Day: March 25, 2015

IMPHAL, 24 March: Learning floriculture is not only a useful skill but it can also be a way to booming business said Retd Director of Agriculture B Haridas Sarma yesterday at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel. He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a 14-Day Entrepreneurship Skill Development Training Programme for the young aspirants of Churachandpur District in floriculture under BRGF Scheme. The programme was organised by The Garden Care in collaboration with SIRD.

Haridas Sarma further mentioned that there are some flowers species of Manipur which are in demand in Delhi and other metro cities. He suggested the participants to acquire in depth knowledge from the resource persons during the training session.

DRDA, Churachandpur Project Officer Yumnam Shasikumar Singh lauding the organiser for conducting such skill development programme said that florists are in demand these days as decoration with flowers are in fashion in almost every occasions.

Supplementing the statement, agriculture officer, Horticulture & Soil Conservation K Devdutta Sharma said that floriculture is not new in the State but it is not in practice at large within the state.

He said that from floriculture one can have a decent livelihood. He further mentioned that the state of Mizoram is doing well in floriculture and they are exporting flowers to Singapore and Amsterdam and likewise most people of Sikkim earn their livings from floriculture. He said that all flowers are not suited to every soil conditions hence it knowledge of what suits where is essential.

He said that the district of Churachandpur is best suited for Anthurium, Dendrobium, Gerbera and Tuberose flowers and participants from the said district will do well with the said flowers.

All Manipur Working Journalist Union President W Shyamjai said during his presidential speech that work culture should be given priority.

He added that floriculture is one important thing to for people learn in depth to get better productivity. He said that it could be a way of earning livelihood, but stressed on developing a work culture and proper knowledge in the specific fields of choice.

The dais members distributed gardening tools to all the participating candidates during the inaugural function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/floriculture-can-be-a-way-to-economic-emancipation-of-many-experts/

IMPHAL, March 25: If peace returns to our state, the dreaded Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA 1958, will automatically be repealed from the state said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi speaking at the first Northeast India Women Peace Congregation held at Sangai Hall, Imphal Hotel today.

Addressing the opening function as chief guest, Ibobi further said return of peace is the key to the end of AFSPA 1958 in our state. He cited the example of the withdrawal of the Disturbs Area Status from the seven Assembly Segments of Imphal in 2004 considering the sentiment of public by the state government, he said this is not impossible.

On the other hand, if the law and order situation is not normal, the AFSPA will remain even if the State government agrees to repeal it, he said. As an illustration Ibobi cited the case of Nagaland where the State Government have been trying hard to have the AFSPA repealed from their State, but to which the Central Government has never given its assent.

We already have seven segments free of the AFSPA and even if our people can maintain peace, the whole state can shake itself free of this Act, Ibobi further said.

He commended the first Northeast India Women Peace congregation today, saying it is a good initiative by the Control of Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) in collaboration with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (NWGSN) and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP).

Okram Ibobi said that though Manipur is a tiny state located in Northeast part of the country, it has the priceless asset of being endowed with rich natural beauty and cultural mosaic of a diverse range of ethnicities.

He said in Manipur, both in hills and in the valley, women serve as the backbone of the family as well as the society. He also agreed that in the event of any violence or conflict in a society, the first to feel the pain are women and children.

Our state has experienced prolonged insurgency and counter-insurgency, and this has had a great impact on the welfare and psychology of womenfolk. Many have lost husbands, fathers, brothers, sons`¦ and the burden of keeping the household hearth burning has increasingly been left on the shoulders of women.

They have also suffered direct physical assaults and injuries, humiliations, rapes and murders. Over and above conflict related sufferings, they have also often been the victims of domestic violence, he said.

He said the effort of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace to help such women victims are extremely praiseworthy. `I really appreciate the effort put up by renowned personalities to sensitise the government as well as all stakeholders on this issue` said Ibobi.

He said while the government is taking all possible measures to protect the right and privileges of the women folks, it is a welcome step that these organisation are also taking measures in supporting the victim in psychological and financial terms to uphold the dignity in the society.

He also urged the womenfolk of the State to also give a concerted effort to mould public opinion to shun violence. If such an effort is successful, he added that Manipur is sure to regain its long lost ambience of trust, love, peace and harmony one again and have the leisure and inclination once again to enjoy the bountiful gifts of nature their State is bestowed with.

He assured his government would take all necessary steps for protection of women as well as to extend assistance to the victims ensure them means of livelihood.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/if-peace-returns-afspa-will-automatically-be-repealed-says-okram-ibobi/

IMPHAL, March 25: President of Manipur Loumi Lup, N. Mangi Singh during a press meet held at Irawat Bhavan today has declared 2015 as Year of Struggle for Water.

He further said that the government has to put water policy and should take up immediate steps to provide water to the people by sending water tankers to all. He also said that various schemes of government to provide water has failed as well as scheme implemented at places without any water source. He also said that the functional water schemes should be put into use immediately.

The lup has demanded the government to discuss the issue of water scarcity faced by the people in a cabinet meeting. A memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Minister appealing to solve the problems as well as to take necessary step and to revive fail schemes, he said.

Mangi also said that necessary steps should be taken up to conserve water of Loktak Lake. He also said that the lup would take up agitation from April if the government does not take up any necessary step regarding the water scarcity. The Lup Vice President, N Shingajit also appealed to all the civil societies and NGOs to cooperate regarding the agitation.

It may be mentioned that Vice President of Loumi Lup, U Rajmohon and General Secretary, H Ibobi as well as the council members of Lup also attended the conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/loumi-lup-declares-water-crisis/