Angry students ransack, vandalize IGNTURM office buildings

Agitating over the higher authority’s failure to implement their long pending demands, members of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Students’ Union Regional Campus, Manipur IGNTUSU RCM ransacked and vandalized the Administrative Office and oth…

Agitating over the higher authority’s failure to implement their long pending demands, members of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Students’ Union Regional Campus, Manipur IGNTUSU RCM ransacked and vandalized the Administrative Office and other buildings of the varsity here Source Hueiyen News Service

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Hooda, Chavan meet Cong leadership Change of CM soon in Assam

Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan held talks with Congress central leadership here amid indications that decision on replacement of chief ministers will be made soon starting with Assam Source The Sangai Express…

Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan held talks with Congress central leadership here amid indications that decision on replacement of chief ministers will be made soon starting with Assam Source The Sangai Express Press Trust of India

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Teacher ruins students’ lives for refusal to stay in his boarding

For the sole reason of refusing to stay in his boarding, a teacher is found to have thrown away the answer scripts of five students and replaced them with blank papers with forged names of the students in the supposed answer scripts to show the five st…

For the sole reason of refusing to stay in his boarding, a teacher is found to have thrown away the answer scripts of five students and replaced them with blank papers with forged names of the students in the supposed answer scripts to show the five students did not answer in the particular subject of the High School Leaving Certificate HSLC examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur BSEM this year Source Hueiyen News Service NNN

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Blasts accused PLA man held

One RPF PLA cadre reportedly involved in planting IED on Governor Road and triggering bomb blasts at Singjamei and Moirangkhom which targeted non local labourers has been apprehended by police Source The Sangai Express

One RPF PLA cadre reportedly involved in planting IED on Governor Road and triggering bomb blasts at Singjamei and Moirangkhom which targeted non local labourers has been apprehended by police Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=4&src=220614

Free health camp conducted at Tamei

Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur DESAM in collaboration with Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur ZSUM conducted a day long free health camp at Tamei Headquarters, Tamenglong district on June 20 Source Hueiyen News Service

Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur DESAM in collaboration with Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur ZSUM conducted a day long free health camp at Tamei Headquarters, Tamenglong district on June 20 Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=27&src=220614

IGNTU students stir

Students of IGNTU RCM today vandalised the office and burnt the effigies of Dean and VC in protest against non compliance to the demand for issuing certificates and documents to passed out students Source The Sangai Express

Students of IGNTU RCM today vandalised the office and burnt the effigies of Dean and VC in protest against non compliance to the demand for issuing certificates and documents to passed out students Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=220614

CM’s cousin among 2 held

The case of burglary at the private residence of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has been cracked by the police following the arrest of two robbers, who turned out to be personnel of 3rd IRB Source Hueiyen News Service

The case of burglary at the private residence of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has been cracked by the police following the arrest of two robbers, who turned out to be personnel of 3rd IRB Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=220614

Cabinet okays major Dept tag for DIPR

A Cabinet meeting held this evening has agreed to upgrade the Directorate of Information and Public Relations DIPR to the status of a major department Source The Sangai Express

A Cabinet meeting held this evening has agreed to upgrade the Directorate of Information and Public Relations DIPR to the status of a major department Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=220614

DIPR gets nod for major Dept tag from Cabinet

A meeting of the State Cabinet held today has approved upgradation of the existing Department of Information and Public Relations DIPR into a major department Source Hueiyen News Service

A meeting of the State Cabinet held today has approved upgradation of the existing Department of Information and Public Relations DIPR into a major department Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=220614

Haollenphai villagers see red over Govt’s move to acquire 3,000 acres of land Double blow Caught between Myanmar and Imphal

Even as Myanmar has reportedly made inroads into the territory of Manipur, building army barracks on the soil of the State and dismantling houses claiming that the land belongs to them, the reported move of the State Government to acquire 3000 acres of…

Even as Myanmar has reportedly made inroads into the territory of Manipur, building army barracks on the soil of the State and dismantling houses claiming that the land belongs to them, the reported move of the State Government to acquire 3000 acres of land at Haollenphai village, bordering Tamu on the Indo Myanmar border, has left the people of the village fuming with rage and anger Source The Sangai Express

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Corrosive narcissism must not be allowed to destroy Manipur – KanglaOnline

Corrosive narcissism must not be allowed to destroy ManipurKanglaOnlineManipur remains deeply riven along ethnic lines. Not only do different communities not see eye to eye, but they continue to see and draw mutually contradictory conclusions from the …

Corrosive narcissism must not be allowed to destroy Manipur
KanglaOnline
Manipur remains deeply riven along ethnic lines. Not only do different communities not see eye to eye, but they continue to see and draw mutually contradictory conclusions from the same events, and memories. Nobody is willing to budge an inch from

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNE4hWYwwUuPv5JTn7B8l1USag66Qw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=KjSqU9iwAs2n8QH8poC4Aw&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/corrosive-narcissism-must-not-be-allowed-to-destroy-manipur/

Children’s culture of cartoon language

By Chitra Ahanthem Just the other day, a young parent on a social networking site remarked about an incident wherein during a pre-flight spell, a 7 year old local boy

By Chitra Ahanthem

Just the other day, a young parent on a social networking site remarked about an incident wherein during a pre-flight spell, a 7 year old local boy spouted in Hindi a commentary about the flight being ready to take off and how one should be ready with set belts et el. She was concerned that the young boy’s outburst was in cartoon speak mode and made the note that her own young daughter spoke like that. As is the norm with such sites, many have joined in the conversation pointing out how parenting is a challenge while quite a lot of parents have joined in saying how their own children were in cartoon speak mode. Considering how the TV remote often ends up being in the hands of children (in almost every household) and the fact that channel packs have 24 hour cartoon channels, it is almost a given that they would be hooked. But to go back to the friend who made the post: she went to add that the lingua franca of the young children would get corrupted.

In the wake of the outrage over the nudge to Hindi being the official language for communication in Government machineries (now being toned down to ‘where Hindi is the pre-dominant language only’), this parental anxiety lays bare a political and cultural paradox: where the world is opening up and influences have worked into the lives of the younger generation while the older generation frets over ‘roots’ and the purity of culture.

There have been many instances where various cultural vigilantes have frowned upon what they call the onslaught over ‘our culture and language’ with their varied actions centered around ensuring that non local words are not used in films and literature besides other such. But social scientists will point out that culture is not a limited entity but an ever growing process, that throws up certain aspects from time to time, some that endure and some that fade away. With language too, there is always a tendency for words to fade away and new ones to creep in, a global phenomenon that cuts across all cultures and all languages. We see this in the way the English language has swelled in terms of the range of its vocabulary strength starting from its early influence from Latin and Greek and now happily becoming a melting pot of numerous languages. Leave alone, the influence of other languages being absorbed into the English vocabulary, the trend now is for social media to throw up new words that are being added globally across any barriers of language or culture (case in point being words such as ‘selfie’) or for existing words to take on added meanings as in the case of the word ‘tweet’ which earlier used to be used to denote a bird sound but now means a 140 character limited status update on a very popular social networking site. The vocabulary range of the Manipuri language have for long absorbed many words that never existed earlier: cases in point being “tersing’ for ‘kerosene’, ‘laten’ from ‘lantern’ and many others.

With children, the interplay of what they see and hear around them in terms of everyday exposure is what shapes them. With cable TV that comes along with 24 hour cartoon channels being an integral part of their daily exposure, it is natural for them to be influenced in terms of their social interactions. In extreme cases, we have come across news reports of children imitating superheroes and in the process, sometimes falling to their deaths from heights or sustaining severe injuries (this has happened in other parts of the country). With nuclear families being the norm and career parents being busy with their work and the household and other social obligations, the TV becomes a very soft and available option for holding the attention of young children. One may well ask why is it that they are not taking up reading or other pursuits but the answer is an easy one: the peer pressure of being in the TV and by extension, the cartoon and TV advertisements of the latest toys or packed food products induces those who have started out not being into too much of TV watching.

End-point:
Are cartoon shows a bad influence? The answer to this is a yes and no. It is a ‘Yes’ when it becomes addictive and a ‘No’ because with parental guidance, cartoons are just another medium of entertainment. But between the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ also lies a grey area where young children are increasingly becoming confused with what they are seeing. As an example, I would cite the popular cartoon character ‘Chotta Bheem’ who lives in the fictional kingdom of Dholakpur. My 9 year old wanted to know where the rest of the Pandavas were since he thought that Chotta Bheem was the younger version of Bheem, the second of the Pandava brothers.

Like many young children, he too speaks in cartoon lingo and intonation but I prefer to look at the bright side of things: at least, he is picking up Hindi and at a much faster pace than I was at his age. With Hindi getting into the limelight, it’s good for him and his generation if cartoons are what it takes to aid their grasp over the language. My son has also picked up a smattering of Japanese from a Japanese cartoon show and recently asked me if he could change his name to that of one of the characters therein! And the other day when he was refusing to take his bath and I was at my wit’s end, I tried a cartoon voice. It worked, because he was totally kicked that his mother knew about the ‘kid stuff’ he watched!

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/childrens-culture-of-cartoon-language/

Corrosive narcissism must not be allowed to destroy Manipur

By Pradip Phanjoubam Manipur remains deeply riven along ethnic lines. Not only do different communities not see eye to eye, but they continue to see and draw mutually contradictory conclusions

By Pradip Phanjoubam

Manipur remains deeply riven along ethnic lines. Not only do different communities not see eye to eye, but they continue to see and draw mutually contradictory conclusions from the same events, and memories. Nobody is willing to budge an inch from their original hostile stances, yet in the same breath continue to talk as if they were messengers of peace with no other interest than resolving the conflict situations destabilising the state. The picture of intellectual ennui is oppressive, and as in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”, everybody at the drop of the hat with enthusiasm say “Let’s go” but none ever moves.

Elsewhere the organized looting of the state coffers by the officialdom continues, as if this was a natural service perk. On one side, from lowly government clerks to the top functionaries of the government, all have become part of an elaborate bribe extraction network, and the loot is shared across the hierarchy of the officialdom as if by long established consensual formulas. On the other side, from petty contractors to desperately insecure job seekers, too are part of this system corroding game. Everybody naturally also cover each other’s back to ensure this circle of corruption and its unholy dividends remain unbroken.

This absurd theatre would have evoked universal laughter had it not been so tragic. Indeed, whenever one spies a LandRover or Pajero SUV on the land’s potholed roads, the gut reaction is not of awe at the owners’ achievements. In this land so bereft of captains of industries (you can still actually count people who have made it big by talent and enterprise on the fingers), the only ones so obviously, openly and shamelessly opulent are those in the government contract cartels and government officials who moderate the allocation of these contract works.

Wealth here therefore is not a sign of economic growth. It also does not contribute to the state’s residue of economic dynamism. It would not be a factor in the multiplication of employment or build the regenerative capacity of the economy or add to the fund of life skills and competitive entrepreneurship of the place. It can only be spent to satiate avaricious consumerist passions, therefore the increasing surreal sightings of super expensive cars and marble palaces amidst the expanding slums and decaying infrastructures of Imphal and other townships in the state.

This is tragic because as many anthropologists and archaeologists studying the disappearances of civilizations have noted and warned, one of the biggest factors behind certain societies becoming unable to stand the incessant winds of changes of time are those which have been extremely inward looking and narcissistic, where the individuals have become unable to see beyond their selves and narrow self interests.

Consider these five factors identified as common to all peoples and societies which have failed to survive the onslaught of time. Anthropologist and author Jared Diamond lists these in “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fall or Survive”. One is climate change. This can be either external, such as the cycle of Ice Age of the cosmic storms on the sun’s surface which can radically alter earth’s climate. It can also be, and often is, brought by the people on themselves through irresponsible and short-sighted damages they cause to their own living environments.

Another factor is hostile neighbours. These scientists also note that often the society which fell to hostile neighbours did so because they had been weakened by other factors, among these is the economy becoming inadequate to support and sustain their population, therefore resulting in internal political and civic strifes.

The falls have also often been a cascading effect, in which the fall of one society leads to the fall of other interrelated societies. This is not difficult to imagine. Even the most rudimentary societies learn to exist in a symbiotic relationships, and therefore the prosperity of one, unacknowledged or acknowledged, is vitally dependent on the prosperity of the other neighbours. In Manipur’s case for instance, it should not be difficult to imagine how if the hills become unliveable because of environmental degradation the valley will not have it easy, and vice versa. The mantra is, only mutual prosperity can ensure continued prosperity of all. When the tide rises, all boats rise.

The last of the factors is, self absorbed, insensitive, narcissistic elite. Be it the fall of the Greeks, the Roman Empire, Mughals, Mayas, Incas, Khmers this factor has been common to all. The saying “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” encapsulates this scenario succinctly. Like Nero, the Maya priest kings were also busy throwing ever more grand feasts and accumulating wealth, while the Mayan society sank progressively into chaos and disorder, foreordaining the ultimate demise of all.

It is scary to think all these factors seem familiar to the Manipur scenario today. This generation may survive the damages, but what about the next? And this question is not just for the children of parents who have not made grade this generation, but even for those at the top rung? What would even the best skilled and educated amongst the next generation be left to do other than migrate to other parts of the country and world, or else join the bribe scramble in the state to garner the increasingly limited government jobs? Even if the coming generation manages somehow through inheritances form their “resourceful” parents, what about the generation after them? A society which wishes to, and has the resilience to, survive must be able to look at least that far, and much beyond too. Does Manipur look like it has this quality, is an honest introspection all need to do honestly before it becomes too late. At this moment, its elite seem unconcerned, and this thought is disturbing.

On June 18, in Imphal and other valley townships, the death of 18 on this day in 2001 was commemorated. The 18 died tragically in outraged rallies and riots at what had seem was a move to disintegrate the territorial integrity of Manipur by the then NDA government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, when it declared the formal extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) “without territorial limits”. The heavy price they paid with their deaths, won the day for Manipur, and the clause “without territorial limit” was removed from the ceasefire declaration to maintain status quo ante.

While their martyrdom cannot be forgotten, and the losses that their loved ones suffered must be shared by all with gratitude, it must not be forgotten that this alone is unlikely to heal the wounds of division in the state. It is not a coincidence that while preparations were being made for this solemn observation, the UNC called a bandh in the Naga areas. Obviously there are others who see the stakes differently, and no matter how painful, this must be acknowledged by all interested in the return of peace in this beleaguered land.

The truth is, Manipur continues to live in the past. This is true equally of those who believe Manipur has always had a united existence as “state bearing” peoples from “time immemorial”, as much as it is true of those who contend the hill-valley relationship has always been and still is marked by the valley exploiting the hills. Beyond all the power of emotive rhetoric, it is difficult to be convinced how Manipur is emotionally integrated at this moment. Beyond similarly emotionally charged rhetoric, it is equally difficult to imagine, or figure out, how the valley continues to exploit the hills. There are differences, but are these the result of anybody’s intent? Or is it impersonal forces such as those of geography? Even if these beliefs and grudges are found to have a basis, it is the challenge before all to work out amicable a solution which does not leave anybody with a sense of injustice.

The people of the state, those who believe in preserving the integrity of Manipur as well as those who think this is preposterous, must sit down and put this question not to any others but themselves. The honesty with which these questions are answered, will be the beginning of a more permanent resolution to the conflict of interests which so frustratingly have stymieing this shared homeland of ours. This would be in the enlightened self interest of all.

I take the example of this particular friction, for it is currently blazing. But what is said of this scenario would be true of the other internal ethnic frictions as well. The Sadar Hills question for instance. Or the delimitation of new constituencies, to think of another case.

Take the latter case. Delimitation would not have been difficult technically and legally, had the hills and valley belonged to the same revenue system. For instance, there would be very little issue if Imphal West or Thoubal were to be divided into five districts each. Likewise, it would not be difficult to divide Ukhrul or Tamenglong into five districts each. But when the delimited territories overlap reserved and non-reserved districts, the trouble would begin, for if non-tribal populations get incorporated into reserved districts, intractable legal questions of citizenship rights would arise. But provided the parties are ready to sit down and thrash things out, place reasons above emotions, and above all, are willing to accommodate in the democratic spirit of give and take, there should not be any problem which cannot be resolved.

It is time for Manipur to exorcise itself of the ghosts from the past. Before it is too late, its people must begin looking for ways to shape a future of equitable justice for all. This vision of justice must however not be confined to just the immediate political economy, but encompass the larger living environment that takes into consideration issues of ecological conservation and relationship with all neighbouring communities and indeed the rest of the world

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/corrosive-narcissism-must-not-be-allowed-to-destroy-manipur/

Hindi On The Fast Lane

By M.C. Linthoingambee There has been huge discussions over and over again in determining an offfiial language of the country. A family in large numbers often have difficulties reaching to

By M.C. Linthoingambee

There has been huge discussions over and over again in determining an offfiial language of the country. A family in large numbers often have difficulties reaching to a conclusion and likely to most every day events we are just being families fighting over who gets the last candy. The National Democratic Alliance Government has kicked off with a proposal to give more prominence to Hindi with increasing effect through the social media.

It was announced that there were two official languages for India: Urdu and English but as time calls for new occasions the Prime Minister had made vehement remarks to make Hindi the official language that represents India. “Who better than Mr. Modi to promote Hindi as an official language of the country?”, this statement has been in the media highlights recently over the controversies in ascertaining that all states of India must uphold Hindi as its official language. There have been those who have come out in support of the proposal, not to mention the hefty oppositions that deeply intersect to negate the thought of making it a reality. Several leaders has called for the non-imposition of Hindi as the official language of communication like the Tamil Nadu CM and DMK Chief slamming the door shut on such an approach and claiming that such impositions should not be made on non-Hindi speaking sections of the country.

The Official Language Act, 1963 has its own perks of promoting the linguistic heritage that each people of every region holds and thus the Tamil Nadu CM has acclaimed the recent plan as being “against the letter and spirit” because in a global world where social media has reached more doorsteps than we can ever sought to enter in our lifetime if they cannot understand our words than how can we communicate. The people located in ‘Region C’ with whom the Government of India’s communication needs to be in English will not have access to any public information if it is not in English. In the words of several leaders that have been standing by their notion of non-acceptance of imposition, they acclaimed as to why should Hindi be given more priority over other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said the BJP in its election 2014 manifesto, had promised to develop all languages with a rich history and culture. He also called for declaring all 22 languages in the VIII schedule of the Constitution, including Tamil, as official language and “thus put an end to the Hindi imposition controversy.” Another circular announced a prize money of Rs 2,000 to two employees who do their official work mostly in Hindi. Rs 1,200 and Rs 600 will be given to the second and third position holders respectively.

Truth to the matter is there is not a country like India with its rich cultural and linguistic diversity and yet, co-exist as one. It is also true that the features of one person in the north is different to that of the south and the feature of the person in the west differs to one in the east. This is something we cannot deny and over the years, the country has paid immensely in order to make its huge family function. It is true that for most people in the northeast or in the southern states of India, Hindi bears an unfamiliarity as we are not in use to it frequently. But when we travel to the northern states, our daily dose of work requires us to talk to vendors, rickshaw walas, etc and we eventually tend to learn the rudimentary basics, which is just enough to make small conversation but we cannot be calling ourselves a total genius over the command of the language. Truth be told, it is hard. Learning things do not come by usually in a day or two specially if it comes as an imposition. We exist in what we would like to call as a democratically sound country and not that of a dictatorial ground so it would be wrong in giving special benefits by making Hindi bias on people’s parts. In the words of every great leader, we are all children who has been raised well enough to abide by our own decisions and in knowing that we are given the expected freedom in making these choices.

The decisions of any person speaking and having a preference to any language should be left on them. It would be fundamentally incorrect to dictate a certain affiliation into making a person of non-Hindi speaking state grasp on the language. As citizens, it we should make it a duty to safeguard the listed and non-listed categories of language that is outspoken by the majority and those unknown minority. Let’s face it, it’s not everyday that language barriers are broken and yet, we can communicate and make it through signs even without vocabularies.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/hindi-on-the-fast-lane/

“You are safe right?”: The Impossibility of Empathy

Part1 By Soibam Haripriya December 16th rings a bell; no one needs to explain more. The date is fixated on many minds as a day of a horrendous crime. That

Part1

By Soibam Haripriya

December 16th rings a bell; no one needs to explain more. The date is fixated on many minds as a day of a horrendous crime. That was two years ago. Does 27th May ring a bell? For a few yes, perhaps very few. Very few aftermath protest marks this crime. There is certainly no outpouring on the streets of Delhi. No one feels ‘It could have been me’; ‘It could have been my daughter/my sister/my wife’ (the rightful discomfort that women feel on being put in the category of sister/daughter/ wife/mother will not be discussed here). A thought that was shared by many in the aftermath of December 16th is certainly not a thought shared in the aftermath of May 27th.

Patriarchy and its oppression works out not as a standalone system but is woven with all the other oppression socio-economic, class-caste configuration etc. It is but a hope that our sense of indignation also DO NOT work in a similar configuration but it does. The Badaun rape case, -On the 27th of May of two sisters (post mortem report has confirmed rape) were raped and strangulated and hung from a tree a mere kilometre away from their home. To this and the dismal record of the safety of women in his state the Chief Minister’s response (to a reporter was) –“You are safe right?”

Rape is one of the many brutal acts of domination. In the aftermath of December 16th, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had (in) famously said in Silchar “Crimes against women happening in urban India are shameful. But such crimes won’t happen in Bharat or the rural areas. You go to villages and forests and there will be no such incidents”. (That the Prime Minister of the country is a member of the RSS whose chief made this statement should be a cause of worry. This is certainly not a digression). Contrary to Mohan Bhagwat it is in his Bharat (as always) that a low class, caste, untouchable, woman has more chances of getting raped because of the inaccessibility to the police systems that work on the same line of caste configuration, political patronage and social political clout of the other group. There is almost an unwritten law of “who can be raped, molested and assaulted” with more impunity than the others. We all know “who can be raped” in this country because of (low) caste, (militarised) (rural/urban) region, (visual/ “racial”) differences. This also signals who amongst us will be indignant at what crime and where. There is a demarcation of boundaries beyond which we do not care to be indignant, a boundary beyond which there is an impossibility of empathy. It is certainly a tragedy that while many student’s groups fight for a “sister” getting raped in the capital, the strong drawn lines of identity prevents us from en masse protesting the Baduan rape in the heart of the country.

This is not to pitch one protest against another. There are many issues the December 16th protests raised and the everydayness of the evenings’ events before the rape certainly is what many could identify with. However, when other identities get enmeshed with violence against women one sees a lack of engagement with the violence itself. For instance the uproar in the valley after the molestation of a meitei actor is made to lead to the molestation and an attempt to sexual assault of two minor girls because they belonged to the community of the accused. Thus logically the protest is not a condemnation of the act of molestation per se it is because of ‘who’ had committed a crime against ‘whom’. The prevalence and embeddedness of other identity should not subsume the brutality of sexual violence and other crime against women. The universality of the crime should be recognised and therefore resisted.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/you-are-safe-right-the-impossibility-of-empathy/

Attack the Heart Attack factors

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant Heart attack is one of the leading causes of deaths in India. It is in fact one of the most common causes of death worldwide.

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant

Heart attack is one of the leading causes of deaths in India. It is in fact one of the most common causes of death worldwide. But what exactly is a heart attack?

To put it in layperson terms, it is a commonly used name for one of the most frequently seen forms of heart disease in which the blood vessels which supply blood to the heart become narrow or blocked, and so are not able to supply the required amount of blood to the heart, or in case of a completely blocked blood vessel, not able to supply blood at all. What causes the blood vessels to narrow or get completely blocked? There are various factors, which increase the risk of heart diseases with many of them not being within control and hence inevitable. However, there are enough risk factors which are well within the means of man and thus are controllable.

Some of the risk factors that are inevitable include old age, as progressing age increases the chances of heart disease. This factor of age is fast changing due to changing lifestyle and poor quality of life with the trend now slowly affecting not just the older generation but also the middle age group . The tendency for a heart disease is far greater in males than in females, as it is commonly seen that more men die of heart ailments as compared to women. In case of women, the tendency to heart diseases increases greatly after attaining menopause. Family history plays a vital role towards the tendency of heart diseases. This means that if a person has a history of immediate relatives like parents, siblings etc. who have been affected by heart disease then the person himself also naturally stands a risk for heart ailments.

Still, there are many heart disease risks which can be controlled. By making some lifestyle changes a person can actually reduce the risk factors towards heart diseases. One risk factor that is controllable is smoking. Smokers have more than twice the risk of heart disease as compared to non smokers. So it is best to not smoke at all, or reduce smoking gradually and eventually quit. Increased cholesterol levels is another factor that increases the risk of heart attacks greatly. People should go for annual cholesterol check ups after the age of 35. The main aim should be to keep the total cholesterol count under 200 mg/dL, and increase in the HDL (High Density Lipids) levels which is the ‘good cholesterol’ while reducing the amount of LDL (Low density lipids) which is the ‘bad cholesterol’. It is always advisable for people with an abnormal cholesterol profile to visit a doctor to seek their opinion regarding starting medications to control the same.

High blood pressure also plays a vital role in increasing the risk towards a heart attack. It is in fact one of the most common heart conditions in India. Ideal blood pressure of a person must be 120/80 mmHg. If there is an increase in the blood pressure, then like cholesterol, its interpretation must be sought from a doctor and treatment should be individualized taking into account a person’s entire risk profile. Diabetes contributes another significant amount to the risk factors of heart disease. Controlling diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular medications is known to reduce the risk.

Increased body weight and sedentary lifestyle also are other risk factors. Increasing weight gain puts unnecessary strain on the heart and also worsens several heart condition risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc. Exercising or maintaining a healthy weight by controlling the diet can help. Exercising infrequently or not exercising at all has a higher rate of tendency towards heart ailments. It is a healthy practice to do mild to moderate physical activity. Even leisurely walk or activities like gardening can significantly lower the risk. Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt content, saturated fats, cholesterol, refined sugars etc is a ‘heart healthy’ habit. It is also healthy to increase the intake of foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients especially antioxidants which have been proven to lower the risk of heart diseases. Also consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts is a very healthy habit.

Stress can contribute greatly to heart disease. While stress is a natural part of life, learning to cope with it is of vital importance. Dealing with stress by venting it out in the form of anger or violence only adds to health issues, rather than reducing it. Poorly controlled stress or anger can lead to heart attacks or stroke. It is important to learn stress and anger management techniques, by practicing relaxation exercises, practice yoga, learning to manage time, setting realistic goals, and also learn to accept failure and cope with it. It is important to spend quality free time doing things that a person likes or feels relaxed with.

While the inevitable risk factors are beyond control, it is best to follow a healthy and balanced lifestyle keep the controllable risk factors at bay.

(To be continued)

 

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/attack-the-heart-attack-factors/

Probe in series of bomb blast ends in arrest of PLA man, says police chief

“Vigilante group in greater Imphal area soon” IMPHAL, June 21: The State Director General of Police Shahid Ahmed speaking to media in his office this evening has stated that there

“Vigilante group in greater Imphal area soon”

IMPHAL, June 21: The State Director General of Police Shahid Ahmed speaking to media in his office this evening has stated that there will be vigilante groups within a few months in the Greater Imphal area. He said this is to prevent crimes in the Leikais with active participation from the people.

The DGP further announced that the arrest of a PLA man has solved the series of IED blast in the State capital in recent times.

Further calling it a major breakthrough of his department, he said Ningthoujam Joykumar alias Joychand Singh of Khangabok of Thoubal District has been arrested following operations based on intelligence inputs.

Addressing the media, he said preliminary investigation has revealed that Joykumar alias Joychand was working for the PLA, and was responsible for planting an IED at Governor Road on May 14.

It is also revealed that he had planted the IED at Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leirak on June 14 and the one at Singajmei on May 29, 2014 which claimed two lives and injured 14 others, said the DGP.

The DGP identified Joykumar to be a machine-man working in the Punshi Press at Paona Bazar, Imphal. Incriminating articles have also been recovered at his instance, maintained the DGP.

On a query regarding the reported involvement of VDF personnel in many crimes, harassment of two wheeler drivers in the name of frisking and even collecting ‘illegal taxes’ from the Rickshaw pullers and the auto-Rickshaws, the DGP said, “I have given strict instructions to the officers to act on such practices by the VDF.”

He continued, “After all, they are not regular forces and are very lowly paid.”

When asked whether it is high time to consider either revoking or regularising the force, the DGP said he will look into the matter, and if at all it is to be revoked, some of them will be retained and regularised considering their good service to the police so far.

On the sidelines of his briefing, the IFP resident editor, drew the DGP’s attention to promote Oinam Bembem, who is already a star of Indian women football, presently serving in Manipur Police to a more suitable post, at which the DGP welcomed the suggestion and took a serious note, and said he will do something positive.

The DGP said the recent achievement of his department is the culmination of a series of efforts made by Imphal West District police and other valley Districts police. He said there has been effective frisking, cordon and search operations in specific areas; as many as 55 UGs were arrested, along with recovery of 10 hand grenades, 5 pistols, 1 revolver and 1 detonator. Of the 55 arrested, 11 were females who worked as conduits of weapons and IEDs, he added.

The DGP appealed for corporations from the public to mitigate crimes.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/probe-in-series-of-bomb-blast-ends-in-arrest-of-pla-man-says-police-chief/

Kuki outfits optimistic of NDA government

DIMAPUR/IMPHAL, June 21 (NNN): The current terms of Suspension of Operation (SoO) between the Government of India, the Manipur Government and the two umbrella Kuki underground organisations–Kuki National Organisation (KNO)

DIMAPUR/IMPHAL, June 21 (NNN): The current terms of Suspension of Operation (SoO) between the Government of India, the Manipur Government and the two umbrella Kuki underground organisations–Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF)– will expire on August 22, which is also the date for the tripartite talks between these parties to be held in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, KNO spokesperson Dr Seilen Haokip when contacted by Newmai News Network, said the umbrella organisation will observe closely how the new government i.e. Narendra Modi led NDA perceives and considers the Kuki issue and the Kuki underground outfits.

Dr Seilen Haokip said the KNO has been studying the situation and will continue studying the scenario till the second week of August before signing for the extension of the Suspension of Operation (SoO).

“Signing the SoO pact just for the sake of signing every time it expires is a futile exercise,” stated the KNO leader. Dr Seilen Haokip however expressed hope that the NDA government will be better than the Congress led UPA government.

“Yes, I personally feel more optimistic with the NDA than the previous government UPA,” said Dr Seilen Haokip, a prominent leader of KNO, adding with a jibe, “The UPA government was too arrogant and lacks integrity.”

The KNO leader further expressed his personal opinion that Narendra Modi’s slogan of “minimum government and maximum governance” is something worth noting.

“Modi seems to be more firm and a man of integrity,” added Dr Seilen Haokip. However, it is too early to conclude things, added Dr Haokip.

“Let us wait and see,” he said.

On the line of Dr Seilen Haokip, the UPF and NSCN-IM leaders too have expressed and said they have more faith with the Narendra Modi led NDA government.

Expressing similar views, Sanga Hmar, the convenor of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) of the United People’s Front (UPF), the other umbrella organisation of Kuki underground organisations said they too have more faith on the NDA government than the previous Congress led UPA government. He expressed hope that things are likely to be on the move.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has expressed on various occasions hinting its good rapport with the NDA than the UPA.

“We are more comfortable with the NDA leaders than the UPA leaders,” said a prominent NSCN-IM leader over the phone today. He then recalled that it was during the NDA regime under Atal Bihari Vajpayee when things were moving at a faster pace than during the UPA regime with regard to the Naga peace talks.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/kuki-outfits-optimistic-of-nda-government/

Cabinet to send recommendation for summoning of Assembly session to Guv

IMPHAL Jun 21: The state cabinet today resolved to send recommendation to the Governor of Manipur for summoning the eight session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly. The cabinet meeting

IMPHAL Jun 21: The state cabinet today resolved to send recommendation to the Governor of Manipur for summoning the eight session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The cabinet meeting was convened this evening chaired by the Chief Minister at his secretariat.

Sources informed that the recommendation would be sent tomorrow.

The meeting reportedly deliberated upon the agenda of conversion of Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR), to a major department for which the state has sought a comprehensive detail project report.

The cabinet also unanimously agreed to offer suitable jobs in the Youths Affairs and Sports department to 12 sports persons who won gold medals in the 5th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd National Games.

The 12 players were left out by the State Ggovernment recently while allocating government jobs for outstanding players, the sources further informed.

Even as if these players are serving outside the states they would be offered higher post acknowledging them as the assets of the state.

Meanwhile the cabinet Okayed to start initiating the Mega tourism project. Under this projects development works will be taken up for integrated mega tourist circuit for Marging polo, Kaina, Khebaching and Khongjom.

Moreover, development of integrated infrastructure in the adjoining Imphal city and Bishnupur will be sets in motion including development of tourist resort at Sendar Hillock, water sports complex at Takmu, selection for professional consultant for plant, drawing and structures.

The power point presentation was made recently regarding the projects.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/cabinet-to-send-recommendation-for-summoning-of-assembly-session-to-guv/

IGNTU students ransack director’s room

IMPHAL, June 21: The students’ union of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Manipur today went on a rampage at the university campus in Imphal damaging properties inside the director’s

IMPHAL, June 21: The students’ union of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Manipur today went on a rampage at the university campus in Imphal damaging properties inside the director’s room, administrative block and the rooms of assistant and deputy registrar this noon.

Speaking to the media, president of the union, Manglen Gangte said the university campus was established in the year 2009, however, till date the certificates for the 2012 batch has not been issued till date.

He said there are only a limited number of books in the library which are mostly out of syllabus and bad internet connection.

This has caused much hardships for the students, he lamented.

He further charged that the scholarships for the M Phil fellowship students have not been provided till date.

He said the North East Council had already approved the construction of a sports complex inside the university campus during the early part of 2014 which is yet to begun. The officials have already siphoned off the said funds, he alleged.

In this connection, the students’ union had met with the VC and director of the university on June 10 to discuss the issues during which the director had assured to look into the issues within 10 days, he continued.

However, there has been no single positive step taken up regarding the issue from the university’s side, he continued. The failure of the authority to bring any positive outcome within the stipulated time angered the students today, he said.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/igntu-students-ransack-directors-room/