Day: June 5, 2013

IMPHAL, June 5 NNN : The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) met Manipur Home minister Gaikhangam on June 4 and apprised him certain issues relating to the Nagas of Manipur. After meeting the Manipur Home minister, NSF president Tongpang Ozukum and its general secretary Easter Rhakho in a statement said the NSF said, “In connection with the proposal for construction of a five star hotel at Kabo Leikai in Imphal the government of Manipur carried out inhuman actions against the Nagas in the colony by demolishing their houses within 48 hours of the government order to vacate from their colony,” and strongly condemned the act of the Manipur government.
“This incident clearly demonstrates the sinister intention and continued attempt on the part of the communal government of Manipur to torture and discriminate the Nagas in Manipur,” said the NSF.
“The Federation, as a sign of showing its solidarity, has also visited the Silent village which was attacked by a large number of highly armed people from the neighbouring Saijang village on May 3. In this regard, NSF entourage team has pressed upon the government of Manipur to deploy adequate security for the safety of the villagers as well as to maintain status quo while respecting boundary demarcation between the villages,” the NSF added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nsf-members-meet-gaikhangam/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 5 : The world environment day 2013 organised by Bee Net Manipur and CGHS was observed today at Manipur Press Club Major Khul. The theme for the year is think eat save reduce your food print.
Resource persons Dr. Th. Sobta Devi president women environment protection force, Th Bhogen Singh Junior scientist officer directorate of environment govt. of Manipur and Prof. N. Rajmohon Singh vice-president Bee Net Manipur spoke at the occasion.
Today is World Environment Day. 5th June was declared as the “World Environment Day” on the recommendations made by UN Conference on Human Environment in 1972. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the celebration of World Environment Day spreads awareness and gets citizens’ support for environment protection across the globe.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day (WED) is Think. Eat. Save- Reduce our Foodprint. The campaign calls for minimizing waste of food at all stages of the food chain, from farm to fork. This is to raise awareness about the environmental consequences of our food choices and find ways to reduce our environmental “foodprint”, as food production has profound impact on environmental resources. Agriculture is responsible for 70% of fresh water consumption, 80% of deforestation, and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is the cause of land-use change, biodiversity loss, and responsible for large-scale soil, water and air pollution. The campaign is also to remind each one of us that despite producing enough food for everyone, 90 crore people still go hungry world over. On this day we take a pledge to make a difference, individually as well as collectively, to reduce food loss or wastage and move towards a world where everyone has enough to eat and no one is malnourished or undernourished.
This mission cannot be achieved when we lose almost one-third (about 1.3 billion tonnes) of all the food produced globally. It is ironical that developed nations waste food more than the less developed countries. In India we lose approximately 40 per cent of perishable and non-perishable food at different stages from production, transportation, storage, retail to consumption. Millions of tonnes of food grain, in the absence of adequate storage infrastructure, rots every year. This is wastage of our dwindling natural resources and detrimental to the environment.
The WED is an opportunity to raise large-scale awareness among the producers, transporters, manufacturers & retailers, regulators, hospitality industry and affluent consumers on the negative aspects of wastage of food and how thoughtful actions can help minimize food loss.
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister for Environment & Forests presided over the function to celebrate World Environment Day organized by the Ministry of Environment & Forests here today. While addressing the gathering, she said that there cannot be sustainable development without environment given due importance. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable development in everyday life, Smt. Natarajan said that natural resources cannot be replaced. She said that the debate of progress versus environment or development versus environment is completely irrelevant and unnecessary. Highlighting the importance of this year’s theme “Think. Eat. Save- Reduce our Foodprint” she said, that there is an urgent need to become more aware of environmental impact on the food choices we make. If food is wasted, it means all resources and inputs used in the production of all those foods are also lost, she added.
On the occasion, Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Member Planning Commission delivered the key note address on the theme. Dr. V. Rajagopalan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Co-ordinator and UNDP Resident Representative also addressed the function.
As the part of the celebrations, Five publications namely, Animal Discoveries- 2012, Plant Discoveries 2012, Coastal Zones of India, National Wetland Atlas: High Altitude Lakes of India and National Wetland Atlas : Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention were released by the dignitaries for spreading awareness and sensitizing the citizens.
On the occasion, Smt. Natarajan, presented this year’s “Young Environmentalist of the Year Award – 2013”to Ms. Arundhati Srivastava, from New Delhi . She has been selected for this year award by conducting a National Level Poster Making Competition on the occasion of Earth Day on the theme : Face of Climate Change.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/world-environment-day-observed/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 5 : Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) today directed the state government and school authorities to ensure protection of children during their transportation to school and back home. A Nabachandra, Chairman of the Commission today issued 13 recommendations to the authorities in a sitting held here at its office. He said there should be proper policy to transport school children and government should fix the numbers of students to be taken in a school van/school bus.
Transport department was directed to check vehicles as per the Motor Vehicles Act. Transporters were asked not to take up multiple jobs, paint same colour for all school vehicles, Education Department, Manipur and the Transport Department, Manipur were directed to develop appropriate modalities for streamlining services of the school van/ school bus .
The decision were taken today after the Commission took up a suo moto case 15 school children falling unconscious inside a school van on May 23 last. The Commission noted that the silencer of the van was not working properly and Carbon monoxide was released inside the van. As it was raining on the said day the driver closed the windows which resulted in the students in the age group of 7 to 11 falling unconscious.
The driver after changing the van with the help of school teachers took the children to JNIMS where the students regained consciousness after oxygen was administered for about one hour. The Commission also noted that any delay in transportation of the children could have been fatal.
The Commission said as expressed in the Directive Principles of State Policy in Article 39 (f) of the Constitution of India that “Children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment” the observations, recommendations and findings was disposed of. Members of the Commission K. Maharabi Singh, Y. Nolini Devi, Th. Jaya , Lamminlian Vaiphei , Ch.Nabachandra also were present during the hearing.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/child-protection-commission-wants-govt-to-safeguard-school-going-children/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 5 : Chief Minister O. Ibobi while speaking at a function held in connection with the unveiling of the bust of Pnadit jawahralal Nehru first Prime Minister of India and one day state level conference of unit Congress Committee held at Congress Bhavan said the stutue was kept at the Congress Bhavan proper attention and care. Congress party office complex isnthe right place for keeping the statue he added.
He informed the gathering that the UPA I and UPA II Government led by party at the centre declared flagship programmes for the people living in the country. Did any non Congress Government think of framing such policies and programmes he said.
In Manipur the people of the state sent up 42 members in the house of 60 members in appreciation of the works done by the Congress led Government in the state. Unlike others who rejoiced on seeing the mammoth figure he had sleepless nights thinking how the gesture shown to the party could be reciprocated. That victorious night I immersed my head in the pillow and cried profusely. “ I cried when I won the election, but I Laughed when I lost. People expect a lot but the Government can do very little.”
He however appealed to all including Ministers to remain prepared to face the opposition attack. All elections are important, he added. He also appealed to the Ministers to hear the voice of the masses and work honestly and sincerely.
MPCC President Gaikhangam, who is also Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home said, policy, programmes and philosophies of the party need to be enthused in the minds of the party workers. “They are the foundation on which the party stands. If the foundation is weak the construction will collapse”, he also said.
In democracy the most important thing is the people particularly the voters. The status of a nation can be judged when the development is taken down the grass root level, he said. We all must work hard to enhance the status of the state. He sought cooperation from all in this connection. Ridiculing the opposition nature of scoffing at the ruling party he said those who work hard do not find time to speak the ills of others. Opposition finds time to shower invectives on the ruling party as it has nothing to. But Congress is a working party so it does not find to speak the ills of others. He said, opposition has no issue except showering venoms on ruling party. Their main issue is to oust Congress party, come what so ever it may be. But the main issue of the Congress party is development, he also said.
What the opposition parties do not know is when they declare they will fight election as one force they just reveal their weakness. Theirs is false dream, Congress is a reality, he added.
Louzinho Faleiro AICC General Secretary in charge of Manipur said Manipur is marching ahead in terms of peace and development. Manipur had experienced sufferings in the past, he said adding “ I salute Congressmen, who worked hard against all odds to put the party in power and also the state on the path of development”.
The party flags are flying high in every nook and corner of the state. Credit goes to Chief Minister O. Ibobi , party President Gaikhangam and the workers of the party, he also said.
Saying there is no opposition in Manipur he gestured it cannot be seen when we look at it using microscopic glasses. He mentioned the sacrifices made by Gandhi family to keep the party strong and united. The nation is proud of them, he added.
Calling Manipur and other states in NE region as jewel, he said the precious stone cannot be concealed forever, it has to be shown. It will be done as the Government of India focuses on Look East policy.
Earlier the Chief Guest of the function Faleiro unveiled the statue of Pandit Nehru. Garlands and floral tributes were offered to the statue by the visiting dignitary and other leaders of the Congress party including Chief Minister O. Ibobi and Party President Gaikhangam.
S. Achouba Singh Vice President MPCC (I) gave the welcome address while Youth Congress President proposed the vote of thanks. The others, who spoke at the function were Thangso Baite MP and Priyomala Devi Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ibobi-opens-his-heart-i-cried-when-i-won-and-i-laughed-when-i-lost/