Authors:Â Srija Roy, Dr. C.M. Rao
Abstract: This paper reviews the Ema Keithel market of Manipur, India, which is a 500-year-old Asia’s largest all-women market. More specifically, this paper aims to identify the societal and economic impacts of this market and to ascertain the motivations of the formation of this market. All the shops inside this market are owned by females. From the procurement of raw materials to the production of finished products, everything in this market is done by women. Ema Keithel serves as the workplace for more than 5000 women. This market has been one of the major forces behind empowering Manipuri women and making them financially independent beings who can create an evolved and equitable society. A random survey comprising 110 sample points was conducted. The result shows that Ema Keithel serves as the sole place of earning for 88 % of these women entrepreneurs. 33 % of these women are the sole bread earners for their families. It was also observed that the majority of these women make a profit margin of ₹1000-₹2000 per day. Apart from empowering the women of Manipur financially, this market has served as a place of immense social importance. 100 percent of the women confirmed their active participation in matters of social importance like drug abuse, violence against women etc. The purpose of this study is to represent the creativity, progressive thinking, innovation and the strong will of women to drive their livelihood from the frontlines. Contrary to the prevalent conditions in most of the places where men are the frontrunner when it comes to entrepreneurship, in the Manipuri society, women are the main driving force, and it has been proved through the test of time that they are doing justice to the responsibility entrusted upon them in every possible way and contributing towards the development of the nation.
Keywords: Asia’s largest all women market, Entrepreneurship, Nation building.
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