Mirabai Chanu, who won India its first medal at the Tokyo Olympics, belongs to a beautiful village, Nongpok Kakching, in Manipur. We tell you more about it. By Meenakshi Maidas
Near the southernmost part of Imphal is Olympic medal winner Saikhom Mirabai Chanu’s hometown, Nongpok Kakching. Chanu won India its first medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by bagging a silver in Women’s 49kg weightlifting. Her family and friends back home rejoiced on the announcement, reports ANI. The Olympic win has also put her hometown in the spotlight.
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Named the cleanest city in North Eastern India in 2018, Kakching is 44 kilometres from the state’s capital, Imphal, and shares its border with Myanmar. Reportedly, Nongpok Kakching is also known as the ‘Granary of Manipur’ as the farmers here produce the state’s highest percentage of food grains. If you plan to visit the place, here are some attractions you might not want to miss:
People’s Museum
It is only befitting to have an ethnographic museum in the town that upholds the heritage of the Metei people through cultural activities. The museum has almost 1,200 rare manuscripts and scriptures of the state, and also has an ample collection of artifacts from the stone age.
Aerodrome
Built during World War II by the British army to provide them with ammunition, food, and arms, the site today is used by the Assam Rifles, while the other areas are used for farming. Farmers have reportedly found shells while tilling.
Kakching Garden
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This garden is situated in Uyok Ching, south of Kakching Bazaar, and is one of the most famous tourist attractions. The place has Mahadev Temple, the statue of Hao Sampubi, a rose garden, a park, and restaurants.
Markets
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Nongpok Kakching’s markets offer beautiful wood products, so make sure to bring some back home with you when you visit the place. This market is owned by ADAM, a local company, and attracts people from outside, too.
Matai Garden
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This garden is a famous tourist attraction in Imphal, near the town of Nongpok Kakching, mainly because of the Duranta plant that grows there. There are paved walkways that take you to small huts with seats.
Related: This Village In Manipur Has Set Up Bamboo Huts As Quarantine Centres
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