Day: September 26, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 26

Renowned theatre critic and director, Lamabam Gojendro will be given the Irawat Theatre Award by Irawat Celebration Committee at the upcoming Jananeta Irawat Literary and Cultural Programme to be held on September 27 at the jubilee hall of Manipuri Jagoi Marup, Lamboikhongnang Makhong Uripok.

A release said that the programme is organised by Progressive Writer’s Association in association with Indian Peoples Theatre and Manipuri Jagoi Marup as a part of the month long celebration of Jananeta Irawat’s birth anniversary.

The award is a contributed by Khoisnam Ranbir in memory of his father, Khoisnam Kullachandra, it said. The award will comprise of a citation, customary shawl and a cash reward, it added.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Sept 26

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Churachandpur organised ‘Ma-Beti Mela cum Awareness Programme’ today under the theme ‘Save the Girl Child’ at District Training Centre, Tuibong. The programme was attended by around 500 persons comprising of mothers, girl students and teachers.

Deputy commissioner of Churachandpur, Shyam Lal Poonia, who attended the programme as chief guest touched upon the importance of women in the society. He expressed his deep concern over recent incidents of girl child trafficking in the town and appealed the people to take on Prime Minister’s campaign ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.

He also stressed upon the need to provide equal opportunities for girls in the society.

During the programme, resource persons from various fields also interacted with the students and parents. Advocate, Margret Traite highlighted the rights and entitlements of women and appealed to all the mothers and girl students to be more vocal and have self-respect.

In-charge of Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Churadrandpur Police, T. Tualsonmung explained the gathering about various aspects of human trafficking and stressed the need for collective social responsibility in curbing the menace.

Highlighting the importance of girl child, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Churachandpur, Florence Lamlrhongat urged upon the parent to give due importance in education, health and hygiene of girl child for a healthy society.

As many as 17 girl students from different schools of the district were facilitated for securing first division in Class X and Class XII examinations. The mothers of the students were also facilitated in recognition of their efforts towards education of girls.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 26

A hardworking yet humble, a woman full of compassion who lives a life of complexities Arambam Renu Devi received her second National award for Cooperative Excellence during a function on September 21 in New Delhi.

The function was to mark the 100th birth centenary of Laxmanrao Inamdar, commonly known as Vakil Sahab, a co-operator and also a known mentor of PM Modi. Co-operators of the nation gathered and on that function, Renu was honoured with the award handed over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She was selected for Laxmanrao Inamdar National Award for Co-operative Excellence 2017 from 400 contenders. The function was attended by social welfare and cooperation minister Nemcha Kipgen. Seven co-operators were also given certificates and mementoes.

In an exclusive chat with the Imphal Free Press, Renu said she never thought that she would reach such height, as she studied only till class III.

Narrating her childhood, Renu said she do not know her father’s face and grew up under the care of her widowed mother. She said it was hard for her and had many a time slept without full satisfying meal. Learning from her life experience, she decided to render love and support to those who do not have.

Married to Maisnam Gogoi, she has five children and also nurtured 21 orphans at her Mantripukhri Mercy Lane home.

Renu first enrolled herself for District Industries Centres (DIC) training in embroidery when she was 16 years old, to help her mother in seeking livelihood. She secured first position in the training and was awarded with a flora machine and Rs.18, 000. She bought another two flora machines from the prize money.

She took a loan from Imphal Urban Cooperative Bank and bought five flying shuttle weaving machines, and set up her own company producing handloom and embroidery items at her Mantripukhri home with 110 staffs, made up of widows, orphans and other destitute women.

She had no knowledge of co-operatives and her cooperative was set up by Lokhogen Haokip in 1992, the then commissioner who was touched by her work and mission to help her.

She won a cluster of Rs. 63 lakhs from centrally sponsored scheme but received only Rs. three lakhs so far and do not know where her Rs. 60 lakhs has gone. She did not complain to the state government but since then she lost her trust with the state government. She made the achievement without a single help from the state government.

Under her co-operative called Renu Handloom and Handicraft Co-operative Pvt. Ltd., 1750 employees from 28 branches produced bed-sheets, mosquito nets, cushion covers, pillow covers, bags, phanek (wraparound) of different communities and tribes, cotton saris, half saris and even Mora.

Talking about her skills in designing, she said her designs are materialisation of her dreams.

Her co-operative earns approximately Rs. 20 lakhs per month and has received two state awards, two national awards and one international award.

She plans to do more humanitarian works in future by opening a green-house to shelter both old age and orphans and destitute people and also giving them employment.

IMPHAL | Sept 26

Labour and employment minister, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh attended the launching of the web portal PENCIL – Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour – to fight against child labour at the national conference on child labour.

The PENCIL web portal was launched and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Child and Adolescent Labour was released by the home minister, government of India, Rajnath Singh at the national conference on child labour held at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi, today.

Developed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the portal PENCIL is an electronic device to effectively implement the National Child Labour Project, (NCLP) to work against child labour for no child labour in the country. PENCIL portal has five components: Child Tracking System, Complaint Corner, State Government, National Child Labour Project and Convergence.

Th. Radheshyam, speaking in the conference, said that due to bad road conditions in Manipur and other places in the Northeastern States, it is hard to implement certain centrally sponsored schemes. He urged the central government to extend more support and help towards Manipur and Northeastern States as the state still needs to develop in terms of infrastructure and many more. 

He added, the PENCIL portal and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Child and Adolescent Labour would give an extra hand in fighting against and monitoring child abuse as it is an online portal even the Project Societies can access from anywhere.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) aims for Child Labour Free India by creating a platform for trainers, practitioners and monitoring agencies, ensuring prohibition and protection of children and adolescents from hazardous labour.

The PENCIL portal is to provide effective implementation and monitoring mechanism for both enforcement of the legislative and NCLP. It is also an online mechanism for connecting the Central government to state government, district and to all project societies.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Sept 26

The 48 hours bandh at Chandel district called by Naga Chiefs Association, Chandel in association with Kuki Cheifs Association, Chandel started today affecting the normal life in the district.

The 48 hours bandh was called against the misappropriation of job card holders’ MG-NREGs wages, 2016 -2017, 1st phase by the former government of Manipur.

Areas under Imphal- Moreh road including Thamnapokpi and places around Pallel – Chandel roadway including Komlathabi were blocked by putting roadblocks using tree branches and bamboos etc by the bandh supporters. However, there are no reports of an unwanted incidents happening during the bandh.

 The Chandel district headquarters market, bazaar areas looked completely deserted and shops remained closed down. The public came out to the streets to support the bandh.

President of Naga Chiefs Association, Chandel, T.S. Rungwar expressed that on September 14, a sit in protest was held by the organisation along with several village chiefs. A memorandum was submitted to the chief minister of Manipur through deputy commissioner Chandel requesting that the wages of the job card holders be handed out.

The bandh was called as the government have not made any response so far regarding the demands. The organisations have prepared to take more extreme measure and agitations. The organisations have also inquired if the government’s ‘go to the hills’ slogans does not include Chandel.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 26

President of Revolutionary Democratic Front and “revolutionary” writer Talengana Vara Vara Rao said people should follow the path of Hijam Irabot to bring a good society during 66th death anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot observed today at THAU ground, Thangmeiband along with 2nd state level march past competition.

Addressing the function he said like the famous fake encounter of killing of CPI (Maoist) activist Prabhakar by Indian security forces in the Bejjangi forest in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on October 28 last year, many have also been killed in fake encounters in Manipur.

He said Irabot was responsible in the formation of state CPI in order to bring a good and corruption free society that does not depend on any other state. He narrated when and how Maoist came in Talengana.

President of Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, Angamba said people seem to have forgotten the contribution of Irabot as people are neglecting the path of the martyr.

People as well as students should follow the path of Irabot to bring a good and well-being, corruption free society, he said.

As a part of the function pung cholom, Manipuri thang-ta and dhol cholom was performed which enthralled the people present in the function.

Former president of All Manipur United Club Organisation, K.T. Rahman, president of Manipur Proletariat Peoples’ Democratic Union (MPPDU), Nameirakpam Meghachandra were also present at the function as presidium members.

For the march past competition of senior category 65 girls NCC and for junior category Royal Education Girls won the competition.

On the other hand, death anniversary of the leader was also observed at his birth place Pishum Oinam Leikai today morning.

People paid floral tributes on the statue of the martyr at Pishum Oinam leikai with prayers.

Speaking on the occasion, revenue minister, Karam Shyam as chief guest said the youth of today should follow the path of Irabot.

In order to know the quality and path of the martyr, his life history and contribution should be included in school text books, which will help the society to be aware of Hijam Irabot in depth, he added.

For a better Manipur a good leader like Irabot is needed which will get free from corruption, violation of human rights and others. He said time has come to work together to bring a good Manipur.

Former member Manipur Human Rights Commission and advisor of Hijam Irabot memorial (HIM) charitable trust, Ng. Nongyai as guest of honour of the function said, like the Indian National Army complex located in Moirang, Irabot complex will be set up at Pishum Oinam Leikai in the memory of the martyr.

With the complex people of the state and tourists will be able to know Irabot’s contribution to the state.

He further appealed to the concerned minister to distribute regularly the PDS items in far-flung places of hill districts.

Former chief town planner and chairman of HIM celebration committee, H. Dilipkumar Singh also attended the function as president.

IMPHAL | Sept 26

Bharatiya Janata Party ST Morcha has stated that the people of Tamei block, Tamenglong district are deprived of LPG services.

A release signed by its president, P. Kawidinlubou said that BJP ST Morcha appreciates the launching of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) by chief minister of Manipur on June 5, 2017.

 It said the programme would aim to help woman, which reflects the government’s focus on alleviating condition of marginalised women where the target is to provide 2.43 lakhs new connections in Manipur under the scheme.

Further it said the scheme would subsequently improve the health of BPL families and would also reduce landslides issue in hilly areas by reducing deforestation. However, Tamei block has no LPG services till now, it added.

It said it is the only block in the whole state of Manipur without any LPG services or distributors wherein around 42 villages with about 2,598 BPL households and the total population of 22,086 (as per social-economics and caste census 2011) are suffering without any LPG service.

The release further said that it is because of the non-implementing of LPG services, deforestation along the road sides every year causes major landslides and damages the roads and added that this is one reason which causes Tamei block to be the most backward area in Tamenglong district and in the whole state of Manipur.

“In fact, the true story hidden behind is that, in the year 2012, a situation came as such that few applicants for the post of LPG distributing agency for Tamei bloack had to lucky draw to select the right candidate.

After the result was declared and awarded the Licensing Certificate to one applicant, the ex-MLA of during those days (now present MLA) who applied for his lady wife filed a court case against the recipient of the order”, it reiterated.

“It is surprising that such a public leader who ought to understand the pain and sufferings of its citizens and bring developments for the people of his area does not spare even LPG distributing job and turn out to be the stumbling block to such a valuable development programme. The issue seems to be persisted until his wife or any of his relative is awarded with the said job. The poor common people of Tamei block dare not even raise their voice against the dictatorial regime of the area”, it observed.

It further alleged that, “Whoever indulged in such anti-people and anti-development activities would be responsible for the loss of the Tamei LPG services for so many years which is the rightful share of the people.”

The common people of Tamei block appealed the department concerned to look into the matter, to arrange any alternative means for the citizens of Tamei block and resolve the long pending case at the earliest in the larger interests of the public, it added.

DIMAPUR |Sept 26 (NNN)

Leaders of Working Committee (WC) of six other Naga outfits (Six Naga National Political Groups or NNPGs) have left Dimapur for New Delhi today to begin political talks with the government of India.

GPRN/NSCN, FGN, NNC (Parent Body), NPGN/NNC (NA), NSCN (R) and the NNC/GDRN (NA) comprised the six NNPGs.

According to sources, 16 leaders from the six NNPGs have gone to Guwahati from Dimapur by road this morning. From Guwahati airport they caught a flight. They reached the national capital this evening.

According to the sources, the 6 NNPGs will start engaging in political talks with Centre’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi on Wednesday, September 27, at Le Meridian Hotel in New Delhi.

Some of the leaders who left Dimapur for talks today are Kitovi Zhimomi of GPRN/NSCN Wangtin Naga and P Tikhak of NSCN-R, V Nogi of NNC, Hozeto of NNC/NPGN and Hetoi Chophy of NNC/GDRN.

Few days back, New Dehi’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi had ‘formally’ invited the Working Committee of the 6 Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) “to be part of the peace process.”

Expressing its happiness on the development, Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) appealed to all concerned to “take up the matter with all seriousness and be a part of the process for an honourable solution”.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that the leaders of six NNPGs will also meet various Central government representatives during their stay in the national capital. When asked on whether the six NNPG leaders will also meet NSCN (IM) leaders, the sources did not confirm it.

Singhat-Behiang road to be declared National Highway

IMPHAL | Sept 26

The union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari has agreed to release some funds immediately for repair of flood damaged National Highways in the State.

This was the conveyed to chief minister, N. Biren Singh when he called on the union minister at New Delhi.

Gadkar also assured that he would come for Bhumi Pujah for Imphal-Moreh National Highway once the land acquisition is finished.

During the meeting, Gadkari also agreed in principle to declare the Singhat-Behiang road as National Highway and Behiang would be developed as another border trade point of Manipur.  The Union minister also advised the State government to send suitable proposals for upgradation of roads to National Highway.

Meanwhile, N. Biren Singh also met union minister of State for tourism, KJ Alphons to discuss the issues for promotion of tourism sector in the State.

During the meeting, proposals for cable cars at Sendra, Shirui and Marjing were discussed. The minister gave assurance for speedy consideration of the proposals.

KJ Alphons also agreed to visit Imphal for the upcoming Sangai festival on November 22.

Later, N. Biren Singh also spoke to MOS (Civil Aviation) Jayant Sinha for introducing direct fight between Delhi and Imphal as currently the officials and passengers have to stay for a minimum of three days outside the State, when their work take hardly a day in the capital.

Jayant Sinha assured that the ministry would look into the matter and immediate steps will be taken to ease out such inconveniences to the officials and passengers of the State. The chief minister also spoke to CMD, Air India, Rajeev Bansal for introduction of direct Air India flight between Delhi and Imphal.

Rajeev Bansal also promised to take up immediate action into the matter.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh is scheduled to meet Ravishankar Prasad, union minister (IT) for speedy laying of optical fibre network in Manipur so that digital payments could become a reality in the State.

CM N. Biren Singh will also be meeting Dharmendra Pradhan, minister for petroleum and natural gas to discuss about the laying of gas pipeline from Tripura to Imphal.

IMPHAL | Sept 26

A two-day national seminar on “Democracy: Social Political Exclusion in Tribal Areas of North East India” kicked off today at the conference hall of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus, Manipur at Makhan, Kangpokpi district.

A release said that the seminar was organised by the department of Political Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus, Manipur under the sponsorship of the North Eastern Council (NEC) Shillong.

It said that the inaugural function was attended by vice-chancellor of Manipur University, Professor Adya Prasad Pandey, Associate Professor, department of Political Science Modern College, Imphal, Dr Ringkahao Horam and HoD, department of Political Science and Human Rights, IGNTU-RC, Manipur, Dr. Ngalengnam as chief guest, guest of honour and keynote speaker respectively while director of IGNTU RCM, Professor Ramjeevam Singh Thakur attended as the president of the inaugural function.

In his chief guest speech, Professor Pandey appreciated the location and establishment of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, regional campus Manipur and added that the environment and surrounding of the campus is quite appropriate for research and academic activities, it looks like the ancient Ashram where students used to learn lot of things by taking the advantage of the situation and location, said the release.

He stated that rural people are not aware of the electoral process of the country and it is the duty and responsibility of the teachers, scholars and students to take initiative for creating awareness so as to participate by the rural people in the democratic electoral process of the country, it said.

Professor Pandey urged the student community to create a platform so that poor, downtrodden and underprivileged people can participate in the central and state welfare schemes, it added.

It further said Professor Ringkahao in his guest of honour speech expressed that democracy has many facets, there are lot of thrust areas which are untouched in research and the scholars in this field should identify and do extensive research for the benefit of the society and nation.