Foundation day

IMPHAL August 5: A Drawing and Essay writing competition was held today in connection with the 32nd foundation day observation of Young Voluntary Organization at the community hall at  Wangkhei… Read more »

IMPHAL August 5: A Drawing and Essay writing competition was held today in connection with the 32nd foundation day observation of Young Voluntary Organization at the community hall at  Wangkhei Puja Lampak, Imphal east.

A ceremonial function was held in the morning wherein S. Tomchou Singh, retd. chief conservator of forest, and L.C Ruhinikumar, president, Y.V.O.  graced the function as the chief guest and president respectively.

The drawing competition was conducted in two categories while the essay competition was open to all.

Pooja Aheibam d/o Aheibam Nabakumar of Kongba Kshetri Leikai and a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya School and S. Rohit Meitei s/o S. Ratankumar Sharma from Wankhei Tokpam Leirak student of Mega Manipur School bagged the first places in the KG to 4th standard and 5th upto 8th  standard categories respectively.

Maibam Rakesh Singh, s/o M. Shyambabu from Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai of Modern college Imphal was awarded the first place of the essay competition that was held side by side with the drawing competition.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/foundation-day/

Loktak fishers welcome CM`s assurance

IMPHAL, August 7: The all Loktak Lake area Fishermen’s Union, Manipur has welcome the statement of the Chief Minister assuring to rectify the Loktak Lake (protection) Act, 2006. It further… Read more »

IMPHAL, August 7: The all Loktak Lake area Fishermen’s Union, Manipur has welcome the statement of the Chief Minister assuring to rectify the Loktak Lake (protection) Act, 2006. It further draws the attention of the authority concerned to rectify the clauses of the article 19, 20 and 31 in the interest of the fishermen and the people of the state, to ensure peaceful fishing and rearing of fish as usual. It asserted that the fishermen will not accept any form of alternative livelihood schemes until the Loktak Lake (Protection) act, 2006, is rectified to the convenience of the fishermen of the Loktak area. It alleged that the list of hut dweller compiled by the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) has less genuine dweller and urged the authority to introduce a separate act for the fishermen.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/loktak-fishers-welcome-cms-assurance/

Myanmar trained militant cadres arrested claims SP Bishnupur

IMPHAL, August 8: Atleast three militant cadres of different outfits have been arrested by security forces in the last 42 hours. According to a release of the SP Bishnupur, police… Read more »

IMPHAL, August 8: Atleast three militant cadres of different outfits have been arrested by security forces in the last 42 hours.

According to a release of the SP Bishnupur, police commandos of the district, while acting on specific information conducted search operation at Bishnupur Bazar and arrested one s/s lt corporal of the outfit PLA who has been identified as Moirangthem Rajesh Singh alias Kangleiganba, 24, s/o late M. Ibochouba Singh of Serou Mamang Leikai who joined the outfit in April 2008 and was trained at Myanmar.

It has further stated that on the same day at about 5:30 pm, one female cadre of the PLA identified as s/s l/corpl Haobijam Sundari alias Victoria, 26, d/o H. Sanayaima Singh of Tokpa Ching Tarunghoubi Leikai was also arrested from Ningthoukhong Awang Leikai during a separate search operation.

It has further added that the woman cadre had joined the outfit in March 2005 inder one s/s lt Rosan and had also been trained in Myanmanr.

The same release has also claimed that a team of the district commando further conducted a search operation in and around of ZEO Office, Bishnupur and arrested one KCP (MTF) activist along with one mobile hand set at around 10:30 am today.

It has further identified the arrested cadre as Pukhrambam Sanatomba Singh alias Sana, 38, s/o P. Mangi of Lilong Santipur.

During preliminary interrogation he revealed that he is involved in serving monetary demands and extortion of money from general public and government officials, added the statement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/myanmar-trained-militant-cadres-arrested-claims-sp-bishnupur/

Kangla USP

The banner signboards at the entrances of the Kangla announcing the name “Kangla” to onlookers and visitors are too cheap, if not ridiculous: as if anybody would mistake the citadel… Read more »

The banner signboards at the entrances of the Kangla announcing the name “Kangla” to onlookers and visitors are too cheap, if not ridiculous: as if anybody would mistake the citadel of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur for anything else. Today no doubt it is an archival complex with immense historical and cultural significance and no longer a living monument where daily businesses of governance of war and peace are conducted, but this does not mean it must be robbed of its dignity. Leaders of the state as well as bureaucrats would have seen how things are done in historical sites all over the country and the world. None of them do it the way it is done at the Kangla. Imagine the Taj Mahal, Qutabh Minar, Red Fort, Humayan Tomb etc with similar signboard across their gate, as if these were some popular circus grounds. Normally a granite plaque with a brief history of the monument is erected in a neat and well kempt corner of the entrance areas so that visitors can read and get the basic information of what they are about to witness or are witnessing. We wonder how the difference in the aura and dignity in the manner these other monuments are announced to visitors and the way it is done to the Kangla is not noticed by our leaders, especially those in charge of the upkeep of the complex. It is not too late yet, let the government remove those ugly banners and do it the way the rest of the civilised world do it at the soonest.

We also wonder whatever has happened to the drive for restoring the Kangla. The government has been going about on a demolition spree everywhere in the city, but is still not able shift (after suitable compensation of course), a few families living inside the complex, who were once the temple keepers while the Assam Rifles was occupying the complex. It may be recalled troops moved out and the Kangla handed over the people by the Prime Minsiter, Manmohan Singh in 2004 following widespread street agitation against the Assam Rifles in the wake of the alleged rape and custodial murder of a young woman, Thangjam Manorama. It may also be recalled that much earlier the Kangla came to be garrisoned after the British defeated and took over the Manipur kingdom in 1891, and much of the symbols of the state, in particular the two Kangla Sha the mythical beasts which have since become the state emblem, at the entrance of the Darbar Hall were destroyed. After the British left, the troops stayed on. The two Kangla Sha have been restored since along with some other historical structures within the complex. It must however be said the restoration work, while commendable at places, at others are at best kitschy. For evidence, take a look at the gate of the Dubar Hall. It looks like one of those hastily made entrances to some cheap stalls at circuses and fairs which visit the state occasionally.

As suggested for the gateways, we wonder why the government has not thought of erecting granite plaques with histories and descriptions at each of the many interesting sites within the complex. The two restored Kangla Shas will be a prime candidate for this. The Durbar Hall, the Manung Kangjeibung which is possibly the oldest polo-ground in the world, and where modern polo took birth, the ruins of the Govindaji temples, as well as the newly constructed indigenous Sanamahi temple etc are some of these. On the northern side of the complex are also another set of very interesting monuments and sites. Some of the cottages sitting aside sprawling lawns lined with flower beds are of profound historical significance too. The cottage where Field Marshall Sir William Slim lived and planned his “Defeat into Victory” strategies against the advancing Japanese Imperial Army in alliance with the Indian National Army, INA, of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, being the most significant. Why cannot similar granite plaques with explanatory notes be erected at these sites as well? Today, for the uninitiated, touring the Kangla complex is like scanning an album of interesting photographs but without photo captions. Visitors often are left bewildered at trying to identify the monuments, even the modern classic the Slim Cottage, for adjacent to it are other similar cottages. The Kangla undoubtedly will be a major attraction for tourist once Manipur becomes a tourist spot as so many wish for today. If the law and order situation improves, we see no reason why it cannot be buzzing with tourists of all kinds too. Kathmandu is advertised as a valley in which adventure tourists can head in any direction and find a good trek. We see why Imphal valley, surrounded by hills all around cannot acquire the same unique selling point, or as this proposition is better known, the USP.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/kangla-usp/

Thang-Ta tournament

IMPHAL, Aug 12: MMA Top is leading the medal tally of 22nd State Level Thang-Ta Championship being held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium. MMA has secured nine gold and one… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 12: MMA Top is leading the medal tally of 22nd State Level Thang-Ta Championship being held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.

MMA has secured nine gold and one silver medal followed by Sun Club with six gold, one silver and three bronze medals, Panthoibee Thang-Ta with four gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/thangta-tournament/

RIMS observes Martyrs` day

IMPHAL, August 13: For the first time in the history of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal the Martyrs` day was observed in a befitting manner in the Administrtive block… Read more »

IMPHAL, August 13: For the first time in the history of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal the Martyrs` day was observed in a befitting manner in the Administrtive block on Saturday at 8 am. The Director, Prof S. Sekharjit, said that the day is observed to remember and pay tribute to the brave forefathers. This is also to educate the medical students of RIMS about the fight for the preservation of independence and the indomitable spirit to remain as an independent nation.

Dr Thingbaijam Sudirranjan narrated in brief how the British colonialists took undue advantage of the deep division and internecine wars among the princes. We observe the day to remember the sacrifice made by the forefathers for the cause of our independence, he said.

Apart from the Director, high officials, a large number of faculties, staff and medical students were present in the function. Later they paid floral tributes to the photographs of Prince Tikendrajit, Thangal General and Paona Brajabashi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/rims-observes-martyrs-day/

ISKCON essay competition

IMPHAL August 16: On the eve of Krishna Janmastami 2011, ISKCON Manipur organized a state level spot essay competition on the theme “Sri Krishna message and its relevance to the… Read more »

IMPHAL August 16: On the eve of Krishna Janmastami 2011, ISKCON Manipur organized a state level spot essay competition on the theme “Sri Krishna message and its relevance to the present society “on August 14. The prizes will be distributed on August 22 during Janmastami festival. Further, ISKCOn will also organize a blood donation camp on August 21, a press release by Brajapan Das, organization secretary of ISKCON said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/iskcon-essay-competition/

NISA thrashes TRUGPU in opening match of State League

IMPHAL, Aug 17: NISA defeated TRUGPU by 4-0 goals in the opening match of 6th Manipur State League Football Tournament held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today. L Nabachandra scored… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 17: NISA defeated TRUGPU by 4-0 goals in the opening match of 6th Manipur State League Football Tournament held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

L Nabachandra scored the first goal for NISA in 17th minute of the match. G Golmei added another two goals in 27th and 57th minutes while David enhanced the goal score of NISA by adding another goal in 87th minute.

L Rabi of NISA and Y Inao and Kh Jolly of TRUGPU were given yellow cards.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/nisa-thrashes-trugpu-in-opening-match-of-state-league/

CNPO demands govt attention to Cdl DIC

CHANDEL, Aug 18: The Chandel Naga People’s Organisation has demanded the authorities concerned to develop the District Industries Centre (DIC) of Chandel district which has not been functioning for quite… Read more »

CHANDEL, Aug 18: The Chandel Naga People’s Organisation has demanded the authorities concerned to develop the District Industries Centre (DIC) of Chandel district which has not been functioning for quite a long time.

Addressing media persons during an inspection tour on Wednesday, vice-president of CNPO, Ch Gabriel stated that the DIC which is supposed to impart various skill development programmes to the unemployed people is in a deplorable condition with no proper office building and necessary infrastructure. The training centre as well as industrial compound needs to be enhanced for the development of the centre.

He further maintained that the land encroachers and other unwanted elements must be driven out from the complex of Chandel DIC. The office building of DIC must be repaired in the interest of the people of Chandel district, Gabriel enjoined.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/cnpo-demands-govt-attention-to-cdl-dic/

MPSC thrashes YDO by 4-1

IMPHAL, Aug 19: MPSC defeated YDO by 4-1 goals in today’s match of 6th Manipur State League Football Tournament held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Nilamani of MPSC scored three… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 19: MPSC defeated YDO by 4-1 goals in today’s match of 6th Manipur State League Football Tournament held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Nilamani of MPSC scored three goals in 49th, 72nd and 75th minutes while Thangminlien added another goal in 89th minute. N Joykumar scored the solitary goal for YDO in 32nd minute. Thangminlien and L Romeo were booked yellow card.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/mpsc-thrashes-ydo-by-41/

A Tale of Two Districts

This is getting uncouth. Manipur is under a siege yet again because its lifelines have been blocked off first by agitators demanding the Sadar Hills sub-division of the Senapati district… Read more »

This is getting uncouth. Manipur is under a siege yet again because its lifelines have been blocked off first by agitators demanding the Sadar Hills sub-division of the Senapati district be upgraded to a full-fledged district, and now by United Naga Council, UNC, and its supporters amongst the Naga population in the state to oppose the demand. Quite unfortunately, the UNC is even insinuating that the demand for Sadar Hills district is part of a sinister divide and rule policy by the Government of Manipur. Although this was unsaid in so many words, the implication was also that all this is a result of machination by the dominant community and dwellers of the valley districts, the Meitei community. This is above of all, truly ridiculous. At this rate, it will not be long before the valley is blamed for poor monsoon or bad harvest as well. Rhetoric aside, let the government take this development seriously and come out with a comprehensive white paper on investment and government employment patterns in the state to see the nature of discrepancies and then to fix responsibilities as to who contributed or were the agents in bringing about this mess. As for activists and others keen to see dark and sinister motives in everything that happens in Manipur, it is advised they also sometime make use of the provisions of the RTI to get hold of actual government documents to see what kind of developmental funds have been earmarked for the different regions of the state and who were given the responsibility for their use before jumping the gun and pointing fingers.

The legacy introduced by the colonial administration of the British vintage still lives on. In particular the practice of administrative and political demarcation of the hills of the Northeast into “excluded” and “partially excluded” territories may have had their use in a colonial set up and perhaps even now, but they are also creating problems. Under this system, the plains generally were administered by general colonial laws but the other two types of territories were placed under special law that for one made these territories reserved for the tribals living in them and visits by outsiders to these area allowed under special permits alone. This system also excluded tribal areas partially or totally from the political and administrative processes under the broad policy philosophy of leaving them alone as long as they do not harangue British subjects or British administered areas. While laws of varying strength reserving tribal territories may be still desirable in order to protect the interest of the tribals, what cannot be forgotten is this would also have negative implications. While tribals coming under generally administrative region would not cause any constitutional problems, non-tribals coming under special administrative regions for tribal can cause serious ones. The case of Jiribam has been raised by so many, saying this small patch of plain area inhabited dominantly by non tribals should be merged to either Tamenglong or Churachandpur which are adjacent to it, just as Moreh is a part of the Chandel district. Moreh so far is not a problem because its population are by and large traders with little or no interest in politics, but the moment any non-tribal resident here begins to nurture political ambition and starts asking for the right to contest in elections from the Tengnoupal Assembly constituency or the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency, serious problems would arise, social as well as constitutional. If denied, it would amount to a breach of what arguably is the most major democratic right guaranteed by India’s republican constitution or for that matter any republican constitution – the right to franchise. Jiribam under either of the two tribal districts would pose the same problem.

Sadar Hills, under the circumstance should not have had any problem, at least constitutionally and administratively. It would have been two reserved districts made out of one reserved district. The problem here therefore is more ethnic as everybody is witness now, and little or nothing to do with any consideration of administration. The diagnosis being such, perhaps it would do well for the government to address it as such too. But as of now, the government seems to be, as has become its wont, simply waiting and watching for the storm to pass without thinking of lifting a finger to face the developing crisis. If things continue the way they are, and prices of essential commodities continue to climb towards the sky, the situation could get volatile and tempers of those at the receiving end may reach a flashpoint. Presuming nothing improves, who knows, the closing act of the Okram Ibobi government may be a transition to the emergency constitutional provision of President’s Rule to avoid a humanitarian crisis.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/a-tale-of-two-districts/

Militants arrested

IMPHAL August 22: Troops of 4/8 Gorkha Rifles of Logtak brigade under Red Shield Division apprehended one UNLF cadre from Ningthoukhong Ward number 6 today.The apprehendee revealed his identity as… Read more »

IMPHAL August 22: Troops of 4/8 Gorkha Rifles of Logtak brigade under Red Shield Division apprehended one UNLF cadre from Ningthoukhong Ward number 6 today.The apprehendee revealed his identity as S/S sargent Tongbram Romen Singh (27) son of Bir Singh, resident of Ningthoukhong Ward No 6, of Bishnupur. During another operation the team apprehended one over ground worker of KYKL from Bishnupur today. the individual is identified as Md Inaocha alias Amao (30) ,son of Md Tombi Amao, resident of Bishnupur Ward number 2.Both the apprehendees were handed over to Bishnupur Police Station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/militants-arrested/

AMADA recovers drugs

IMPHAL August 24: Keirao unit of AMADA in a drive conducted at Keirao Mayai Leikai seized 18 strips of SP capsules from one Md Warish Kontha,21, s/o Md Islamuddin of… Read more »

IMPHAL August 24: Keirao unit of AMADA in a drive conducted at Keirao Mayai Leikai seized 18 strips of SP capsules from one Md Warish Kontha,21, s/o Md Islamuddin of the said locality.

A release by AMADA states that as the person was being held at the head office, brother in law of the individual,one Md Azis Shah alias Boycha,23,s/o Md Rafizuddin of Keirao Makting Mang Maya came to the head office to negotiate Warish to be released from custody. At the time,Azis Shah was also found having 5 SP capsules in his persons. Both drug addicts have been handed over to family members after counseling, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/amada-recovers-drugs/

79 Militant Groups Active in Northeast

NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (Agencies): The Centre may have opened dialogue with some underground outfits, but according to an estimate of the Home Ministry, there are 79 insurgent groups including… Read more »

NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (Agencies): The Centre may have opened dialogue with some underground outfits, but according to an estimate of the Home Ministry, there are 79 insurgent groups including splinter factions, which are active across six North Eastern States.

A detailed list of the militant outfits furnished by Minister of State for Home Affairs M Ramachandran in the Lok Sabha reveals that Manipur has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of 50 active militant outfits in the region including 22 valley-based and 27 hill-based outfits.

One militant outfit, Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) has 12 factions, while Kuki National Front has four factions.

While Assam has five active militant outfits including ULFA, NDFB, DHD,UPDS and KLO, neighboring Meghalaya has overtaken the State and now boasts of nine insurgent outfits. In neighboring Arunachal Pradesh, apart from the two factions of NSCN, another militant outfit, National Liberation Front of Arunachal has reared its head in the State.

Another interesting revelation is that barring Sikkim, rest of all the North Eastern States are now affected by militancy.

Mizoram, which was given a peace bonus by the Planning Commission last year, now has three militant groups including Hmar Peoples Convention (HPC D), Hmar National Liberation Front and Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO).

Nagaland and Tripura have six and three militant outfits respectively.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that there have been inputs suggesting liaison of top leaders of some of the insurgent groups in the Northeast India with the neighboring countries like China and Myanmar.

The Government of India has raised concern with China from time to time on the issue through the diplomatic channel, Ramachandran added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/79-militant-groups-active-in-northeast/

Football coaching conclude

IMPHAL, August 26: The residential and non-residential regular football coaching for the year 2011-12 of Th. Birchandra Singh football academy was concluded today. The closing programme was organized today at… Read more »

IMPHAL, August 26: The residential and non-residential regular football coaching for the year 2011-12 of Th. Birchandra Singh football academy was concluded today.

The closing programme was organized today at the premises of the football institute with Colonel Vikram Mehta, commandant 10 Sikh regiment while Th. Bikram , a representative of Adidas company attended as the guest of honor.

Interacting with media persons on the sideline of the programme, Vikram Mehata said that the endeavor and efforts of the institute will surely bear fruit. “If the youths are channelized in the right direction, they will certainly do the right thing and bring laurels for the state ,another Baichung Bhutia may well be born again in the state”.

He said that all possible help will be tendered to the players and may be further given provision for enrollment in the Army sports institutes.
 
Mehta in the closing function distributed sport equipments and partook in planting of tree saplings at the premises of the institute located at Tabungkhok.

The concluding day also saw friendly matches between different football teams.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/football-coaching-conclude/

Blockade supporters burn down truck, school

IMPHAL, Aug 27: Suspected UNC blockade supporters burnt down a truck while supporters of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee set ablaze a school yesterday. The UJB school located at Saparmeina… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 27: Suspected UNC blockade supporters burnt down a truck while supporters of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee set ablaze a school yesterday.

The UJB school located at Saparmeina Kangchup Chiru was burnt down by suspected SHDDC supporters at around 9:30 pm yesterday. The school was completely destroyed during the arson.

In another incident, suspected UNC supporters burnt down a truck (bearing registration number MN-01 9550) at around 10:30 pm yesterday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/blockade-supporters-burn-down-truck-school/

Ban lifted

IMPHAL, Aug 30: The ban imposed by some social orgaizations on the screening of Engen Gee 23 produced by Waikhom Films has been lifted after making necessary rectifications in the… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 30: The ban imposed by some social orgaizations on the screening of Engen Gee 23 produced by Waikhom Films has been lifted after making necessary rectifications in the film, stated producer Abung Wai.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/ban-lifted/

Farming programme

IMPHAL Sept 1: A technical session on farming techniques of pineapples was held today at Hotel Nirmala today. The technical aspect of today’s session was conducted by professor W Ingo… Read more »

IMPHAL Sept 1: A technical session on farming techniques of pineapples was held today at Hotel Nirmala today. The technical aspect of today’s session was conducted by professor W Ingo Meitei, head of Horticulture department of Central Agriculture University, Iroisemba.

The professor highlighted the advantages of pineapple farming and the economic returns of taking up such a venture. He said that the soil and climatic conditions of the state is very suitable for pineapple farming and there is abundance of plantation area in the hill areas.

Further he said that that the model farm at Andro has yielded crops perennially and the farmers have  become more financially free now.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/farming-programme/

SHDDC reacts to PRO statement

IMPHAL, Sept 2: Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) has strongly reacted to the rebuttal of PRO PIB (Defence Wing) on the allegations of assaulting and molesting women blockade supporters… Read more »

IMPHAL, Sept 2: Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) has strongly reacted to the rebuttal of PRO PIB (Defence Wing) on the allegations of assaulting and molesting women blockade supporters by the personnel of 43 AR at Gamgiphai near Motbung on August 30.

While visiting the seven injured women at CMC Hospital today, vice-president of SHDDC, Tongkam Lupheng told media persons that the matter has already been subsided after due apology from the AR authorities to pay fines as per the Kuki customary law. However, the rebuttal of the PRO negating the incident is quite misleading.

Such double-standard attitude will never fulfill the real objective of the Assam Rifles who claim as “friends of hills people”, he averred.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/shddc-reacts-to-pro-statement/

On Teachers` Day

“Whenever I encounter the word ‘Oxymoron’, I remember my beloved teacher, the late educationist Ningombam Ibobi Singh who was teaching political science during my college days in D.M College nearly… Read more »

“Whenever I encounter the word ‘Oxymoron’, I remember my beloved teacher, the late educationist Ningombam Ibobi Singh who was teaching political science during my college days in D.M College nearly two decades back. He introduced me the term ‘Oxymoron’, which refers to a compound word formed by two opposite words such as ‘carefully-careless’. With the coming of teachers’ day, I recall this great personality who once said ‘ if the past and the present are in agreement, future will be bright and if the past is contradictory to the present, future will be dim’.  Really speaking, if the present generation neglects and disobeys the elders, we can hardly produce good citizens in future, meaning our children won’t pay heed to our words. As long as we respect our elders, our children will obey us and their future will be bright. Oja Ibobi is not in our midst now, but his teachings are increasingly becoming relevant day by day. This article is my homage to the late teacher on teachers’ day.”
By: Seram Neken
The most probable government job for an average unemployed graduate in Manipur at present is either to become a government school teacher or to become a rifleman in home department. A few better-off students opt to serve as private school teachers when they can’t buy positions in the government sector. Many other remain working in private banks as collectors or otherwise. Young graduates’ quest to become teachers or serve in security forces is due to dearth of other employment avenues for the thousands of degree-holder youths and lack of education quality in the state. Earlier, most of the average graduates had yearned to become a clerk in government departments, but nowadays such jobs are scarcely vacant. Most educated graduates even sold out their assets only to buy positions as teacher or policeman. If average people come to teaching profession for earning their livelihood, quality of knowledge imparted to students is sure to be diminished. Teaching profession should be made a different one, if we desire to mould a bright future generation.

India celebrates Teachers’ Day on 5th September every year, coinciding the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan since 1962. A philosopher and a teacher par excellence, his unique contributions towards Indian education system have been remembered for all times. He believed “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. One day, some of his students and friends requested Dr. Radhakrishnan to allow them to celebrate his birthday. He replied “instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if 5th September is observed as Teachers’ day”. From then onwards, Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday is observed as Teacher’s Day all across India. 

Born on 5th September, 1888 at Tirutani, Madras in a poor Brahmin family, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan rose to the positions of the first Vice President and the second President of independent India. As his family was poor, Radhakrishnan supported most of his education through scholarships. He had his early education at Gowdie School, Tiruvallur and then went to the Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati for his high school. He joined the Voorhee’s College in Vellore and later switched to the Madras Christian College. He did his B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy.

After completing his M.A., Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan accepted an Assistant Lectureship at the Madras Presidency College in 1909. In college, he mastered the classics of Hindu philosophy, namely the Upanishads, Bhagvad Gita, Brahmasutra, and commentaries of Sankara, Ramunuja and Madhava. He also acquainted himself with Buddhist and Jain philosophy and philosophies of Western thinkers such as Plato, Plotinus, Kant, Bradley and Bergson. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was selected as Professors of Philosophy at Mysore University in 1918 and at Calcutta University in 1921. In 1923, he published “Indian Philosophy”, which is hailed as a philosophical classic and a literary masterpiece. When Oxford University invited Radhakrishnan to deliver lectures on Hindu philosophy, he used his lectures as a platform to further India’s cause of freedom. He also argued that Western philosophers, despite all claims to objectivity, were biased by theological influences from their wider culture. He showed that Indian philosophy, once translated into standard academic jargon, is worthy of being called philosophy by Western standards. He thus placed Indian Philosophy on the world map.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was elected Vice Chancellor of the Andhra University in 1931 and he became the Vice Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University in 1939. In 1946, he was appointed as Ambassador to UNESCO. In 1948, Dr. Radhakrishnan chaired the University Education Commission, the suggestions of which helped mould the education system for independent India’s needs.

In 1949, he was sent as an ambassador to Soviet Union where he helped laid the foundation for a strong relationship between India and Soviet Union. Radhakrishnan was elected first Vice-President of India in 1952. He was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. After serving two terms as Vice-President, he became the second President of India in 1962. During his tenure as President, India fought wars with China and Pakistan. He retired as President in 1967 and died on April 17, 1975.

The importance of Teachers’ Day celebration may simply be assessed from the view that teachers act as foundation for creating responsible citizens of a state and good human beings in the society. Life without teachers is unimaginable. Words fail to appreciate teachers enough for their immense contribution in lives of many. Teachers’ Day is celebrated to show our acknowledgement and recognition of the hard work put in by them towards development of mankind. Schools all over India celebrate the Day with students presenting gifts to their most admired teachers. It is an equally special day for teachers, as they get to know how much they are liked and appreciated by their pupils. Teachers are more than just an employee; they are the beacons of light for the next generation. Apart from knowledge, teaching profession requires a lot of hard work, dedication, sincerity and a guiding attitude, without which a teacher is not a teacher at all.
(This writer is a freelance columnist)

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