DIMAPUR — Indian actress and activist Rajshri
Deshpande emphasised the importance of sustainable flower farming in Nagaland
and assured to make efforts towards promoting the state’s flowers back home in
Maharashtra and other states.
A press release informed that Deshpande made this commitment
on Monday during an interaction with members of the Nagaland Flower Growers
Society (NFGS), led by its president Sungtinaro Jamir, at the Mini Flower
Market in Kohima—organised in commemoration of the 25th Hornbill Festival.
She lauded the efforts of local women farmers, describing
them as “beautiful magicians” for their dedication to cultivating rare and
precious flowers. With the local flower
growers highlighting the lack of market for organically grown flowers,
Deshpande emphasised the significance of flowers in sustaining the environment,
stating that they play a crucial role in nurturing the planet.
She stressed the importance of supporting local women
farmers, whose hard work and perseverance keep the tradition of flower
cultivation alive in Nagaland.
The actress acknowledged the challenges faced in other
regions, such as Maharashtra, where water scarcity has limited the growth of
flowers.
As part of her call for greater support, Deshpande advocated
for the creation of a strong market for these flowers, suggesting that
metropolitan cities, like Mumbai, could greatly benefit from the sustainable
and beautiful flowers grown in Nagaland.
“We need to develop markets that can bring these flowers to
larger urban areas, creating opportunities for these farmers to reach a broader
audience,” she said.
Deshpande emphasised the power of community, particularly
among women.
Reflecting on her own experiences in rural Maharashtra, she
highlighted the need for solidarity and mutual support among women, especially
in times of hardship.
“When women come together, they create something beautiful,
and they help each other grow,” she said, urging women to continue standing by
one another, offering support, and sharing both their joys and struggles.
She expressed deep admiration for the warmth and unity she
felt in the region, noting that the experiences and memories would stay with
her long after her return to Mumbai.
Deshpande, an Indian actress and activist, gained
international recognition with her portrayal of Laxmi in Pan Nalin's TIFF
Audience choice film Angry Indian Goddesses.
She also played the role of Manju in BBC One's EMMY
award-winning MCMAFIA, the British television show directed by James Watkins.
In addition to acting, Rajshri devotes a great deal of her
time to social service. After the 2015 Nepal earthquake, she worked with an
international NGO in the country. Also in 2015, she adopted a drought-prone
village in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra called Pandhari and organised a
rainwater harvesting project, built toilets, conducted health checkups and
community motivation camps, and built an eco-sensitive school in the same
village.
Encouraged by the success and social participation in the
first village, she adopted 30 more villages in the region. In 2018, she created
the nonprofit Nabhangan Foundation to broaden her efforts towards sustainable
village development.
Meanwhile, at the Mini Flower Bazaar, the NFGS have kept for
sale fresh cut flowers, bouquets for presentations (fresh/dry), saplings,
potted greens and flowering plants for all seasons, gardening equipments,
manures and fertilisers, attractive gift hampers, fresh baked and other
delectable food items, and many more.
It started on December 2 and will continue till the 10th.
