When everyone around the world is screaming and shouting for equal rights of women, somewhere in a secluded part of Manipur, a state in the North-eastern part of India, the women out there are presenting a different picture to the world. A self-dependant, financially independent, hard-working, courageous, and spirited – that’s how these women can be best described as.

What’s so great about them? Take a stroll around Ima Keithel at Khwairamband Bazar, a market in Imphal city of the state and you will have your answer. From vegetables to fish, fruits to utensils, clothes to handicrafts, you get everything here. But the most amazing and striking feature about this market is that you will find only women vendors. Yes! You will find no man running a stall in the market or in its vicinity.

Ima Keithel at Khwairamband Bazar is the only market in the world where all the stalls are run by women. Around 3000 women run their business in this market. In Manipuri, Ima means mother and Keithel means market. This market is more than 100 years old.

With no differentiation to one’s caste, community and religion, women from far and remote areas of Manipur come to this market to sell their vegetables, herbs, shrubs, grains, fruits, berries, fishes and other local products. The market represents a perfect example of a secular state. When everyone would be sleeping, they would wake up as early as 4 a.m. in the wee hours to board the ‘first buses’ of the early morning for the Khwairamband Bazar.

Without depending on their husbands, fathers or brothers, they have carved out a path for their livelihood. Their small earning is not only used for their breads and butter but also to fund their children’s education and support their families. In fact, most of the markets in Manipur are run by women only.

This daring attitude and leadership qualities of these women are even etched in the history of British, which has ruled the tiny kingdom for 56 years.

Whether it is to save the integrity of the state or to protect one from the atrocities of the army or government, they always stand united. They would readily shut down the market and go for sit-in protests or rally to lend their support for any cause.

In the conflict-ridden state of Manipur, these women are torch-bearers of peace and harmony, courage and unity. Neither the inefficiency of the state authorities nor the turmoil in the state can curb down their undying fighting spirit.

Team MSN She