Day: November 28, 2014

By Lanchamei Golmei

IMPHAL, November 28: `There are no separate gates for the differently-abled persons. The extra tight security system as well as traffic regulation are added woes for people like me, for we too have to walk at least one kilometre to reach the venue from the first security cordon`, said Md Yusuf, a differently-abled participant of the Sangai Festival.

Talking with this reporter, Yusuf, who is also the general secretary of the Disabled Development Association Manipur, DDAM said that he had to face lots of inconveniences in order to get a stall at the festival venue.

He also lamented that there is no separate exit or entry gate for the differently-abled persons, although this has been made mandatory by law for organiser of any public event or function.

`The organiser in future should make it a point to make proper arrangements for the differently-abled persons prior to the festival. If they cannot make arrangement for such persons in festivals to come, they are going to discourage many innovative people from showcasing their talents and creativity in the festival`, Yusuf said.

Another stall owner, Mutua Bahadur, a well-known private curator of the State pointed out that the intent of his stall is to make the common people understand the unique and rich cultural heritage of the State, and also to show to the world the State`™s variegated but composite culture.

He opined that the section for Explore Manipur would have been much better if the area/section is allocated only to showcase the unique cultures of Manipur instead of mixing up with other commercial stalls.

He also said that there are many more of Manipur that could have been showcased but as the space he was allotted is limited, he had to contend with a limited edition.

He also informed that his stall is sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur and this is the first time the government is extending such generosity in the Sangai Festival.

It may be mentioned that Mutua`™s stall is within the Explore Manipur Section showcasing different communities`™ handloom fabric, ornaments, instruments maintained and preserved at the Mutua Museum, Keishampat Imphal.

It is also worth mentioning that the festival has been celebrated in the past as Tourism Festival but since 2010 it was renamed as Sangai Festival, and each year its popularity amongst the people has been growing. This year, lakhs of people have been thronging the festival venue every day.

The festival has also become the appropriate forum for start up enterprises to introduce their innovative ideas to the public, and also a common platform for various communities of the State to come together, but a lot still remains to be improved, stated a keen observer of the festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/differentlyabled-complain-of-insensitivity-by-sangai-fest-2014-organisers/

By Bachaspatimayum Bisheswar Sharma

IMPHAL, November 28: A bicycle made of bamboo could be a luxury ride and Elangbam Ajit a native of the State claims to be the second person in India who knows how to make cycle with bamboo.

The mechanical parts of the cycle are however metal.

During a brief meeting at the National Bamboo Mission Manipur, department of Forest premium stall inside the Sangai Festival, Ajit said he was trained in bamboo crafts in China in 2012.

He said during his two-month training stint in China he learned about planting a bamboo tree, nourishing it, cultivating and utilising it.

Ajit said he learned that bamboo can be used as any other wood and help in fighting deforestation and soil erosions.

The life cycle of a bamboo plant is about four years, he said.

He said soon after his training in China, he first tried making a sofa set and took about 45 days.

He said he has already received 24 orders for his sofa set which is exhibited alongside his bamboo cycle in the National Bamboo Mission Manipur stall.

A carved sofa set could cost Rs 45000 while a plain set could cost Rs 35000, he added.

Coming to his bicycle, he said he has produced around 14 bamboo cycle frames, however, he is yet to quote a price.

He further thanked the National Bamboo Mission for providing him a space in the stall to exhibit his crafts.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/man-behind-bamboo-cycle-optimistic-of-bamboo-resurgence/

IMPHAL, November 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be kind of creating history during his proposed visit to the State by becoming the first Prime Minister of the country to visit the State unit office of his party in Manipur, observed BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba today.

Chaoba told media persons during a press meet in connection with the Prime Minister`™s visit at his Nityaipat Chuthek office that several Prime Ministers of the country including both from the BJP and the Congress have visited the State in the past; however none had thought it important to visit the office of their party affiliate.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have all visited the State, but neglected visiting their party offices, he observed.

Narendra Modi had also kicked off his prime ministerial campaign from Manipur which is the eastern most corner of the State, he said while adding that he will continue to be the Prime Minister for 20 years.

Further praising the Prime Minister, the Manipur unit president of the BJP said although it is a common perception of the people that the proposed sports university was granted considering the sporting talents of the State, it was Narendra Modi who announced establishment of a National Sports University in the State.

He said although the previous Prime Ministers were also familiar with the sporting talents of the State, none had considered it fit and appropriate to establish the university in the State before. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced precisely this even before completing six months in office, he continued.

And these are signs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi loves Manipur and its people, he said.

Choaba who is also a former Union Minister of State for Sports also observed that the SAI complex is more suitable for the commencement of the Sports University rather than the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, because it already has many coaches and the equipment required.

He further lamented the State government`™s insistence to set up the university at Yaithibi Loukon amidst a strong opposition.

After a proper examination of the issue, he said it is very clear that Thoubal is not the proper place for the sports university, elaborating that only about 60 acres out of 400/500 acres for the university have been acquired and at the same time Thoubal is one of the most polluted places in the State with a total of 53 brickfields in the Thoubal.

He further questioned whether Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh keeps the State cabinet under his thumb. The State cabinet approved the selection of Yaithibi Loukon as the site for the university much after the Chief Minister had chosen the site without any dialogue with the affected people, he added.

Chaoba further questioned whether the Chief Minister had taken expert opinion on the selection of the site beforehand.

Meanwhile, continuing to attack the Chief Minister, he said the Chief Minister is deliberately delaying appointment of the RTI commissioner and reviving the now defunct Human Rights Commission in the State in order to make himself stronger.

Chaoba also touched upon several issues including the committee constituted to check the assets of the MLAs with Law and Forest minister Th Devendro as the chairman, non-completion of the City Convention construction even after the Centre has already sanction Rs. 750 crores.

He said the Centre had sanctioned only Rs 500 crore for the construction of the Tripura City Convention which is already completed.

The Manipur government has also included a specific allocation in the State Budget for the Manipur Development Society which is not a government department, but registered under the Co-operative Act, he said.

He also said now that the State chief secretary has refused to hold the office of chairman of the MDS, and the Chief Minister is acting like the chairman.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/pm-modi-creating-history-with-visit-to-bjp-state-unit-office-chaoba/

KANGPOKPI, Nov. 28: Amidst much opposition and offering of land for construction of the National Sports University in the State, the Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills today critically censured the land offered by Koutruk, Senjam Khunou & Senjam Chirang Development Organization to the State government for construction of the university today.

Speaking to media person this evening at Kangpokpi, KSO-SH president Thangminlen Kipgen alleged that the land offered by Koutruk, Senjam Khunou and Senjam Chirang Development Organization belongs to Haraothel village which is under the administrative jurisdiction of ADC Kangpokpi.

He continued that the photo captured and published in a local daily yesterday is not the land of Haraoching Chingkhong but it belongs to Haraothel village.

With the intention of acquiring the land under the administrative jurisdiction of Imphal West district, Koutruk and its surrounding villages calculatedly offered the land free of cost to the government, he alleged.

Elucidating the matter to the combined team of MPP officer bearers, local leaders and media persons Thangminlen Kipgen said that the area measuring 800 acres at Haraoching Chingkhong offered by Koutruk, Senjam Khunou and Senjam Chirang for the proposed sports university free of cost is a disputed land.

MPP officer bearers and Koutruk, Senjam Khunou and Senjam Chirang leaders evidently know that the Centre`™s instruction was to set up the Sports University at a place where there are no disputes, pointed out Thangminlen.

We would like to offer the State Government the land required for the proposed sports university at any site whether it be near Trans Asian Highway or in the interior site within Sadar Hills where there are no disputes and no objection if the Government in reality wants to construct the Sport University in the Hill area, Kipgen added.

Cautioning the Koutruk, Senjam Khunou and Senjam Chirang Development Organization, he once again reminded the organization that the land they offered free of cost is a disputed land and therefore it will be wise on their part to stop claiming authority over it so as to avoid any untoward incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/ksosh-disapproves-land-offer-for-sports-univ/

IMPHAL, November 28: With just two days left before Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s one and half hour stop in the State capital, a huge security cover has been blanketed over the State especially in the State capital.

The SPG team that had arrived to oversee security arrangement for the Prime Minister`™s visit checked the Sangai Festival venue. The team opened the electric fittings at the main venue including the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.

Sources have also said that the SPG team has instructed the concerned authorities to pump out the water from the two moats in front of the BOAT for security reasons.

It may be mentioned that the Prime Minister will be attending the Closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 on November 30 which will be held at the BOAT.

Meanwhile, search and combing operations are also being conducted on a daily basis.

Additional SP, Imphal West M Meghachandra led one such search operation today at Sangaiprou Maning Leikai, Imphal West.

The operation which was also participated by City Police OC Sudhir Kumar started from 5:30 am and continued for a few hours. Five persons including a bail-out were picked up for further verification.

A combined team of the Imphal police, Lamsang police and Lamphel police were used during the operation.

Meanwhile, a similar operation was conducted this morning at Old Checkon Lamdapung, Imphal East. The police were led by additional SP (ops) Imphal East Singhajit. Altogether 10 individuals including three non-Manipuris were picked up for further investigation.

In all 12 individuals were also picked up for further verification during a similar operation conducted at Malom Tulihal and Tuliyaima by a combined team of Bishnupur cdo, civil police including women personnel under the supervision of addl SP (ops) Bishnupur yesterday morning.

The individuals were later handed over to the Nambol Police for further verification.

It may be mentioned that several armed outfits including the CorCom have called a boycott of the Prime Minister`™s visit.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/security-tightened-ahead-of-pms-visit/

KANGPOKPI, November 28: Newspapers act as the agent that bridges the gap between the government and people by disseminating the information given by the former. Common people come to press to redress their grievances making the responsibilities of the press very `big`™.

This was said by Wankhemcha Shamjai, president, All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) today at DRDA Conference Hall, Senapati during the launching of The Herald Today, a local newspaper from Senapati.

The AMWJU leader launched the paper in the presence of A John, chairman, Senapati and Karong Area Town Committee, president Naga People`™s Organization (NPO), president, Senapati District Students`™ Association (SDSA), president, Senapati District Olympic Association, president, Poumai Naga Tsii Duumai Me, Editor, Hills Hornbill Express, hosts of journalists and public leaders.

The paper edited and published by John Basho Pou was launched under the motto, `Forward with the People`.

Speaking in the occasion as chief guest Shamjai noted that Imphal has a host of correspondent for national papers and news channel whereas comparatively in the hills the presence of the press is negligible and launching a newspaper is a step forward.

He also mooted opening of a press academy in the State while highlighting the works of the union in attempting to set up a press colony in Imphal.

In the same vein, he also opined that even in Senapati such press colony can be set up in the future while promising that he and the union will extend fullest cooperation not only in news gathering but also extending welfare schemes for the working journalist in the district citing an example on how through the union some members have benefited under `family benefit scheme`™ and `pension scheme`™ for the retired journalists.

Stating that Manipur is a very difficult state for the press to carry out its duty, the AMWJU president enumerated that nine journalists have been killed in the State while performing their duties and 25 others maimed.

He continued that in Manipur there are `professional killers,` `mafia groups` and `politicians with bad intention` making it perilous for the press to carry out its duty.

AMWJU is making `a contingent plan`™ to penetrate in the interior parts of the State to report the plight of the rural people in the form of investigative reporting passionately shared Samjai while lauding the duo newspapers (Hills Hornbill Express and The Herald Today) for their bold step to serve the people and advised to perform duty well.

John Basho Pou, editor, The Herald Today emphasized on the relevance and importance of the media as a change agent in the society before sharing stories of his struggle to start the newspaper and coming thus far.

The editor vowed to do his best to change the society for the better.

A John, chairman, Town Committee speaking on the occasion as guest of honour appealed the media not to sensationalise any issue and avoid creating confusion while publishing news reports.

He pointed out that journalists are attacked from various quarters from the undergrounds and government and to this end, he said `social organisation`™ need to give full support to the press for vibrant society while he remarked that is a moment of joy and pride for Senapati as when Hills Hornbill Express was first launched.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/amwju-president-lauds-new-senapati-newspaper-launch/

IMPHAL, November 28: Proper connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN countries will ensure Manipur to become an important hub in the region, said minister counselor (Commercial), Thai Embassy Tharadol Thongrung today.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day long international conference on `East-West corridor: The Linkage of Look East Policy to ASEAN` held at the MIMS conference hall, Manipur University.

Improvement in connectivity will also mean more activities between the countries, he said before adding that Manipur in particular will emerge as the socio-economic strategic link to the ASEAN countries for India which is prominently featured in India`™s Look East Policy and endeavours to encourage connectivity with the ASEAN countries.

He further lauded the organisers for such conference and said in the near future, there would be greater scope and opportunities for sharing of ideas, research inputs, creation of new knowledge and dissemination and avenues for initiating joint academic activities between Manipur and the ASEAN countries.

Coordinator International Relations and Affairs, MU, Dr L Jibon Kumar Sharma highlighted that the objective of organising the conference is to explore, examine and understand the implications and insights of linking the ASEAN community with the NE India in general and Manipur in particular.

He further said that ASEAN is emerging as an important economic community in the world and in the near future ASEAN would be taking a milestone step forward towards strengthening socio economic integration that would further boost the movement of the people, capital and goods and services in the region in the long run.

To further strengthened the existing academic collaboration and association between Manipur University and Surindra Rajabhat University, Thailand an initiative has been taken up jointly under a project to link universities and institutions in ASEAN regions.

He said this will facilitate in understanding and knowing each other, exchange of students and faculty members and also undertaking jointly research and project works between the universities.

Today`™s conference was also attended by delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

A cultural troop of Thailand also showcased their culture dance. Vice Chancellor of MU, Prof H N K Sarma, Registrar of MU, Prof N Lokendra Singh and other professors also attended the conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/connectivity-with-asean-will-enhance-manipurs-importance-in-region/

LAMKA, November 28: Approximately 2000 Anganwadi workers and helpers under the aegis of the Churachandpur District Anganwadi Mahila Organisation staged a sit in protest demanding transfer or removal of the DPO of the Integrated Child Development Scheme, CCpur.

The workers further demanded the revocation of a termination order against six of their colleagues.

Meanwhile, the agitations women went on an offensive and ransacked the ICDS office and burn files and documents of the office.

They later headed over to the DC`™s office and submitted a memorandum to the DC regarding their demand.

The protestors returned only after the DC assured to look on their demands and apprise the concern authorities on the issue.

Meanwhile, some protestors told this IFP correspondent that they had not received any salary for more than six months now.

They charged that the present DPO has done nothing for the welfare of the district and they want her replaced.

They claimed that they hardly get any material in the district except for two bottles of vitamins and half a bag of low quality rice after they had signed over a paper.

They said they had no idea what was written in the paper, but signed as some of their colleagues had already signed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/anganwadi-workers-go-on-rampage-demanding-dpo-replacement/