Tag: K-Featured

Kabui youths in traditional dresses preparing for a dance performance in Gaan Ngai festival.

IMPHAL, January 3: Gaan-Ngai is a part of the State`™s cultural heritage though it is small in size and our richness in culture is like a modern day version of the ancient Greek State, stated Deputy Chief minister Gaikhangam while speaking at the inaugural function of the State level Gaan-Ngai festival at the Mahakabui Namching village under Senapati district today.

He further stated that Manipur has a unique identity and is rich in art and culture. Manipur has represented India in the field of games and culture all across the globe, he added.

`Ancient Greece was well known for its rich culture and civilization in the past. Likewise, Manipur also has a unique identity in arts and culture like a modern day version of the ancient Greek civilization today. From the beginning, Manipur has so many festivals in a year which shows that its people are hard-working. Due to the hard-work of its people, Manipur is prosperous and has become a festive state`, the Deputy CM said.

There are 40 tribes in the hills and valley of Manipur among which 35 tribes are now recognised by the State government. Their culture activities and identity is included in the rich cultural heritage of Manipur, he informed.

Stressing that Manipur is incomplete without Kukis, Meiteis, Nagas or Muslims, he stated that people should not forget their motherland `Manipur` while adding that the sense of unity among the people of Manipur can`t be undermined by external forces.

Till today, external forces have always suffered defeat while attempting to break our cultural integrity and unity. Kuki, Naga, Meitei, Muslim etc are inter-dependent on one another and have co-existed since time immemorial in our state, he said.

This is the right time to show the maturity of Manipuri people and their unity and strength to outside states or country, the Deputy CM said, instructing people to learn from the past, feel and do today and hope for the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Commerce and Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam said Gaan-Ngai is a festival of unity among the various communities of Manipur.

`The festival is promoting the rich culture of the ancestors of the Zeliangrong tribes in Manipur and is a gift of cultural wealth from our forefathers which need to preserve and maintain for the next generations. The Gaan-Ngai festival shows that our rich culture is still alive`, the Commerce and Industry minister said.

He further stated that the unique nature of the festival was that leaders of all communities in the state participate and enjoy the cultural festival by exchanging the traditional culture of unity.

In his key note address, President of the Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland), Amu Kamei said that the government after India become independent has given importance to the traditional customs and culture of the various communities including the tribes of India. The protection and preservation of the customs and culture of tribals have been guaranteed under Article 371 of Indian Constitution, he added.

He further stated that the Zeliangrong Union appreciated the State government of Manipur for giving attention to the traditions, culture and customs of the tribals. The Gaan-Ngai festival is the only tribal festival which is still celebrated in its original and traditional form after thousands of years. Manipur can take pride for its richness in culture and dance, he added.

Today`™s festival began with the lighting-up of holy fire after which various rites were performed and also feature colourful Kabui traditional dances meant to give farewells to departed souls.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/manipuri-culture-can-be-compared-with-that-of-the-ancient-greeks-deputy-cm-gaikhangam/

Police personnel inspecting the blast site at Khuyathong.

IMPHAL, December 21: Atleast three civilians were killed and four others injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at a roadside tea stall at Khoyathong early this morning around 5:45. This is the second blast within the high security zone of Imphal in less than a week since the December 15 blast at MG Avenue which killed two and injured four others.

At the time of the explosion, the tea-stall was packed with morning customers.

According to eye witness accounts, the bomb exploded from a make-up box which was brought along by two youths who seemed to be in their early 30s. The duo had tea at the stall and left the box while leaving. The box exploded within minutes of their leaving the place.

The blast site falls under the jurisdiction of Imphal Police Station.

It is worth noting that the blast site is generally teeming with security personnel as it is just about a kilometer from the State Assembly building where the Winter session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is on.

The dead victims have been identified as Shrikusunt, 60, of Barwapati village, Kusinagar Uttar Pradesh; Lalan, 35, son of Tikori of Dasahawa, Kusinagar District Uttar Pradesh, Shiva Yadav, 35, son of Harihar Yadav of Rampur Barahan Kusinagar UP.

Lalan succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital while Shiva died at the RIMS hospital.

Shrikusunt, a helper at the tea stall was killed on the spot.

The injured evacuated at RIMS have been identified as Chophathung Lotha, 50, son of Khola Lotha of Makola, Wokha district Nagaland, bus conductor of NST, Surendar, 19, son of Ramashis of Kusinagar UP at present Khoyathong; Rajkumar, 30, son of Indrajit of UP at present Khoyathong and Jina, 58 son of Lorik of Rampur Baranagar, UP.

Soon after the blast, top police brass including IG Clay Khongsai, DIG range-I IK Muivah and SP Imphal West rushed to the blast site and took stock of the situation.

On the other hand, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam visited the injured victims at RIMS accompanied by DGP Manipur Sahid Ahmed, ADGP, LM Khoute, principal secretary (Home), J Suresh Babu.

The team also visited the blast site prior to the RIMS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/three-killed-four-injured-after-powerful-ied-rips-through-teastall-at-khuyathong/

A choir singers during the centenary celebration of the Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association.

IMPHAL, December 8: The Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association, INBCA celebrated its completion of 100 years at Bakuwa under Tamenglong District, from December 6 to 8, with the theme `To God Be The Glory`

It may be mentioned that the first Christian convert of Inpui Zeliangrong Naga community was from Bakuwa Village.

Veteran politician, Rishang Keishing, a former MP, who also had served as the Chief Minister of the State graced the celebration. Speaking at the occasion, Rishang appealed to those who are in the service of Church, especially pastors to be cautious and be in tune with the changing time.

He said Christianity teaches of oneness, this teaching should bind different communities of the same religion and march towards peaceful co-existence. `Let us make Manipur a kingdom of Christ`, he appealed.

Janghemlung Panmei, MLA of Tamenglong A/C, who was also present in the celebration, maintained that it is time for the Christians to seriously contemplate. `We sing to the glory of God for namesake, not truly from our hearts`, he said. With the centenary celebration, Christian must live up truly to their faith, he added.

In the celebration, 18 churches from 15 Inpui villages from across the State, with people numbering around 4000 had converged at Bakuwa Village. Before the advent of celebration, people of Inpui community from Nambasi of Ukhrul District took out peace rally ahead of December 6. They reached Changangei Kabui Village in Imphal to collect holy fire from there, and later took it to Bakuwa Village.

The celebration began just as the holy fire reached Bakuwa. Various gospel songs especially composed for the celebration sung by different choir groups throughout the day and night marked the centenary observation.

Reverend AL Khumba, secretary of INBCA, on the sidelines of the celebration narrated that Namrijinang alias Maipak, was born at Bakuwa in 1874, after his parents, Dikhenang and Poumiangliu had moved out from Kabui Khullen, which is considered the oldest village among Inpui tribe.

He further recalled that when Namrijinang was seven, Small Pox epidemic had killed the rest of the family, accept for his father. It was the year 1880, that both father and son went to Imphal in search of livelihood. Namrijinang grew up in Imphal, who worked as a cobbler under the then king, and was known as Maipak, he added.

Later, Namrijinang and his wife met William Pettigrew, the Baptist missionary who came from England, at Ukhrul where both of them converted to Christianity in 1914 to be first among Inpui tribe, told Khumba.

The main function of the celebration was held on December 7, with unveiling of the centenary monument.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/rishang-appeals-for-peaceful-coexistence-at-inpui-christianity-centenary-celebration/

A truck remains stuck at the middle of the Barak bridge

IMPHAL, November 9: The Barak Bridge which is one of the three bridges acting as the backbone of the National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) is in a deplorable and wretched condition.

Several portions of the highway in between Makru Bridge and Jiribam are also in similar conditions.

Starting November 7, a five-member team of the Highway Truck Owners’ Welfare, HITWO and the Manipur Drivers’ Welfare Association, Imphal led by the latter’s general secretary Mutum Tomba Singh and accompanied by a team of Imphal-based media persons inspected the highway and the bridges before returning to Imphal on November 9.

On reaching Barak Bridge around 3:30pm of November 7, the team found a cement loaded truck (MN 01 8764) coming from the Jiribam side stuck in the middle unable to proceed further due to the dilapidated condition of the bridge.

A 2nd Manipur Rifles team led by its assistant commandant Oinam Chaoba Singh escorting the trucks from Jiribam was also seen nudging workers of the BRTF to change the missing screws and bolts of the bridge and tighten those which had come loose.

Speaking to the media team accompanying the transporters from Imphal, Chaoba said his team had left Imphal along with around 400 empty trucks for Jiribam on October 27 and started on their return journey from there on November 5 after loading the trucks.

He lamented even after two days, the trucks are yet to cross the Barak Bridge because of the condition of the bridge.

He said everyday after 6pm, personnel of the 67 Bn CRPF E Company guarding the bridge don’t allow loaded trucks to cross the bridge whereas each truck takes around 2 minutes to reach the other side.

All trucks crossing the bridge had to proceed in first gear in a slow and steady pace, he continued.

After every two truck, the screws and bolts of the bridge have to be checked to ascertain whether any were missing or had come loose, he lamented.

He said it is not only the condition of the bridge that slowed down their pace, but there are also several portions along the highway in between Jiribam and Makru Bridge which were in the same dilapidated condition.

This can be confirmed by the fact that it took them two days to reach Barak Bridge from Jiribam, he added.

During the return journey they had to stop for a night at Nungkao, he continued.

At the same time, it could be witnessed that the condition of the Barak Bridge was in a frightening state.

Several of the side bars of the bridge were found hanging loose. The hangers of the bridge were also found tightened by GI wire at several places as the original wire had broken off.

Several of the wood decks of the bridge were also missing and replaced by logs and tree branches from the nearby hills.

It may be mentioned that a parallel hanging bridge was constructed next to the old bridge by the BRTF. Soon after construction was complete, vehicular traffic were allowed to upon the bridge.

However, when only two loaded trucks were crossing the bridge, the metals attached at the base of the bridge broke off resulting in the bridge to bend sideways. Following the incident, the bridge has been closed down.

It is also learnt that with the two other remaining bridges- Makru Bridge and Irang Bridge being iron bridges, people have started to get wary of crossing them.

As of the road condition, the stretch from Makru Bridge to Jiribam is in the worst condition. It is not only potholes but the dust which is causing much nuisance for the drivers. The dust stirred up by a passing vehicle is such that it is impossible to follow the vehicle except for wait and allow the dust to settle first.

During the tour, on November 8, the general secretaries of the two associations met with the commander of the 765 Border Road Task Force, Hq, Uchathol and submitted a memorandum asking to repair the road and the bridges.

However, it is leant that the officials of the BRTF including the commander told the team that there is no fund to repair the Barak Bridge at the moment and instead asked the two transport associations to take support of the people of Manipur for the repairing works.

There were also reminded of an earlier instance when the Works department of the State government had laid wood decks for the bridge.

The BRTF officials also asserted that it has been seven years since they received any funds for road repairing.

The transporters team was also told that even if the BRTF wanted to extract stones and sand from the roadside for repairing of the road, the locals deny them to do so.

The media team accompanying the two transporters body on the tour was denied to attend the meeting between the BRTF commander and the two general secretaries.

Meanwhile, last night, the transporters body submitted a memorandum to the additional SP, Jiribam sub-division, Imphal East Menjor Singh highlighting that the five check/entry posts in the sub-division is quite too many and needs to be reduced.

It was also highlighted that the truckers are not only paying more, but stopping five times to make entries is also quite a hindrance for them.

The memorandum also identified that along the 8 km long road stretch in Jiribam there are check posts at Leingangpokpi, Gularthol, Foreigner gate, Jiribam Thongkhong and Jiribam Police Station gate.

It further highlighted that each truck including escorted loaded and empty trucks are charged Rs 200-300 by police personnel in each of the five check posts on a daily basis.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/truckers-lament-deplorable-condition-of-bridges-on-imphaljiribam-highway/

‘Directorate building construction targeted for March 2015 completion’

IMPHAL, November 1: The government is aiming to complete the ongoing construction of the Directorate of Information and Public Relation building in Keishampat by March, 2015, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said today.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 65th Foundation Day observation of the directorate held today at its temporary office at the MSRTC complex.

The DIPR was established as the Publicity Department on November 1, 1949.

Elaborating on the importance of the directorate, the Chief Minister apologised on his government’s inability to complete the construction of the office building in time although he had himself laid down the foundation some years ago.

Now the government is serious about the early completion of the construction and has already sanctioned Rs 2 crores for the construction, he continued.

Ibobi said the department plays an important role in a democratic set-up, bridging the gap between the people and the government by disseminating important information of the government to the public.

He said considering the significance of the directorate, the State cabinet has already approved to upgrade the DIPR to a major department and provide all necessary and required equipments, vehicles and manpower.

A deputy director of the department will also be soon appointed, he said.

Principal secretary, IPR, Letkhogin Haokip lauded the Chief Minister for his assurance to fulfil the requirements of the department and appealed to the staff of the department to be sincere in their duties.

Meanwhile, three staff RK Sanayaima Devi, retd UDC, W Nimai Singh, Radio mechanic and M Tejmani Singh accountant were felicitated with appreciation certificates in recognition of their services.

Other retired staff were also presented with simple gifts during the occasion.

Parliamentary secretary IPR, K Meghachandra Singh and director IPR, W Rajen Singh also attended the observation as guests of honour.

THOUBAL: The District Information Officer, Thoubal also observed the “Information and Public Relations Day” at the DIO office, Thoubal.

The observation was attended by deputy superintendent of Excise, Thoubal Sheikh Naseer Ahmad as chief guest, DIO, Thoubal Ch Noyon as president and monthly publication ‘Pashang-pushang’ editor Hawaibam Devendro as guest of honour.

As part of the observation, reporters and district correspondents of print and electronic media were felicitated with simple gifts.

Those felicitated include Elangbam Rameshore of Naharolgi Thoudang, Sanjay Wangjamcha of Poknapham, Ak Rajesh of DDK Imphal, Nongmeikapam Gautam (stringer) of DDK Imphal, Kakching Kohli Khoibam of ISTV, Imphal and Jaichandra of Image TV, Kakching.

Meanwhile, according to a DIPR statement, the day was also observed at the Chandel Mini Secretariate.

The observation was attended by assistant commissioner Linkham Khumlou as chief guest and district information officer Ch Ningthemjao Singh as president.

Speaking at the observation, the chief guest said it is necessary to observe the Information and Public Relation Day and should be vastly observed in all districts of the State.

Bishnupur Correspondent Adds: The Bishnupur district information office observed Information and Public Relations Day at its premises today. Bishnupur Municipal Council chairman L Lolindro and District Social Welfare officer A Kameshwar graced the function as chief guest and president respectively.

Lolindro said that if the media persons neither collect information nor publish or broadcast news then the pulic would not know what is happening around the world.

He said the observation today was significant as it honours their contribution to society.

Speaking as the president, Kamleshwar said the role of the media in development is immense. Citing an example, he said if people are informed prior to a natural disaster or an epidemic, various precautionary measures can be taken. Hence, media is extremely beneficial to the public, he added.

He also asked for making the observations grander in the future by cooperating with other offices and not simply being confined to DIO. District correspondents, stringers and locals took part in the observation. A new media body called Bishnupur District Journalists Union was also formed during the occasion. ISTV correspondent M Jagnashwor, Imphal Free Press correspondent Dr H Romen and Poknapham correspondent LC Gopen were elected as the president, secretary and treasurer with DIO Th Ranjit as the chairman.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/govt-keen-on-developing-ipr-ibobi/

A Ningol with her daughter, riding to reach her parental home on the Ningol Chakkouba Day.

IMPHAL, October 25: Manipur on Saturday celebrated the biggest festival of the Meitei community the `Ningol Chakkouba`™.

As a part of the festival All Manipur Ethical Socio Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), Manipur Nat Kanba Lup (MNKL), All Manipur Art and Cultural Student Union (AMAKSU) and Manipur Shumang Leela Council jointly organised Ningol Chakkouba for all the communities of the state.

The Ningol Chakkouba was celebrated under the theme `Peace and emotional harmony` with the full co-operation and co-ordination of clubs, organisation, association and individuals.

During the function Meiteis, Muslims and 16 other tribes came together to partake in the celebration at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.

The celebration was attended by SH Nanda, president, AMESCO, Ph Gunachandra Sharma, president, MNKL, SH Hemanta, general secretary, Manipur State Shumang Lila Council, H Shyamkumar Sharma, president, AMACSU and various other organisation representatives.

While speaking at the formal function SH Nanda said that this was the 21 Ningol Chakouba organised by AMESCO.

Since 1993 AMESCO has been organising with the main objective of fostering love, peace, integrity and co`“existence among the different tribes and communities of Manipur.

He further asserted that since time immemorial hill and valley have been living together in peace and harmony but due distances that developed in the recent times, misunderstanding have cropped up from time to time.

The organisation therefore has been organising the function to bring back love, unity, intimacy and understanding between all the communities in the state, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/peace-and-emotional-harmony-stressed-on-ningol-chakkouba/

KOHIMA, Oct 22 (NEPS): Hectic preparation is underway to celebrate the “50 Years Anniversary” of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) at its Complex at 10 AM on November 29 next month.
Speaker of Lok Sabha Smti Sumitra Mahajan will be the Chief Guest, while Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang will give “Greetings” to the people of Nagaland with regard to the historic commemoration of the “50 Years Anniversary of the NLA.”

This historic “Golden Jubilee” celebration of the NLA will also be addressed by State Governor PB Acharya and other Guest of Honors – Dr SC Jamir, Governor of Odisha and ex-IBM, MP and former Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Leader of Congress Legislature Party, Tokheho Yepthomi.

Talking to NEPS at his office chamber, NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo said during the historic “50 Years Commemorative Celebration of NLA,” they would also witness the unveiling of the significance of the “50 Years Commemorative Monolith” and the release of the “50 Years Commemorative Souvenir and Memento” by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The historic celebration of “50 Years Anniversary of NLA” will also be marked by “Photo Exhibition – The Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Transition” which will be inaugurated by the Lok Sabha Speaker at 12 noon, while the “Glimpse of Nagaland” will be staged at the State Banquet Hall at 6 PM.

It is also said that the past and present MLAs of NLA, Ex-IBMs, past and present Nagaland MPs, former secretaries and senior officers of NLA, chief secretary, AHoDs, HoDs, NPSC members, RTI Members, Nagaland Women Commission Members, State Chaplin, NBCC General Secretary, presidents of Naga Hoho, NMA, ENPO, ENWO, NSF, ENSF, NPMHR and other Civil Societies and also leaders of all recognized political parties will be invited to attend this historic “50 Years Anniversary Celebration of NLA.”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/hectic-preparation-to-celebrate-50-years-anniversary-of-nagaland-legislative-assembly-underway/

Imphal, October 20: Congress has regained the Hiyanglam assembly constituency seat after its candidate Dr Elangbam Dwijamani defeated his nearest rival Dr Yumnam Radheshyam of the AITC by 1829 votes at the recently conducted by-election whose result was announced today. He had earlier represented the assembly constituency on a Congress ticket after winning the 9th assembly elections seven years ago.

After being elected, Dr Dwijamani told media persons at the Thoubal DC complex this morning that the result of the by-poll revealed that people have realised what kind of a leader is needed for Hiyanglam.

He further gave the credit of winning the election to the people of Hiyanglam whose love, moral and physical support made it possible for him to get the mandate in Hiyanglam.

Dr Dwijamani said his first priority as the MLA of the constituency was to complete those pending works which was initiated during his previous term.

`As a part of my development programme in the constituency, environment related programmes, sustainable development and harvesting of rain water will be taken up soon. During the next two and half years`™`™, he said, `I would take up many development projects in Hiyanglam which have never been witnessed after the country gained independence.`™`™

`People have entrusted me with the responsibility of Hiyanglam after electing me as an MLA of the Congress by coming out in large numbers with the cry that I am needed in Hiyanglam. If I have got some more time for election campaign, the margin of votes with which I won might have been bigger`, Dwijamani said.

Though BJP swept the polls in various states of India, the wave of NDA couldn`t reach Manipur. The Indian government is a quasi-federal form of government that appears unitary while maintaining a federal structure, the newly elected MLA said.

In the State`™s context, the Congress has ruled here for the last 13 years with great dedication for the people of Manipur. The result of the bye-election shows that the soil of Manipur is conducive for the Congress party, he added.

In today`™s result of the bye-poll declared at the Thoubal DC complex, Congress candidate E Dwijamani secured 9008 votes, AITC candidate Dr Yumnam Radheshyam got 7179 votes and BJP`™s Maibam Dhanabir received 6306 votes. Unfortunately, the remaining two candidates of MPP and MSCP secured only 615 and 46 votes respectively.

According to the poll statistics revealed by the returning officer of Hiyanglam, the Congress dominated several polling stations of the total 34 stations.

The victorious candidate received the winning certificate from the RO Hiyanglam this morning after the election result was declared. Congress supporters thronged both sides of the road while waiting to receive their victorious candidate.

On account of having an action packed schedule with the people of Hiyanglam, the victorious candidate failed to turn-up at a reception function organised by the Congress party at the Congress Bhawan. The function has been postponed in the morning of October 21 at around 10:30 am.

Meanwhile, MPCC president Gaikhangam said the Hiyanglam seat was won by the combined support and hard work of the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, MLAs and Congress workers.

The Congress had work hard to manage somehow to retrieve the seat from the opposition party, he added.

He further said that without the support of the people who are the supreme authority, no government, party or organisation can survive. The secret of Congress winning the election is public support, he adds.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/hiyanglam-bypoll-congress-regains-seat-from-aitc/