Day: February 3, 2012

Aizawl, Feb 3 (NNN): Non availability of markets has been the prime reason for the ginger cultivators in Mizoram to leave the occupation.
A good number of Mizo farmers stop cultivating ginger as the crop does not bring much profit.
Mizoram is the fourth largest producer of ginger in India after Kerala, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, officials of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Corporation (MAMCO) said the government continues to look for ginger market all over the country and the neighbouring Bangladesh so that the Mizo farmers can export their produces. The source said, the present price of ginger in Bagha and Vairengte (both in Mizoram) is Rs 6 per kg and there are no sufficient buyers at present.
Meanwhile, ginger cultivators in Mizoram rue that if the government take keen interest in cultivating ginger, many Mizos would have been very rich by now. “We heard that ginger cultivators in Kerala and elsewhere are doing brisk business but why cannot we do the same here?” asks Zodin Thangliana, a ginger farm owner.
It can be noted that the crop duration is only one year. The average yield in Mizoram is 8 to 10 times of seeds sown. Had there been a reliable and efficient marketing system for marketing of ginger, many ginger growers in Mizoram would not have remain poor.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-ginger-farmers/

Aizawl, Feb 3 (NNN): Non availability of markets has been the prime reason for the ginger cultivators in Mizoram to leave the occupation.
A good number of Mizo farmers stop cultivating ginger as the crop does not bring much profit.
Mizoram is the fourth largest producer of ginger in India after Kerala, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, officials of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Corporation (MAMCO) said the government continues to look for ginger market all over the country and the neighbouring Bangladesh so that the Mizo farmers can export their produces. The source said, the present price of ginger in Bagha and Vairengte (both in Mizoram) is Rs 6 per kg and there are no sufficient buyers at present.
Meanwhile, ginger cultivators in Mizoram rue that if the government take keen interest in cultivating ginger, many Mizos would have been very rich by now. “We heard that ginger cultivators in Kerala and elsewhere are doing brisk business but why cannot we do the same here?” asks Zodin Thangliana, a ginger farm owner.
It can be noted that the crop duration is only one year. The average yield in Mizoram is 8 to 10 times of seeds sown. Had there been a reliable and efficient marketing system for marketing of ginger, many ginger growers in Mizoram would not have remain poor.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-ginger-farmers/

Mail News Service
Bengaluru, Feb 3: Bengaluru, the IT capital of India has a large diaspora of Manipuris which mostly consists of students in various professional colleges and IT professionals. As of now, baring a few sporadic events organised by individuals and small groups, there hasn’t been any major occasion wherein this diaspora gets together. Hence, the Manipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru is organising a two day Manipur Kumhei at Bengaluru with a view to bring together, to start with, about 800 people of Manipur origin and enable them to spend an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Manipur Kumhei will be held on February 4 Saturday and 5 Sunday, 2012. An initiative being undertaken by the Manipur Liaison Office in Bengaluru, Dr. V. Ramakantha, this kumhei aims at promoting positive links and creating new bonds of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect between the city’s native population and the Manipuri diaspora. This festival has also chosen to focus on the creative brilliance of Manipuri cinema and the grandeur of its performing arts, over a two day festival. The kumhei will also offer the participants from the diaspora to bond together, relive their past, take pride in their culture and basically to celebrate Manipur. A large contingent of artists and performers selected by the Dept. of Art and Culture, Govt. of Manipur, has been invited to Bengaluruto showcase the rich cultural heritage of Manipur.
On the first day of the kumhei, three renowned Manipuri films namely: Phijigee Mani – directed by O. Gautam and produced by Medha Sharmi, Mami Sami – directed by Ningthouja Lancha and Noong Amadi Yeroom – directed by Ningthouja Lancha will be screened followed by an interactive session with the producers and the directors. A cultural eveningawaits on the second day of the kumhei which includes the enchanting Tribal dances, Manipuri Ras Leela, Thang-Ta and Pung-Cholom. While the people of Manipur origin savour the time spent in their homeland, the performers will in turn be benefited by the exposure to the Manipuri diaspora and metropolitan city of Bengaluru.
Manipur Kumhei, the festival of dance, dance-drama, music, martial art, film shows and more,will also have components events from artists of Karnataka which willgive the Manipuri diaspora an insight into yet another ancient civilization of Kannadigas.The event will be enriched with performances by local Kannadiga Yakshagana (a dance drama) artists and others.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-kumhei-bengaluru-2012/

Mail News Service
Bengaluru, Feb 3: Bengaluru, the IT capital of India has a large diaspora of Manipuris which mostly consists of students in various professional colleges and IT professionals. As of now, baring a few sporadic events organised by individuals and small groups, there hasn’t been any major occasion wherein this diaspora gets together. Hence, the Manipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru is organising a two day Manipur Kumhei at Bengaluru with a view to bring together, to start with, about 800 people of Manipur origin and enable them to spend an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Manipur Kumhei will be held on February 4 Saturday and 5 Sunday, 2012. An initiative being undertaken by the Manipur Liaison Office in Bengaluru, Dr. V. Ramakantha, this kumhei aims at promoting positive links and creating new bonds of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect between the city’s native population and the Manipuri diaspora. This festival has also chosen to focus on the creative brilliance of Manipuri cinema and the grandeur of its performing arts, over a two day festival. The kumhei will also offer the participants from the diaspora to bond together, relive their past, take pride in their culture and basically to celebrate Manipur. A large contingent of artists and performers selected by the Dept. of Art and Culture, Govt. of Manipur, has been invited to Bengaluruto showcase the rich cultural heritage of Manipur.
On the first day of the kumhei, three renowned Manipuri films namely: Phijigee Mani – directed by O. Gautam and produced by Medha Sharmi, Mami Sami – directed by Ningthouja Lancha and Noong Amadi Yeroom – directed by Ningthouja Lancha will be screened followed by an interactive session with the producers and the directors. A cultural eveningawaits on the second day of the kumhei which includes the enchanting Tribal dances, Manipuri Ras Leela, Thang-Ta and Pung-Cholom. While the people of Manipur origin savour the time spent in their homeland, the performers will in turn be benefited by the exposure to the Manipuri diaspora and metropolitan city of Bengaluru.
Manipur Kumhei, the festival of dance, dance-drama, music, martial art, film shows and more,will also have components events from artists of Karnataka which willgive the Manipuri diaspora an insight into yet another ancient civilization of Kannadigas.The event will be enriched with performances by local Kannadiga Yakshagana (a dance drama) artists and others.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-kumhei-bengaluru-2012/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 3: All problems can be overcome with Centre and the States working together says the Prime Minister. Inaugurating the third Conference of Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Central Government has taken several initiatives recently to achieve the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in public life but we still have to go a long way. Stressing the need to equip a large number of our people with skills, the Prime Minister appreciated the good work done by some States in the area of skill development. He urged all States to show leadership in this field. He further said that the Central Government is creating an enabling policy framework in infrastructure development and the State Governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy. Referring to National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), the Prime Minister urged Chief Secretaries to carefully consider how the States can take the maximum advantage of the new policies.
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V. Narayanasamy, in his address said that good governance has to be participatory, transparent, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient and inclusive. Transparency is not only the key to upholding integrity in the public service but is also contributory factor towards better performance. The Minister said that Sevottam framework of the DARPG is a vital tool for training and sensitizing Government’s machinery towards a system of accountability and transparency. A series of workshops on Sevottam have been held in the last two years in consultation with the States/UTs. The Minister said that this framework is now proposed to be taken to the district levels and training programmes have been planned in collaboration with the State Governments. The first such district level programme on Sevottam has been planned in Thane, Maharashtra. The Minister noted that today we face multiple challenges which need to be addressed with socially workable plans. Shri Narayanasamy further said that the Government has so far considered 13 of the 15 reports of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 508 recommendations relating to the Centre have been implemented and other 497 are at various stages of implementation. He called upon the Chief Secretaries to consider implementations of the ASC recommendations on priority as a substantial number of recommendations pertain to the States.
The Minister said that the Centre has taken several measures like enactment of RTI Act, ratification of United Nations Convention against corruption, Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill, Judicial Standard Accountability Bill, Rights of citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Service and Redressal of Grievances Bill, Whistleblower Bill etc. to bring in transparency and accountability in the governance.
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary, Shri A.K. Seth said that the Centre’s intention is to ensure that the States and the Centre work in coordination. He further said that the Government has identified high priority areas so as to make governance effective and transparent. Shri R.C. Mishra, Secretary, DARPG, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Conference is organised annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The Conference has institutionalised the process of interaction with States/UTs. It serves as a standing forum for exchange of views between the Centre and the States. It also provides an occasion for discussion on global developments that have a bearing on the country as a whole and the broad contours of national policies in select areas of relevance. This conference also helps in ensuring an integrated and holistic approach towards the development of the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/all-problems-can-be-overcome-with-centre-states-working-together-pm/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Feb 3: All problems can be overcome with Centre and the States working together says the Prime Minister. Inaugurating the third Conference of Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Central Government has taken several initiatives recently to achieve the goal of ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in public life but we still have to go a long way. Stressing the need to equip a large number of our people with skills, the Prime Minister appreciated the good work done by some States in the area of skill development. He urged all States to show leadership in this field. He further said that the Central Government is creating an enabling policy framework in infrastructure development and the State Governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy. Referring to National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), the Prime Minister urged Chief Secretaries to carefully consider how the States can take the maximum advantage of the new policies.
The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri V. Narayanasamy, in his address said that good governance has to be participatory, transparent, accountable, responsive, effective and efficient and inclusive. Transparency is not only the key to upholding integrity in the public service but is also contributory factor towards better performance. The Minister said that Sevottam framework of the DARPG is a vital tool for training and sensitizing Government’s machinery towards a system of accountability and transparency. A series of workshops on Sevottam have been held in the last two years in consultation with the States/UTs. The Minister said that this framework is now proposed to be taken to the district levels and training programmes have been planned in collaboration with the State Governments. The first such district level programme on Sevottam has been planned in Thane, Maharashtra. The Minister noted that today we face multiple challenges which need to be addressed with socially workable plans. Shri Narayanasamy further said that the Government has so far considered 13 of the 15 reports of the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). 508 recommendations relating to the Centre have been implemented and other 497 are at various stages of implementation. He called upon the Chief Secretaries to consider implementations of the ASC recommendations on priority as a substantial number of recommendations pertain to the States.
The Minister said that the Centre has taken several measures like enactment of RTI Act, ratification of United Nations Convention against corruption, Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill, Judicial Standard Accountability Bill, Rights of citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Service and Redressal of Grievances Bill, Whistleblower Bill etc. to bring in transparency and accountability in the governance.
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary, Shri A.K. Seth said that the Centre’s intention is to ensure that the States and the Centre work in coordination. He further said that the Government has identified high priority areas so as to make governance effective and transparent. Shri R.C. Mishra, Secretary, DARPG, proposed a vote of thanks.
The Conference is organised annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The Conference has institutionalised the process of interaction with States/UTs. It serves as a standing forum for exchange of views between the Centre and the States. It also provides an occasion for discussion on global developments that have a bearing on the country as a whole and the broad contours of national policies in select areas of relevance. This conference also helps in ensuring an integrated and holistic approach towards the development of the country.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/all-problems-can-be-overcome-with-centre-states-working-together-pm/