December 21, 2014 – Page 2

Sahitya Akademi

Naorem Bidyasagar has been selected for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award Manipuri language for his poetry compendium Khungang Amasung Refugee Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=4&src=221214

24 hrs power likely from Jan 1

After the Power Department was bifurcated into two separate companies, the power distribution company has been installing pre paid meter system at a hectic pace so as to ensure 24 hours power supply in a day at Imphal from January 1 Source The Sang…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=13&src=221214

Book released

Prof Gangmumei Kamei’s new work ‘A History of Modern Manipur 1826 2000 A Study of Feudalism, Colonialism and Democracy’ was released today at JNIMS auditorium, Porompat Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=221214

Academy celebrates

Gyanand’s Beauty Academy GBA held a programme today at its premises to celebrate the milestones it achieved this year Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=221214

Act of terrorism, says Dy CM

Strongly condemning the Khoyathong blast, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, has said that killing innocent civilians is an act of terrorism Source The Sangai Express

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Three killed, four injured in blast

At least three non locals were killed and four others injured in a powerful IED blast, suspected to be powered by a remote controlled device, in a tea stall at Khoyathong near Motbung bus parking at around 6 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=1&src=221214

Cleanest model village

Taphou Pudunamei was adjudged the winner of the ‘Clean and Healthy Senapati Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=15&src=221214

Dy Speaker greets State on X-Mass

IMPHAL, December 21: The Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, MK Preshow Shimray has greeted the people of the State on the occasions of `Christmas`™ and `New Year`™. In

IMPHAL, December 21: The Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, MK Preshow Shimray has greeted the people of the State on the occasions of `Christmas`™ and `New Year`™. In a public message, the deputy speaker has extended his best wishes on the joyous occasion of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In his message, he asked people to love one another and put aside their differences like Christ who loved and forgave our sins for peaceful co-existence and development of the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/dy-speaker-greets-state-on-xmass/

Militant gunned down during gun-fight with security forces

IMPHAL, December 21: Troops of 26 Assam Rifles reportedly gunned down a militant suspect during a fierce gun battle last night along the Indo-Myanmar border, Churachandpur district. Sources said that

IMPHAL, December 21: Troops of 26 Assam Rifles reportedly gunned down a militant suspect during a fierce gun battle last night along the Indo-Myanmar border, Churachandpur district.

Sources said that the shoot-out between 26 Assam Rifles and some cadres of an armed group occurred yesterday evening at Suangphu, Behiang under Singhat police station and lasted till this morning.

According to a PIB (Defence Wing) statement, a border patrol party comprising of troops of Red Shield Division was moving towards BP 39 to carry out routine border patrol.

It said at around 6:15 pm hours when the party was near Suangpho village, approximate 1.7 km south west of Beheng, the patrol party came under effective fire of the insurgents.

The party returned fire and killed one insurgent, it said adding that subsequently the area was cordoned and a search was conducted.

The dead insurgent was wearing a combat dress and a Rifle Grenade MG-2, fired rounds of AK-47 and an HD cartridge were recovered from him, it said.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that a powerful IED exploded at the Hiangtam area when reinforcement team of the AR was heading towards the encounter site.

However, no human casualty was reported during the blast.

A team of the concerned police station led by its OC had also rushed to the spot till the filing of this report.

Former CM Rishang Keishing releases Prof Gangmumei`s book

IMPHAL, December 21: A set of three books written by Professor Gangmumei Kamei `A History of Modern Manipur (1826-2000 A.D): A Study of Feudalism, colonialism and Democracy` was released today

IMPHAL, December 21: A set of three books written by Professor Gangmumei Kamei `A History of Modern Manipur (1826-2000 A.D): A Study of Feudalism, colonialism and Democracy` was released today by former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing at the auditorium of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat, Imphal.

The retired professor of History, Manipur University who is also a former National Fellow of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla said it was Padmashree (L) MK Binodini Devi, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur who committed him to write a book on feudalism during a meeting and that he was waiting for the opportune time.

He said on getting the national fellowship at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla from 2010 to 2012, he chose to write on the subject.

If the (L) MK Binodini Devi was alive today, she did be pleased with the book, observed professor Gangmumei Kamei.

The three books have 199, 195 and 215 pages respectively and are published by MP Misra CMD Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi with the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla owning the coprights. The set of books is priced at Rs 6000.

Chief guest of the function Rishang Keishing said that Manipur is a small State comprising of many tribes and its population is divided into small groups of tribes and communities.

Today`™s politics is creating a chaotic environment rather than call for unity among the different tribes and communities which has only resulted in souring the relationship between the people and the State losing its history.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei with his books is reviving this lost history, he asserted.

Meanwhile, the former Chief Minister of the State while showing solidarity to Irom Chanu Sharmila said he has submitted his views to the government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Later after the end of the book release function during an exclusive chat, Rishang Keishing said he has also submitted to the State government to implement the Inner Line Permit System or any other similar Act to safeguard the indigenous communities of the region and at the same time to repeal AFSPA.

Speaking at the book release function, director, Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University prof N Joykumar Singh stated that the prof Gangmumei Kamei is a social worker who contributes to the society through his pen.

He said prof Gangmumei Kamei`™s earlier book `A History of Manipur: Pre-colonial perid`™ is one of his remarkable contributions to the State.

Professor of Anthropology, Manipur University prof MC Arun said that prof Gangmumei Kamei is an eminent historian and writer of the State.

He said the set of books released today will also contribute a lot.

Prof MC Arun also wittily noted that he is lucky to witness the `birth`™ of new book in a hospital, referring to the release of the book in JNIMS.

PWD Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh and Professor of History, Manipur University prof Lal Dena also attended the function.

Act of terrorism: Gaikhangam

IMPHAL, December 21: Reacting to the blast, the deputy Chief Minister during his visit at the blast site said the incident is an act of terrorist. He said the attack

IMPHAL, December 21: Reacting to the blast, the deputy Chief Minister during his visit at the blast site said the incident is an act of terrorist.

He said the attack on the civilians is unfortunate, and at the same time expressed confidence that the police will soon track down the perpetrators like in the case of MG avenue blast.

Further questioning the logic of killing civilians, he claimed that the attack on civilians is a sign of desperation of the particular group with no future.

He said that most of the insurgent groups operating in the north east burn public properties or attack innocent civilians, until recently this was not so in Manipur.

When enquired about the URF (Lalheiba) faction who had recently abandoned the peace process, Gaikhangam maintained that the State government did its best to sustain the agreement adding that he alleged that the outfit walked away only to cover up the killing of its own cadres.

Further enquired on the reason behind the non-extension of the SoO agreement since August 22, 2014, Gaikhangam clarified that it was due to a misunderstanding. He claimed that the SoO groups demanded the talks to be held in Delhi but the Centre government placed the ball on Manipur government`™s court terming it as a State subject.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/act-of-terrorism-gaikhangam/

Mass rally taken out against alleged life attempt on VDF

IMPHAL, December 21: Locals of Sanjenbam and its nearby villages came out together today to protest the alleged life attempt on a VDF personnel while he was on duty on

IMPHAL, December 21: Locals of Sanjenbam and its nearby villages came out together today to protest the alleged life attempt on a VDF personnel while he was on duty on November 27.

A mass rally was jointly organised by Sanjenbam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup , Social Youth Organisation Sanjenbam, meira paibis and local club volunteers of Kadangband, Heibongpokpi, Lairenkabi, Phayeng, Tera-urak, Lamlongei, in connection with the alleged life attempt on Chandam Ishworjit Singh alias Naoba who was shot at while on sentry duty at the Lamsang Police Station on November 27 at around 7.30 pm.

Around 500 locals came out to participate in the rally.

Subsequently, a public meeting was organised at Sanjenbam community hall, where the locals took certain resolutions.

During the meeting it was decided to demand the concern IO of the case to identify the perpetrator who shot at Ishworjit and to take legal statement of the victim.

The meeting further decided that the IO should seize the material objects such as uniform of the victim that he was wearing at the time of the incident by preparing seizure memos.

Any failure on the part of the IO to meet the demands would result in further demand of constitution of a special investigation team to investigate the matter under a senior superintendent of police, the locals decided.

The locals further demanded that alternatively a judicial inquiry may be conducted by a commitee constituted under the commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

`Kidney ailments a major concern in State`

IMPHAL, Dec 21: A one day free medical camp for Nephrology, Urology and Orthopaedics were held today at City Hospital & Research Centre Imphal in association with Fortis Hospital, Vasant

IMPHAL, Dec 21: A one day free medical camp for Nephrology, Urology and Orthopaedics were held today at City Hospital & Research Centre Imphal in association with Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj and City Hospital & Research Centre.

Director Nephrology of Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj Dr (Prof) Sanjeev Gulati said during the past seven to eight years, several patients have been found suffering from kidney ailments which is increasing. He said this is a threatening issue.

The main factors for the increase in kidney ailments can be attributed to the lifestyle and eating habits. High consumption of carbohydrate is bad, he said while identifying that the most common kidney ailment in the State are stone cases and diabetic infection of the kidney.

Kidney ailments can be easily treated if it is diagnose early on, the doctor said adding that people should have yearly checkings.

There are many talented doctors and nurses from the State working outside due to lack of proper health facilities in the State, said senior consultant, Orthopedics, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj Dr Dhananjoy Gupta.

Improving the health sector in the State will certainly encourage them to return and work here, he said adding that this will also help in checking the number of patients going out for their treatment.

MD of City Hospital & Research Centre, (retd) director Health Services, Dr Ch Chandramani said such medical free camp has been held three times in the hospital.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/kidney-ailments-a-major-concern-in-state/

I Am A Manipuri, So I Am A Liar: Globally speaking

Manipuris are now emerging or rather have been made to emerge as a bunch of liars. Anybody who connects with the rest of the world while still staying on the

Manipuris are now emerging or rather have been made to emerge as a bunch of liars. Anybody who connects with the rest of the world while still staying on the soil of Manipur is necessarily made to look like a liar in the rest of the world. Modern world and her contemporary development stand on trustworthy flows of information, communication and ideas. These flows necessarily demand honouring the deadline and timely response to communication. But these are impossible things to perform while still being a home-stuck son or daughter of the soil of Manipur. Further, information technology is a fundamental medium of communication across countries in the world today. Whenever anyone send a communication from any corner of the world to another corner, it is necessarily and generally expected that a reply should be elicited within twenty-four hours. This is where we are now seen around the globe as the most unreliable and untrustworthy group of people who do not respect time and commitment to the deadline. There would be weeks and months when we would go without access to internet and without the luxury of power; unfortunately information technology does not work with candles. These would necessarily imply that we would remain without responding to any of the communications and respecting any of the deadlines committed to anywhere under the sun. When after days, weeks and months, we would respond to the various communications (because of the large time lag, we cannot even respond to all the communications at one go as the accumulated mail gets piled up) expressing regrets for the delay in responding. We would write that the period of delay was because of the failure of the internet connection and the power outages. Then there would be no further communication from the other end. At this period of the twenty-first century and belonging to one the most venerable emerging economies (India), nobody in this world now believes that we have problems of internet connection and power failures for elongated periods. It is only the miniscule few who had visited the land would realise that in Manipur these are real problems. The end-effect of all this is that the world now sees Manipur and her people undependable for long term connections and relationships; the people in this land care a hoot for the deadlines and continuous flow of communications.

The contemporary world values speed and efficiency. In fact, the relative competency over others are founded on these, individually, socially, nationally and internationally. There are some significant studies emerging of late which examine the ill-effects of cumulative exposure to disadvantages. Three important observations have emerged:
1. `Growing up in a poverty concentration neighbourhood can have a long lasting negative effect on incomes of children as adults.
2. Cumulative exposure to poverty concentration neighbourhoods leads to a lower income later in life.
3. For those belonging to a non-Western ethnic minority there is an additional penalty for growing up in a poverty concentration neighbourhood.`

Now when we extend this analysis beyond individuals and to the land and people of Manipur, and particularly in the context of the Act East Policy, the world outside finds Guwahati and Shillong as more dependable points of communication and relationships than Imphal. One may say and take excuse in it that the insurgency prevalent in Manipur is the culprit. Here I would hasten to assert that it is not. The state of infrastructure and the character and the quality of governance are the spoilers. The significance of infrastructure as foundations of development and much beyond items of interest of the contractors and the contract-providers (read powers that be in government) have long been emphasised. An additional finding of latest research in development is the significance of writing as a strong correlate of development `“ `more statistically robust and significant relationship of writing with state emergence than with agricultural transition, supporting the notion of a special role of states in the adoption and transmission of writing systems`. We can extend this research into the failures of information technology and power by the government imposed on the people and the resultant exposure of the people of Manipur as habitual liars to the rest of the world as the same as the failure to evolve writing in the society. Or is it a case that the government of the day wishes all the people were illiterates and would not bother to write; this would have been a very convenient environment to rule for the powers that be. In one of the most significant articles of this year titled `Why human rights are called human rights`, Alan Sussman writes in the June 2014 issue of the journal of Ethics and International Affairs: `Historical memory`”the memory of what we have done to each other`”is a decidedly human attribute. It could be said that one may scarcely be human without it. It could also be said that without memory there could be no possibility of imagination, and without imagination, no moral imagination.` When the world sees that the Manipuris do not respond in time and do not respect deadlines, the historical memory advises the former to work more closely with the people in the North East other than the Manipuris. This situation has been made inevitably happen due to long failures in power and information technology; these are the areas where the state (read government) is expected to play the pivotal role in societies needing to move towards transformation for better well-being (societies requiring to move from ill-being to well-being). Hussman also quotes the January 1941 State of the Union speech of Franklin D. Roosevelt where he propounded the celebrated `Four Freedoms`: `We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way`”everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world.` Interpreting this contextually and contemporaneously, we may now ask if reliable access to the information technology and power are not human rights for ensuring movement from ill-being to well-being. In any case, the governance should not be indulging in the collectively damaging game of projecting the Manipuris as undependable and habitual liars to the rest of the world.

State hosts Sahitya Akademi`s two-day long poetry fest

IMPHAL, December 21: A two-day long All India Poetry festival organised by the Sahitya Akademi was inaugurated today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy auditorium. Today`™s inaugural function was

IMPHAL, December 21: A two-day long All India Poetry festival organised by the Sahitya Akademi was inaugurated today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy auditorium.

Today`™s inaugural function was attended by president Sahitya Akademi Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Sahitya Akademi Manipur Advisory Board convener H Behari Singh, eminent English scholar Anisur Rahaman as presidium members.

Other highlights include poetry readings by Sameer Tanti (Assamese), Ranajit Das (Bengali), Dileep Jhaveri (Gujarati), BR Lakshman Rao (Kannada) and Arambam Memchoubi (Manipuri).

Speaking at the function, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari said the Sahitya Akademi is the largest organisation in literature in the country.

One can find the multi lingual and multi cultural aspects of the North Eastern region in the organisation, he continued.

The two day festival is part of the Akademi`™s 60th year anniversary observation, he said.

People seem to be unaware of poetry`™s contribution to the world, he said observing that poetry helps spread the message of love, peace, and humanity.

H Bihari said Manipur is a small State with a rich cultural heritage.

Organising the festival in the State will help showcase the beauty of the State and its literature before the guests coming from outside the State, he said.

He also said that poetry is the first form of literature which expresses emotion and feeling through words.

Poetry helps in bringing unity and prosperity, he said adding that interacting with the poets from the different States taking part in the festival will be an enriching experience.

The first session of the poetry recital today was chaired by Sirpi Balasubramanian.

Rupa Hazowary, RK Bhubhonsana, Ravi Laxmikant Korde, Bhagaban Jayasingh, Sarabjeet Sohal, PC Muralee Madhavan, Vasdev Mohi and Seetha Rama Rao also read out thier poetries.

Despicable Violence

The stealth campaign by unknown persons of planting Improvised Explosive Devices, IED, at crowded places continues. In the latest attack at Khoyathong Thangmeiband, outside the ABC Godown, three people were killed and many more maimed early this morning. Obviously, the target was migrant labourers, and indeed most of the casualties belonged to this impoverished category of population on the move. But the casualty could also have been anybody else too, not that this did not happen this time made the crime any more excusable. Bombs are not only devastating, but also indiscriminate as well but few killers can be expected to have the scruples to care for the distinction. This madness must end. Even those behind this brutal and inhuman campaign, and who obviously have no concern about the moral dimension of such despicable violence, must still know their method can only backfire on them ultimately. All they will manage to do is, alienate themselves from the public and earn condemnation universally, as it is happening already.
Manipur has become such a land of contradictions where devastating tragedies are pitted against each other, leaving its inhabitants with no options but to despair. It is a situation in which you are no longer sure what a proactive response should be. In the present case for instance, what is the recommendation any sensible person is expected to give, apart from unreservedly condemning the criminals. Do we call for intensifying police presence, and as a longer term policy ask for more police forces? Do we call in the Army in the management of law and order? The state and its people know very well the consequences of these resorts too well to actually want them. Nobody would want a police state, and there are indeed many running campaigns against this trend already, and this would include the demand for the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, 1958. But if these draconian measures have become anachronistic and against the spirit of democracy, the question before everybody, in particular the intelligentsia of the state is, what can exactly be the democratic response to the kind of mindless carnages we are today witnessing in Manipur today?

Today`™s blast deserves to be condemned, and this everybody would do in profusion in the next few days, but the question is what thereafter? One simple way out is to simply blame the government without actually spelling out where it has failed or what it must now do. A lot will actually do this, especially those in the non-ruling political parties. This is the character of politics in the state today, loud and cantankerous but clueless. But beyond this mad din, something must be thought of to definitively put an end to the kind of atrocities witnessed today. This is a question which the state, the government, the opposition and the people, together must endeavour to answer, not merely pass the buck. This is also a time for the intelligentsia to break their much reviled and written about silence and come forward with new perspectives and prescriptions. The responsibility is everybody`™s.
There is no question about it that empathy of the public must rest with the casualties of these attacks, and that they must be protected. However, on a wider canvas, the issue of migration, its ramifications and consequences, must be studied under a more detached light, and not merely brushed aside because it sounds politically incorrect. One way of examining such sensitive issues without touching raw nerves is to study similar situations in more distant places and polities. Tibet is quiet an illustrative example. China invaded and took over Tibet (or liberated in the words of Chinese authorities) in 1950. Today, virtually all levers of power and economy have transferred to the hands of an ever increasing number of immigrating ordinary Han Chinese, who it is said are already outnumbering Tibetans. If we feel righteously outraged at this, why should not the concerns of the Northeast on the immigration issue not be given a more sympathetic ear and policy response? Here we are witnessing explosions of frustration, and in Tibet it is implosions. If it is bomb attacks here, in Tibet it is self immolations. But that is just the manifestation of difference in temperament, the inner angst is the same.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/despicable-violence/

I Am A Manipuri, So I Am A Liar: Globally speaking – KanglaOnline

I Am A Manipuri, So I Am A Liar: Globally speakingKanglaOnlineManipuris are now emerging or rather have been made to emerge as a bunch of liars. Anybody who connects with the rest of the world while still staying on the soil of Manipur is necessarily m…

I Am A Manipuri, So I Am A Liar: Globally speaking
KanglaOnline
Manipuris are now emerging or rather have been made to emerge as a bunch of liars. Anybody who connects with the rest of the world while still staying on the soil of Manipur is necessarily made to look like a liar in the rest of the world. Modern world …

Manipur blast sheds migrant blood – Calcutta Telegraph

Manipur blast sheds migrant bloodCalcutta TelegraphImphal, Dec. 21: A blast at an Imphal tea stall early this morning left three migrant workers dead and four wounded, barely a week after an explosion had killed two non-local traders at a city market. …

Manipur blast sheds migrant blood
Calcutta Telegraph
Imphal, Dec. 21: A blast at an Imphal tea stall early this morning left three migrant workers dead and four wounded, barely a week after an explosion had killed two non-local traders at a city market. Police said a powerful explosive device went off at …

Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam Gangmei visits injured – The Asian Age

Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam Gangmei visits injured
The Asian Age
In a continuing offensive against migrant workers, armed rebels on Sunday triggered a powerful explosion in a bus parking area in Imphal, Manipur’s capital, killing at least three workers from Uttar Pradesh, injuring four others. The IED is believed to …

Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam Gangmei visits injured
The Asian Age
In a continuing offensive against migrant workers, armed rebels on Sunday triggered a powerful explosion in a bus parking area in Imphal, Manipur's capital, killing at least three workers from Uttar Pradesh, injuring four others. The IED is believed to …

Manipur: Three migrants killed in Imphal blast – The Indian Express

Zee NewsManipur: Three migrants killed in Imphal blastThe Indian ExpressThree non-Manipuris, including two migrant labourers, were killed and four injured in a bomb blast Sunday at Thangmeiband in Imphal. The explosion near ABC godown was the second in…

Zee News

Manipur: Three migrants killed in Imphal blast
The Indian Express
Three non-Manipuris, including two migrant labourers, were killed and four injured in a bomb blast Sunday at Thangmeiband in Imphal. The explosion near ABC godown was the second in a week after an IED went off at Thangal Bazaar on December 15 …
Bomb blast in Manipur; three killed, four injuredZee News
Three killed, four injured in Manipur blastABP News
Manipur blast sheds migrant bloodCalcutta Telegraph
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