Day: September 11, 2017

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 11

There has been a critical decline in the aspect of discipline and manners particularly among the youth of the state. Art, games and sports have a significant place in reviving the diminishing culture, said minister Th. Radheshyam.

The education minister was speaking as the chief guest at the 4th annual prize distribution and felicitation function 2016-17 for contribution and achievements in the field of education, games and sports, art and culture organised by the Social Development Organisation (SODO), Konthoujam at Ibudhou Korouhanba Laibung, Moidangpok.

He said that competition in such fields is to bring complete growth to the young minds. There is a need for the young and old to understand and learn the significance of one’s existence, he added.

The reason for the existence of human is to make the world a better place by contributing the best for development, he said, adding if this is understood once it would be the end to all the prevailing issues and problems of not only the society but for the world too.

Beautiful people, the minister said, are those who has a good heart with readiness to help anyone with good manner. The prize distribution and felicitation is therefore being organised to encourage one and all to become one such good human of the society, he said.

MLA of Konthoujam A/C Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh who also spoke on the occasion said that the children of the state need to be encouraged to take up civil services examination. The parents and teachers should guide the student coordinating each other for better future of the children, he added.

A book Mitna Uba Lai authored by Kh. Shamungou, chairman, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Manipur, was also released. He said, the book which is a collection of short stories is specially based on the life of the children belonging to the hill regions of the state. The book also tries to define the relationship between the man and nature, how they are indebted to each other, the author added. 

Acknowledging the observation education minister earlier, Shamungou said nature is like a teacher from which the human can learn the spirit of sacrifice, perseverance, patience and courage.

He said that if men learn to appreciate nature and safeguard them then the conflict between man and nature would be diminished.

The function was attended by the dignitaries, scholars, teachers and students.

By Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Sept 11

A self-employed, Limpuiru Gangmei, who is in her twenties has carved a niche for herself as a craft designer making traditional ornaments especially of Rongmei tribe and is self-sufficient with just crafts making.

She makes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hairbands, hair jewellery and even other decorative items like vessels decorating with traditional touch and so on.

A resident of Dimdailong, New Checkon, Limpuiru is the eldest among four siblings and now earns around 20 thousand a month for her and her family. 

In an exclusive chat with the IFP, she opened up that she first started her ornaments designing when she saw that during festivals like Gaan-ngai and Christmas, girls love to doll up but with limited traditional accessories.

Limpuiru noticed her community has rich colours and unique beauty but is kind of just wasting away without any contemporary updates. She then decided to start adding modifications and make it more stylish and remarkable to go with the contemporary trends.

But it was not an easy journey when she first started, she revealed that she faced many hardships like non-availability of raw materials, financial problems, and lack of manpower as she started off alone and had to work really hard to meet the demands of the customers.

Limpuiru had no mentor to teach her, it was all her creativity and hard work that makes her reach where she is today and she is thankful of her family for their continuous support.  Earlier she had enrolled herself in Blue Ocean Academy, Imphal based fashion school in 2008 but could not complete because of certain circumstances.

“I was only following my passion for designing and also preserving the indigenous culture and rich traditional beauty of Rongmei tribe, marketing comes to mind later on,” she said.

Her creative, stylish, contemporary and chic designs attract every girl’s dream look in traditional attire and are hard to be overlooked as her ornamental works adds a whole new dimension to the traditional look, adding grace.

Her biggest break was Sangai festival 2015, getting exposure in a state level event and there she realised she had more demands and starting feeling good that her hard work and passion has paid off.

Now that she works with her two younger sisters, Jessy and Kelly Gangmei, she has a bigger market than before; Limpuiru wants to expand it and is currently attached with a shop at New Checkon area, opposite Brighter Academy. She also said that she is planning to double her stock for this coming November 21 Sangai festival 2017.

When asked if she took any help from the government, she said “No but plans to take help only when I am properly settled with my own personal shop first.”

She gets her raw materials from Keithelmanbi, Senapati, Silchar, Dimapur and Delhi. She gets full support from her family from the start and even now her parents do not force her to pursue government jobs or other jobs but instead help her sometimes in her work.

Her ornaments were used by participants in the recently concluded August 20 Mr. and Mrs. IAWA India, Manipur contest where four winners were selected to represent Manipur in the December 2 finale at Mumbai.

IMPHAL | Sept 11

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has reiterated that the damage caused by the recent floods in the state was heightened by the construction of numerous dams and hydropower projects, none of which had been subjected to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) as mandated by the law. 

A release said the floods that took place in mid-June in Northeast India severely impacted the lives and livelihood of over 17 lakh persons, many of whom were displaced from their home villages.

It said the Ithai barrage constructed under the Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project and the Pare Hydro Power Project were created despite protests from local communities, who live downstream from these projects and faced great loss and severe damage, when these dams inevitably overflow during the monsoon season.

On September 3, there was a consultation on this matter attended by parties including the Loktak Project Affected Areas Action Committee, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation, JAC-Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Peoples, Loktak Fisheries Welfare Association, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, and the Committee on Human Rights, it added. 

Further it said the parties unanimously decided to petition the state and central governments to decommission problematic projects, including the Ithai Barrage project, the Tipaimukh dam, Pabram dam, as well as oil exploration projects all over the state.

The AHRC stands with the groups and organisations in demanding an independent Environmental Impact Assessment and ensure people’s participation during the commissioning and decommissioning of large projects that could have a deleterious effect on their lives, environment and livelihoods, it added.

The release continued most of the projects in the state are financed by external entities, such as the Asian Developmental Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. These institutions do not appear to take the wishes of residents into account, despite residents being the biggest stakeholders in such projects, due to the direct impact on their well-being.

Under the Hydro Power Policy of 2012, there was a proposal to construct ten dams across the rivers in Manipur, despite the failure of most hydro projects/dams in the state, it said, adding in addition to these failures, the entities responsible for monitoring the projects – the North Eastern Electric Power Coorporation (NEEPCO) and the National Hydroelectric Power Coorporation (NHPC) – are negligent in their administration, as evidenced by constant delays in opening dam gates during floods.

Moreover, these entities are concerned with maximum power generation rather than the good of the people, creating a situation of conflicting interests, wherein corporate interests are given precedence over the rights of the residents, it pointed out.

The release emphasised in addition to the impact on the people, these projects have a marked adverse impact on the ecosystem, and in particular on indigenous communities in the area. The social and environmental impacts of the project have direct implications for indigenous communities, most of who depend on agricultural activities for their livelihood. 

The Central and State governments must take note of the adverse effect of these projects on the lives of residents in the area, as well as the fact that many of these constructions are unlawful, due to them being undertaken without fulfilling requirements under the relevant environmental laws, it added.

Ram Madhav delivers Chinmayananda memorial lecture

IMPHAL | Sept 11

We should think what we can contribute for the development and welfare of the nation. People should not be merely  rights seekers, we need to work to such an extent that each and every citizen of this country gets their due respect in foreign countries.  

This was stated by chief minister, N. Biren, speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Swami Chinmayananda Memorial Lecture’ held at INA memorial hall, Moirang today. The lecture was organised by Chinmaya Mission.

Biren continued we have to leave negative thoughts so that there would be positive change, prosperity and inclusive growth in the country. He appealed to the people to abandon the mind-set to work only for their personal benefits but rather work in bringing inclusive development in the State.

He further stated that we need to organise such talk, lectures and conferences in our State so that we could think, mould and share wide knowledge to the present generation.

On the occasion, chief minister announced that photography would be allowed inside the premises of INA museum from today.

While delivering the lecture on “Vision of India through the eyes of Swami Vivekananda and Swami Chinmayananda”, national general secretary of BJP, Ram Madhav said people should become stakeholders to transform the country into a ‘New India’.

He stated that the government is not talking about reformation but for complete transformation of the country. If we want to become New India, it is the responsibility of the people and come forward to make a Swachh and corruption free India, he added.

He mentioned that in the next 5 years, India would become poverty free and corruption free country and no single person would be living in poverty by 2022. The government will have zero tolerance on terrorism and corruption, he added.

Praising Manipur as the land of prosperity, Ram Madhav said that Indian culture is incomplete without the rich Manipuri Culture. The objective of the new BJP led government is to bring peace and normalcy in the State.

The government is committed in restoring peace and saving territorial integrity of the State, he added. He further stated that knowledge without love is not a true knowledge. Let us commit ourselves to work and serve with love for the betterment of the society and country.

Stating that Swami Vivekananda was a true patriot, saint, social reformer, he stated that in his short life of 40 years, he had performed, contributed and accomplished a lot not only for the country but to the entire mankind.

He further stated that an individual should have pride of the past and give respect to it. Our society needs to discard bad things and embrace good things for the growth and development of the society, he added.

Mentioning the present illiteracy, corruption, blind beliefs prevailing in the country he appealed the people to feel the pain of the present and should work to reform the present.

Minister for forest and environment, Th. Shyamkumar, regional head, Chinmaya Mission (Chennai) Swami Mitrananda, advisor (HR and Economic Affairs) to CM MLA, P. Sharatchandra Singh, chairman MPSC Lt. General (Retd.) Himalaya Konsam, commandant, Military Intelligence Training School and Depot, Pune Lt. General L.N. Singh, Professor Amar Yumnam of MU, vice-chairman Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency (MIDA) M. Asnikumar Singh attended the function.

IMPHAL | Sept 11

Directorate of Information and Public Relations with Editors’ Guild Manipur including publishers from different media houses based in the State today had an interaction on GST related with media at the State Institute of Journalism, DIPR Complex, Moirangkhom. 

Speaking on the interaction programme, superintendent, department of taxes, government of Manipur, Y. Indrakumar highlighted particularly on the impact of GST to media, both print and electronic.

He said with the implementation of GST on July 1 all newspaper establishments and cable operators in Manipur should register with GST.

If not, the department can impose penalty to them.

He also explained on how to take benefits of Input Tax Credit (ITC). He further said under GST, a registered media firm has to file GST returns.

The interaction programme was also attended by director, IPR Meghachandra Kongbam.