Month: October 2017

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Oct 4

The 62nd Wildlife Week 2017 was observed today at the auditorium of Rayburn College, under the theme ‘Celebrate Right of Wildlife’.

The observance was flagged of by CEO of ADCC, T. Kammuanlal Simte and attended by DC of Churachandpur, Shyam Lal Poonia as chief guest, while SP Rakesh Balwal was the functional president. It was organised and hosted by the divisional forest officer (DFO), Southern Forest Division, Churachandpur, KS Tombing.

The DFO in his key note address said that concerning the killings of wildlife animals during the year 1952, the government has initiated many steps for wildlife protection and declared the Wildlife Week.

The chief guest and functional president told the students present in function about the value, importance and worth of wildlife. They further encouraged the students to spread for the same to others.

The observance also witnessed prize distribution to the winners of the spot painting competition on the theme ‘Wild life around us’ which was held on September 26, under same organiser. A debate competition was also held on the theme ‘Hunting should be banned’.

In painting competition, Joseph Genmuansang, a Class XIII student of Don Bosco High School received a certificate and cash prize for first position, followed by second and third prizes by participants from Hermon English  School and Don  Bosco High  School  respectively. In debate competition, Chinglenmoi, a Class XII student from Don Bosco Higher Secondary School won the first prize. An on the spot article writing competition of 250 words was also held and it was won by a Class X Student of St. Stephen School, Neihpihling.

IMPHAL | Oct 4

Textiles, commerce and industry minister, Thongam Biswajit Singh urged government officials to ensure that benefits of all government schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.

Minister Biswajit was speaking at the inaugural function of a Combined Programme of 10 Handicrafts Cluster Projects (Technical Training Programme, Integrated Design Development Project and Design Development Workshop) at the Classic Hotel today.

Addressing to the local artisans present in the programme, the minister said handicraft and handloom sector helps in employment generation in the State, however, there are certain factors including lack of awareness, capital and exposure to new and modern technologies which are slowing the sector down.

Biswajit further expressed the need to properly educate and mobilise the artisans in order to empower them so that they may increase their productivity. He said the main objective of the training is to achieve socio-economic empowerment of the artisans. The artisans should be sincere in their work for the scheme to succeed, he added.

Minister Biswajit Singh also explained the need to educate the artisans of the various schemes of the government for their welfare.

Explaining the need to create awareness of government schemes among the public, he said it is the responsibility of the government and its officials to educate all artisans and intended beneficiaries about the schemes. He further stated that officials of the department should ensure that the artisans get the full benefits of the training.

Textiles, commerce and industry principal secretary, P.Vaiphei said Manipur has a very rich handloom and handicrafts tradition. He said there is a huge percentage of household involvement in handloom and handicraft sector, particularly in rural areas.

Stating that many of the people involved in these sectors do so as part of their tradition, he continued because of the fact that these are part of our tradition it is extremely important for us to promote it.

Our handloom is our identity; he said adding it tells about who we are before we speak. He continued that from a distance people can recognise us from our dress. He also said that when somebody visits our homes and villages, the handicrafts which are on display at our homes and villages tell a lot about our background, culture, history and tradition, which is extremely important.

Director of handlooms and textiles, Manipur and managing director (Manipur handlooms and handicrafts development corporation Ltd.) K.Lamlee Kamei announced a toll free helpline No. 18002120403 of the department through which anyone can make enquiries regarding handloom and handicrafts delivery scheme.

Today’s inaugural function was also attended by chairman MHHDC Ltd. and deputy. chairman, Manipur state planning board, S Rajen Singh.

IMPHAL| Oct 4

State election commission has notified that the 5th general panchayat election will be held on October 7, covering six revenue districts in the State which are Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Jiribam.

A release said the six deputy commissioners (DCs) of the respective districts are the district election officers and six general observers are appointed to look into the smooth functioning of the election process. There are 14 returning officers (ROs) within the six districts; it said adding counting of the votes will take place from October 11 onwards till the completion at their respective districts.

The ballot paper of zilla parishad will be pink colour, the ballot paper for pradhan will be yellow and the ballot paper for GP member will be white, it said. Each voter has to cast his/her vote in secrecy in three different colours, it continued.  The pink colour ballot paper for zila parishad member should be cast in the pink ballot box, the yellow colour ballot paper for pradhan should be cast in yellow ballot box and the white colour ballot paper for G.P member should be cast in white ballot box, it added.

Meanwhile, a control room has been opened in the office of the state election commission at DC Imphal West office complex, Lamphelpat, said a release. All communication related to the 5th general panchayat election may be made at the control room telephone numbers 0385 – 2414983 and 0385 – 2414984, it said.

DIMAPUR |Oct 4 (NNN)

The Dr Shurhozelie led Naga People’s Front (NPF) “unanimously” adopted a resolution to appeal to the NSCN (K) to “renounce violence and come back to the negotiating table with the government of India which is the ardent desire of the Naga people”.

This resolution was taken during the meeting of the Central Office Bearers (COB) of the party was held today at its central office in Kohima.

The meeting also reiterated its support to the ongoing peace process vis-à-vis political talks between the NSCN (IM) and the government of India and appreciated the latter for extending invitation to the Working Committee of the 6 Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) for political negotiation. “It has been the unwavering stand of the NPF that solution should be inclusive of all stakeholders so as to bring permanent peace,” it added.

IMPHAL | Oct 4

The government of Manipur is all set to celebrate Mera Houchongba tomorrow. This is the first even state level celebration to be jointly organised by the state government and Sanakonung. The main celebration will be at Kangla tomorrow which is the 15th day of the lunar calendar of Mera month.

The village chiefs along with young boys and girls from different hill districts of the State have arrived at Imphal today.

Constituting a State Level Mera Houchongba Committee for the first time, the government of Manipur will be celebrating the festival. The chief minister of Manipur is the chairman of the committee and commissioner of art and culture department is the convener.

All the other ministers and members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly are also in the State Level Mera Houchongba committee.

Titular King, Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba will lead the village chief of the hills and will march to Kangla at 8 am tomorrow. At Kangla, ‘Men tongba’ and ‘Yelhing thaba’ rituals will be performed as per tradition.

The main function will begin at Kangla at 1 pm. Chief minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, Meidingu Leishemba Sanajaoba and art and culture minister, L. Jayantakumar will attend the function as the chief guest, president and guest of honour, respectively.

Pot Lannaba (exchange of gifts) and traditional cultural programmes will be the highlight of the function.

Convenor, Mera Houchongba Thousil Lup Sana Konung, Longjam Ratankumar will give welcome address and the keynote address of the function. Convener, State level Mera Houchongba committee, art and culture commissioner, M. Lakshmikumar Singh will give vote of thanks.

State level Mera Houchongba committee is inviting all the people of Manipur to participate at the first joint venture of the government of Manipur and Sana konung for the Mera Houchongba festival.