Rajshri Deshpande and others at the Mini Flower Market in Kohima.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 8
Renowned Indian actress and activist Rajshri Deshpande while emphasizing the importance of sustainable flower farming in Nagaland, today assured to make efforts towards promoting the state’s flowers back home in Maharashtra and other states.
She said this while interacting with the Nagaland Flower Growers Society (NFGS) members led by its president Sungtinaro Jamir during her visit today at the Mini Flower Market organized by the Society at PWD Traffic Point, Kohima in commemoration of the 25th Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.
Deshpande lauded the efforts of the local women farmers, describing them as “beautiful magicians” for their dedication to cultivating rare and precious flowers.
However, with the local flower growers highlighting the lack of market for the beautiful organically grown flowers, Deshpande emphasized the significance of flowers in sustaining the environment, stating that they play a crucial role in nurturing the planet.
“They are bringing heaven on earth,” she said, pointing to the flowers on display and sale as symbols of the foundation on which future generations can thrive.
She also stressed the importance of supporting local women farmers, whose hard work and perseverance keep the tradition of flower cultivation alive in Nagaland.
She acknowledged the challenges faced by other regions, such as Maharashtra, where water scarcity has limited the growth of flowers, underscoring the value of maintaining such ecological practices.
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 also emphasized 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.
Deshpande also 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.
This was followed by the titular role of Durga in Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s Sexy Durga, which won the Hivos Tiger Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival. 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 organized 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 non-profit 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 & fertilizers, attractive gift hampers, fresh baked and other delectable food items, and many more.
Zynorique Initiative founder chairman and architect Richard Belho also accompanied the actress to the flower bazaar
