Manipur shows the herbal way to health
“Manipur is a mega biodiversity hotspot. One does not have to explore wilderness spread over 22,327 sq km to discover its distinctive floral wealth. Instead, a casual visit to the all-women Ima market with 4,000 stalls, in the heart of Imphal, will convince scientists and tourists alike. Herbal products straight from the forests and kitchen gardens are sold here on a daily basis,” says Rajkumar Kishor, one of the few first-generation entrepreneurs in Biotechnology and Life Sciences in North-East India.
Growing up in Manipur, Kishor was exposed early on to its rich natural wealth. (Accident-prone during childhood days, he once fell from a Champa tree trying to pluck fragrant flowers and was laid up for three months). Herbal concoctions fascinated him endlessly. The environment of experimentation around him also developed his interest in all things natural — isn’t Manipur the land of the Singju salad that testifies to the Manipuri’s love of crunchy vegetables!
Besides onion, cabbage and coriander, the Singju salad includes lotus root and ginger and is flavoured with herbal components. There are multiple variations of Singju, as well, that include raw papaya, banana inflorescences, and even dry fish powder sprinklings. Singju seasoned with powdered perilla seeds, chilli powder and aromatic herbs is sold at kiosks to be relished any time of the day.
