Manipur News

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 21 : In the words of leading environmental activist and Former US Vice President Al Gore, “Environment conservation is really not much of a political issue but it is actually a moral issue!”
The State of Manipur needs no introduction as regards its large forest cover, which according to the State of Forest Report 2003 conducted by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, is 17,219 sq kms, nearly 77.12 % of the total geographical area of the State. However, in the last decade or so, as in other parts of the country, this beautiful state has also undergone a drastic decline in the same. The charm of this State, which can undoubtedly be accredited to the vast greenery coupled up with a moderate climate, making it a tourist heaven for the people, sadly shall too be lost.
Assam Rifles have pledged their contribution towards promoting greenery, atleast in and around their deployment areas and have embarked, furthering its undeterred efforts of preserving the bounty of the nature, on a fortnight long ‘Go Green Drive’ in entire Manipur from 24 May to 09 June 2013. Maj Gen UK Gurung, IG AR(South) has chalked out a detailed roadmap to ensure significant contribution towards this noble cause and has exhorted all Assam Rifle Sectors and Battalions to put their best foot forward. Cooperation and assistance from the Forest Department has also been solicited besides motivating the villagers, particularly the youth, for their active participation in making the entire process a great success. Besides tree plantation, there have been a number of events planned during the drive which include lectures on the benefits of afforestation for students, drawing & painting competitions based on Go Green theme and excursion trips for school children to nearby parks and gardens.
In working towards the mutual goal of sustainability through environment conservation, it’s essential that we all should make a commitment to ourselves towards conservation of fragile and diverse ecologies and start working towards environment conservation as if it’s now or never. The endeavour undertaken by Assam Rifles is aimed at starting a legacy of sustainable environmental development for ourselves and for our future generations and in turn hoping that the Green Canopy of trees that still exists is not degraded further.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/assam-rifles-embarks-on-a-go-green-fortnight/

UKHRUL, May 21 NNN: Cultural items, displays of Tangkhul traditional cuisines and attires, flower show, painting competition and entertainment programmes marked the district level Shirui Lily Week-2013 concluding day today at Shirui village under Ukhrul district, Manipur.
Shirui Lily, first discovered by the British in 1946 as the lily that is found only at Shirui village, has become the Manipur State flower.
During the Shirui Lily Week-2013 concluding today, the denizens of Ukhrul district with traditional attires conglomerated at Shirui village which is situated some 15 km east of Ukhrul town and joined the celebration. Young and old, kings and paupers, strong and weak were united in the spirit of the rare Shirui Lily found only in the Shirui village. Traditionally, locally brewed beer was enjoyed marking an end to the week long celebration.
Cut to modern days, the celebration has been laced with festoons and fanfare with the showcasing of tradition within
the modern context. The Shirui Lily Week celebration is in this sense, a link between the gapping hole of tradition and modernity. For the people of Ukhrul district, it is a time to retrospect about the past and look forward to the future with optimistic zeal. Diaspora of Tangkhul community takes time out to reunite with their roots despite the
mad search for global identity. For those unable to make a connection to their forefathers’ blood-drench soil of Manipur, they still make an effort by organising a district level Shirui Lily Week celebration in heart.
Billed as one of the most important celebrations, the event was celebrated presenting rich traditional dance and songs organized by the people of Ukhrul.
It was celebrated at Shirui village with much fanfare and it brought huge people from across the district including far flung areas. The time falls in the middle of May every year. It is one of the most anticipated calendar time for the people of Ukhrul and elsewhere. One of the few occasions, Shirui Lily festival symbolises happiness and health, hard work and toil, peace and brotherhood, abundance and hope.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shirui-lily-festival-celebrated/

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, May 21 : Joining the country in the observance of “Anti-Terrorism Day” on Tuesday, Manipur Government and the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee organized functions here to mark the day.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam shared the dais during the function held at the Secretariat South Block. The participants pledged that any element which threatens life and its values would be dealt firmly.
Anti-Terrorism Day commemorates the day when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi died. Gandhi died on this day in 1999.
They also vowed to maintain peace and harmony and work hard towards bringing understanding among people, and to decisively counter terrorism with all might by upholding the principles of non-violence and endurance of the nation.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi stated that terrorism brings nothing while appealing the underground organisations to solve problems through dialogue.
At the same time, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also observed the Anti-Terrorism Day at the Congress Bhavan here.Ibobi, Gaikhangam, ministers and Congress workers paid floral tribute at the photo of Rajiv.
Later, briefing the media after the function, the Chief Minister said that there were no differences between the Government and the people with regard to introduction of Inner Line Permit in the state.
The Government has been putting pressure on the Central leadership on the demand, but that it will be considered as anti-social move if the ILP demand committee decides to disallow non-Manipuris in the state.
“The Government will never permit and remain as silent spectator if such illegal steps are taken,” he vowed and added that Manipuris in other states could face the same fate.
He, however, suggested the committee to work together in the drive to identify foreigners in the state.
Making a clarification on the recent eviction drive carried out in Kabo Leikai here, Ibobi said the drive was part of the Government’s decision to upgrade Hotel Imphal to a 5-star hotel status.
He made it clear that residents in the locality failed to produce their original patta documents in the court and it was carried out after three years of assessment.
Although no compensation is given to land owned by the Government, it had already paid Rs 9 crore as compensation for all the standing properties in the area on humanity ground, he added.
Saying that the Government has never violated the legitimate rights of the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and minority, he appealed to the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) to withdraw the bandh and blockade being imposed over the quota issue in the interest of the public.
Ibobi further said the Government always gives quota to the ST, SC and minority and it is also trying to provide more facilities to them in future.
I.R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State in the Home Affairs administered the oath to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions in North Block this morning.
The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.
The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest. These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars, lectures, etc. on the dangers of terrorism & violence and a determined and sustained drive to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence.
Rajeev Shukla Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affair today administered the Anti-Terrorism Oath to the Officers and Staff of the Planning Commission in YojanaBhawan on the occasion of the Martyrdom Day of Rajiv Gandhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/anti-terrorism-day-observed-cm-airs-views-on-eviction-ilp/