Subscribe
KABUL - The Marjah marketplace reopening Sept. 11 during a festival known as Mela marked economic development and infrastructure growth not seen for more than five years in this agricultural region of Helmand province.
"The marketplace was an integral part of society in the past," said Lt. Col. Kyle Ellison, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment commander. "It's been said that the Mela, or festival, was one of the largest in Afghanistan."
More than 300 people came to the reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for what could be likened to a state or county fair in the United States. The Mela not only offers shop owners throughout the Helmand River valley a venue to sell their goods, but is also a weekly social event of which the people of Marjah can be a part.
"All we tried to do is set the conditions for the people of Marjah to bring the Mela back," said Ellison.
The Mela is an example of the Afghan government and coalition forces coming together to deliver something very tangible that the people of Marjah wanted, said Capt. Benjamin Swanson, civil affairs team leader for 2/6.
Marjah elders were also instrumental in bringing back the Mela, as were the local police who provide security.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2010 14:51 |
| Story ID: | 56587 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Marjah marketplace reopening marks economic progress, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
