Kohima: Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the national spotlight on Phek district farmer Vesalu Puro during the 137th episode of Mann Ki Baat on August 30. He cited her as a prime example of how individual passion can scale into a viable livelihood. Small hobbies create big possibilities. Puro started small in 2021, growing flowers on a patch of land in Pfutsero.
She grew up in a farming family and carried that tradition into her adulthood. After noticing consistent demand for flowers at weddings and local festivals, she sought training from the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The ICAR-KVK Phek team provided 6,000 corms of the high-yielding Arka Amar gladiolus variety. They also supplied technical training on harvesting and post-harvest management. Scientific guidance worked. Her first crop yielded over 5,000 flowers, moving her goods from Nagaland markets to major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
Puro holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. She has since expanded into a fresh-cut flower enterprise and recently added hydroponics to her operations. KVK scientists continue to provide field support. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s mention, Puro said, "Surreal and deeply humbled." She added that she felt truly honoured and grateful for the recognition.
Modi’s broader address covered topics ranging from the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign to the economic empowerment of women. He noted that women comprise 46% of beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi scheme. The broadcast also featured the Bharatyia website, Mission ShaktiSAT, and the upcoming birth centenary of actor Uttam Kumar.
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