producing yarn. The team led by Bijiyasanti has also been making clothes out of the yarns including mufflers, masks, neckties etc.
Apart from yarn, this talented young lady also tried her hands in making tea from the national flower.
Her work was recognized and appreciated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Mann Ki Baat session. Chief Minister of Manipur, N.Biren Singh also lauded her work in a tweet.
