Tag: Editorial

Unless you show the commitment to fight for your own protection nobody will come to help you. Do not forget there is a saying a coward dies twice. Enough is enough. The time has come for giving a grinding halt to this madness called bomb culture, which has permeated everywhere. We are allowing bombs to be used against us. If you are not targeted today the next target will be you or dear ones. Using bomb to extract a few lakhs of rupees, does not it sound funny. Harmful effects of this bomb culture is known to all. Therefore dharna with placards depicting choicest words condemning bomb culture is launched whenever there is attack on civilians by unknown elements with bomb. But the dharna and the voice emitted through such agitation will not reach the pale of understanding of those, who indulged in the bomb culture. Like the rounded boulder, which does not have ears and eyes, which can neither see nor hear the perpetrators of crimes will remain where they are stuck like the stone. Big boulder rolls down when only it receives a great jerk. Understanding basic nature of life steps have to be taken to protect ourselves. Collective will of all is required to make our surrounding peace and calm. It is time men in power summon all the people, who have become bomb victims and discuss with them what steps could be taken to redress their grievances. Surely they must be having an opinion which should be used as guiding principles of the course of action being contemplated to be taken up by the Government. All these stories of bomb landing on top of latrine and near the fencing wall or portico smashing the little few have not gone down well. What happens after the bomb blast nobody knows? Everything has been hushed up. Large number of local people also comes out to show solidarity with the bomb victims. But soon after the dharna had ended everybody forgets all that had happened in their locality. Who are these attackers? Why they use bomb without showing any sign of remorse when there is casualty. The attackers too are sons of the soil. Human life is precious. The wailing sound of victims’ families should reach within the pale of hearing of the attackers. They cannot live like the stone without hearing anything. The victims family members wept with nobody hearing their voice. No wonder when one cried for return of peace and tranquillity one has been slapped with irrelevant charge of being in league with enemies. Frustrations are galore. If the unknown elements are responsible for bomb attack men in uniform also drag itself into controversies for killing man without any reason. Extremes can meet with extremes. They are born to do that. It is time everyone realises the harms being done to the society by leaving our society in a chaotic situation. Stop the madness called bomb culture. Instead work for the prosperity of the state as a whole and the society in particular.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/stop-bomb-culture/

Mary Kom family will not accept anything less than victory. The family has aired the view of the entire masses of the state. Mary Kom and L. Devendro punching all the way to stand on the highest podium of the victory stand will be as smooth as well greased wheel rolling. They were too smart and brisk for their rivals. When the rivals landed one or two punches they retaliated by showering volley of punches one after another using both hands left and right from top and bottom. Their stamina was unmatched. Foot work was superb. Like a good artiste jumping to the sound of drum beats they moved gracefully which was anathema to the rivals. Manipuris have inborn artistic talents and if it is channelized properly in any field of one’s own choice it acts as a boost to achieving higher goal in the field chosen by one. Having seen the fight of Mary Kom and Devendro against their rivals we are now convinced that the two Manipuris will return with the yellow medal adorning their neck. Don’t forget one plus billion people of the country are praying for the victory in their successive fights. This time the supreme God will be generous in granting the blessing, which was elusive for several years. Mythological stories of Hindu tell that God waits for the opportune moment to give the boon. Lord Krishna told the principles of life to Arjuna the hero of Mahabharat only, because he knew Arjun could uphold the principles of life handed down to him. We have got the right persons now. They can translate the wishes and expectations of the masses into reality. God will hear this time and the blessing will come down in form of rounded yellowish colour medal. The better side of their success story is that they will inspire lakhs of youths in the country and the state of Manipur in particular to come out and try luck in boxing. Sports require proper foundation. Improperly laid foundation will collapse when it gains height. The fact that the duo could tackle their rivals in the manner a teacher dealing with a student reveals their commitment to the game and also initiation into the game since childhood. The duo had made the right choice of life. They have shown the light for others to follow. They have also shown that the physical structure of Manipuris fits for the contact game like boxing. Manipuris by nature are street fighters. While other communities lock in verbal duel Manipuris fight on the road. The fighting spirit having been channelized into the contact game Manipuris naturally shine in this game. It is time the duo are kept reminded time and again the entire people of the country are offering prayers for their victory in the game of their choice. Manipuris long to see the arrival of the day when both of them emit victorious smile with the yellow medal around their necks. That day is not far off.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-smile-to-make-millions-happy/

Mary Kom family will not accept anything less than victory. The family has aired the view of the entire masses of the state. Mary Kom and L. Devendro punching all the way to stand on the highest podium of the victory stand will be as smooth as well greased wheel rolling. They were too smart and brisk for their rivals. When the rivals landed one or two punches they retaliated by showering volley of punches one after another using both hands left and right from top and bottom. Their stamina was unmatched. Foot work was superb. Like a good artiste jumping to the sound of drum beats they moved gracefully which was anathema to the rivals. Manipuris have inborn artistic talents and if it is channelized properly in any field of one’s own choice it acts as a boost to achieving higher goal in the field chosen by one. Having seen the fight of Mary Kom and Devendro against their rivals we are now convinced that the two Manipuris will return with the yellow medal adorning their neck. Don’t forget one plus billion people of the country are praying for the victory in their successive fights. This time the supreme God will be generous in granting the blessing, which was elusive for several years. Mythological stories of Hindu tell that God waits for the opportune moment to give the boon. Lord Krishna told the principles of life to Arjuna the hero of Mahabharat only, because he knew Arjun could uphold the principles of life handed down to him. We have got the right persons now. They can translate the wishes and expectations of the masses into reality. God will hear this time and the blessing will come down in form of rounded yellowish colour medal. The better side of their success story is that they will inspire lakhs of youths in the country and the state of Manipur in particular to come out and try luck in boxing. Sports require proper foundation. Improperly laid foundation will collapse when it gains height. The fact that the duo could tackle their rivals in the manner a teacher dealing with a student reveals their commitment to the game and also initiation into the game since childhood. The duo had made the right choice of life. They have shown the light for others to follow. They have also shown that the physical structure of Manipuris fits for the contact game like boxing. Manipuris by nature are street fighters. While other communities lock in verbal duel Manipuris fight on the road. The fighting spirit having been channelized into the contact game Manipuris naturally shine in this game. It is time the duo are kept reminded time and again the entire people of the country are offering prayers for their victory in the game of their choice. Manipuris long to see the arrival of the day when both of them emit victorious smile with the yellow medal around their necks. That day is not far off.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-smile-to-make-millions-happy/

Nothing surprising and it does not evoke much anxiety. It also does not torment the already troubled mind of the farmers, when a portion of the canal of Khuga dam was depressed. It has to happen. It is Manipur. More so when the work is done under the IFCD Government of Manipur. It is quite natural the work done by the contractor cannot be investigated properly by engineers for, the engineers themselves are not so sure about the release of the bills of the contractors. Penniless contractors whose bills have been withheld run here and there without getting the benefits. Nobody hears their voice. It might be for these reasons that the contractors defy all norms of construction of retaining walls. The depth and breadth of the retaining walls are always reduced and quality of the work is something not to be talked about. IFCD lacks commitment it cannot say no to the fresh proposal handed down to the department to take up fresh project without earmarking proper fund for the works. Now engineers are hiding. They avoid meeting with the contractors as they cannot clear the bills. In the recent past engineers were kept under suspension when a portion of the retaining wall of the Nambul river depressed. That was unethical and unprecedented. No engineer should be punished when anything happens because they are handicapped to investigate the construction work. They cannot assert when the contractors defy construction norms. Because they know the gullible contractors will not be getting money for the work done. So free hand has been given to the contractors. Consequently quality has been compromised. It is time new Minister of the IFCD gives serious thought on the matter of pending bills rather than taking up fresh work. The well being image of the society has been tarnished when the contractors are kept unhappy by holding back their bill. Unable to get back the amount spent on the construction work they show the tendency to incline on the unwanted elements to do a favour for them. That is called nurturing nexus between contractors and unwanted elements. PWD complex where major engineering departments are cloistered has been fortified. This is an attempt to foil the entry of unwanted elements into the complex. Union Government desires private Government partnership in taking up developmental works. Delay in clearance of contractors’ bill goes against this spirit. Understanding the problems facing the educated unemployed youths, it is time the state Government takes up steps to give benefit to this section of the people. A Government exists to serve the interest of all people not only its employees. If the employees are getting pay regularly why should not the section of people, who survive working under the Government as contractors, enjoy equal benefits? One should get better perks and perquisites according to the nature of responsibility taken by one and also according to the volume of work done by one. Nobody will say anything on that. The concerned departments have no right to withhold the payment of the contractors. Attention of the highest authority is drawn to look into the matter. Get the blessings of the neglected lot by doing something for them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/equal-treatment-a-must/

Historic Kangla is desecrated everyday by Government officials of all hues and public representatives also of all hues. The road passing through Kangla fort is being used by the above class people showing least concern to the sanctity of the Kangla fort. They may they have a point or two to explain why the road is used may be to avoid traffic jam on the NH no. 39 or to shorten the road. Nobody will take their word for their action itself is disgusting and an act of disgrace to a place, which has attained the status of being called world heritage site. The manner with which they come out of the fort in full speed in the process violating traffic rules is really disturbing. It is menacing. Without waiting for the traffic stoppers to regulate movement of vehicles they whizzed past leaving pedestrians and users of the road wonderstruck. Vehicles used by common men land in precarious condition in bringing their vehicles to screeching halt to allow the VIPs to pass. Who will tell these big shots to respect traffic rule. Something they did on the public road they might be doing the same at the Kangla road also. They need to be told of the importance of the Kangla fort. Historian Romila Thapar had stated that Kangla fort possesses all the ingredients of getting the world heritage site status. One feels awestruck when one sees cars and jeeps are driven into and driven out of the complex without any reason. Governor of Manipur and Chief Minister using the road to avoid traffic congestion is different thing. They can be excused. After all it is the desire of the masses that every part of the state should be seen by the duo to speed up developmental works. If they use the road it is on very rare occasion. But what can these bureaucrats and young ministers and public leaders do about the development of Kangla. So we say the manner with which they use the road by driving the vehicle into Kangla is disgracing. Yesterday a small Maruti car was seen entering the Northern side of the gate and then coming out through the western side. When Manipuris fought against the occupation of Kangla fort by the Assam Rifles personnel they did not anticipate that such a beautiful place surrounded by beautiful trees and historic structures would end up being used by trespassers as short cut road. It is a serious matter, which cannot escape from the prying eye of the Government. A place, which is considered sanctum sanctorum by two million people of the state, cannot be desecrated in the manner as is being done now. If this historic Kangla fort would end up being used as short cut road what gain we have made after evicting security forces from the fort. We do not learn anything to show respect to our culture and tradition. Kangla is like a mandir, a church and a mosque to all the people living in Manipur. Take steps to protect the fort. Do not allow it to be used as a short cut road by VVIPs.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/desecration-of-kangla-by-vips/

Importance of the bridge connecting Uripok and Sagolband through Vijaygovinda Leirak on Sagolband side and Polem Leikai on Uripok side is being stressed here. A tiny portion on Uripok side just near the bridge had depressed by about one and half causing hindrance to the smooth running of vehicles. Just two or three bags of gravel will be required to fill up the depressed portion. Even the local men can do that. Who cares attitude is being shown here. Traffic jam at the bazaar area is controlled by keeping roads and bridges at the outskirt areas in good shape. The users of the particular bridge have felt the inconvenience caused to them by the depressed road. Car having low level ground clearance cannot pass the depressed portion. We have PWD, which takes care of roads and bridges. A simple question can be put to the officials of the concerned department if they do not pay attention to such tiny problem who will do the job reserved for them. It is time PWD is bifurcated into two units one for looking after major work like construction of roads and bridges and another for filling up pot holes. Each unit should have Chief Engineers having same power. Roads, which are in tip top condition are repeatedly black topped while the neglected ones are kept neglected forever. Where lies the need for raising the level of roads, which is already high. A proper survey needs to be done to identify the roads, which require filling up of potholes and others requiring the raising of level. This can be achieved when the department is divided into two. The present system of concentrating all the powers in the hand of one man has failed. Because there is no engineer to take care of the potholes that have appeared on the roads. Work orders should be framed in such a way that cost effective works are carried out. These days very few contractors come out to take up road construction work as the paying capacity of the PWD is almost nil. None comes out for blacktopping of the road unless it is associated with the work of raising the level of roads. After deducting the cuts imposed from different angles the profit is nil. One takes up contract work for making some money out of the work done. If not for that why should they mortgage their beloved wife’s gold chain and the patta of ancestral homestead land. It is time engineers realise that bridges constructed by spending crores of rupees are weakened when the adjoining portion is not properly maintained. As the adjoining portion is not strengthened the impact of the moving vehicle is taken by the bridge itself. The pebbles used in the construction of the bridges are exposed by the continuous grinding of the edge of the bridge by the moving vehicles. Attention needs to be paid to protect the bridge constructed here and there. Who cares attitude shown to the bridge should be given bucket. Construction of new bridge will be time consuming. Attention of the PWD is drawn to look into the depressed portion of the road to protect the bridge and also to make the users of the bridge happy.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fill-up-depressed-road-to-strengthen-bridge/

Water level of major rivers is rising rapidly threatening to engulf the low lying area. The rising trend of water level may continue for days to come as the weather report that can be seen on internet has forecast prolonged spell of rainfall till the end of August this year. What will happen after that God knows? Such prolonged rainfall is always associated with depression of river bank. Incessant rain will dampen the earthen bank, which caves in when there is pressure on it. If there is incident of such kind it causes colossal loss to the particular area affected by river bank depression. We had witnessed in the past houses being swept away by the wave of the river water that flowed out with a great force through the depressed portion of the river. In one particular year sometime back too many depressions occurred that was devastating. Locals complained that the prolonged neglect meted out to the deteriorating condition of the river banks had resulted in the depression. IFCD officials however will have a different story to tell. They say encroachers have made the road all along the course of the river too narrow. This has handicapped the efforts made by the Government to strengthen the river banks. It is amazing just as city dwellers encroach upon the public land by erecting sheds of all kind or walls the river side dwellers also show the same habit. River banks that had been widened after the construction of retaining walls have become small once again. Greedy grabbers have encroached on the tiny road. What these people do not know is that the light of development will not dawn at the area where there is no road communication? In the event of river depression they complain against the tardy work done by the Government in repairing the depressed bank. The riverside dwellers have been asked time and again to maintain the road properly. They must allow big vehicles to pass on it. That will speed up repairing work in the event of calamity. There are several factors that attribute to the depression of river banks. River bank dwellers plant vegetables in to the channel of the rivers making the soil soft allowing it to absorb water when the river is in spate. Spongy river banks cave in when there is pressure on it. Big trees that grow in to the channel also play a big role in breaking the river bank. River water that should have flowed down smoothly is blocked by the tree making the water swirling at the area. Reaction is severe. It depresses the bank. IFCD may plead it has no fund for strengthening river bank. They are right how can they take step to strengthen vulnerable portion when it is not in a position to clear the pending bills of the works done earlier. Do the needful. Make all happy.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/river-bank-depression/

Engineers of the IFCD when they were grilled by the contractors about the unnecessary delay in clearing the bill of the contractors said necessary amount had not been released by the Finance Department. Contractors lamented they had been befooled by the IFCD. Small time contractors who took up the construction of retaining wall at different areas regretted had they known the payment would not be fast and quick they would not have joined the bandwagon of contractors taking up Nambul river retaining wall construction. Gleefully they took up the work investing the little amount they had. To them it was a question of life. Now family fabric had been shattered as they could not reclaim the mortgaged chains and earrings of their lovely wives and children. Generally everyone assumes that contractors lead wonderful life. There is even one song that expresses the desire to become a contractor. We have in our state contractor engineer, contractor teacher, even contractor MLA. But not all are as lucky as these lucky few. There are lots of contractors, who lead awkward life style. They started with a car and ended with a bicycle. This happens in every Leikai. Government and private partnership is time tested practice, which has made Government programme successful. Therefore when the Union Government releases fund for the state a clear cut message is always given to involve more private partners in taking up Government programmes. Amazingly what happens in Manipur is that the fund released by the Union Government is being used in giving pay and perquisites of the employees. It seems the amount given by the Union Government for construction of the river bank too had been used up in giving the pay of the employees. Whoever responsible for holding back the bill of the contractors should explain why is the bill held back. IFCD should not have taken up the ambitious project if it would not be able to clear the bills. You cannot claim the credit for taking up developmental programmes without clearing the bills of the contractors. As anticipated it resorted to the same old tactics of keeping the contractors in the waiting. Once again IFCD had earned the dubious distinction of being non-paying department of the bill of the contractors. Everyone knows IFCD’s payment is not up to the mark. But the construction of retaining wall all along the Nambul River and other major rivers of the state was taken up under the name of Brahmaputra Board. Purely a central project. The question of Government holding back the bill of the contractors must not arise in such case. It is said 90 percent of the cost of the river bank retaining wall construction launched under the Brahmaputra Board is funded by the Union Government, the remaining 10 percent by the state Government. It is also said the Union Government had cleared its entire share to the Government. Earlier the representatives of the Union Government inspected the concrete structures visiting the areas, where such structures have come up. The matter is serious the highest authority should look into the matter and release contractors bill. Contractors must feel happiness of having a Government that hears the voice of the neglected lot.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/make-them-happy/

There are no takers of Manipur paddies these days. Last year around this time one kg of paddy could fetch Rs 28. Now the price simply refuses to shoot up. It is available at very cheap rate. In anticipation of impending rice scarcity huge quantity of paddies were piled up for sale at exorbitant rate. But the turn of incident, which is favourable to the poor consumer has left the middle class people who had huge quantity of rice packed in their barns in quagmire. They have started looking for a way to sell away the paddies. But none comes to buy the paddies in their barns. One finds poster like “rice available” adorning too many gates at different areas. If nobody comes for buying Manipur paddies will the price of paddies come down to the level of superfine rice? It is really perplexing there is no market for Manipur paddies these days rich farmers say. A particular candidate could win election by distributing 1000 phoubots, free of cost to his voters. One phoubot is equivalent to 72 kgs of rice. Such man will not come out this year because the election is still farther away. Last year they could invest in paddy cultivation by selling paddies in stock at exorbitant rate. What they did not know perhaps was the fact that the inundation of rice at FCI godown and availability of the same at cheaper rate has discouraged the people in the state to eat costly Manipuri rice. Moreover businessmen mix up Manipuri rice with superfine rice and sell it under the name of Manipuri rice to the gullible buyers. Consumers do not want to be fooled again so they have switched over to rice brought from outside.
Whatever the case may be the present scenario indicates abundance of food stock. Manipur had witnessed in the past eruption of war against food scarcity. Women led the war. Then there was also agitation launched by students against food scarcity, which is being observed as hunger marchers’ day. Such kind of kind agitation will not happen again in the near future also. The talk is about abundant food stock. Of FCS and FCI godowns being deluged with rice brought from outside the state. Trucks filled with rice make labyrinthine queue at Sangaiparou to empty the sacks of rice in the vehicle. This is a change brought by time. All these are related with the ambitious tasks initiated by the Government to end famine. Credit purely goes to the planners, who work keeping in view the poor people. They know poor men and women cannot afford to buy costly items. Middle class people who have shown the tendency to pile up paddies for sale at exorbitant rate should learn a lesson from what has happened now. Stop this habit. Do not pile up anything more than required. Moreover paddies put in the barn end up being eaten by mice. Feeding humans is better than feeding mice. Be happy. Famine will be erased from the Indian dictionary as desired by the newly elected President of India, Pranab Kumar Mukherjee.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/paddies-too-cheap/

Some inventions are spectacular. More so when it is done by the son of the soil. A stove created by a young lad from Singjamei has become the talk of the town for it will wipe out problems caused by gas scarcity in Manipur. The stove emits no smoke. Seeing the burning of the stove emitting bluish flame that comes out of the small holes is a treat to the eyes. A local woman said she had to prepare tea several times when she demonstrated how the stove burnt to the onlookers who came to see it on hearing about the new stove. She wants everybody to use this wonderful stove. Now everyone has liked it. As the demand has increased manifold at least 20 workers are engaged by the inventor to manufacture the items. Demand is continuing to rise. The rounded stove with a small fan attached at the bottom emits blue flame like the gas stove. Fuel is available free. The husk of paddy thrown out by the rice mills is used as fuel. Lighting the stove is as easy pressing the button of igniters. Users say one remains on toe once the stove had been ignited. Water in the pot boils quickly faster than expected. They say they keep all the items to be used in the preparation of curries ready before lighting the stove so that they can keep at the same pace with the speed of the fire. The users say they are no longer worried about gas scarcity. Refilled gas cylinder is not available easily and the little few available is unaffordable. Rs 1500 per cylinder. The main concern however is the cost price of the stove. It is now sold at Rs 3500 a piece. Here arises the question what the Government can do to make the item cheaper. In the same manner the Government subsidising the prices of fertilizers to rescue the poor farmers the concerned department of the Government of Manipur can think of extending some help to the manufacturer so that the price of the stove will come down at the affordable level of the poor men. The new invention will wipe out problems of gas scarcity in Manipur. Gas scarcity will cease to be a problem. Forest wealth too will be protected if the entire household uses the new stove. Dependence on fire wood as source of light causes destruction of forest wealth. Newly married daughter pesters parents at home when gas had finished. Understanding all these problems newly married women have shown propensity to own the husk stove instead of glittering stove that does not emit light. If one is enterprising and innovative the ash of husk can be used in making bricks. Nothing is wasted. Something that would have filled nullahs and rivers has been used in burning. The users had known the wonderful task done by the new invention. Those who have not tested it should feel the need for owning one. Get one collected.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/wonderful-stove/

Home Minister Gaikhangam’s assurance to investigate the incident involving commandos in snatching money from a hawker though it has assuaged the wounded feeling of the victim yet it still has a long way to go before pinning down the real culprit. It happens in Manipur the perpetrators of the crime cannot be punished for one reason or the other. Such incidents involving police personnel are achromatic in dragging down the image of the Government. Image that had been built over the years had been dragged down by such incidents unleashed by uniform men. The whole nation was awake by the molestation of a girl by some youths for nearly half an hour in Guwahati when she came out from a bar. Assam the hot bed of the crime was dubbed as the place unsafe for women. Since then too many heads had rolled down in Assam and the massive man hunt of the perpetrators of the crime that followed became the talk of the nation. There is similarity between the molestation of the girl by thugs with the torture meted out to the hawker by the police personnel. Both are hapless victims. The difference is the sex and the persons involved. While the Assam incident was committed by thugs Manipur incident by men in uniform. Luckily Assam incident was recorded on camera. If Manipur incident was recorded it too would have gained importance like that of the killing of Sanjit at Khwairamband bazaar. The issue connected with hawker is not going to die down peacefully. A section of the people has threatened to resort to democratic form of agitation to get justice. Despite showing his identity card he was punished without any reason. If the police suspected of his involvement in any crime he could have been taken to a police station and lodged in a lock up. Newspaper report says, he escaped from the clutch of the police personnel as he shouted in pitch voice that attracted local men. Such incident committed by police personnel without any rhyme and reason could have been avoided if the police personnel were taught on regular basis about establishing better relationship with the common masses. Gaikhngam had announced boldly that he would make police department people friendly organisation. He also said he would hold discussion with the police officials at SP level regularly, all for establishing better ties with the common people. But nothing has changed. Police continues to be as they were made to be. The situation now calls for complete overhaul of the department. That will open the eyes and minds of all concerned. How security men behave in the civilised world. That must be a lesson. The security men need to be told time and again that they should work showing respect to all. Similar stand taken by the Assam Government to nab the molesters can be taken by the state Government to nab the tormentors of the hawker. The first step that needs to be done is to return the amount and the two wheelers that had been taken away from the hawker by the personnel.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tormenting-civilian-a-way-of-life/