New Delhi: Turning her childhood love for the lotus flower into a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Tongbram Bijiyashanti Devi from Manipur has built a thriving business while empowering women across her community.

The young innovator, who hails from Bishenpur district, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in promoting women's empowerment and driving progress in the North-East.

Bijiyashanti, the founder of the start-up Sanajing Sana Thambal, has transformed lotus stems into a source of sustainable livelihood for local women.

Her initiative, rooted in innovation and tradition, is providing employment to women who work from their homes near the picturesque Loktak Lake -- the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, known for its abundance of lotus plants.

Speaking t

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