Imphal 9^th May: Manipur has been always been on top when it comes to women power. One clear testimony to this is the historic Women’s Market in the heart of Imphal city. While women have always been on the lead in the field of sports and social activism, of late they are also beginning to dominate in the field of entrepreneurship. One such entrepreneur is the 52, year old, June Rose Vaiphei, former member of Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), who has started a economic crusade of sorts to support destitute children by making organic soaps.

Hailing from remote and underdeveloped Henglep Assembly Constituency of Churchandpur district, she now lives at Old Lambulane in Imphal city, experimenting with her organic soaps of different varieties. Interestingly, the raw material for her unique soap varied from rice scrub, loofah scrub and even coffee scrub with a price tag that ranges from 150/- to 250/-. Seeing her venture as an answer for economically supporting the education for the orphans, June Rose has applied for more capital investment from the Manipur Government’s Start–Up Scheme.

Her story began nine months back when she found her interest in soap making. After acquiring the knowledge of the trade from Mumbai, she has been trying her hands on making free-chemical, organic soaps and out of the sale proceeds she is presently supporting the school tuition fees of six orphans from Churchandpur. Right now June She feels she has not given much but dreams of supporting most of the orphans as well as destitute old aged of the state after she venture growth on a large scale.

When asked how she feels about the present soaps market in the state, June Ross said, ‘most of them contains parabeans which are used for preservation leading to more cases of the breast cancer related issues. Chemicals like Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Stearic acid are being detected in more soap to give more lather and harden the soaps. This aggravates skin related problems. These are some of the reasons, which compelled her to go in for making organic soap.