Month: January 2015

IMPHAL, January 28: The decadal 4th Women Conference of Rongmei Naga Baptist Association (RNBA) was kicked off today at Longmai (Noney) common ground Tamenglong district under the theme `Excellent Woman in Christ`. The conference will be concluded on January 30. Atleast 15,000 delegates from 183 churches affiliated under RNBA of Manipur and Assam will take part in the conference.

Rev. Akam Kamei, vice prisident Rongmei Naga Baptist Association inaugurated the conference by cutting the ribbon of the conference hall at Longmai- III.

Later Rev Mansi Gangmei, Executive Secretar of Rongmei Naga Baptist Association hoisted the Rongmei Naga Baptist Association flag and declared the conference opened during inaugural service in the late night.

Marking the opening day the excellence mother award of Rongmei Naga Baptist Association was awarded to Ramdiatliu Pamei, 90 years old of Dailong Baptist Church wife of Late Pastor Ramridin Pamei. The award consist of cash award, souvenir and a memento. Moreover, Parade of choirs, seminar on various, traditional dress display further marked the conference.

The conference aimed to march forward towards perfection in Christ and also aims to attain prefect sprituals.

Rev. Akam Kamei, President Rongmei Naga Baptist Association released the souvenir. Akeina Gonmei, Develoment Scretary of Rongmei Baptist Association Nagaland; Rev L. Timothy Phaomei, Pastor, RNBACC, Imphal; Dempu Pheiga, programe Manager, World Vison India and Dr. G. Majachunglu Gracy, PG RIMS Imphal attended as the guest resource persons in the three days long conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/rnba-observes-conference-at-tamenglong/

IMPHAL, January 28: All Tribal Students Union, Manipur has demanded that MPSC must follow UGC norms while recruiting assistant professors for government colleges.

Speaking to the media at a press meet in the ATSUM office at Nagaram, Vareiyo Shatsang, general secretary of the apex tribal students`™ body, said multi-disciplinary subjects must be recognised by MPSC as per UGC norms without any discrimination.

As per UGC norms, equal weightage should be given to publication of seminar papers, teaching experience etc, and the academic track record, he added, warning to launch agitations from February first week if the government doesn`™t comply to the norms laid down by UGC.

He said it was unfortunate that MPSC was sticking to a norm that`™s being followed in the recruitment of teachers under RMSA, SSA etc where 85 percent weightage is given to academic performance with the remaining 15 percent decided by how one performs in an interview, which is not justified while selecting teachers for the highest seat of learning.

Elaborating that all levels of studies beginning from matriculation to post graduation is not equally important, he said that`™s why more weightage should be given to the graduation and the post graduation level. The current norms of MPSC are ridiculous and irrational as it gives more weightage to performances at the matriculation and intermediation exams more than Ph. D degrees.

The National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC, CSIR or similar test recognised by the UGC like SLET/SET is a required qualification for the post of assistant professor in colleges and universities, he said, adding MPSC shouldn`t overlook the importance of NET/SLET/JRF during the recruitment.

As such NET/SLET/JRF should be given equal weightage to Ph. D degrees while considering all the criteria and publication of research works, seminar papers and teaching experience etc should be given more weightage than performance at the intermediate levels, he said.

He further said that Mphil/PhD degree holders from relevant multidisciplinary centres/subjects must also be considered as per UGC norms during the recruitment without any bias and discrimination. It is unfair on the part of MPSC to evaluate only the academic performance indicators and the performance in a Viva Voce for the recruitment of assistant professors, he added.

All PhD holders before or after 2009 must be treated equally but while also keeping this in mind that the marking system during the late 80`s, and the 90`s varies a lot. There has been a more liberal system of marking from 2005 onwards, Shatsang said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/atsum-demands-adherence-to-ugc-norms-in-recruitment-of-assistant-professors/

THOUBAL, January 28: Social Welfare minister, AK Mirabai inaugurated three Observation Homes today at three different areas of Imphal, Thoubal and Bishnupur today. The homes were constructed under provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of children) Act, 2000 for the year 2014-15 with recognition from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

The homes inaugurated are located at Nambol Maibam Chingmang, Bishnupur District, Langthabal Lep Mayai Leikai, Imphal West District and Samaram of Thoubal District.

While, the home at Langthabal Lep Mayai Leikai, Imphal West District is for girls only, the other two are for boys and all three will be run under the Ministry of Women and Child Development`™s `Integrated Child protection Scheme.

The Samaram Observation Home constructed by the All Backward Classes and Economic Development Organisation has a total capacity of 25 inmates and was constructed.

Speaking after the inaugural of the homes, the minister said the more such home will be constructed at Tamenglong, Noney, Ukhrul and Imphal East.

Including the three homes, the Social Welfare department has already constructed 14 children homes, two shelter homes and an observation home since 2013 in the State, she said adding that all the homes were constructed with the concerned ministry providing 90 percent funding while the remaining 10 percent were provided by NGOs.

Stating that Thoubal district has the most number of NGOs, the minister further pointed out that the NGOs need to be alert and at the same time understanding of the needs of the inmates who are all juveniles.

Efficient counseling is needed she said adding that any wrong advices or counseling could have adverse effect on the young minds.

The NGOs and those involved in running the homes should also be in regular touch with other concerned government departments, she said.

Mirabai also said that the Social Welfare department has also taken up specific schemes for the disabled and the department is always available for the people.

It can be mentioned that the inauguration programmes were attended by MLA Landhoni, MLA S. Bira, Social Welfare director Rangitabali Waikhom and JJ Board members, CWC members and members of department.

Meanwhile, Thoubal DC, T. Ranjit, SP Radhashyam took part in the inauguration programme held at Samaram and spoke on JJ Act meticulously.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/mirabai-inaugurates-three-juvenile-observation-homes/

IMPHAL, January 28: At least seven individuals including women were injured in a violent confrontation between agitators and police today at Oinam bazaar during the first day of the 48 hour bandh imposed along the Tiddim road in the area.

Meanwhile, police also reportedly arrested 15 protestors.

The bandh which commenced from 5 am this morning was imposed by the Oinam Tangleihada Okshoi Grazing Ground Protection Committee.

In response to the bandh, locals of the Oinam area came out in the streets and blocked the roads piling up burning tyres, log and stones, disrupting the normal traffic along the Tiddim road.

A team of Bishnupur police rushed to the area and attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas, mock bombs. In retaliation, the agitators started using catapults and throwing stones. In the confrontation at least seven individuals were reportedly injured.

The bandh was reportedly imposed in opposition to a government decision to hand over 128 hector of grazing ground to the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department.

The committee claimed that during the last 70 years the grazing ground has become an important part of the people living in and around the Oinam area. It may be mentioned that the committee had reportedly submitted memorandums on several occasions demanding the State to cancel the allotment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/oinam-bandh-turns-violent-seven-injured-in-policeprotestors-faceoff/