Retired official revives Manipur's ancient herbal shampoo, creates jobs amid unemployment crisis

A 71-year-old retired government official has transformed Manipur's fading tradition of "Chenghi"—a natural herbal shampoo made from sticky rice water—into a thriving business employing 22 people, including college students.

 

Sanasam Birendra, from Sangaiprou in Imphal West, launched "Ima Chenghi" in 2016 after retiring as state director of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Drawing on his 33 years in the Commerce and Industry department (1981-2014), where he met countless artisans, Birendra turned an entrepreneur with just Rs 15,000. His venture, now under Holistic Enterprise and run as a family partnership with his wife and two sons, sells 80-100 bottles daily across 20-22 outlets.

 

The product revives a Meitei community staple, once prepared in every household using an earthen pot and local plants. "Manipur is known for its rice culture and traditions. Our forefathers had discovered Chenghi as a herbal shampoo since time immemorial, using their wisdom. This shows how they are really concerned about health and hygiene. But the present generation doesn’t know what the main ingredients of Chenghi are other than rice water," Birendra told India Today NE.

 

Birendra collects rice water from temples, preventing waste from large-scale cooking. "Every day, most prominent temples cook food in large quantities as people come to offer prayer. The rice water, instead of going to waste, I requested them to provide me with it and use it in making Chenghi," he explained. He grows 15 medicinal plants—like Pogostemon, lemongrass, amla, patchouli, and Indian pennywort—on his Irengbam farmland, sourcing others from villages.

 

Processed traditionally in earthen pots, then kept for another 24 hours, the fully organic shampoo includes no preservatives. Scientific tweaks from ICAR and CSIR-NEIST extended its shelf life from 15 to 70 days after months of rigorous testing. Lab tests at a Hyderabad institute confirmed it is contamination-free, safe for all ages, and fights hair fall, dandruff, and greying, while cooling the scalp and adding shine.

 

In a state plagued by unemployment due to few industries, Birendra's model offers a blueprint. Startup Manipur provided financial aid in 2022, boosting growth. Four college-going women help prepare batches, underscoring local empowerment.

 

“Young people should develop innovative ideas. Earnings from entrepreneurship are unlimited, and it also generates jobs. To strengthen the state economy, depending only on government jobs will not be possible,” Birendra, who is also a local columnist, said.

 

His story aligns with India’s ‘Vocal for Local’ push and the Vision 2047 goal of building a developed nation, bridging ancestral wisdom with modern enterprise.

(The story has been produced under the Award in Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU, Imphal. For further details, please contact Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer, CAU Imphal, at prmmcell@gmail.com)