Manipur News

IMPHAL, January 3: The Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur quoted Dr. Chirom Rajketon, associate professor of Kha Manipur College, who spoke as a resource person on the commemoration of the 6th death anniversary of the late Arambam Saroj Nalini at the auditorium of the forum at around 1 pm today as saying that the late Arambam Saroj Nalini was an author who wrote about her beloved land straight from the heart, a press release said.

Rajketon said closely following her various efforts for the land is an act of patriotism itself, it further quoted the resource person as saying before adding that following her trail is the need of the hour. He added that the late Arambam Saroj Nalini was an ideal writer whose written works are increasing getting relevant with each passing day, the release said.

Speaking on the occasion, PAWF, Manipur secretary Rakesh Naorem stated that it will be a great loss for the current generation if they are not making any efforts to learn about the late author who made people in other parts of the world aware about the culture, history and literature of the land by translating Cheitharol Kumpaba which is the most important book of Manipuris, the press release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/pwf-manipur-remembers-arambam-saroj-nalini-on-her-sixth-death-anniversary/

IMPHAL, Jan 3 (NNN): Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated a week-long festival of choreographic works `Nritya Sanrachna,` here at the Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium, Palace Compound on Saturday.

Shanti Bardhan of Ranga Sri Little Ballet Troupe, Bhopal presented choreography on the Ramayana and Th Chaotombi Singh of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal on Keibul Lamjao on the opening day of the festival.

Nritya Sanrachna is one of the several events focusing on contemporary choreography organised by the Sangeet Natak Akedmi, New Delhi in recent years. It is being presented in Imphal in association with Manipur State Kala Akademi and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal.

The festival features works of imminent choreographers as well as upcoming artists in the field of choreography.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi extended a warm welcome to all participants coming from different parts of the country.

He said the Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium is one of the finest cultural centres in the country.

The Chief Minister said 17 different choreographic works introduced in Manipur during the time of Maharaja Chgandrakirti, apart from nearly 17 choreographic works by the JN Dance Academy, Imphal.

Ibobi also released a journal `Manipur Culture and Literature` on the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/nritya-sanrachna-festival-underway-in-imphal/

IMPHAL, January 3: Commemorating Chingsubam Akaba on his eighth death anniversary today, his statues and that of Rungsung Suisa were unveiled by Manipur`™s titular king Leisemba Sanajaoba and other dignitaries in a function at the Wakha Leima Ching in Imphal East making it a distinct feature of the observation.

The statues of both the leaders were installed on the same plinth in a significant gesture symbolising the unity of the hills and the valley. The statues are being named as `Twin Statues of Love, Peace & Fraternity`™.

Vice-chairman of R Suisa Trust, Akhui Zimik speaking as a guest of honour at the function stated that mutual respect among people of both the hills and valley is the need of the hour to preserve peace and harmony in the state.

Politicians and underground groups, in the name of revolution, have created confusion among the common people and the time has come for the people to wake up and mull over it, he opined.

He said Chingsubam Akaba and his contribution towards unity among the hills and valley communities are acknowledged by the highest echelons of Naga organisations with due respect.

He added that he felt honoured at being invited at the function and revealed that he had skipped a grand festival at his village to attend the occasion.

Speaking about the twin statues, he said it was of great significance signifying a remarkable moral value while calling for promoting a sense of unity among the various communities in the State.

The commemoration of the 8th death anniversary of Chingsubam Akaba was jointly organised by Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningsing Lup (LUCANIL) and Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL).

As a part of the observations, a song based on R Suisa and Chingsubam Akaba composed by Shivadutta Luwang was presented by Tharonganbi Leima and her troupe.

During the observations, the Meeyamgee Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningsing Mana that carries a souvenir, certificate and cash reward was presented to two individuals for their contribution in bringing unity among the hills and valley communities. The two awardees are Golmei Makuchung Kabui of Langthabal Khoupum and Sadokpam Thoungamba Mangang of Ningombam.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Leisemba Sanajaoba said the two leaders during their lifetimes have strived to integrate both the hills and valley communities of the State. He urged students to come visit the place to witness the symbol of unity to learn from it and to contribute in spreading the message of unity and integrity to the people.

The function was also attended by Manipur college principal Dr Kh Jayentakumar as the president, chairman of the organising committee of the commemoration and former minister RV Mingthing, Meitei National Front advisor M Naodalenkhomba, Tangkhul Naga Long president V Weapon Zimit, MEELAL president S Tomba Mangang, LUCANIL trustee member N Tomba, Tangkhul Naga Wungnaolong president Sweeten Rahing as guests of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/statues-of-akaba-and-suisa-unveiled/

IMPHAL, January 3: Dr Ng Bijoy extended appreciation of the activities of DESAM volunteers who are trying to bring quality education in state, but added they needed to refrain some exaggeration just to achieve their demands.

He said this in his speech as chief guest in the 13th foundation day of Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur held at Centenary Hall, Manipur University today under the theme `refraining politics from government`™s role in education`.

He further lauded the role played by DESAM for the uplift of education and other related fields in state.

Manipur has a separate educational policy but it has changes time to time. The focus of this policy is to encourage students he said, adding the government is very concerned about the issue of improving quality of education in the state.

He said it is very unfortunate to learn that some Board and Council officials have been practising politics and irregularities in declaration of merits list of students.

He speculated that this could have been on account of pressures or else corruption of these officials. This is unfortunate as such practises kill the faith of meritorious students, and such a predicament is bound to lead to further decline of quality of education in the state.

He appealed to the officials of the Board and Council to allow assessment of examination answer papers by concerned subject teachers. In the current trends irresponsible teachers are being allowed to asses answer scripts of subjects which are not their own subjects. This practice can severely impact the academic careers of meritorious students, Dr Ng Bijoy Singh said.

Very often the misdeeds are not at the behest of politicians but carried out by authorities of the Board and Council themselves. He also regretted that bureaucrats are these days practising politics and not leaving it for politicians.

Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray expressed that DESAM, AMSU, MSF are taking vital roles among the valley base students striving to uplift the education sector in the State. These students union are struggling to reach educational facilities to those schools existing in valley.

He however said it is unfortunate not much attention has been paid to fates of schools located at hills districts. So students of hill districts need physical and moral supports from these students`™ organisation to get balance development in education sectors in both hills and valley.

President of DESAM, Moirangthem Angamba; Dean of Students`™ Welfare of MU, Prof RK Hemakumar; president of All Zeliangrong Students`™ Union, Assam, Manipur & Nagaland, Pamei Tingenlung; president of KSO general HQ, Paothingthang Lupheng also attended the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/dr-bijoy-praises-desam-for-effort-to-lift-education-quality/

IMPHAL, January 3: The Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee Manipur also celebrated Gaan-Ngai at Langthabal Chingthak, Lubanglwang, Imphal West today.

In the celebration MLA Langthabal Karan Shyam attended as chief guest, Finance Officer (CAF and PD) Angang Meiringmei as president and Hiyangthang Zilla Parishad Member Soibam Subhaschandra and Pradhan, Hiyangthan Gram Panchayat Sh Silasana are the guests of honor.

In his speech to the gathering Karam Shyam expressed regrets at the sparse attendance, though this was the state level celebration of this important festival. He expressed concern that this may be an indication that the state is not paying too much attention to its history, tradition and ancient cultures.

He further said that it is the time now to examine how other countries and state are preserving their tradition to contrast with how we are neglecting our. He urged all to be proud of preserving the state`™s diverse languages, cultures and traditions.

He also cautioned that the new generation should know that adaptation of new religions should not be at the cost of neglecting their old religion and tradition. Such an approach will only create rifts in the societies.

Shyam also observed that the 21st Century world has made great advances, but it is unfortunate religious fundamentalism has been its scourge.

He also said that unthinking and insensitive people are destroying the gift of nature and its beauty and thereby causing global warming. They however do not realise that by their tendency to destroy nature wantonly they are inviting calamities which will put all of humanity in misery and peril.

He further said it is true that culture and tradition brings love, peace and harmony between communities, and indeed betweens states and countries as well. This being the case, we all should give more attention to them, he emphasised.

Also addressing the Gaan-Ngai gathering, member organizing committee Kambui Gangmei said that Gaan-Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zeliangrong peoples residing in the three North East States that is Manipur, Assam and Nagaland.

She also said that Gaan-Ngai festival is celebrated for five days with cultural gusto and religious fervour. It is a post harvest festival, expressing the joy at the bounty of nature and hard work.

Kambui said that at this time the granaries are full, the landscape is dry and that whole village is free from all hard agricultural works which people in turn celebration. The festivity is also about worshipping God and honouring the ancestors in their heavenly abode.

Chief of Langthabal Chingthak, Bunglaona Kamei conducted the oblation of Holy Wine to Tingkao Ragwang as well as scared fire was extracted by the youths of the Langthabal Chingthak, and with this fire chief guest lit the festival torch.

Dancers from Chingkon village, Senapati District presented a captivating folk dance, TRC Phoichingtong village of Bishnupur District presents a devotional song and Abumei Kamei and Alice Gangmei of Chalungkhou, Churachanpur presented a folk song.

Meanwhile Sawongbung Sairem village and Hiyangthang village dance troops show cased the Zeliangrong culture with well appreciated dances.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/thin-attendance-did-not-deter-gaan-ngai-celebration/