Month: August 2017

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Aug 12

The much waited 50-bedded hospital of Tamenglong is ready to become functional by August 14, though the basic amenities are yet completed in few days.

Deputy commissioner, Armstrong Pame told media that after a joint inspection of the hospital and some doctor’s quarters at Duigailong some 2.5 km from district headquarter was conducted today afternoon.

The inspection team included the DC himself and Dr H. Ranjit Singh, MD (Obs Gynae) additional director (MC), medical directorate, Dr H. Subhaschandra Singh, MD Anesthesia, DH Thoubal, Dr Chinglaiphaba Chongtham, MS Surgery DH, Thoubal, Dr N. Pratapchandra Singh, consultant (Planning), medical directorate, Dr Chambo, chief medical officer Tamenglong along with the engineers and staffs.

The DC further said that he had engaged more than 50 labourers to complete the hospital before August 15 as the deployed 30 security forces to guard the hospital will also be withdrawn on the same day.

For security reasons, the DC also requested the chief medical officer of Tamenglong to shift to the new hospital after necessary cleanliness at the earliest.

Armstrong Pame informed that he had used all his resources to make the hospital functional and added the CMO is from local and it is his priority to give good health facility to the people. He further urged people to give full support to complete the modernised hospital.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 12

The process of translating “Puya” to English will begin soon so that the unique history of Manipur will be made known to all, chief minsiter Nongthombam Biren said at the first foundation day of Manipur University of Culture at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Gate today.

The function was attended by the top officials of the state including state’s governor, Najma Heptullah and Biren Singh as chief guest and president respectively.

The chief minister said a committee would be formed to look after the translation work. Distinguish and eminent scholars and academicians would be invited to form the committee.

Deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh, art and culture minster L. Jayantakumar Singh and education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh attended as guests of honour.

Biren Singh said that culture plays a very important role in bridging the gap between the differences of both the hills and valleys and therefore it is to be developed and given main focus.

Najma Heptullah, applauds the university to preserve and propagate the rich and unique culture and heritage of the state. She pointed out that culture is one area which the state of Manipur is easily identified from the rest of the world.

She said that Manipuri dance is a sensitive and an elegant type of classical dance and reiterated that it is the art of Manipur alone but India as a whole, so development is important as development of cultural heritage.

The governor said youths of Manipur should be encouraged to keep the skills and creativity alive and robust. “We must ensure the survival of traditional art, handicrafts, dance form and music so that it may continue to enrich the country”, she added.

Fifteen eminent contributors to the field of art and culture were felicitated by the university during the programme. Two Padma Shree awardees, Laishram Birendrakumar Singh and Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh were among the felicitators respect and acknowledgment at the function.

Souvenir of the university was also released by the dignitaries at the occasion. Various cultural items were showcased during the programme by students of the university.

IMPHAL | Aug 12

Education labour and employment minister Th. Radheshyam presented incentive cash awards to successful students of HSLC, 2016-17 of Keisham Birjit High School(aided) on the occasion of observing the 7th death anniversary of  its founder Keisham Birjit Singh today at Patsoi. Sharing the dais with him were MLA A.K. Mirabai Devi.

The dignitaries along with the school authorities, staff and students paid floral tributes to the photo of Birjit Singh.

In his keynote address, teacher of the school, N. Tuleshwor Singh narrated the journey of the school from 1972  when it started functioning from scratch even without having adequate basic amenities like uniform and textbooks till the present situation when altogether 167 students are enrolled with enough graduate teachers to teach them. The school is right now running  with financial assistance from the government.

After analysing the pros and cons of the school, Radheshyam emphasised that there is a need to see to the loopholes of the school and find ways to solve the problems of inefficiency of the teachers to impart their maximum knowledge to the students with the current 1:13 teacher–student ratio. He also questioned that as per school records , the pass percentage is huge, 87-97 % in 2011-12 and why it has decreased now.

Giving a brief insight on the present education scenario in Manipur, he convinced that he will discuss with the state government and find a way to regularise the aided teachers taking note of the 4000 vacancies of teachers in different parts of Manipur including the rural areas. Keeping into consideration a balanced approach of both the welfare of the teachers as well as the students in perspective, he said that its a crucial matter deciding what will be a priority concern whether to look into the infrastructure first or welfare of the teachers or students adding that one way to regularise the teachers is amalgamation of 3 schools together.

He stated this after seeing the miserable condition of a school at Mao during his recent visit to attend tripartite talk with the UNC and Centre in which there are 28 students with no building and basic school facilities.

Focussing on the main objective of today’s event, he said, “The founder of the school, K. Birjit is a great personality with a big heart who cares for the poor and needy and main task is to identify talented students, groom encourage and inspire these young minds to become  leaders of tomorrow. The strategic location of the school on the outskirts-far away from the noises and hustles and bustles of the city is indeed an advantage for grooming the students in a proper academic environment.”

President of the function, Mirabai, as a first batch student of the school, shared her reminiscence of how there were no proper roads and benches and other infrastructure when she studied in the school in 1972.

She spoke about the role of education in developing human resources adding that students need to work hard to find a place in today’s competitive world of computer age and avoid unnecessary social involvement that could distract them from studies.

Sharing the good news  that Keisham Birjit High School(aided) is currently striving for conversion in spite of the financial constraints and pending Cabinet decision due to the Election Code of Conduct early this year, she appealed the minister to find quick measures to update and regularise the school.

She also initiated of starting a tution centre at the school where students will be taught on 3 subjects from September to December. “I will bear the cost of Rs. 30,000 per month for hiring 3/4 teachers for the purpose,” she said.

Radheshyam and Mirabai donated Rs. 10,000 each today for promoting the developmental activities of the school.

IMPHAL | Aug 12

The governor, Najma Heptulla has conveyed her best wishes for Patriot’s Day to the people of Manipur and also extended her message to pledge on the particular day to stand and fight as one against all those who challenge freedom and integrity of the nation, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

The governor also recalled the heroic forefathers, Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Chirai Naga, Pukhrambam Kajao, Niranjan Subedar and other martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for their motherland while fighting against the British Empire.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 12

The state government is currently discussing ways to implement and check pilferage of PDS rice. Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) avail rice under the AAY and priority household rice (PHR), but reports state that many beneficiaries are left high and dry.

There has been charges that officials of the department have been engaged in pilfering the rice meant for beneficiaries. The recent investigation by Thoubal district administration found that six months of rice quota for Lillong Assembly constituency has been pilfered. Moreover, rice meant to be given to fair price agents is not given but handed over to private parties, signatures have been forged to avail the rice as reported by Imphal Free Press in its August 10 issue.

In the regard, minister of consumer affairs, Karam Shyam told Imphal Free Press that the problem of rice pilfering is the fault of the previous government. He said that there are no irregularities during the four month old BJP led government and rice allocation has been distributed for the month of July. The government is discussing to place certain safeguards so that the pubic distribution system reaches the intended beneficiaries.

It may be mentioned that the investigation report from the Thoubal deputy commissioner was also handed over to the anti-corruption department for issuing further notice to the CAF and PD department officials.

 IMPHAL | Aug 12

Commerce and industries minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, today, said that the Kisan SAMPADA Yojana will encourage the farmers and increase their incomes. He assured mass publicity of the scheme through the department of information and public relation.

Biswajit was attending a road show on World India and seminar on new scheme Kisan SAMPADA yojana at Hotel Classic Grande today.

Addressing the seminar attended by entrepreneurs and officials, the minister said the objective of Kisan SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernise processing and decrease agri-waste. He continued there are seven schemes under the Kisan SAMPADA of which creation of the backward and forward linkages is the most important. 

He said before the implementation of this scheme, the new government had proposed opening of some new Common Facilities Centres.

Explaining that major portion of products in the state go to waste, he asserted today lemon growers in Kachai have been demoralized due to lack of market for their products and entrepreneurs to help them.

Biswajit also spoke about the decreasing production of various fruits suitable in the state including orange in Tamenglong and passion fruit in Senapati and Churachandpur. So four CFCs were proposed, he added.

Biswajit expressed optimism that implementation of the Kisan SAMPADA will provide many opportunities to the farmers. He continued he has already urged the entrepreneurs to invest more to provide new opportunities to our younger generation.

Stressing on the need to create wide publicity of the new scheme, Biswajit explained that, if the farmers whose products go to waste is link-up with the entrepreneurs through the Kisan SAMPADA schemes, it is possible that not a single product goes to waste.

He observed that if we check products going to waste than the farmers and the entrepreneurs would earn more profits. The scheme aims at ensuring maximum benefits for the farmers, he added.

Manipur has huge potential in both agriculture of horticulture due to the fertile soil, however, we are lagging behind in taking advantages of the resources provided to us by nature, he observed.

Drawing comparison between China and Manipur, he said people of China give preference to their own products whereas we give preference to exported products sidelining our own products and resources. We should not forget that this culture has affected our economy, he said.

He said it is only onto us to create our future. Many experts and people may come to provide advice and suggestions, but if we want a change then we have to act by ourselves. We should work to improve our degrading work culture, he added.

Additional chief secretary (agriculture) Suhel Akhtar said production of paddy in the state is around 6.5 lakh tonnes, and if we include other crops like  potatoes, maize, pulses, whole seeds, etc, the production is doubled, which means that we are self sufficient as far as agricultural products are concerned

This means that the state’s condition is very good, but we have to question whether the condition of the farmer is also good and whether he is happy, and getting sufficient prices for his products, he said.

He said we need processing industry, a place to market, but we cannot market a product if the quality is not good.

Ministry of food processing industries economic adviser Bijay Kumar said the scheme will boost the food processing industry which will eventually help minimize agricultural produce going to waste and help in employment generation as well.

He said the level of food processing is very low and wastage is very high.

He said the scheme is a means to develop the food processing industry but ultimately the objective is to enrich the farmers and increase their income.

IMPHAL| Aug 12

Fraternal revolutionary organizations have called upon the entire peoples of the Western South East Asia region to boycott and prevent the imposed celebration, in any manner, of India’s Independence Day in the region on August 15.

A general strike is called on August 15 throughout the WESEA region from 1 am to 6.30 pm as a strong voice of resistance against Indian colonial occupation as well as repression of the region, said a joint release of CORCOM, GNLA, ULFA, UPLA signed by media co ordinator, CorCom, Ksh. Yoiheiba.

This year, India under the premiership of Narendra Modi who boasted that he confronts the world “Eye to Eye”, is getting ready for the 70th Independence Day Celebration with a grand display of its’ military power and hardware, perhaps attempting to outdo the Chinese PLA’s 90th Anniversary Celebration on July 30, said a release.  It is also a sign of nervousness or apprehension of the Indian government at the border fracas at Drok La or Drong Lam, the tri junction of our close international border with China; and hence to hide the same, it said adding India’s policy towards neighbour China is now wide open as the facts of the Drong Lam (Drok La) impasse is vivisected by the experts exposing her weakness and helplessness of the situation to the full view of the world to see.

In the occupied WESEA region bordering China, especially in Assam and Manipur, the Indian administration is celebrating the event with an unprecedented 3 to 5 days fanfare with road shows, motor cycle rallies etc. called Tiranga rally to colour-coat our people with Indian nationalism, it further said.

Obviously, it is to hoodwink the world that the region is an integral part of India, and quite contented; despite keeping our peoples subjugated under colonial hegemonic rule with repressive and draconian laws, it continued adding it is to saffronise the region by the new Modi government at Delhi with its slogan of “One Country, One people, One culture” ie. the hidden agenda to obliterate and assimilate all the indigenous peoples of WESEA region who are racially, culturally, and in every aspects quite distinct from India; with unchecked and deliberated heavy influx from the Indian mainland.

Keeping faith in the collective strength of our region, the fraternal revolutionary organisations appeal to all the people to once again display their solidarity against India, the common enemy, by making the boycott and general ctrike a complete success and to remain indoors throughout the day, it said.

During the protest hours of 1 am to 6.30 pm the fraternal revolutionary organisations are calling for total shutdown of educational institutions and other training facilities, shops, business establishments, factories and all forms of transport, it said adding however all the emergency services including media and religious activities will remain as usual.