K-Featured – Page 69 – Manipur News

Oinam Doren as Jury in 45th International Film Festival of India 2014

28-Sep, 2014: Award winning filmmaker Oinam Doren has been invited as jury member by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, New Delhi for the Indian Panorama section

Oinam Doren

28-Sep, 2014:

Award winning filmmaker Oinam Doren has been invited as jury member by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, New Delhi for the Indian Panorama section of the 45^th International Film Festival of India to be held in Goa from 20^th to 30^th November 2014.

Oinam Doren is a former television producer who moved on to form his own company Ourvillage Films in 2008 with the objectives of making local films for an International audience. In that same year, he could win development support from Goteborg International film festival, Sweden for a feature film project out of hundreds of applications worldwide. At present, he is working on a number of major projects that are in various stages of production. The films produced by Doren under the company are screened in a number of film festivals worldwide, won awards and is being distributed by the Times Group.

Apart from making various contributions in Indian film genres and delivering inspirational talks on independent film making, Doren is also a music producer and a cinematographer who has worked in a number of National and International films.

Since its inception in 1952 the IFFI, International Film festival of India has been the biggest event of its type in India. It has been an annual event and builds on strong competition. Indian panorama is a flagship activity of International film festival of India. Over the years the stature of Indian panorama has grown to make it a brand in itself, a signature identity which the film industry today associates with cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence.

The Festival is an assembly of people and nations where the world’s greatest film artistes hold hands with emerging talents on an equal footing. It is also a forum for film professionals to communicate face to face with film lovers around the world. The festival aims to nurture, encourage and inspire Indian cinema and introduce it to the world outside as well as the many audiences that coexist in this vast and diverse country.

Shame and scandal in the Assam Rifles

By Pradip Phanjoubam The explosive story this weekend by the irrepressible Tehelka Magazine, has revealed much more than just the stinking rot that has seemingly set into the very being

By Pradip Phanjoubam

The explosive story this weekend by the irrepressible Tehelka Magazine, has revealed much more than just the stinking rot that has seemingly set into the very being of the Assam Rifles. Although the sensational nature of the story of how Army officers on deputation to this paramilitary unit have been making Faustian deals and selling their souls for filthy money over the years has somewhat overshadowed everything else the story also points to, it must be reiterated that the story`™s inferences on certain other departments of the government were equally damning. In particular, it also spoke of the complete failure of the intelligence wings of the government establishment, in particular the Intelligence Bureau and Vigilance Department. Not the least, the absolute silence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in its annual reports on the state of finance management by various other departments of the government, is bewildering. How did they not even get even a wind of an ongoing robbery of this dimension under their very noses in all these years is a question which cannot be raise without suspicion of complicity of these departments in crime as well. Were they all scratching each others`™ backs, turning a blind eye to each others`™ crimes, in what can be described as a collaborated institutional thievery?

As it is turning out once again, very often it is the lowly paid journalists who do much better investigation jobs than those in the cocoon of government services, paid solely to investigate and alert the system of crimes already committed and of possible crimes the government can take precautionary measures against. In this case, as also in the infamous July 13, 2009, BT Road broad daylight murders, by police commandos, it was not local journalists who got the story first. Instead it is yet again a journalist of a newsmagazine from Delhi. This is understandable, for in the state of exception that Manipur is plunged in, with draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, in promulgation in all its unaccountable brutality, it would have been extremely dangerous and practically impossible for local journalists to have gone about snooping into the affairs of the security establishments.

According to the Tehelka story, backed up amply by video and audio recordings of the crimes as they happened, acquired in a daring sting operation assisted by an Assam Rifles empanelled contractor, Assam Rifles officers, engineers and other petty officials, have been in a systematically orchestrated manner, illegally deducting as much as 30 percent of the civic developmental funds allotted to them as part the military civic programme of the Union government meant to warm the hearts and minds of the people of the Northeast towards the military. The annual budgets for this ongoing project is by no means paltry. In the last three years alone the budgets according to the Tehelka report is: Rs. 3,580 crores for 2014-15, Rs. 3,358 crores for 2013-14 and Rs. 2,966 crores for 2012-13. Just to have an estimate of the size of the racket, in just these three years, the amount siphoned off and thereby converted to black money by these officers would be close to Rs. 3000 crores, if 30 percent is what is deducted from every contract job outsourced in the course of this project, as reported by Tehelka.

Quite obviously, insurgency has made many supposed insurgency fighters multi millionaires and this being the case, it would be obvious now as to who are the ones who have a sinister vested interest in perpetuating the conflict situation in the Northeast. What a dismal picture. On the one hand these killing fields have been fertile grounds where gallantry medals are wilfully cultivated and harvested by the madness with a method perfected and elevated to an art form by the security establishment called `fake encounters`, and on the other, rich dividends are being reaped by the same perpetrators of such violence by siphoning off taxpayer money meant for generating goodwill amongst the public. For all this while, everybody was led to believe it was the civil establishment where corruption was institutionalised, but the rot it seems has reached even institutions once thought to be incorruptible. The new UPA government at the Centre, it seems will now have a lot more house cleaning to do than Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had imagined he would be called upon to do.

We do earnestly hope the Tehelka report is taken seriously by the powers that be and the alleged crime officially investigated to ultimately award penalties proportionate to the crime to the perpetrators if the charges are proven. However, if as reported this atrocious practice was so widespread in the organisation and has already corroded the vitals of the system, then it is to be expected that coordinated efforts at covering up too would have already begun. This only means investigations would have to begin at the soonest possible. It is a comforting thought this time that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, will not provide any immunity to those caught red handed committing the serious perfidy against their profession as well as the nation. The AFSPA only allows killing but not pocketing taxpayer money illegally.

It is also difficult not to see poetic justice at play in this sorry episode, as much as it difficult not to assess it against the morality of the AFSPA. Brutality it seems is not just about the strong victimising the weak. If it destroys the victims physically, it also destroy the souls of the of the perpetrators. In works of fiction this morality play has been told so many times. Among the most convincing of these is the Hollywood classic of the 1970s, `Apocalypse Now`, a film based on Joseph Conrad`™s novel `Heart of Darkness`. Just as Kurtz ended up destroying his soul by his own savagery on others, the savagery of the AFSPA has not only caused innocent deaths, but it has also blackened the perpetrators`™ souls irretrievably. Describing Kurtz`™s madness Conrad notes quite memorably `alone in the jungle he had a peep into his own soul, and beware, he went mad`. Kurtz himself describes his own madness to himself as `the horror, the horror`. The excruciating pain in these words could not have been brought out more chillingly than Marlon Brando who mumbles to himself these words in `Apocalypse Now`. Surely a lot many have also said these words to themselves, and a lot more will be doing so too, if not already doing it by now. That is, provided those in the moral dock now do not have Teflon-coated, shame-resistant, guilt-immunised souls as hard as carbon-alloyed metal.

The development is sad for a much more historical reason. The Assam Rifles is 179 years old and its history is almost intrinsically linked with the modern history of the Northeast. It was founded in 1835, nine years after the Treaty of Yandaboo 1826, concluding the first Anglo-Burmese war and marking the takeover of Assam by the British. By Assam in 1826, it meant virtually the entire region that we know today as Northeast, with the exception of Manipur and Tripura, which were independent kingdoms. After the British annexed Assam and included it as a new territorial extension of its province of Bengal, they felt maintaining a military there was no longer cost effective. The Burmese had just been beaten off comprehensively and ceased to be a threat to the British, and other European powers such as the French and the Germans with their `spheres of influence` (Curzon`™s lecture of 1907) in Indochina and Yunnan were too distant at the time for the British to worry. The British did fight two more wars with Burma in 1852 and 1885, but these were not a result of any Burmese aggression and instead were, as historians note, mere excuses of the British to annexe Burmese territories they coveted. In the 3rd Anglo Burmese war, the whole of Burma was to be annexed into British India. In the words of well known academic Alastair Lamb, `Britain swallowed Burma in three gulps`.

In other words, in the 1830s after the British took over Assam, it had eliminated all possible threats of immediate external aggression on its eastern territories. So it began withdrawing its military to be deployed where they were more urgently needed, such as in the Afghanistan frontiers. But in the 1830s, Assam`™s commercial interest began growing after the discovery of tea by Robert Bruce, and the British need for security cover again increased. It was then the idea of setting up a civil militia occurred to a civil officer called E.R. Grange. The idea received approval and a militia called Cachar Levy (I suppose like the Salwa Judum, or in Manipur`™s context, the VDF), was set up. This militia men were to be better armed than the police but less paid than the military (L.W. Shakespear). More militias came to be set up thereafter under the same initiative, such as the Jorhat Militia, but all of them ultimately merged with the Cachar Levy, and came to be known under different nomenclatures in the course of the years, most prominently as the Assam Military Police. The unit was soon to become indispensable to the British administration in the Northeast, and was instrumental in the subjugation of `wild tribes` in the hills adjoining the Assam plains. It also became an important feeder institution for the various Gurkha Regiments of the British Indian Army.

To cut the story short during the First World War, this militia sent so many invaluable experienced soldier recruits for the Indian Army to fight in Europe that after the war, in recognition of the service the unit rendered, the title Assam Rifles was given to it.

The Assam Rifles`™ affinity with the Gurkha Regiment is historical and even today, the original five battalions are still linked by umbilical cords to different Gurkha Battalions each served as the feeder unit in the early days of its formation. Hence the 1st Assam Rifles, (Lushai Hills Battalion) is affiliated with the 2nd Group, 2nd and 9th Gurkha Regiment, the 2nd A.R. (Lakhimpur Battalion) is affiliated with the 5th Group, 7th and 10th G.R., the 3rd A.R. (Naga Hills Battalion) is affiliated with the 1st Group, 1st and 4th G.R., the 4th A.R. (Manipur Battalion) is affiliated with the 4th Group, 5th and 6th G.R., and the 5th A.R. (Darrang Battalion) is affiliated with the 3rd Group, 3rd and 8th G.R. (Shakespear).

Today, the Assam Rifles has grown several times its original strength and from the original five, it has now 46 battalions. It has gone through many ups and downs in its long history, as any organisation of its nature is expected to, but never has its image been tarnished so disgracefully as it has just been, if the Tehelka story is anything to go by. Reading the history of the Assam Rifles is also almost akin to reading the history of modern Northeast. Perhaps the contractor culture and the brazen corruption the Assam Rifles has been exposed to be diseased by, is also symptomatic of the larger disease of corruption and unconcern of the political leadership of the Northeast towards the wellbeing of their own peoples. In the end, it is, as they say, dust unto dust. The Assam Rifles began as a civil militia. From what it appears today, the paramilitary unit of such distinction and history seems to be returning to its original state of indiscipline as a civil militia once again.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/shame-and-scandal-in-the-assam-rifles/

Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival on is here

Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival on is here! IMAGENATION to drive positive social change through music September 25, 2014; Shillong/Guwahati: IMAGENATION is all set to sway Shillong with yet

Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival on is here!

IMAGENATION to drive positive social change through music

September 25, 2014; Shillong/Guwahati: IMAGENATION is all set to sway Shillong with yet another of its bold initiative – the Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival that will be held at U Soso Tham Auditorium on September 27, 2014. Supported by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya, the Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival will bring 30 renowned musicians from across the country to sing about peace, hope and reconciliation, providing wholesome entertainment and bringing everyone together through music. Other associates for the event are Asian Confluence, Hotel Polo Towers, NIIT, etc.

Press Meet – ImageNation Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival

The performance line-up for the Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival includes some of the most celebrated music bands in the Blues and Jazz scenario like Lou Majaw, 4th Element, Rudy Wallang Band featuring Andrea, Fringes, Arjun Sen, M Trio, Ronojit Chaliha, Adiel Massar, Plan B, Parvati La Cantante, etc.

Speaking to the media at the press club today, Ian Khongmen, Imagenation, said, “The Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival is just a drop in the ocean of music, but it brings together extraordinary musicians who are committed to and have made this art form a way of life. They come in all shades and colours, from the metros Delhi, Kolkata and mainland India to collaborate and run in the same groove with their brethren from the Northeast.”

“Blues & Jazz is but an evolution of the music culture. It is symbolic of our times and indeed breathes life into the music industry and still remains the foundation of a tradition that has evolved for many years”, he adds.

Music is in the DNA of Shillong, and what better way to celebrate this musical spirit, than recognizing the music heritage of Shillong. The Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival is a tribute to the music of Shillong and an attempt to honour musicians all over who are connected by a common thread of passion in music.

Shillong’s very own Lou Majaw, who was also present on the occasion, expressed his excitement in being associated with this event. “’Music is life… Life is music… Bare your soul for music… where else but the Shillong Blues & Jazz Festival! – Lou pensively expresses amidst the cacophony and hustle and bustle.

The SB&J Festival endeavours to drive local change, promote self confidence, create economic value, generate positive thinking and promote reconciliation through quality music. The festival aims at being a catalyst of positive change for one and all. Briefly, it seeks to spread the message of peace through music.

Commenting on the Shillong Blues & Jazz festival, Jazz pianist Ronojit Chaliha spoke, “This one of a kind festival is a great opportunity for the people of Shillong and Guwahati to have an idea of what Jazz and Blues sound like in a live setting with spontaneous improvisation. I expect this festival to get audiences interested and curious to know more about this form of music. It’s a great start!”

A member of Kolkata based Jazz band Plan B says, “Plan B comes from a part of the country where, unfortunately, cover music rules. The audience is stuck in a time warp, so it’s been doubly difficult to be ‘heard’ performing live original music. Hence, it gives us the greatest pleasure to have been invited to perform our own brand of jazz-pop, blues and country-rock compositions, songs and tunes that are very special to us, at the Shillong Blues and Jazz Festival.”

Besides the performances, there will be various other surprises in store for the audience. Among them will be the SB&J Festival’s food court, which will tickle the taste buds of the audience by dishing out Chinese, Naga, Malaysian and authentic Khasi food. There is also a surprise for the foodies, well wishers and passer-byes.

Prior to this event, Imagenation has organized various popular events in the city, such as Bob Dylan celebration, Free ur Mind, Rock the Republic, Street Plays, Road Shows and other similar activations.

Performers at Shillong Blues and Jazz Festival

– Lou Majaw needs no introduction. With an unmatched musical career spanning 50 years, he is the performer, the entertainer and the central character in Shillong’s enduring romance with music. Age has not limited Lou’s love and passion for music.

– Ronojit Chaliha is a Jazz Pianist who trained with a renowned Piano Pedagogue, Roxana Anklesaria-Doctor. He is currently involved in Adil Manuel’s project in Delhi and performs regularly in cities like Mumbai (Café Zoe, Blue Frog), Delhi (Delhi Jazz Fest) and Pune (Shisha Jazz Café). He has also had the honour of performing at the Caux Palace in Switzerland and has worked with various Jazz musicians from across the Americas and Europe.

– Adiel Massar started playing Cello at the age of 14. He was under the tutelage of Austrian Cellist, Eva Itzlinger who briefly helped him and is one of the few Cellists in India who plays a rare combination of both, Western Classical and Jazz. He is currently playing Cello for the North-Eastern Jazz Collective and has played with many great musicians like F.A. Talafaral, a renowned Saxophonist from Madagascar, Karan Joseph, an upcoming Jazz Piano player from Mumbai and Cesare Picco, a Pianist from Italy.

– The Rudy Wallang Band is a natural progression for a musician who deserves plaudits for his natural skills with the guitar. Another homegrown Shillong icon who has made a mark in the Blues genre all over, Rudy Wallang is another persona in the endearing love story with music. A performer par excellence at international platforms, he takes the home stage this time in his nom de plume, together with pedigree, surprising one and all.

– 4th Element are Sarah, Ribor, Amit, Jeff and the one and only Sam Shullai. Their music a mix of funk jazz and blues transcends barriers to brighten up any music aficionado’s dull day. The synergy of Sarah’s sublime vocals, Ribor’s keys, Amits and Jeffs riffs and Sam’s excellence on the percussion says it all. You won’t want to miss this music!

– Fringes is a blues experimental band from Manipur. Fringes is a blend of both young and old. It is young in the sense that the members have come together under the banner recently in the winter of 2010. The name of the band denotes the predicament existence of being at the margins and yet rooted to the core of an evolution. The band believes that art is an offshoot of the living reality, not created in vacuum. Fringes band members also grew up exposed to this environment. They opted western music in its form and infuses it with organic reality of contemporary Manipur in content.

– M-Trio is a three piece band from Guwahati with Manasquam Mahanta on Guitars, Pritam Boro on Keyboards and Partho Boro on Drums.

– Plan B is a Jazz band from Kolkata. It plays Saturday nights at Someplace Else at The Park, Kolkata. Plan B has performed pan-India. They were recently invited to perform at the highly-acclaimed Windmills Craftworks in Bangalore.

– Parvati La Cantante from Delhi is the surprise draw for the SB& J Festival. She sings many languages and together with Pranai Gurung on the guitar is amazing. Parvati La Cantante sings one of the most amazing set of covers and along with the simple medley of electronic guitar, the experience will surely be simply ecstatic.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/shillong-blues-jazz-festival-on-is-here/

Official launching of neScholar Magazine at Manipur Press Club (27 September)

PRESS RELEASE We are happy to announce that the official launching of Nanao’s “neScholar Magazine” will be held on Saturday, 27 September 2014 at 3 P.M. at Manipur Press Club,

PRESS RELEASE

We are happy to announce that the official launching of Nanao’s “neScholar Magazine” will be held on Saturday, 27 September 2014 at 3 P.M. at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

“neScholar Magazine” is a Quarterly Multi-Color Educational Magazine Edited by Dr. R.K. Nimai, Former Commissioner Art and Culture, Govt of Manipur.

The Modest intention behind “neScholar Magazine” is to impart knowledge beyond school and college textbooks and also to inculcate a new form of reading habit among students. Our endeavor is to make reading an easy and joyful experience. It will cater to all the students in Manipur and North Eastern India initially and spread to Indian and Outside Indian market. It features valuable information and articles in the field of Science & Technology, History & Archaeology, Heritage, Nature, Sports & Adventures and Career – for the eager mind

Experienced Professors from different fields and from different states of North East India serve as editorial team :

Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih (Prof., Department of English, NEHU, Shillong)
Prof. Shikhar Kr. Sarma (Director-Gauhati University Institute of Science and Technology, Assam)
Dr. Hanjabam Nandiram Sharma (Former HOD & Reader, Botany Department, DM College, Manipur)
Shri Gurumayum Tomba Sharma (Former Principal, DM College of Science, Manipur)
Shri Huidrom Jayantkumar Singh (Retd. HOD of Mathematics, DM College of Science, Manipur)
Dr. Elangbam Bijoykumar Singh (Prof., Department of Economics, Manipur University)
Prof. Waikhom Vishwanath (Department of Life Science, Manipur University)
Prof. N. Joykumar Singh (Department of History, Manipur University)
Shri L Dwijendra Singh (Former S.G. Lecturer, Department of Physics, DM College of Science, Manipur)
Dr. Maibam Chourjit (Asst. Prof., Department of Physical Education & Sports Science, MU)

“neScholar Magazine” is registered under Registration of Newspaper India bear RNI no. MANENG/2014/00112 and also bears ISSN No.2350-0336.

The formal releasing function of Nanao-“neScholar Magazine” will be held on 27.09.2014 (Saturday) at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, at 3.00 P.M.

Yours sincerely,

(Nelson Elangbam)
Director
NE Brothers Entertainments Pvt Ltd
Imphal
Mob : 09089607215

Announcement – Official launching of neScholar Magazine at Manipur Press Club (27 September)

Woman gives birth to five babies

IMPHAL, September 22: For the first time in the State, a woman gave birth to five babies at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences today around 1:05 pm. She was

IMPHAL, September 22: For the first time in the State, a woman gave birth to five babies at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences today around 1:05 pm. She was seven months pregnant.

The woman is identified as Oinam (o) Gita Devi, 34, wife of O Shanta Singh, 35 of Thanga Samnkon.

Gita who has already four children gave birth to four girls and a boy, unfortunately one of the girls died soon after birth.

According to family members, soon after realising that she was pregnant for the fifth time, Gita started consulting doctors and having regular check-ups.

As advised by the doctor, Gita had undergone an ultrasound check-up. After checking the result, the doctor said she was carrying three babies, they said.

Following which, she became more careful and completed her seventh month today.

This morning, however, she went into labour and was rushed to the Bishnupur District Hospital around 8:30 and admitted there, family members said. There, doctors said she was carrying two or more babies and as such, it could be risky for her at the hospital and referred her to RIMS, where she was rushed immediately.

She gave birth to the first of the five babies at 1:05 pm and in a span of 70 minutes gave birth to four more babies.

The five babies weigh 700 grams, 800 grams and 900 grams. Two of the babies are said to be weak and have been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit.

The conditions of the two others and their mother are said to be normal.

The delivery was conducted under Dr Sivarani and Dr Pepe attended by other doctors and nurses.

Soon after hearing of the delivery of five babies at a time, people who were in the hospital at the time rushed in to see the babies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/woman-gives-birth-to-five-babies/

Kukis in Delhi observe ‘Kuki Black Day’

PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 13th September 2014
Kukis in Delhi observe ‘Kuki Black Day’
The Kuki Students’ Organisation Delhi held a ‘Black Day’ on Saturday at Jantar Mantar. The Day of mass mourning marks the comme…

PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 13th September 2014

Kukis in Delhi observe ‘Kuki Black Day’

The Kuki Students’ Organisation Delhi held a ‘Black Day’ on Saturday at Jantar Mantar. The Day of mass mourning marks the commemoration of the inhuman massacre of over 900 innocent Kukis between 1992 and 1996 by the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim(Isaac-Muivah) or more popularly known as NSCN-IM, especially on the September 13, 1993.

While urging the mass of about 1500 from different Kuki communities to not forget the fateful event, Chungkhokai Haokip, President of KSOD said, “We have not been mobilised here to generate hatred in our minds, but to seek justice for the departed souls.”

Speaking on the occassion, senior students and leaders discussed the historical background and the significance of the ‘Black Day’ observation. Amongst the speakers were Pu Sesei Lhungdim, Pu Lamkhotinthang Haokip, Dr. Letkhomang Haokip, Pu Henkholen Chongloi, Dr. Lhunkhothang Guite, Pu Ngamkhothang Haokip, Pu Kaikam Doungel, Pu Letkhotinthang Haokip and Pu Lunjalen Khongsai.

While concluding the mass assembly, Rev. Dr. Paokhosei Kipgen, Pastor of Kuki Worship Service Delhi encouraged the students to maintain peace and indulge in prayers for the departed. “Stay at peace as children of God and you are never denied justice”, he concluded. The assembly ended with a mass prayer and a candle light remembrance to those departed and their families.

Regards,
Thangminlen Singsit
Media Incharge,
Kuki Students’ Organisation Delhi
Mobile: +918285134879

BACKGROUND:

The Kuki people observed “Black Day” across insurgency-hit Manipur on Sunday to mourn nearly 1,000 people of the community allegedly killed by NSCN (IM) militants during ethnic clashes in the early Nineties.

During the NSCN (I-M) campaign for ethnic cleansing in the hills of Manipur, many innocent Kuki lives had been lost, starting from 1950’s, highly aggravated during 1992-93. Quit Notices were served to Kuki people living peacefully in their villages in all parts of Manipur. The Kukis vacated many of their villages. A Quite Notice was also served to the Kuki people in Zoupi Village, Tamenglong District of Manipur. A deadline was fixed for them before which they had to vacate their village. Thus, the Kuki people unwilling to resist the dictates of the devilish NSCN (I-M) vacated the village before the deadline and move away from the village as a caravan toward Taphou. However, the devils intercepted them on the way, stop them, separated all the man, tight their hands at the back, blindfolded them and started butchering-off their heads (not wanting to spent bullets on them) killing 88 helpless, defenseless man at the spot in broad day light in the sight of their women and children. Another incident on the same day, at Gelnel Village in Sadar Hills District, 13 helpless Kukis were brutally murdered, 4 persons at Santing Village and yet another 3 at Nungthut Village (Tamenglong District). All together the death toll of the day reached 108 on 13th September 1993.

List of Kuki victims killed by NSCN(IM) and Indian Security Forces: http://www.kukiinpimegh.webnode.com/list-of-victims/

Kuki Black Day Part 1

Kuki Black Day Part 2

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/kukis-in-delhi-observe-kuki-black-day/

Ronaldo Laishram, a Manipuri Lad, discovers Asteroid – Main Belt ?MAUR 397

13-Sept-2014: In what is considered as a rare feat, Ronaldo Laishram, a lad from Manipur has discovered an Main Belt Asteroid ?MAUR 397? as part of All India Asteroid Search Campaign (AIASC)

Ronaldo Laishram

13-Sept-2014: In what is considered as a rare feat, Ronaldo Laishram, a lad from Manipur has discovered an Main Belt Asteroid ?MAUR 397? as part of All India Asteroid Search Campaign (AIASC) 2014. The discovery was made along with his team members of Team Salonivia Conquerors.

Ronaldo & team used exclusive data to look at specific parts of the sky and by using a complex procedure called ?”Astrometrica”,? they tracked objects by looking at the images of the sky provided by telescope-based in the US to see which of the objects moving over time could be a possible asteroid.

The asteroid search is conducted globally by the international Astronomical Search Collaboration(IASC),and in India by SPACE,a Delhi-based science popularisation organisation that conducts space-related events and competitions for students.The IASC released real time data of space from which Ronaldo made his observations through a special software and sending daily reports to the IASC. ”It is therefore important to keep a close watch on these objects for the safety of the Earth,” said an official from SPACE. He added”All observations contribute to the Near Earth Object(NEO) data compiled by NASA and Jet Propulsion Lab(JPL)”.

Ronaldo, who is currently studying Computer Science and Engineering in SJCE, Mysore, is the youngest son of Laishram Mahajon and L(O) Sanahanbi of Khangabok, Thoubal District Manipur. Having always been fascinated by Celestial objects, he was interested in researching and observing celestial objects since childhood. He gave the credit to God, his parents,teachers and his friends.

SCJE Principal Dr. Syed Shakeeb Ur Rahman and SPACE CEO Amit Verma have congratulated the team for achieving the rare feat.

Massive CBI raids at ousted RIMS Director Sekharjit’s house, official quarter

IMPHAL, September 12: The Central Bureau of Investigation today raided the residence of dismissed Regional Institute of Medical Sciences director L Sekharjit Singh. The raids which started at around 7:30am

IMPHAL, September 12: The Central Bureau of Investigation today raided the residence of dismissed Regional Institute of Medical Sciences director L Sekharjit Singh.

The raids which started at around 7:30am continued late into the night.

Raids were simultaneously conducted at nine places including his official quarter and residence.

The administrative block of RIMS Dental College was a prime target and during it documents related to the purchase of dental chairs for the hospital were seized.

It may be mentioned that Dr L Sekharjit was prematurely removed from the post of RIMS director by an order issued by the ministry of Health and Family Welfare on August 25 although his tenure was to expire on September 13, 2015.

A 35-member team of the CBI led by DSP Bhattacharya arrived at Sekharjit’s residence around 7:30am in the morning. Sources said the raids were carried out regarding irregularities in the supply of dental chairs to RIMS and other misappropriations while the former director was in office.

Meanwhile, sources informed that the ousted RIMS director is presently at Delhi, however, his wife Damyenti who was at the quarter during the raid was not allowed to leave the quarter.

On May 23, 2014, the CBI had submitted an FIR copy to the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East in a non-bailable case bearing number Criminal Miscellaneous case number 41 of 2014 reference RC number 6 (A) 2014/IMP under section 120-B, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, read with 13 (2)/13 (1) (D), Prevention of Corruption Act.

“Center has will & guts to solve Naga issue”: Acharya

By Oken Jeet Sandham KOHIMA, Sep 11 (NEPS): Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya said the 17 year long Naga peace process was quite long and people had suffered enough. “Enough

By Oken Jeet Sandham

***File Photo

KOHIMA, Sep 11 (NEPS): Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya said the 17 year long Naga peace process was quite long and people had suffered enough. “Enough is enough,” he said during a massive press conference held here at his official residence, Kohima Raj Bhavan on Thursday.

The Governor said the Narendra Modi Government at the Center was determined to solve the long drawn out Naga politic issue once and for all. “People have suffered enough; they want solution and enough is enough,” he said adding “the Central Government has the will and guts to solve the Naga problem.”

He said he came to know that the NSCN (IM) and some Naga civil societies had reacted to the appointment of retired Special Director of Intelligence Bureau RN Ravi as the new interlocutor for resumption of Center-NSCN (IM) talks.

Some Naga organizations including Naga Hoho said Nagaland needs a neutral interlocutor without any prejudices and Ravi’s recent article ‘Nagaland: decent into chaos’ has clearly exposed his bent of mind and his preset notions of different Naga underground groups.

Acharya said Ravi wrote that particular article before but he had been appointed by the Modi Government as new interlocutor for resumption of political negotiations with Naga underground groups. So naturally he had to conduct political talks with the Naga underground people in line with the Modi Government’s genuine desire of expediting and resolving the protracted Naga issue.

Making an emphatic appeal to the Naga people to give a chance to him and let him start resuming political talks, Acharya asserted Ravi’s appointment as new interlocutor for the resumption of political negotiations with Naga political groups was the manifestation of the Narendra Modi Government’s genuine desire to expedite the peace process and find solution at the earliest. “Towards this objective, I want your (media) cooperation and the people’s cooperation,” the Governor added.

AMAND Press Release on Mary Kom Movie at Pune

PRESS RELEASE The Association of Manipuri Diaspora (AMAND) Pune is a non-profit, non-government community organization founded by working as well as retired Manipuri professionals residing in and around Pune. The

PRESS RELEASE

The Association of Manipuri Diaspora (AMAND) Pune is a non-profit, non-government community organization founded by working as well as retired Manipuri professionals residing in and around Pune. The Association aims at providing a common platform of the Manipuris, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion, for propagating awareness on rights and issues related to social justice with a goal to enhance communal harmony and national integration through fair practices. The association was founded on in September 2011 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 at Pune, Maharashtra.

Though Pune City enjoys a vast multi-national population due to its rich educational and socio-cultural heritage, the amalgamation of diversified people does not go along well due to lack of understanding and lack of appreciation among each other’s socio-cultural heritages. The worldwide release of the biopic movie on PadmaBhushan MC Mary Kom, RGKR on 5th September, 2014 will help in creating and maintaining a sense of bonhomie among these diversified people to bring peace and harmony in this city. With this motive as well as to honour the Indian boxing Star MC Mary Kom who hails from the Manipur State on her biopic movie, AMAND Pune has booked the PVR Screen No. 1 (~ 250 seating capacity), Inorbit Mall, Vimannagar, Pune on Sunday, the 7th September, 2014 at 10:45 am for the Manipuris in Pune followed by a Media briefing at the venue. The theatre was almost full by the crowd of Manipuri families along with a good number of Manipuri players and Coaches of National and International level working with different defence establishments like Army Sports Institute (ASI) Pune, Army Institute of Physical Training (AIPT) Pune and BEG, Pune. Young boys and girls who were mostly born and brought up in and around Pune expressed their heartfelt feeling on the hardship struggle faced by the Indian Boxer icon during her journey.

The AMAND Pune is highly indebted to the efforts of Dr. M. Niraj Luwang and Mr. Sonamani Salam for coordinating the event smoothly on behalf of AMAND Pune; and Sri Kalpesh Joshi, Business Head, PVR Inorbit Mall, Kalyani Nagar, Pune for his continuous co-operation in making this event a grand success.

With best Regards,
(Dr. H. Narendra Singh)
Gen. Secy,
AMAND, Pune
# 09423582154

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/amand-press-release-on-mary-kom-movie-at-pune/

Showdown between KPC & Classic Club for Challenger Cup 2014; Speaker Sazo to join Classic Club

KOHIMA, Sep 4 (NEPS): The much awaited Kohima Press Club (KPC) 11 vs Classic Club 11 for the prestigious Challenger Cup 2014 will formally kick-off amidst expectedly capacity soccer

Kohima Press Club team in red jersey and Classic Club team in white jersey before their Challenger Cup 2013 match at Kohima Local Ground (file photo)

KOHIMA, Sep 4 (NEPS): The much awaited Kohima Press Club (KPC) 11 vs Classic Club 11 for the prestigious Challenger Cup 2014 will formally kick-off amidst expectedly capacity soccer fans here at historic Kohima Local Ground on September 5 at 3:00 PM.

The Classic Club Challenger Cup has been designed to play between the KPC 11 and the Classic Club 11 and has been successfully going on for the last nearly one decade. Over the years, the Challenger Cup of the Classic Club has become so popular that it has become a trade mark today as “KPC-Classic Club Challenger Cup.”

This annual feature between the KPC and Classic Club has also brought rapport between the press fraternity and the members of the Club (Classic Club) which have also been rendering humanitarian services as well as various services to the State capital Kohima at their own cost.

One of the interesting features that will have a special attraction in tomorrow’s KPC 11 vs Classic Club 11 at Kohima Local Ground will be Nagaland Assembly Speaker Chositsuh Sazo’s joining the match. Being a member of Classic Club, the Speaker will be part of the Classic Club team throwing unprecedented challenge against the KPC 11.

Mention may be made that in the last two consecutive Challenger Cups, KPC had defeated Classic Club team. “I think KPC could defeat Classic Club because I was not there in the team (Classic Club),” Sazo used to comment on lighter vein. “But KPC is not taking his comments lightly,” some senior KPC members replied saying they have to put up strong fight against the Classic Club team and make it a “hat trick.”

Police Commando Terror in Ukhrul Manipur, India

A Naga International Support Center, NISC Press release Amsterdam, September 2 2014 Police Commando Terror in Ukhrul Manipur, India, ancestral domain of the Naga Peoples, leaves two dead and

A Naga International Support Center, NISC

Press release

Amsterdam, September 2 2014

Police Commando Terror in Ukhrul Manipur, India, ancestral domain of the Naga Peoples, leaves two dead and dozens severely injured

Seven weeks of protest against State of Manipur siege of Ukhrul ended in orchestrated violence when security forces of Manipur, Police Commandos, fired into the peaceful Naga crowd of demonstrators Infuriating the entire Naga Nation.

While tears, anger and fear rule Ukhrul and beyond the question is:

Why did the Police Commandos deployed by the Manipur Government attack the Tribal Naga people during a peaceful demonstration as they stood for their basic right, the right to self-determination?

The answer is complex but boils down to the point that Manipur does not recognize the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India, GOI, and the Government of the Naga Nation.

Numerous human rights violations preceded this bloody incident which should have warned the Government of India. Yet, when Ukhrul was besieged by troops of the Government of the State of Manipur no less than seven weeks ago, it did not intervene and so it implicitly told the Nagas that the ceasefire was null and void and that Manipur would be allowed to rule the Nagas.

The conflict between the Naga Nation and India has been raging since 1954 and is possible the longest running conflict of the modern world. After the British left the Nagas were first divided between Burma and India and over time again within India between the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. They were not consulted and want to be reunited. Since India invaded their territories the Nagas, who from 1929 declared they wanted to be free, successfully fought the troops of India with the result of a the second ceasefire and peace talks which commenced in 1997 and is ongoing till today.

But since Manipur does not want the Nagas to reunify but instead indulges in gross human rights violations which deadly policy the Government of India exonerates the Nagas in the state of Manipur are living on a powder keg ready to explode any time now.

Hence the Naga International Support Center calls on the International Community, notably the United Nations, and on all Human rights and conflict resolution organizations to hold the Indian Government responsible for allowing the Government of Manipur to murder, injure, sow fear and anguish.

Along with the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights NISC condemns the use of high calibre live rounds by the counter insurgency forces against peaceful rallyists killing two civilians while injuring more than 35 people on 30th August 2014 and condemns the imposition of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code and deployment of counter insurgency forces; Manipur Police Commando (MPC) and Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) in Ukhrul without any justification since the 13th of July 2014

NISC urges the Government of India to immediately live up to the ceasefire agreement of 1997 and to stop the Government of Manipur from violating rights and lives of the Naga Peoples.

For more information visit www.nagalim.nl or write to us nisc@nagalim.nl

UNC seeks ‘urgent action and intervention’ of the Prime Minister of India

Senapati, August 30 (MExN): The United Naga Council (UNC) has called for “urgent action and intervention” from the Government of India in a memorandum to its Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The action and intervention has been sought from the GoI to “expedite an acceptable and honourable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.” It asked for the Government of Manipur to be “prevailed upon” by the Union “to uphold and respect the Indo-Naga cease-fire and peace process which recognises the unique history and situation of the Nagas and to immediately desist from militarisation of Naga areas.”

The UNC memorandum also asked the GoI to “ensure that the GoM is not allowed to subvert the constitutional rights and protections of the tribals and Nagas in all spheres – educational, employment, ownership of land and natural resources, development opportunities etc.”

“The GoI must take forward with sincerity and seriousness the democratic process of dialogue in the tripartite talk of the GoI, GoM and UNC on the demand of the Nagas in Manipur for an alternative arrangement outside the GoM, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, which has logically progressed to a stage where the GoI will institute a High Powered Committee to translate the same into a political reality,” the memo stated. Apart from the UNC, it was endorsed by the Naga Peoples’ Organisation, Maram Naga Union, Thangal Union, Mao Council, Poumai Naga Union, Senapati District Women’s Association, Senapati District Students’ Association, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur and Zeliangrong Senapati Zone.

United Naga Council Declaration 1st of September2014

DECLARATION OF THE NAGA PEOPLE IN MANIPUR MADE DURING THE FUNERAL SERVICE OF MAYOPAM RAMROR AND RAMKASHING VASHI, WHO WERE KILLED BY THE COMMUNAL GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR AND MARTYRED AT UKHRUL ON 30TH AUGUST, 2014.

THE NAGA PUBLIC NUMBERING MORE THAN TEN OF THOUSANDS IN THE ABOVE PROGRAMME ENDORSED THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE EMERGENCY PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL MEETING DATED 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2014 OF THE UNITED NAGA COUNCIL WITH THE PRESIDENT, UNC IN THE CHAIR AND CONDUCTED BY THE GENERAL SECRETARY UNC, AND ATTENDED BY THE NAGA TRIBE COUNCILS, NAGA FRONTAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS WHICH WAS CONVENED PRIOR TO THE FUNERAL PROGRAMME.

1. NAGAS CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST TERM, THE KILLINGS AND VIOLENCE PERPETRATED ON THE NAGAS DURING THE PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC MASS RALLY HELD ON 30TH AUGUST, 2014 AT UKHRUL BY THE COMMUNAL POLICE FORCE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR IN CONTINUATION OF THE LATTER’S COMMUNAL POLICIES AGAINST THE NAGAS/TRIBALS.

2. LATE MAYOPAM RAMROR AND LATE RAMKASHING VASHI OF TEINEM VILLAGE ARE HEREBY DECLARED MARTYRS OF THE NAGA CAUSE AND WILL BE HONOURED AS SUCH FOR ALL TIME TO COME.

3. ON THIS DAY WE REITERATE THE POLITICAL BOYCOTT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MANIPUR IN NAGA AREAS.

4. AN INDEFINTE BAN ON ALL CONSTRUCTION WORKS ON NATIONAL PROJECTS IN NAGA AREAS AND BAN ON ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON NATIONAL AND STATE HIGHWAYS IN NAGA AREAS WILL BE ENFORCED WITH EFFECT FROM 6 AM OF 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2014 TILL SUCH TIME THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MAKES A POLITICAL INTERVENTION ON OUR SITUATION. EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, POWER AND THE MEDIA WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PURVIEW OF THE STRICTURE.

5. THE ABOVE DECISION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA FOR HIS IMMEDIATE POLITICAL INTERVENTION.

Dated Ukhrul1st September, 2014 ( GAIDON KAMEI ) General Secretary

Prohibitory order relaxed for 7 hours in Ukhrul district Correspondent, Nagaland Post

IMPHAL District administration had relaxed the prohibitory order under section 144 of CrPC in Ukhrul town for seven hours on Monday so as to able the people to attend the funeral services of two slain victims ofSaturday’s Ukhrul incident.

The prohibitory order was relaxed from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. following a decision of the state government, said state deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the home portfolio today in an interview with a local cable TV network.

He said that the district administration was asked to relax the same after a monitoring review meeting convened by the chief minister O Ibobi Singh thoroughly reviewed the prevailing situation in the district and to able the people to participate in the funeral ceremony. The home minister said that it was not sure that police and state security personnel shot death the two persons.

To a query, the deputy chief minister said that the additional state force in the town was deployed with the knowledge of the Centre. Regarding the state force remaining confined to their camps and Assam Rifles troops conducting patrolling in the town, he said it was after a request from the Assam Rifles authority with an assurance to maintain the law and orders.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/police-commando-terror-in-ukhrul-manipur-india/

Money And It’s Value Among the Young Adults: Manipur picture

Seine Yumnam It is almost embedded in our culture to believe that young-adults of age below 21-22 should be kept uninformed of the financial challenges of a family. They are

Seine Yumnam

It is almost embedded in our culture to believe that young-adults of age below 21-22 should be kept uninformed of the financial challenges of a family. They are unaware about the debt accumulated by their parents for their own education and expenses. Until they reach the age of 23 or 24 and start handling personal expenses by themselves, they do not understand the value of money.

It is not surprising to see a lot of young-adults demanding bikes and cars without earning a penny for themselves. Such keep-children-away-from-financial-matters culture installs a behaviour to the children to spend frivolously – extensive shopping, thoughtless consumption of unnecessary snacks and cookies, and what not; it is only the parents who bear the pain of having their money spent unwisely. Even worst, debt may get heavier if such behaviour remains unchanged for years. We definitely see this happening in Manipur. Even when the children grow up and reach the age of 23-24, they are incapable of managing their money wisely and effectively. The reason is that the lesson to spend responsibly cannot be taught in a day, or two, or in a month. It is a lifelong lesson. The earlier we start, the better off we are. But clearly, this is not happening.

We need to change this culture. Parents need to teach personal finance lessons to their children and they need to keep their children informed about the financial status of the family. If they continue to keep their children uninformed about such issues, they are only teaching their children to be ignorant.

However, at most times, culture is hard to change. Culture is something that we have practised for years over and over again. Let’s say parents continue to teach their children to be ignorant. What can the teenagers do to teach themselves a lesson that will serve them for the rest of their life?

I will answer this question with an example. In the U.S.A., the first lesson a child learns is to be independent; most importantly to be financially independent. This does not mean the American parents do not care about their children as much as Meitei parents do; in fact the parents-children relationship is more open in the U.S.A than what wehavein Manipur. The difference is that American parents are little more critical when it comes to giving money to their children. What is the point of just giving money when there is no lesson taught?

I have a friend who is 19 years old. She is the State Chair/Representative of an International NGO. Since her childhood, her parents have been consistently teaching the meaning of money, the nature of wise spending, and the hard work involved in earning a penny. Now, at the age of 19, she pays her own college fees, buys her own car, phone, and clothes by her own hard-earned money, and plans to own a house sooner than later. How does she do that? For her, every minute counts, and hence every break from school. During school breaks, she works for restaurants, retails, library, or companies to get some quick bucks and save up. During the school time, she does similar kind of jobs but mostly on weekends, and sometimes even during weekdays for an hour or two daily. Besides her job through which she earns for herself, she is still able to keep her academic performance uptight.

What is her secret? I know her pretty well, and she is neither a gifted genius nor a cyborg. Anyone will be able to do exactly what she is doing if one has the skill of time management. A lot of young-adults in Manipur spends hours with friends drinking, doing drugs, riding bikes, and the list of unproductive involvements goes on. Then they complain for not having enough time to study and also do household works. Friends are important, but spending 6-7 hours every weekend just doing unproductive thingswill not take anyone anywhere. By the end of the day, we, as an individual, decide who we are and who we become.

Let’s do the math and see what happens when we divert those unproductive hours into something productive – earning some money. During the weekdays, school hours are long and tiring, so it’s hard to do extra work. But on weekends, I am pretty sure we can at least commit five hours on Saturdays and Sundays on a job – maybe at the Classic hotel, or mobile retails, or at an ngari shop in the market. Let’s say you earn Rs.10 per hour, you would earn Rs.100 on one weekend, Rs.400 in one month, and Rs.4800 in a year!

It’s not just the money that you can earn which is valuable, once you start spending the money that you earned for yourself, you will start to understand the game of wise spending or at least try to understand – you will learn how to actresponsibly while dealing with money. Why do we have to wait until we finish our college degree and get a job to learn how to earn, spend, and save? Don’t we all want to retire with enough money to pay for medicals, food, and other expenses? If yes, then start earning and saving as early as possible. It is true that money isn’t everything, but it is also true that it isn’t nothing. Love does not buy food, car, clothes, and house. I work part-time on the campus at my college (Wabash College, Indiana, USA) and I earn Rs.45,000 every month. This helps me support my expenses and fees (though I am not completely financially independent), and my existence seems little more meaningful that it was before, trust me.

Young-adults in Manipur need to realize that bikes aren’t assets but liabilities. How much of your parents’ money are wasted in maintaining your bike and buyingfuel? If you are really that lazy and not willing to work on a part-time job, then stop eating up your parents’ money. Besides that, Manipur isn’t a place where we don’t have sufficient public transports to rely on. We do have.

We should not be a victim of a culture-caused illiteracy. Age should no longer determine how much we know. If we can learn it now, why wait for another 10 years? If we can earn now and save up, why wait for a college degree? It’s never too early to learn a lifetime lesson, but it can be too late.

Manipur’s Jennifer Luikham wins singles championship at ITF Grade 4 tennis tournament at Chennai

Jennifer wins singles championship at ITF Grade 4 tennis tournament at Chennai Gurgaon’s budding tennis prodigy 14 year old Jennifer Luikham has won her second carrier ITF U18 Singles

Jennifer wins singles championship at ITF Grade 4 tennis tournament at Chennai

Gurgaon’s budding tennis prodigy 14 year old Jennifer Luikham has won her second carrier ITF U18 Singles title at YMCA TTT – ITF Juniors Grade 4 tournament at Chennai on August 30^th 2014 by defeating Nandini Sharma 6-3 1-6 6-2 in finals

Jennifer Luikham

Jennifer sailed smoothly to finals without loosing a set. She beat Arushi Kakkar 6-3 6-3 in round 2, Tanushri Vale 6-4 6-4 in pre quarters, Chinese YeXin Ma 6-3 6-3 in quarters and former U16 national champion Vanshika Sahanai 6-1 6-1 in semi finals

This win will help her move to below 350 rank in ITF Juniors worldwide. Jennifer had earlier won her first ITF Junior title at grade 5 tournament at Indore in April 2014

Jennifer, student of class 9 at Little Angel Sr Secondary School at Sonipat is training under India’s most prolific coach Aditya Sachdeva at Team Tennis’s high performance academy at Siri Fort in New Delhi

CM in damage control mode, announces Rs 5 lakh each for those killed in police firing at Ukhrul

IMPHAL, August 31: The State government has today announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two persons killed in police firing at Ukhrul yesterday. Speaking to media

IMPHAL, August 31: The State government has today announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two persons killed in police firing at Ukhrul yesterday.

Speaking to media persons at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences today, during an inspection of those injured in police action to control a rally in Ukhrul yesterday, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who was accompanied by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam extended Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Ramkashing Vashi and Mayopam Ramror.

The Chief Minister also extended monetary support to four victims who were injured during the Ukhrul rally.

The victims are admitted for treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science (JNIMS).

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh along with his deputy Gaikhangam who also holds the Home ministry portfolio visited JNIMS and extended monetary support of Rs 50,000 to the four victims hospitalised there.

He also gave assurance to bear all medical expenses of their treatment during his visit.

The family members of the injured victims said that they were satisfied with the ongoing treatment in the hospital and also expressed gratitude to the CM for the financial support.

JNIMS authorities have said that two of the injured namely SK Raiagam, 27 years, son of SK Timothy of Kachai and Muinow Ngachonmei, 30 years, son of Muinow David of Somdal Village have been shifted to two different hospitals.

The former has been shifted to RIMS whereas the latter was shifted to Raj Medicity.

The other two identified as HR Reishangjoy, 30 years, son of Hr Gedion of Tanrui Ramhon and Rachamgam Horam, 24 years, son of Helpon Horam of Kharasom are still undergoing treatment at the JNIMS hospital.

Manipur Violence: Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul By R Lester Makang UKHRUL, August

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere
Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

By R Lester Makang

Protestors burn effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam at Ukhrul; People participating in the rally at Senapati and protestors stand nearby two vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul.

UKHRUL, August 30: At least two civilians have been shot dead and scores grievously injured in police firing and subsequent assault on civilians even as irate mob beat up some four five police commando personnel in Ukhrul today.

The mob had also set ablaze two government vehicles after the United Naga Council (UNC)-sponsored public mass rally turned violent here on Saturday.

The two deceased have been identified as Ramkashing Vashi, 26, son of Christopher Vashi of Teinem village and Mayopam Ramror, 32 of Teinem village.

Both were said to be recently married and survived by their pregnant wives respectively. The bodies have been deposited at the Ukhrul District Hospital for post mortem.

Meanwhile, another critically wounded Ngachonmi Muivah of Somdal has been taken to Imphal for treatment while all the other injured are being treated at the district hospital.

However, the exact number of the injured could not be immediately ascertained, though expected to be around 16 including the critically wounded.

Eye witnesses said that as the public numbering over thousands turned out at Awon Tang junction and tried to proceed towards the Tangkhul Naga Long Ground around 1:35 pm to join a mass gathering where a joint memorandum of Naga Hohos and Naga frontal organisations of the respective districts was slated to be read out before being submitted to the Prime Minster of India at 2 pm, State security forces fired tear gas shells, mock bombs resulting in heavy casualties among the public.

Soon after, similar violent situation erupted at Alungtang and Wino Bazaar where police commandos fired live bullet allegedly from suspected AK 47 rifles upon the rallyists at point blank range killing the duo instantaneously in front of Ukhrul Higher Secondary School at Wino Bazaar even as explosions of mock bombs and tear gas shells continued, sources added.

In the ensuing mob action, eye witnesses said, some four five police commandos were beaten up by the irate mob resulting in grievous injury of one police personnel.

The public went ahead and set ablaze two vehicles including a Police commando gypsy in front of TNL Ground at Wino Bazaar.

The public also rained stones at security vehicles passing through the TNL Office breaking windows of some vehicles even as commandos kept blank firing. Thereafter the public put up boulders and logs across the road in dual direction in front of TNL office to block passage of security force vehicles.

At the same time, the public held a gathering at TNL Ground where effigies of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Dy CM Gaikhangam were burned amidst strong condemnation and curse.

Thereafter around 4 pm police commandos went on rampage on the main road of the township and damaged some private vehicles, eye witnesses have said.

Subsequently, the State forces resorted to physical attack on civilians crossing the District Mini Secretariat at Hamleikhong and whisked away 9 persons in their custody inside the office complex where the civilians were brutally assaulted resulting in critical injuries.

Later, with intervention of district administration, it was decided that State forces be retreated to ease the mounting tension for the time being and Assam Rifles personnel be deployed in the town instead and subsequently, the youth were released and rushed to the district hospital, sources added.

However, around 5:30 pm two persons who happened to be friends of the two deceased were returning home after visiting the hospital were reportedly severely beaten up by police commandos who were staying near Ukhrul Town Hall. However, they have been rescued by AR personnel and rushed them to Army hospital at Somsai immediately.

The public mass rally was held in all the Naga hill district of the State to demonstrate the sentiments of the Nagas in the backdrop of the continued imposition of CrPc 144 along with deployment of State security forces while also to pressurize the Government of India to expedite the process for Alternative Arrangement pending Indo-Naga solution.

The rally was staged at six different localities of the town which was attended by thousands of peoples from all localities of the town and villages from nearby villages.

Who killed the rice beer?

By Chonchuirinmayo Luithui Rice beer, the drink our forefathers consumed both in celebration and illness, now comes with a generous dose of Christian moralism, alcoholism, even detergent powder! Drinking is good

By Chonchuirinmayo Luithui

Rice beer, the drink our forefathers consumed both in celebration and illness, now comes with a generous dose of Christian moralism, alcoholism, even detergent powder!

In-pic: Anao Oshim
Photo Credit: I Love Ukhrul Facebook Page.

Drinking is good for health. Our forefathers would know. It was part and parcel of our culture. Rice beer was part of the diet of our people. Yes, women used to drink. She was not type casted into Scarlets, Delilahs or khangkasers.

Note: Among the Tangkhuls, there are different variants of rice beer depending on how they are prepared. So we have leiyi, zam, khor, paso, chathur and so on. And they do look and taste different. Their alcohol content also probably differs. But for want of better translation, they are referred to as rice beer since they are mostly made with rice as the base.

Rice beer had a special place in rites and festivals, even in war during our forefathers’ time. It was regarded as medicinal. An aunt told me how my grandparents used to warm it (khor in this case) whenever someone in the family was unwell. The sick seemed to get better when he or she took it. May be it was the placebo effect. But, these practices were evolved over a long period of time.

Today, choosing to be religiously correct, many of us think of it as immoral but it was not so, at least, not during our grandfathers’ time. It was taken during festivals as well as when the elders sit down for serious discussion and as part of the meals. I am told that when the senior members of a family had to go to the field, they used to pour drinks in tumblers (shon) made from gourd, in case, any guests come by. But in all these there was a rider. They did not encourage getting drunk. Self-control was a virtue.

So who killed the rice beer drinking culture and replaced it with alcoholism, drunkards and adulterated alcohols? When did our people ‘stop’ drinking rice beer? When did we stop brewing? As I am told, it was after Christianity came into our homes.

One reason as told to me was that there was a close affinity between rice beer and observance of rites and ceremonies. Before Christianity, we believed in the Creator (kasa-akhava) the source of everything. But most of our religious practices were based on appeasing the spirits who could harm us, cause suffering and bad harvest. Animal sacrifices were common. But all these were incomplete without rice beer. Thus, the Christian missionaries might have thought it was better to demonized rice beer than to say that we were worshipping the wrong way/deity. They might have intended well but, because much of the rites and ceremonies could not be performed without rice beers, they stopped performing them altogether and much of our culture died along with the way we consume alcohol.

Now, most of us openly denounce it and secretly gulp them down including the adulterated ones. Health be damned. We become over righteous and held friends, kins and foes at contempt when they dare to drink openly. We become moral police, very often inspired by OUR church. There is prohibition written almost everywhere.

Photo Credit: I Love Ukhrul Facebook Page.

My maternal grandfather sometimes used to return home smelling of alcohol. And for a young sunday-school-going mind, it was the worst blasphemy. I remember once stopping him from entering the kitchen. My mission failed completely. He picked me up and in we went inside the house. I did not realize then, that this was how it had been for longer part of his life. That he had learnt from the elders never to cross the line. Mind you, I do not remember him ever drunk. That time, I was simply mad at him because someone ‘taught’ me that drinking alcohol is a sin, that I would go to hell. Distorted lessons.

What do we have today? A culture of binge drinking, DUI, drunken accidents, alcohol related abuse and diseases and poisoning. I had once gone in the early morning with grandpa dearest (actually tailing him but he caught me)to a vendor. As she gave him his drink, he mentioned that she must had added too much detergent powder (which supposedly gives faster kick). She did not deny! This happened years ago and as human minds become more creative, it seems they now even use Urea (yes the fertilizers). I hope it is not true. We might as well drink Urea solution.

I would like to go back to the gentleman days, sit down with the elders and see for myself how they used to be. But we have come too far from ‘headhunting barbarians’. to whiskey drinking maniacs. This will surely spoil my show. Now, I will settle for “admiring-our-grandfathers’-time” while I drink green tea, health drinks, sodas, choco drinks and coffee.

And covertly commit sins. Cheers!

Note:

* They were far more civilized than us. It is unfortunate that they are equated with barbarians.

About the writer: Chonchuirinmayo Luithui is a freelance researcher based in Ukhrul, Manipur.

The article was first published on Seven Sisters Project and it’s been reproduced on KO for wider circulation in partnership with “I Love Ukhrul” facebook page.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/who-killed-the-rice-beer/

MSAP Press Release on 42nd Annual Social Freshers’ Meet cum Musical Nite

PRESS RELEASE The Manipur Students’ Association, Pune (MSAP) has organized the 42nd Annual Social Freshers’ Meet cum Musical Nite at the Symbiosis International University Auditorium, Viman Nagar Campus, Pune on

PRESS RELEASE

The Manipur Students’ Association, Pune (MSAP) has organized the 42^nd Annual Social Freshers’ Meet cum Musical Nite at the Symbiosis International University Auditorium, Viman Nagar Campus, Pune on Saturday, the 23^rd August 2014. Around 500 people including local people as well as many Manipuri families were attended the program. The program was inaugurated by Maj. K.Y. Singh (Retd) as Chief Guest in presence of Dr. Sandeep Pachpande, Chairman, ASM group of institutes, Pune; Mr. Atish Chordia, Director, Arihant Educational Foundation, Pune; and Mr. Anthony M., President MSAP as presidium members.

Students from different Manipuri communities like Meitei, Meitei Pangal, Naga, Kuki & Chiru who are studying in and around Pune performed their traditional/ cultural dances and songs. Mr. Fresher 2014 and Miss Fresher 2014 of the MSAP were also chosen during the program. The program was followed by a Musical Nite with Manipuri legend singers Shri Naba Volcano and Shri M. Uttamkumar from Imphal; & Sanjoy Singha (Cheng) from Mumbai.

Maj. K.Y. Singh (Retd) pointed out the necessity of sharing and exchanging diversified cultural heritages of all the different Manipuri communities with the rest of the country and vice-versa for better understanding and appreciation among the citizens. He appreciated the team MSAP for its successful organization of this Annual Freshers’ Meet cum social gathering followed by the musical Nite.

Legend Manipuri singer Shri Naba Volcano interacted with students as well as the Manipuri professionals working in Pune. He congratulated the team MSAP for this grand event and expressed his willingness to support MSAP in the days to come. Shri Uttamkumar who is also an ex-student of MSAP expressed his past experiences on the support rendered by the senior professionals and appealed to all the students to unite and excel in academic as well as other extra-curricular activities. Miss Prescilla has taken the crowd smoothly and happily throughout the program with her unparalleled comparing. The program was appreciated with huge applause by all.

MSAP expressed their gratitude to all the individuals/institutions/organizations for their unconditional support in making the event a grand success.

Attached is the original press release:

Images from the event:

Club Muzik’s Aritisia – Interview with The Dirty Strikes, Imphal Music Band

Club Muzik’s ARTISIA voice of the stars Interview with The Dirty Strikes The Dirty Strikes is a Post-Punk, Indie Rock Band from Manipur. The Dirty Srikes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirty-Strikes/101724996544287 Club

Club Muzik’s Aritisia – Interview with The Dirty Strikes, Imphal Music Band

Club Muzik’s ARTISIA voice of the stars
Interview with The Dirty Strikes

The Dirty Strikes is a Post-Punk, Indie Rock Band from Manipur.

The Dirty Srikes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirty-Strikes/101724996544287

Club Muzik:Q1. How do you relate the word meaning of The Dirty Strikes to the band?

TDS – Quite a question everytime we give our answer to interview, this is the very fast question we have to face all the time Why the name The Dirty Strikes Well as we came from all different background we share a common thing at the end and thats the music. Being a youth of Imphal we wanna do something different from others which no one had experienced. Here we want people to hear something new so back in 2010 Jan we come out in this name The Dirty Strikes an Indie, post-punk band and not to forget we love and respect dirty people they are very original.

The Dirty Strikes is a Post-Punk, Indie Rock Band from Manipur

Club Muzik: Q2. Where do the band usually hang out? Tell us some of the best places you usually hang out here in Manipur with band mates?

TDS – Most of the time we hang out at Chumthang Studio, Nagamapal where we usually jam and apart from this we hang out in this awesome place called A2Z, Kwakeithel what a place people are really energetic

there, good vibes , tasty food, delicious tea and yes the ower Tamo Donald he is such a music lover and we connect easily . Do visit sometime if you haven’t touch your feet there. All smile!!!

Club Muzik:Q3. What were the responses from fans to your debut music video, Good Damaged Girl?

TDS – When we started performing as a band the music scene that time was kind of down but we never stop we believed in ourself and our music, we hold our ground and as a reason of that we made this video Good Damaged Girl we don’t wana take the credit alone we like this thanks our fans,family,manager and everyone and yes it was quite a success oh and thanks to you (ClubMuzik) for hosting the releasedshow at Classic hotel.

Club Muzik: Q4. To get the perfect taste of the musical sound we need to the rightmusical equipment’s. Tell us about the best things you would wanted to givethe perfect touches to your type of music or share us if you already havewhat you need the best?

TDS – It depend on modern sound equipment’s.Every now and then new equipment’s are emerging. The dexterity of the sound engineer is also afactor to determine the perfectness of the performance. In case of

Studiorecording also novelty of the studio equipment’s are also afactor.

Club Muzik: Q5. A part of the band but not seen on frontlines, share us about behindthe scene functioning and operations of the band?

TDS – Well this day we are staying low as our drummer is at Delhi sowe are just preparing ourself for some big fest this year outsideManipur. But we feel good to see some new Indie’s band from Imphal nowwe can say we are not alone.

Club Muzik: Q6. From the band’s point of view what is indie music and how is the indiefans in the country as you experience at various gigs you participated inthe country?

TDS – Indie as we all know stand for Independent it’s started at 80′sand came to limelight in the 90′s. Well many musician have its ownexpression of Indie and when it comes to us we would like to say Indiemusic is very raw and honest music and it quite an experimental andlyrically it gives us something which can’t be express anyway trylistening some www.Reverbnation.com/thedirtystrikes. Thanks youSince the day we first hit the stage we are getting positive vibes yeah negative vibes too truth to be told and yes performing outside ourstate has a different taste recently we played at Bombay now (Mumbai)for Vans fresh off the wall you won’t believe us folks what a crowddancing,singing our songs,trying to get fotos with us and lotsainterview we were welcome like anything like this only wherever weplayed we smile we connect we get new fans. And lastly once we playedfor a Radio in Chennai F.M radio damn when the RJ keeping saying theseboys from Manipur is awesome we were all like you know damn.

Club Muzik: Q7. What are the fames you enjoy being in a band from the rest of yourfriends who don’t in schools and institutions you all attended?

TDS – Fames sounds cool really cool for your kind information we are still the regular kids hanging with our folks talking, laughing and so on and on but its our fans who thought we are famous we are but as you know we are very down to earth and got lots of sense of humour people thought we got lotsa ego’s and false pride and the truth is we dint/don’t got anyway know us and you will know people. Tell you an episode when we were watching Hoobastank at Shillong some folks ( Manipuri’s ) came to us and was bowing to us saying respect and we were ordinary people we hug each other and thanks them for supporting us through up’s and down’s .

Club Muzik: Q8. The band had played and attended some of the best music events in the country. How do you prepare and set yourselves for these gigs?

TDS – Each and every gigs big or small got thier own taste as we know thanks to Chumthang Studio for their times with us the most important thing for every gigs is how we fix out setlist and how we delivered that to the particular crowd till now we are doing our best D.A.M fest at Pondicherry was really tuff playing in front of NIFT, Chennai student but at the end of the gigs we all enjoy and got to meet so many beautiful fans and people.

Club Muzik: Q9. What do each one of you wanted to be in your professional life or what do you do apart from music?

TDS – Well if we aren’t wrong we are doing professional work so far thought we dint get enough still we can buy bread for ourselves butter is on the way. (Laugh). Everyone is studying now Kendy doing LLB 4sem, Naoba, Bom and Tom studying BA in different stream and yes Uma is in Delhi doing videography once he is done we are thinking of making a home video let’s see how far we can kick the ball.

Club Muzik: Q10. How independent is the band in terms of composing, looks, getting gigs, decision making, management and the likes?

TDS – Composing songs isn’t easy tell you something we fight for the better of our band and its quite effective lyrically we used to keep as simple as possible so that everyone can enjoy and dance it’s kind of friendly music . The most important part is the look andoutfits yeah we look skinny jeans, chucks shoes, leather jacket, messy hair these is how we represent The Dirty Strikes and everyonelove our simple style and who we are. Getting gigs wasn’t that muchtuff to us thanks to our Manager Nirjeet Chakpram (7streetwalkers)Rishu Singh (Mumbai) Ennui.bomb and Bode (Chumthang) meantimesometimes we played from our friend’s circle or relatives too so farenjoying. Decision making is the worse part we face so many differentopinion so many issues but we come with the right and good decisionall the time

Club Muzik: Q11. Apart from The Dirty Strikes what all are you good at musically?

TDS – Yeah everyone is musically sounds in their owe way and style.Everyone in our band can play Guitar, drums and some other instrument except our Vox he only play guitar and Tamborine.

Club Muzik: Q12. Share us those dreams you all have achieved till now by playing orbeing a part of the band before you all started?

TDS – Playing in a band sharing the same ideas is the biggestachievement apart from this yeah releasing an EP (first band to release an EP in Manipur) and for a band from Imphal featuring inRSJ and Rollingstone is one of those achievement. And the most amazingthing is giving an autograph in our photo in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh was dream comes truth. Like to shortenhere.

Club Muzik: Q13. What do you give a s**t to?

TDS -We give a s**t to ourselves, our music, the way we play, the waywe write/sing/perform, our fans,family,friends and managers rest hellodogs bark. Lastly thanks to so much Club Muzik for your time keepdoing the good works The Dirty Strikes love you all.

The Dirty Srikes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dirty-Strikes/101724996544287
Questions & Revised by: Lukhendro Keisham
Co-ordinator: Ithoiba Potshangbam
Produced by: Club Muzik
Blog: www.ClubMuzikEvents.blogspot.in
Facebook Page: www.fb.com/ClubMuzikEvents

Sports university site selected near Kakching: Chief Minister

THOUBAL, August 24: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that construction work of the Sports University in the State proposed earlier by the Indian government will be initiated soon,

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during his trip to Kakching on Sunday.

THOUBAL, August 24: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that construction work of the Sports University in the State proposed earlier by the Indian government will be initiated soon, as the suitable site has been identified.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a children’s park community hall at Kakching Makha Leikai, he said Yaithibi hill on the eastern side of the Lousi pat has been selected for the sports university.

The Chief Minister said acknowledging the sports prowess and talents of the sportspersons from the State, the Central government had decided to set up the Sports University in the State.

He said ever since the university was proposed, several officials of the Sports ministry had arrived in the State and inspected suitable sites in all districts of the State, however, after inspecting the Yaithibi Hill site, the officials declared that it was the most suitable site.

Since the site has been selected, the State government has also initiated actions to start construction work at the earliest, the Chief Minister announced.

He said developmental works are not possible without support from the people.

Under the Look East Policy of the Indian government, the South East Asian countries will come closer to Manipur, he said before adding that the site for the sports university is also suitable when looked from this angle.

He said the size and shape of the location is also most suitable.

Kakching has also potential of becoming a major business hub of Manipur in the near future, he said while observing that the government has no interest to develop only Imphal.

Developing the peripheries of Imphal will eventually help in controlling the congestion in the State capital he said.

Elaborating on the development works presently in progress, the Chief Minister said the under construction railway line will reach Moreh latest by 2022 and once this rail connectivity reaches Myanmar, the South East Asian countries will only get closer with Manipur.

The Chief Minister also said that the government has to acquire around 1500 acre of land at Laiching near Kakching Lamkhai to set up an IIT.

As for Kakching area, the government has already allotted Rs 28 crore for widening of the IVR from Kakching to Langmeidong and the Imphal to Kakching via Mayang Imphal will be upgraded to the status of a National Highway, he said and appealed to all not to disturb the development of a water body at Irum River.