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Patriots’ day observed Rich Tributes given to martyrs

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 13 : Manipur today observed Patriots day and paid rich tributes to those who laid down their lives fighting for their motherland in the Anglo Manipur war of 1891. After the defeat of Manipur by the British Empire in April 1891 the king and many others were exiled and the prince Bir Tikendrajit, General Thangal and three others were hanged to death.
The Prince and the General were hanged at Pheidabung, Imphal on Aug 14, 1891 and the day is observed as Patriots day. The celebrations began at Hicham Yaicham Pat where the Prince was cremated and tributes were given at the statue of Thangal General.
The main function was held at Pheidabung now named as Bir Tikendrajit part attended by Governor, Gurbhachan Jagat, Chief Minister, O Ibobi, ministers, MLAs and senior officials. The city was lighted up as the function concluded by dusk.
Governor, Gurbhachan Jagat said “13th of August reminds us of the heroic acts of Manipuris – both known and unknown, in different war fronts of the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891,that showed to the world that Manipuris had the indomitable and unconquerable spirit to challenge the then mightiest world power, the British, for the sake of their motherland. They also exemplified that freedom can neither be traded away nor conceded at any cost and under any circumstances; instead they finally sacrificed their lives for the cause of the freedom of their motherland. Their lives will always inspire us with the sense of self sacrifice, patriotism and bravery. Their sacrifice belongs not only to the History of Manipur but also to the history of all lovers of freedom in India and abroad.”
“ Today, we all are the citizens of Free India. We all are basking in the glow of freedom and all that it brings in its wake. But, we should always remember that India’s freedom was not a present from the Britishers. It was attained after having sacrificed the lives of innumerable Indians in the long freedom struggle. Our hard won freedom has to be protected and preserved by all of us. However, Manipur has been facing a number of problems. Today, we all are aware of Manipur’s problems. In some ways they are unique but in many ways they are common to large parts of the country. Ethnic and social tensions, extortions from public, businessmen, contractors, Government employees and Departments, abduction for ransom, senseless killing due to inter-group rivalries and violence against civilians/women continue to be a matter of serious concern. “
Chief Minister Ibobi said, “The spirit of freedom and bravery of Manipur will remain forever throughout the world. The brave sons of Manipur Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General sacrificed their lives on the gallows on August 13, 1891. They indeed took the freedom of Manipur very seriously.”
The Chief Minister also referred to the 1890 battle fought at the then capital Kangla prior to the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War when five British officers were killed by Manipuri soldiers. After this battle the Manipuris fought the British in various fronts and among them the Khongjom War shows how much the Manipuris could make sacrifice their lives for the cause of their motherland.Functions were held in offices of most political parties, educational institutes, local clubs. Seminars, social service camps, competitions were also held.
The Manipur People’s Party today observed the Patriot’s day at its head office Mapal Kangjeibung. S. Umananda Singh president MPP, Dr. L. Chandramani former minister, H. Manisana, M. Maniton Mangang and others spoke at the occasion. Floral tributes were paid to the photos of Thangal General, Bir Tikendrajit and others who sacrificed their lives for our motherland in the year 1891.
Sainik School Imphal observed ‘Martyrs Day’ on 13 Aug 2012 in the school campus. Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of liberation of our country by the Officers, Staff and Cadets of the school. On this occasion, various programmes like patriotic songs, poem recitation, speech, solo songs and a drama on ‘Bir Tikendrajit’ were performed by the cadets. An Inter-House Quiz Competition for both Junior and Senior Wings was also organised as a part of the celebrations with special rounds pertaining to the history and culture of Manipur state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/patriots-day-observed-rich-tributes-given-to-martyrs/

Patriots’ Day celebrated in New Delhi

Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi , August 13
Manipur government observed the Patriots‘ Day celebration at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Chanakyapuri here this morning. Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of Bir Tikendrajit where a large number of Manipuris from National Capital Region paid their homage to the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the mighty Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh led the VVIPs and public while paying floral tributes to the great patriots. Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls. Sitting Lok Sabha members Dr. Thokchom Meinya and Thangso Baite. Rajya Sabha member Rishang Keishing, MLA R.K.Anand and former Ministers V. Hangkhalian and Vivek Raj Wangkhem were among those dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.
The 13th August is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur as on this fateful day in 1891, the two great patriots, namely Bir Tikendrajit, the prince of Manipur and General Thangal were hanged in broad daylight by the British in the presence of thousands of men and women at Pheidapung, Imphal Outer Pologround, as these heroes had defended the freedom of Manipur against the British.
Subedar Niranjan, Kajao Singh Jamadar alias Pukhramba Phingang and Charai Thangal of Mayangkhang were also hanged till death on June 8, May 25 and October 15 in the same year inside the Imphal jail on similar charge of waging war against the Empress on India , the British Crown.The death sentences passed on to the Regent Kulachandra and Angousana, but the Governor General, however, commuted the death sentence passed on the Maharaja and the Prince Angousana who were sent in exile for life to Kalapani (Andaman) along with 20 martyrs for waging war against the British Empress.
The British action in Manipur culminating in the occupation of the kingdom and the execution of 35-year old Tikendrajit and 80-year old General Thangal created a great sensation in Bengal . Barrister Monomohon Ghosh fought like a lion in the case against Tikendrajit and Kulachandra. The people of Bengal in particular had great sympathy for the unfortunate princes of Manipur who were the victims of British conspiracy.
The stand taken by Tikendrajit and his martyrdom continued to be a source of inspiration to the
revolutionaries of India‘s freedom movement. Years later, the government of free India , as suggested by Arun Chandra Guha, included the portrait of Bir Tikendrajit in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi .
Born on December 29, 1856, the Prince Bir Tikendrajit Singh son of Maharaj Chandrakirtee and Chongtham Chanu Kousheswari Devi was brought up in the classical Asian traditions of an Independent State.
Tikendrajit exhibited sound qualities of leadership was notable for his love for Manipur’s freedom and dignity. He raised banner of resistance against imperialism when the British Empire attempted to aggressively incorporate independent states in the Eastern Himalayan Region.
He was tried for waging war against the Queen Empress and was hanged along with Thangal General on August 13, 1891. Bir Tikendrajit Marg in Chanakyapuri here which was named after Bir Tikendrajit Singh, the great patriot of Manipur passed through where several State Guest houses namely Tamil Nadu House, Andaman Nicober House, Rajasthan, State Guest House, Arunachal House, Goa Niwas, Bihar Sadan and Manipur Tikendrajit House, and became a remarkable lane in the National capital.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/patriots-day-celebrated-in-new-delhi/

Raas Leela performed during Janmashtami at ISKCON

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/raas-leela-performed-during-janmashtami-at-iskcon/

Ansari takes oath of office

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 11 :The President of India Pranab Mukharjee administered the Oath of Office of Vice -President of India to the Vice -President –Elect M. Hamid Ansari at a function in Ashok Hall, Rashtrapati Bhawan here today. The Vice President – Elect subscribed the Oath of Office.
Earlier with the President’s permission, the Home Secretary R.K. Singh read out the Communication from the Election Commission announcing the name of Vice President – Elect.
A Group Photograph was taken of the President of India, the Vice President, Salma Ansari, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh andGursharan Kaur on the occasion.
This is his second consecutive term as the Vice-President, only the second to do so after Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
In an almost one-sided contest Ansari got 490 votes out of the 788 valid votes cast in the elections.His opponent, NDA backed candidate Jaswant Singh, got only 238 votes.
He got more votes than he had secured in the 2007 election. He had the backing by the Congress and its allies in the UPA, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), DMK and the National Conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ansari-takes-oath-of-office/

Sucessful Flight Testing of AGNI-II

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Aug 9 :The surface to surface 2000 km range Ballistic Missile AGNI-II was successfully flight tested for the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) today from Wheeler’s Island in Bay of Bengal off Coast of Odisha.
The two stage solid propellant AGNI-II launched as a part of regular strategic Forces Command (SFC) exercise as they reached the pre-designated target point in Bay of Bengal within accuracy of few meters. Two ships located near the target point have tracked the terminal phase of the vehicle and witnessed the final event. The Radars and Electro-Optical Tracking stations have tracked and monitored the vehicle and all the relevant parameters.
All the systems, Propulsion, Control, Actuators, On-Board Computers, Missile Interface Units and the Navigation, Guidance systems functioned fully to the perfection and ensured the vehicle reached the target within few meters of accuracy.
The launch operations were carried out by SFC and the DRDO scientists monitored and guided all the activities. The teams were led by the Project Director Shri Laxminarayana and the Mission Director Shri Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist R&D (MSS) who guided and reviewed the activities. Dr. V K Saraswat, SA to RM, Secretary Deptt of Defence R&D and DG (R&D) DRDO were present during the launch and cleared the launch of the vehicle after thorough review.
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has congratulated the Armed Forces, DRDO scientists and the Industry on the successful launch of AGNI-II.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sucessful-flight-testing-of-agni-ii/

Award presentation ceremony of Manipur State Kala Academy held

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 8 : Manipur State Kala Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony, 2010 was held today at J.N. Manipur Dance “Academy Auditorium, Imphal with Manipur Governor Shri Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh as Chief Guest and President respectively. Altogether 16 persons in different fields were presented the Academy Awards, Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister said that healthy cultural traditions serve as bridge between societies and communities. They bind human beings together. They promote assimilation, association and cooperation rather than conflict among them, he added. He said, Manipur has had an ancient heritage of peaceful coexistence of communities. However this heritage, at times appears to be threatened and cultural traditions have a great role to play in restoring the balance to our society, he added.
The Chief Minister said that Manipur has a special identity owing to its unique culture. He described Manipur as a fascinating land which has its recorded history of about 2000 years. Our forefathers have blessed with us an unbroken ancient cultural tradition. Onus is on us to preserve and promote this glorious tradition; he said and added that efforts of Manipur State Kala Academy should be aimed at such promotion and preservation.
The Chief Minister also said that the Academy has instituted a new Award “Academy Young Talent Awards” to be given to young promising exponents of various art forms. Selection of Awardees will be purely on merit and significant contribution in the respective fields irrespective of race, religion and sex. He also said that he was impressed with the efforts of Manipur State Kala Academy which has been trying to promote and preserve the Manipuri art and culture.
The Chief Minister said that (L) Smt. MK Binodini Devi was one of the most distinguished cultural icons of Manipur who was conferred the first Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and acknowledged her outstanding contribution in the field of Manipuri culture.
It may be mentioned that since its inception in 1972, Manipur State Kala Academy, Imphal has conferred 362 Awards in different fields of Art and Culture and has honoured 66 persons as Fellows. Recipients include fellows distinguished artists, artistes, writers and scholars who represent highest standard of excellence in the field of dance, music, theatre, shumang leela, thang-ta, tribal culture and other art forms.

Award presentation ceremony of Manipur State Kala Academy held

Family members of L Devendro for success of Devendro in London Olympics

A Brahma Kumari member tying Rakhi on the hand of Chief Minister, O Ibobi

First NE on top of Mt Everest Expedition

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 1 : First North East India on top of the world (Mt. Everest) Expedition will be undertaken under the leadership of MMTA (Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association). The proposed mission is funded by North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong- Government of India, Organized by Planning Department, Govt. of Manipur and to be implemented by MMTA, Manipur.
Chief Secretary DS Poonia said the state government will be trying to release the required fund soon. The total budget is around Rs 3 crores and NEC has given Rs 2.7 cr. The rest will be borne by the respective states.
As a mountaineer, it is the dream of every mountaineer to scale the Mt. Everest in their lifetime.
The First North East India on top of the World (Mt. Everest) Expedition is the first ever Mt. Everest expedition comprising of team members from North East India. The team members comprises resident of North East India. This mission is to be funded by NEC, Shillong under the able guidance of Planning Department, Government of Manipur and executed under the leadership and command of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA), Manipur.
This expedition will be scripted in the history of India as the first expedition of North East India to Mt Everest under the leadership of Govt. of Manipur and MMTA.
The expedition will be flagged off from Imphal on 15th February 2013 and the second legged flag off from New Delhi on 20th March 2013. During the period between February 2013 and March 2013, the participants will undergo the final seasoning and team formation at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.
The First North East India on top of the world (Mt. Everest) Expedition is likely to make the historic summit in between 13th to 21st May 2013.
The significance of the First North East India on top of the world (Mt. Everest) Expedition is;
– This is the first Expedition comprising exclusively of the Mountaineers of North East India.
Mrs. Anshu Jamsenpa, the first lady from Arunachal Pradesh, who has scaled Mt. Everest twice in the history is part of the climber Team to create history for the third time.
N. Chinkheinganba, 15 year old boy, on completion of the expedition will be the youngest to scale Mt Everest.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/first-ne-on-top-of-mt-everest-expedition/

Curfew relaxed in Kokrajhar, Chidambaram to visit today

Kokrajhar (Assam), July 29 (ANI): Curfew was relaxed in Assam’s riot-hit Kokrajhar District on Sunday, a day before Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram is to visit the riot-hit areas of Assam.
Ethnic violence in Assam has forced tens of thousands to flee their razed homes and shut down road and rail transport.
People came out on the roads to stock their daily needs as the restrictions by army officials were also eased.
The indefinite curfew clamped in the Kokrajhar district was relaxed for the day while night curfew between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. will continue in the other affected districts, official sources said.
The official death toll remained at 53 and there was no report of any fresh incident of violence.
Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts are the worst hit among five affected districts, the two others being Bongaigaon and Baksa in the tribals-minority immigrants clashes.
More than three lakh people have been affected in the violence that went on for eight days and most of them are sheltered in relief camps.
With law and order situation improving, the district administrations are taking measures to persuade victims to return to their homes.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday visited Kokrajhar and announced a Rs.300 crore rehabilitation package and declared that a probe will be held to ascertain the cause of the clashes. throughout the city.
Elated over the curfew relaxation, Lal Bahadur, a resident of Kokrajhar, said there is a sigh of relief with curfew being relaxed.
“The situation is much better than before; most of the shops, which were earlier forcedly closed, are now being reopened. Things are heading towards normalcy,” said Bahadur.
Beaming shopkeepers and street vendors were seen reopening their shops much to relief of the locals, who could venture out due to curfew restrictions.
“Earlier, the situation here was very bad and now the situation is better here and many shops have been reopened,” said Chander, another resident.
Ethnic clashes erupted between Bodo tribals and Muslim settlers on the night of July 20, when unidentified men killed four youths in the district.
In retaliation, armed Bodos attacked Muslims, suspecting them of being behind the killings.
Security personnel were issued ‘shoot at sight’ orders as they struggled to enforce curfew to contain clashes between Bodo tribals and Muslim settlers in the remote northeastern state bordering Bangladesh.
The death toll from clashes between Bodo tribes’ people and Muslim settlers rose to 44, Assam’s chief minister, Tarun Gogoi, said after police reported that they had recovered more bodies overnight. Police also opened fire on groups armed with sticks and spears for violating curfew.
Also, violence victims surrounded a legislator from Dhubri, Jahanuddin Ahmed and manhandled him, which forced him to flee the spot.
The sufferers claimed that the legislator and other such political figures were not concerned about providing relief to the victims.
Fearing for their lives, tens of thousands of Muslims and Bodos have fled their homes in remote hamlets along the border with Bhutan, and sought shelter in camps in larger towns.
Roving armed bands have set ablaze hundreds of tin-roofed homes, many made of hay and clay, in the nearly weeklong orgy of violence.
The federal government delayed in dispatching security forces to the violence-hit districts in India’s northeastern state of Assam where ethnic clashes claimed at least 45 lives and rendered nearly 3,00,000 people homeless. Bodos have felt marginalised in their homeland by waves of immigration since the 1950s, accusing the central government of allowing the flow of immigrants to win votes from the settlers.
In recent years, Hindu and Christian tribes have vented strong anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment against settlers from mostly Muslim Bangladesh, which neighbours Assam.
The New Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a government-funded think tank in one of its reports had noted that the government’s failure to develop a coherent policy to deal with the ethnically volatile region meant Assam would remain vulnerable to ethnic clashes and communal tensions in the near future.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/curfew-relaxed-in-kokrajhar-chidambaram-to-visit-today/

CM inspects Khuman Lampak

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 28: Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh today visited Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal in connection with its upgradation under 13th Finance Commission Award 2010-2015.
The Chief Minister visited indoor stadium, shooting range, boxing arena, NSA football ground, hockey stadium, archery pavilion, indoor weightlifting hall, fencing, wushu, sepak takraw cricket ground, main stadium, rowing canal, swimming pool etc and saw for himself the infrastructures and sports facilities of the different disciplines. The Chief Minister was seen to ponder on some of the sad state of available sports infrastructures. He also inquired of the players and got a first-hand report of the situation.
After his threadbare inspection, the Chief Minister had a discussion with coaches and concerned officials in the conference hall of MOA Bhavan. He stated that an amount of Rs 100 crores has been sanctioned under 13th Finance Commission Award 2010 -2015 for upgradation of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. A sub-committee will be formed to expedite the project and the upgradation work will be taken up soon priority-wise, he added.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by MOA President Shri Bijoy Koijam, MLA Shri Prithiviraj, State Information Commisioner Shri Ch. Birendra Singh, Commissioner (A&C) Shri R.K. Nimai, Director (YAS) Shri H. Deleep Singh and other concerned officials during the inspection.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-inspects-khuman-lampak/

PM announces relief

MNS: Prime Minister today visited Assam and stated that “I am visiting Assam in very tragic circumstances.
This calamity has affected hundreds of thousands of our people. We must do everything possible to bring relief to them and to rehabilitate those who have been displaced from their homes. I am today announcing immediate Special Central Assistance to Assam of Rupees 100 crore for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Another 100 crore of Rupees will be provided as Special Plan Assistance for development programmes in the affected areas. Further, extra funds to the tune of Rupees 100 crore will be made available under Indira Awas Yojana for the affected areas.
We must also address the causes of the conflict. If the conflict has been instigated, the guilty must be punished. The Central Government will work closely with the State Government to ensure this.
He announce an assistance of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister‘s National Relief Fund to the family of each of those who have lost their lives in these tragic events. An amount of Rs. 50,000 will be provided as immediate relief to the seriously injured.
To aid in rehabilitation of the affected people, an assistance of Rs. 30,000 will be given to those whose houses are fully damaged and Rs. 20,000 for partially damaged houses.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-announces-relief/

Nemcha distributes old age pension

Universal News Agency
Imphal, July.28: Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency MLA Smt. Nemcha Kipgen distribute Old Age Pension at Kangpokpi today.
The distribution function has been organized at ADC, Complex, Kangpokpi.
Speaking at the sideline of the distribution function, the MLA thanks the Almighty God for giving her such an opportunity to distribute the Old Age Pension to the old aged persons in her constituency.
She further said that, I aim to distribute the Old Age Pension to the Old Aged persons accordingly and effectively. I shall take initiative part in distributing the said scheme up to the expectation of the old aged persons in my constituency. She also promised to try her level best that there is no complain from the beneficiary of the scheme.
She also said that, Mother’s Union, Kangpokpi A/C along with the concern authority will do the needful in executing the programme a success. I have already instructed them to find out whether there is anyone who is supposed to avail the said scheme but do not get the same. They will also find out whether there is anyone who is already dead but avail the facility by someone in the name of the deceased. They will chocked out the fact, and do rightfully according to the wish of the beneficiary.
Smt. Helhing Hangshing, Social Welfare Officer, Saitu said, in today’s distribution function, IGNOAPS beneficiary were given Rs. 1588 each for Nov.2010 to June, 2011 while IGDPS beneficiary were given Rs.600 each for the month of March to June, 2011. MOAP beneficiary got Rs.1000 each for the month of September to December 2011 while IGNWPS beneficiary got Rs.800 each for the month of March to June, 2011.
According to the information received from the Kangpokpi A/C General Secretary to MLA Shri. Lein Gangte 1,035 beneficiary of IGNOAPS and 271 beneficiary of MOAP were distributed. While the number of IGNWPS beneficiary are 46 while the beneficiary of IGDPS are 13.
He also said that, verification of the beneficiaries is to be done in due course time. The verification process may take at least 6 months time. After verification is done the new list of beneficiaries will be publish officially.
Mentioned may be made that, W. Shingkhuilongliu (55) w/o W. Chalaibou of Makui Village is the oldest individual to received the Indira Gandhi national Disable Penson Scheme in today’s function while Tingnei Lenthang(65) w/o (L). Honglam of Chalwa Village is the oldest among the beneficiary of Indira Gandhi national Widow Pension Scheme.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nemcha-distributes-old-age-pension/

A man cleaning his truck on the main road as roads were flooded due to heavy rain on Friday. Secretariat, Imphal West police station and other offices were all flooded and people had to enter office premises in knee deep water

A man cleaning his truck on the main road as roads were flooded due to heavy rain on Friday. Secretariat, Imphal West police station and other offices were all flooded and people had to enter office premises in knee deep water

Kamaljit feted

Rajkumat Kamaljit Singh was congratulated by Principal of Tiny Tots’ Unique School and The Tiny Tots’ Alumni Forum for being conferred Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Physics by Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. RK Kamaljit completed his thesis “Studies of Polar Ice Processes in relation to Climate Change using Microwave Remote Sensing Data” under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Nand Kishore Vyas, Scientist ‘SG’ (Prof,. Brahmaprakash Scientist) of the Space Application Centre – ISRO, Ahmedabad.
An alumni of Tiny Tots’ Unique School (1998 batch), Kamaljit was a member of the 29th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica 2009-2010 (29th in SEA). The second individual from Manipur to have gone to Antarctica. He was then a Junior Research Fellow of the Space Application Centre – ISRO, Ahmedabad and spent nearly five months (Nov 2009-April 2010) in Antarctica conducting experiments concerning his research work. At present, Kamaljit is working as the Research Associate at the Space Application Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kamaljit-feted/

Banian Repertory’s Kumudini to take part in national theatre festival

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 27: Banian Repertory Theatres’ ‘Kumudini” written by Prof. M.C. Arun of Manipur University and Directed by M.C. Thoiba has been selected for the 7th Abhinaya National Theatre Festival 2012 to be held from August (16-19), 2012 at Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad under the sponsorship of NEZCC, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India – Dimapur and from August (21-23), 2012 at Mahathi Auditorium, Tirupati, the holy place of Lord Venkateswora under the Sponsorship of Abhinaya Theatre Trust, Hyderabad.
‘Kumudini’ produced in 2007 was a widely acclaimed Manipuri play for having a new dimension in production style and creating provocation to the audience in paving the way for a new outlook of contemporary Manipuri woman.
The play explores the collective and individual womanhood, her desperation and dreams, woman’s space in kinship and political position, power and her patriarchal cultural order in Manipuri society.
Synopsis of the play
Like in other patriarchal societies, the story of Manipuri women is also of submission, non-assertion and a social status relative to man. One will also find stories of Manipuri women as mercy-seekers or champions of affirmative action in collectivity. But, we seldom hear stories of individual Manipuri women in the socio-political sphere as voluntary actors.
Maharani Kumudini is the wife of Maharaja Gambhir Singh, who liberated Manipur from Burmese occupation during the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (The Seven Years Devastation). Maharaja Gambhir Singh died, when his eldest son Chandrakirti was only two. Kumudini found herself in the middle of palace intrigues and attempts by Gambhir Singh’s brothers and relatives to wrest the throne. She ultimately succeeded in installing her son to the throne, but it was no mean feat for a woman.
Much has been discussed about Manipuri woman. Some have put them on a pedestal. Others say, women are exploited in our society. It is a confusing scenario. The play revolves round a contemporary radical who seeks answers on different facets of contemporary Manipuri woman and her position in the socio-political sphere, in the backdrop of the life and times of Maharani Kumudini.
The play explores the collective and individual womanhood, her desperation and dreams, woman’s space in kinship and political position, power and the patriarchal cultural order in Manipuri society.
Director’s Note:
In the play, the life and times of Maharani Kumudini unfolds through debate between Jailor, Binoy and Asha. The debate is a quest for understanding the contemporary Manipuri woman.

Banian Repertory’s Kumudini to take part in national theatre festival

Kargil Divas observed

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 26: The CM of Manipur O. Ibobi said, the nation is observing July 26 as Kargil Vijay diwas every year.
It is observed to remember the efforts of Indian soldiers who drove out Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri rebels on this day. The day will be an important one in the history of India.
For India the Kargil war is a success. During operation Vijay, altogether 527 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives while trying to drive out the Pakistani soldiers in 74 days. Out of the soldiers, seven soldiers from Manipur also sacrificed for their motherland .
The soldiers have got an important role in the history of Patriotism.
They were the sons of this state. We should honour those who sacrificed for the nation. Besides, we should remember their strength and bravery. It is our duty to preserve the independence and oneness of the nation he said.
The Home minister Shri Gaikhangam, AK Mirabai, social welfare minister, also ttended the function.
The teachers, students of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Deb govt. music college presented opening and closing songs.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kargil-divas-observed/

Development Photos attract large students at Mayang Imphal

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 25: Taking forward the campaign of disseminating information to the general public, a five-day photo exhibition on the theme Development Initiatives in North East began today at Mayang
Imphal Municiaplity Hall in Imphal West District. The photo exhibition which would continue till July 29 was inaugurated by Th Rajmohan Meitei, Chairperson, Mayang Imphal Municipal Council (MIMC) .
Speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion, Rajmohan lauds DAVP Imphal for taking the initiative in putting up a vast collection of photos at Mayang Imphal. The Chief Guest while appreciating the theme of the photos calls for implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes with honesty and transparency. Rajmohan maintains that, all communities must work together forgetting caste or tribe to get the fruits of development.
As soon as the programme was opened for the public, a large number of students visited the exhibition hall to have a glance of 120-photos that were displayed for the occasion. I feel proud of the beauties of North East, said Kh Beronica, a seventh grader of St Stephen’s School, Mayang Imphal. For L Jenita Devi, also a student, the photo exhibition was a source of knowledge and wisdom. This exhibition gives me knowledge about the seven sisters’ states, she maintained.
Highlight the objectives of the programme, Dr Gin Gangte, IIS, Field Exhibition Officer, DAVP, Imphal said that the programme is organized with the aimed of disseminating information about the various development initiatives undertaken by the Government of India.
He said that the Government of India is doing lots for the people by way of taking up various developmental schemes. The FEO invites one and all to visit the exhibition hall to have a better understanding of the North East.
The inauguration of the five-day long photo exhibition organized by the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Goverment of India, Imphal was attended amongst others by Smt Leina Bibi, Vice – Chairperson, MIMC as Functional President and Smt N Anita Devi, Executive Officer, MIMC as Guest of Honour. Besides, councillors of MIMC, namely, W. Tomba, Th Pratab, Smt A Memthoi were also seen on the dais.