Imphal, July 27 (DIPR) Health Minister L Jayan-takumar Singh has urged the people of Manipur to incul- cate work culture to help boost economy of each household in the State. “There are various avenues for earning money if we abstain from the habit of sitting idle at home. The Government will extend all possible help to boost family income of households provided individuals are ready to take up any innovative work in coordination with the Government”, he added. Minister Jayantakumar was speaking as chief guest at the launching of a Nationwide campaign on Tinospora Cordinofolia (Ningthoukhongli) at Indian Medical Association (IMA) House, Lamphelpat. The launching function was organised by the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB) under the Directorate of Ayush. Minister Jayantakumar further said that Manipur is quite rich in natural resources. The flora, fauna and rhizome found in the State have many medicinal values. Farmers can reap economic benefits by growing and cultivating medicinal plants of rare species which are grown naturally in the State. Speaking about Tinos-pora Cordinofolia which is locally known as Ningthou-khongli, Jayantakumar maintained that Ningthou-khongli has very rich medicinal values. Its shoot and fruit help fight against diseases like diabetes, liver illness, arthritis, asthma, indigestion, cancer, fever etc. The State Government has already initiated due process to sign an MoU with the Central Government to expand plantation of Ningthoukhongli and also production of ayur-vedic medicines made from Ningthoukhongli. He continued that Ningthoukhongli saplings will be made available free of cost to all interested farmers. There is a plan to open farmers’ units in all districts of the State. Related departments like Horticulture, Forest, Agriculture, Ayush, ICAR, CAU etc will also be tied up in order to make the mission more successful, he added. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the initiatives of the Government so that the economic situation of the farmers is improved to some extent. During the function, Minister Jayantakumar also launched the first ever digital LED board of Manipur Medicinal Plant Board. A brochure of SMPB was also released by the chief guest. The launching function was also attended by Prof M Premjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University and Rang Peter, Joint Secy, Health and Family Welfare as guest of honour and president respectively. Farmers from different districts also attended the function.
