Manipur News

By N. Arunkumar
Laika, the first living creature who was sent to space on November 3, 1957, had actually died it seems, soon after the launch of the Sputnik 2, Russia`s manned space ship, to go one notch up on its rival of those days , the USA. Unfortunately, Laika was a scapegoat, a guinea pig, as the jargon goes, for specimens used for laboratory experiments to test something new on a living creature, in the name of scientific progress.

Laika was a street dog, a mongrel that was picked up from the streets of Moscow, in order to be sent on that ground-breaking mission to space. Of course the poor mongrel clearly did not know what was going to be her fate, or even what the whole thing was about that was being secretly put in place by the Russian scientists.

In that rigid Communist regime of the erstwhile USSR, it was impossible for anyone to question or even enquire about the activities of the highly secretive and often ruthless machinations of the coterie holding the reins of power in their politburo. Had there been a pressure group to speak up for the ethical treatment of animals, the story would perhaps have been different and Laika would have lived an average dog`s life.

In fact, one scientist involved in that path – breaking mission, had declared that it was not worth having sent the poor mongrel to its terrifying end, as they had hardly learnt anything significant from that experiment, according to his own admission. The craft had eventually crashed into the ocean floor after a while.

The poor dog had died within five to seven hours of the launch, though the regime withheld that truth till much later. The people were however given to believe that Laika had lived in space for many days, instead of hours, as news was never told in truth from behind the Iron Curtains of the regime. The poor dog invokes a tear in those who care to read the real story of the fate of the creature, available all over the Internet today.

There are detailed accounts of how she was prepared for the mission and trained to endure the stress of space travel, though the scientists knew that they were sending her to her wretched end all the time. Mans singular aim to realize a majestic scientific accomplishment took priority over other noble human values, in the case of this dog. The poor street dog had only wanted a loving home and affection from her handlers, and perhaps she had felt secure under their watchful eyes and the special treatments that were being showered upon her in the build up to the last days before the mission, after she was snatched from the streets of Moscow.

There is a particular picture of the poor creature sitting in her capsule inside the Sputnik 2, looking helplessly and almost crying out for some sympathy from her handlers, who had left her in the capsule to be sent to space. That picture refuses to leave my mind even at this moment as I try to feel like her, sitting in that death row. A dog was about to be sacrificed at the altar of science and quest for supremacy over a rival nation, equally ruthless in its quest for doing one better than the other.

A monument has been erected in Moscow by the Russians now, as a memorial to the sacrificed little dog, Laika. The language of love, which all mankind professes as the only solution to achieve a peaceful world and happiness for all, is more or less all the time put under the butcher`s knife relentlessly. You might wonder why I should be musing over the death of a mere dog, who had been instrumental in mans pursuit for scientific knowledge.

It is of course insignificant to many who have no element of compassion for our speechless friends from the world of the animals of less important faculties. But, the simple fact is that they are also creatures, who have needs and fears just like us superior humans.

Man has forever been a major threat to weaker animals, and it would not be out of place to mention here that more often than not, he is even prone to be wilder than the wild animals roaming in the jungles of the world. Man has pitted himself against monster beasts, using his feeble body but far superior powers of thought and action.

But, Laika, my dear girl, you will forever be remembered and cherished as the brave girl who went ahead in your journey to death, and I take solace in thinking that you went away from our midst, nearer to God who treasures you now in his garden of everlasting joy. You will always remain alive in our memories Laika, my dear brave girl.

I heard your last bark that was recorded before you went silent eternally. Your terrified bark will forever travel in the waves of eternal time as a message to those who sent you up, as a bark to the horrors of being men. However, we pray that you are resting in peace, nearer to the creator who loved you more than us. I console myself by these self delusions.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/XNEmz9d0xwg/

After nearly two decades of the new push in India’s South East Asia foreign policy, often referred to as “Look East Policy”, which created such a lot of optimism in the region when it was first spelled out, it has hardly left any substantive mark in the Northeast. Nobody can say 18 years is not a long enough time to see at least some visible evidence of its fruits. The question that beggars an answer for those of us in the region at this moment is, what happened? There are of course some developments which can be seen as preparatory measures, as for instance the ongoing construction of the super highway which would connect Silchar to the rest of the super highway network in the country, the upgrading of airports in the northeast, in particular the Guwahati, Imphal and Agartala airports. These airports now even have modern night landing facilities. If the extended deadline is not extended again, Imphal would be in the railway map of the country by 2014. The Silchar highway and the Imphal rail line, it is anybody’s guess, will not culminate either at Silchar or Imphal, but ultimately be extended to link up with the road communication network in South East Asia. Still, even as these preparations are being made, there ought to have been also some parallel activities that ensured the optimism of the policy did not die in the region.

A lot of initiatives however have been happening elsewhere as part of the Look East Policy. Free trade treaties have been signed, multilateral business and policy summits held in various capitals of South East Asian capitals where important decisions were taken etc. Indeed, statistics show a substantial increase in the trade volume between the ASEAN and India during the period. Most of these trades however have been happening by the sea route. The point is, in all these activities, either towards policy framing process or their execution, there has been very little involvement of the Northeast region and its minds. This is unfortunate, although the fault must be shared by the intelligentsia and political executives of the Northeast. They have been simply allowing this very important issue, which are predicted to come to have very important bearing on all of their lives ultimately, to pass by without paying much attention. The guilt must also be equally if not more, borne by our so called enlightened academia. What have they been doing as this very important caravan continues to pass by the region? They should have taken the lead in correcting perspectives.

This is not to say trade under the Look East Policy must be made to happen only through the Northeast. This will not be possible as like water, trade will also normally take the route of least resistance. It must be remembered traders are looking for profit and not philanthropic social service. Hence, the sea route normally would be preferred wherever feasible, as transportation cost as well as effort needed for transportation, is much less by sea. Perhaps this is an indication that the Look East Policy must have two components. One should concentrate on trade alone, and the other to the uplift of the Northeast region through studied opening up of suitable trade potentials. In the framing of the roadmap for the latter, it is vital that the intelligentsia and political establishment of the Northeast are made major partners. As for those in the Northeast who are sceptical about the Look East Policy per se, let them reassess the matter from the standpoint that this opening up is a process which cannot be halted, not only because it is being pushed as a policy, but precisely because it is a natural process as well. Since this is something which would happen with or without our participation, it is better we participate and be in the driver’s seat of the affair so that only the right windows and doors are opened, and those which should not be opened are left unopened. Traditional trade routes had become dislocated and shut on account of another geopolitical shift of political paradigm in the wake of the decolonisation process of a large part of Asia and the drawing of new national boundaries in the mid-Twentieth Century. Natural economic region thereby became fragmented and disjointed. The second proposed component of the Look East Policy designed to have a relevance to the Northeast is precisely about reopening and revitalising these ancient trade routes and economic spheres for the benefit of the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/ZQN8VVvYAnE/

After nearly two decades of the new push in India’s South East Asia foreign policy, often referred to as “Look East Policy”, which created such a lot of optimism in the region when it was first spelled out, it has hardly left any substantive mark in the Northeast. Nobody can say 18 years is not a long enough time to see at least some visible evidence of its fruits. The question that beggars an answer for those of us in the region at this moment is, what happened? There are of course some developments which can be seen as preparatory measures, as for instance the ongoing construction of the super highway which would connect Silchar to the rest of the super highway network in the country, the upgrading of airports in the northeast, in particular the Guwahati, Imphal and Agartala airports. These airports now even have modern night landing facilities. If the extended deadline is not extended again, Imphal would be in the railway map of the country by 2014. The Silchar highway and the Imphal rail line, it is anybody’s guess, will not culminate either at Silchar or Imphal, but ultimately be extended to link up with the road communication network in South East Asia. Still, even as these preparations are being made, there ought to have been also some parallel activities that ensured the optimism of the policy did not die in the region.

A lot of initiatives however have been happening elsewhere as part of the Look East Policy. Free trade treaties have been signed, multilateral business and policy summits held in various capitals of South East Asian capitals where important decisions were taken etc. Indeed, statistics show a substantial increase in the trade volume between the ASEAN and India during the period. Most of these trades however have been happening by the sea route. The point is, in all these activities, either towards policy framing process or their execution, there has been very little involvement of the Northeast region and its minds. This is unfortunate, although the fault must be shared by the intelligentsia and political executives of the Northeast. They have been simply allowing this very important issue, which are predicted to come to have very important bearing on all of their lives ultimately, to pass by without paying much attention. The guilt must also be equally if not more, borne by our so called enlightened academia. What have they been doing as this very important caravan continues to pass by the region? They should have taken the lead in correcting perspectives.

This is not to say trade under the Look East Policy must be made to happen only through the Northeast. This will not be possible as like water, trade will also normally take the route of least resistance. It must be remembered traders are looking for profit and not philanthropic social service. Hence, the sea route normally would be preferred wherever feasible, as transportation cost as well as effort needed for transportation, is much less by sea. Perhaps this is an indication that the Look East Policy must have two components. One should concentrate on trade alone, and the other to the uplift of the Northeast region through studied opening up of suitable trade potentials. In the framing of the roadmap for the latter, it is vital that the intelligentsia and political establishment of the Northeast are made major partners. As for those in the Northeast who are sceptical about the Look East Policy per se, let them reassess the matter from the standpoint that this opening up is a process which cannot be halted, not only because it is being pushed as a policy, but precisely because it is a natural process as well. Since this is something which would happen with or without our participation, it is better we participate and be in the driver’s seat of the affair so that only the right windows and doors are opened, and those which should not be opened are left unopened. Traditional trade routes had become dislocated and shut on account of another geopolitical shift of political paradigm in the wake of the decolonisation process of a large part of Asia and the drawing of new national boundaries in the mid-Twentieth Century. Natural economic region thereby became fragmented and disjointed. The second proposed component of the Look East Policy designed to have a relevance to the Northeast is precisely about reopening and revitalising these ancient trade routes and economic spheres for the benefit of the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/ZQN8VVvYAnE/

IMPHAL, June 12: A community hall cum bazaar shed at Waikhong bazaar, which was constructed under the Manipur Development Society (MDS) with a total cost of Rs. 9 lakhs was inaugurated by the works minister K Ranjit Singh. 

The inaugural function was also attended by Heiyanglam assembly constituency MLA E. Dwijamani who is also the chairman of Manipur state pollution control board, and Dy. Speaker Th Lokeshore and MLA E. Suraj Singh.

Speaking at the function, works minister K Ranjit Singh said that the Congress led government will bring only peace and development in the state and the country.

He maintained that regular payment of state employees’ salaries is one of the main achievements of the Congress led government during its last nine years of rule.

Taking up where the Chief Minister left yesterday during a reception ceremony, the works minister further added that in order to bring an equal development in both the hill and the valley districts of the state, the SPF government is taking up a series of developmental works in the state.

Further speaking at the function, he declared that a congressman will not follow nepotism regarding developmental works in the state.

Citing the recent ban of Th Muivah from entering the state as an example he stated that the congress is not interested only in power but in the general welfare of the state and its people.

With the general elections stated to be held early next year in the state, the works minister also stated that he hoped that the general public will bring back the party which has brought development and peace in the state.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by PWD engineers, block congress committee officials and pradhans of the area.

In the meantime works minister K. Ranjit further started the 3rd Tampha Lairembi State Level Mukna Tournament 2011 organized by the Wangoo Tampha Lairembi Mukna Association under the supervision of All Manipur Mukna Association at Wangoo this evening.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/Q4m8KTzpQFI/

IMPHAL, June 12: A community hall cum bazaar shed at Waikhong bazaar, which was constructed under the Manipur Development Society (MDS) with a total cost of Rs. 9 lakhs was inaugurated by the works minister K Ranjit Singh. 

The inaugural function was also attended by Heiyanglam assembly constituency MLA E. Dwijamani who is also the chairman of Manipur state pollution control board, and Dy. Speaker Th Lokeshore and MLA E. Suraj Singh.

Speaking at the function, works minister K Ranjit Singh said that the Congress led government will bring only peace and development in the state and the country.

He maintained that regular payment of state employees’ salaries is one of the main achievements of the Congress led government during its last nine years of rule.

Taking up where the Chief Minister left yesterday during a reception ceremony, the works minister further added that in order to bring an equal development in both the hill and the valley districts of the state, the SPF government is taking up a series of developmental works in the state.

Further speaking at the function, he declared that a congressman will not follow nepotism regarding developmental works in the state.

Citing the recent ban of Th Muivah from entering the state as an example he stated that the congress is not interested only in power but in the general welfare of the state and its people.

With the general elections stated to be held early next year in the state, the works minister also stated that he hoped that the general public will bring back the party which has brought development and peace in the state.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by PWD engineers, block congress committee officials and pradhans of the area.

In the meantime works minister K. Ranjit further started the 3rd Tampha Lairembi State Level Mukna Tournament 2011 organized by the Wangoo Tampha Lairembi Mukna Association under the supervision of All Manipur Mukna Association at Wangoo this evening.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/Q4m8KTzpQFI/

DIMAPUR, June 12( Newmai News Network): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) today decided to accept the request of Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Professor K. Kannan for some more time to declare the undergraduate results. The student body has, therefore, relaxed the indefinite agitation which it began on Friday. 

The decision was taken during a meeting of the ANCSU officials held in Kohima today, the second day of the indefinite strike being carried out to protest against the failure of the University authority to declare the undergraduate results even after a lapse of 60 days as per the norms of UGC.

ANCSU officials said following the online declaration of BSc results today and also having received an official letter from the Vice Chancellor requesting extension of some more days for declaration of the BA results, the Union’s executive had a meeting and decided to relax the agitation. They, however, warned that they would resume their agitation and resort to own course of action if the Vice Chancellor fails to declare the results within the dates sought by him.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by ANCSU Assistant General Secretary Metsivikho Meyase informed that the Union had received a letter forwarded by the Governor’s Secretariat, with the wise intervention of the Governor of Nagaland, who is also the Chief Rector of Nagaland University, whereby the Vice Chancellor requested one more week to complete the evaluation of answer scripts and four days to declare the Arts stream results after moderation.

The Union, therefore, decided to relax the indefinite dharna. However, failing to comply in declaring the Arts Stream results within the stipulated time as requested by the Vice Chancellor, the Union shall resume further course of action, the release stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/k6ZKtVyb58A/

DIMAPUR, June 12( Newmai News Network): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) today decided to accept the request of Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Professor K. Kannan for some more time to declare the undergraduate results. The student body has, therefore, relaxed the indefinite agitation which it began on Friday. 

The decision was taken during a meeting of the ANCSU officials held in Kohima today, the second day of the indefinite strike being carried out to protest against the failure of the University authority to declare the undergraduate results even after a lapse of 60 days as per the norms of UGC.

ANCSU officials said following the online declaration of BSc results today and also having received an official letter from the Vice Chancellor requesting extension of some more days for declaration of the BA results, the Union’s executive had a meeting and decided to relax the agitation. They, however, warned that they would resume their agitation and resort to own course of action if the Vice Chancellor fails to declare the results within the dates sought by him.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by ANCSU Assistant General Secretary Metsivikho Meyase informed that the Union had received a letter forwarded by the Governor’s Secretariat, with the wise intervention of the Governor of Nagaland, who is also the Chief Rector of Nagaland University, whereby the Vice Chancellor requested one more week to complete the evaluation of answer scripts and four days to declare the Arts stream results after moderation.

The Union, therefore, decided to relax the indefinite dharna. However, failing to comply in declaring the Arts Stream results within the stipulated time as requested by the Vice Chancellor, the Union shall resume further course of action, the release stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/k6ZKtVyb58A/

IMPHAL June 12: The Shija Hospital and Research Institute today observed its fifth anniversary while side by side launching ‘Mission Myanmar’ today.

The programme which was held at the hospital premise was attended by health minister L Jayanta and Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) among other dignitaries.

The Smile Train project sponsored by the Smile Train Incorporated, a US based NGO was taken up by Shija Hospital and in course of time many individuals mainly children having cleft lip and palate in the state have been operated on.

Under the project Shija hospital has performed 1927 cleft operations. Of these 20 percent were conducted outside the state including in Myanmar.

Managing director of SHRI, Dr Kh Palin stated that the project will be taken up in the neighboring country Myanmar starting from June 28 to extend the campaign, he said that there are numerous cleft and palate cases in the country which are left unaddressed due to lack of surgeons and only one surgeon from Thailand has been treating the cases in the country.

It is also speculated that Myanmar must be having around 50,000 to 60,000 cleft lip and palate cases out of its 15 million population with most of them requiring operation.

Palin said that the patients of Myanmar go to Thailand for surgery which is costly and time consuming.

“ Since the treatment we offer is free of cost and the close vicinity between Manipur and Myanmar would prove much effective in addressing the cases”, he said.

The campaign will also be extended to Tripura, Nagaland and Cachar.

Health minister L Jayentakumar attending the anniversary celebration as the chief guest assured that necessary help would be extended to Shija Hospital’s Mission Myanmar.

“We’ll be extending necessary help if required”, he said before adding, “I will make my own arrangement to attend the forthcoming programs”.

Expressing the need to mobilize the human resources of the region, the minister also provided a brief update on the latest status of the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service which was initiated when he was transport minister. Besides he also informed the gathering particularly the media that NEDFI had agreed to take up a medicinal and aromatic plant project in the state.

Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) attending the STCP anniversary while sharing on a similar sentiment, said,”Our project has no boundary as we are moving forward for a cleft free society. So it should be made mandatory to send persons with cleft cases from Myanmar to Manipur without any hesitation otherwise there would be no meaning of the Look East Policy”.

A Myanmarese citizen Sabilal (52),a resident of Tamu township who had been waiting his turn for the free operation at Shija said,”I’m happy now as I would get proper operation here”. He is among nine Myanmarese patients who have come down to Imphal for treatment of various ailments.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/61MXG7YGJ5c/

IMPHAL June 12: The Shija Hospital and Research Institute today observed its fifth anniversary while side by side launching ‘Mission Myanmar’ today.

The programme which was held at the hospital premise was attended by health minister L Jayanta and Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) among other dignitaries.

The Smile Train project sponsored by the Smile Train Incorporated, a US based NGO was taken up by Shija Hospital and in course of time many individuals mainly children having cleft lip and palate in the state have been operated on.

Under the project Shija hospital has performed 1927 cleft operations. Of these 20 percent were conducted outside the state including in Myanmar.

Managing director of SHRI, Dr Kh Palin stated that the project will be taken up in the neighboring country Myanmar starting from June 28 to extend the campaign, he said that there are numerous cleft and palate cases in the country which are left unaddressed due to lack of surgeons and only one surgeon from Thailand has been treating the cases in the country.

It is also speculated that Myanmar must be having around 50,000 to 60,000 cleft lip and palate cases out of its 15 million population with most of them requiring operation.

Palin said that the patients of Myanmar go to Thailand for surgery which is costly and time consuming.

“ Since the treatment we offer is free of cost and the close vicinity between Manipur and Myanmar would prove much effective in addressing the cases”, he said.

The campaign will also be extended to Tripura, Nagaland and Cachar.

Health minister L Jayentakumar attending the anniversary celebration as the chief guest assured that necessary help would be extended to Shija Hospital’s Mission Myanmar.

“We’ll be extending necessary help if required”, he said before adding, “I will make my own arrangement to attend the forthcoming programs”.

Expressing the need to mobilize the human resources of the region, the minister also provided a brief update on the latest status of the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service which was initiated when he was transport minister. Besides he also informed the gathering particularly the media that NEDFI had agreed to take up a medicinal and aromatic plant project in the state.

Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) attending the STCP anniversary while sharing on a similar sentiment, said,”Our project has no boundary as we are moving forward for a cleft free society. So it should be made mandatory to send persons with cleft cases from Myanmar to Manipur without any hesitation otherwise there would be no meaning of the Look East Policy”.

A Myanmarese citizen Sabilal (52),a resident of Tamu township who had been waiting his turn for the free operation at Shija said,”I’m happy now as I would get proper operation here”. He is among nine Myanmarese patients who have come down to Imphal for treatment of various ailments.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/61MXG7YGJ5c/