Matter of pride and joy

Imphal, Dec. 31: Moirangthem Oken is a happy man today.

The owner of the tallest potted hedge mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records, finally got recognition when Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh as a New Year gift to him on behalf of the state tourism department at a simple programme in his office.

The plant’s scientific name is Duranta. It is known as samballei sekpil in Manipuri.

Oken, now 51, came under limelight in 1999 when his precious plant, then 50-foot-tall, earned the Guinness crown. The height of the plant now is 61 feet.

Angered by the failure of the government to recognise his work, he relocated from Sayang in Imphal West, where the topiary is, to his Kumbi home in Bishnupur district five years back.

Tourism minister T.N. Haokip said his department would try to develop the site of Duranta Topiary at Sayang in Imphal West, a must-see for tourists and foreign dignitaries, as a tourist spot.

Topiary means the style in which a tree is given attractive shapes — in this case, in the form of steps.

“This is the only beginning. The government will consider extending continued support to protect and preserve the record-holding plant. The award is being given only as token. This will encourage others to follow the footsteps of Oken to bring honours not only to Manipur but also to India,” Ibobi Singh said.

Earlier, the public health engineering department bore a tubewell near the plant at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh to ensure regular water supply to the plant.

Oken thanked the government for extending financial help. He said if he got sustained support from the people and the government, he would maintain the plant for visitors.

The plant now maintained by some students shows signs of neglect with its top branches drying up.

He petitioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi when she was the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, seeking help.

In 2003, Sonia directed Ibobi Singh to look into his needs.

“I was quite surprised when Soniaji recently enquired about the condition of the plant,” Ibobi Singh said.

Oken said he had left his plant in frustration as he could not afford its maintenance cost which is Rs 10,000 per month.