Tag: Top Stories

IMPHAL June 20: The Andro Kendra Development Organization is organizing the fourth edition of the Pineapple fair cum youth festival at Yairipok Thambalnu Market in Andro constituency starting from July 3 till July 7. 

A press conference was held this afternoon at the Imphal branch of AKDO in connection with the fair.

Talking to the media persons, Md Fakarudin, president, of the organisation informed that it is organizing such a festival to give an economic impetus to the local pineapple growers by giving opportunities to showcase and sell their product during the festival.

Keeping in view of the increasing number of participants in the previous years, Fakarudin said that the organisation is preparing to host the largest pineapple fair cum youth festival in the state. He appealed for support and encouragement from the concerned government authority and civil societies in the state for such function as a mark of support to the local farmers. Talking to the media persons he added that last year more than 3000 tons of pineapples were produced by the farmers and is hoping to increase the yield this year.

On the other side, Md. Fakarudin, during the press conference said that on June 23 AKDO will be organizing a felicitation cum prize distribution programme to all the first divisioners from Andro A/C in the examination conducted by BOSEM , COHSEM and CBSE for year 2011.The prize distribution ceremony will be held at the Top Chintha community hall under Andro constituency.

Fakarudin said that till this evening 285 students had already given their name to the association for the felicitation.

During the festival cash prizes will be given to farmers who bag the top three spots and also consolation prizes will be accorded to all participating farmers.

The festival was started in 2008 with only 62 participants, however, the following years saw a sudden surge in the numbers of participants with 98 participants in 2009 and 138 participants in 2010 respectively, which were vying for the top spot during the festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/QpbBASH5YWY/

IMPHAL, June 27: At a glittering inauguration ceremony presided over by Maj Gen DS Hooda, a football ground dedicated to the memory of C Kipgen, IAS (retd) was inaugurated at village Pansang.  

According a release of PIB, the football ground has been constructed under the military civic action program by 9 engineers regiment, to provide sports and recreational facilities to the villagers of Pangsang, the village of C Kipgen who was the first IAS lady of Manipur and was called the “Pride of Manipur”.

The function began with the unveiling of a statue of C Kipgen, followed by the inauguration of the C Kipgen Football Ground by Gen Hooda.

Speaking on the occasion, the general said that Kipgen is an example for all to emulate and shows how incase one has a desire; it can be achieved by hardwork and dedication.

He further added that there are large number of opportunities for all to work and achieve the maximum. He concluded the address by stating that the Red Shield division would be happy to make more such football grounds so that sports enthusiasts can get a further fillip in the state added the release.

The function was attended by a large number of important dignitaries which included TS Kipgen husband of C Kipgen, Thangminlen Kipgen, MLA, brigadier AK Narula, commander 59 Mountain Brigade, col Ajay Chowdhry, PRO (Imphal), col AD Sharma, CO 43 Assam Rifles, col Abhijeet Sharma, CO 9 engineers and T Kipgen, chief of Pangsang cillage, added the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/yV5s8i9NOUM/

By Bobo Khuraijam
Two fortnights of displacement from the keyboard and monitor earns up excuse easy enough to convince the editor. That Leipung had to take leave for two fortnights. The leave was applied via the mobile cellular service. Without any hitch the leave was granted. The call cost one rupee and twenty paisa of Indian currency. People close to him would know. Our editor does not speak much. Keeps always to the point, has a good bass vocal but seldom heard him sing. May be he had tried in his school days. Experience must have taught him not to sing in the public. Some says his speech is not as good as his writing. You don’t find him commenting on the headlines in the morning taret makhai pao. In the evening when he is immersed in work, almost buried among the keypads of his laptop mono syllables like ‘o’, ‘um’ would be his words. He would beam a smile when you crack a silly joke. We hope he would spare Leipung for digging up on his quirks. As dubious as we may sound we had to take leave anyway. We are not as fortunate as the government employees. Like those who are posted in the hills. They can swap with a dummy. The largest democracy in the world can have proxy voters. But we reaffirm ourselves that there cannot be proxy Leipung – as simple as that.

COUNT YOUR BLOOD: Have not we mentioned? The leave we asked our editor cost one rupee and twenty paisa. Here are some more price tags for a few things. A unit of blood cost rupees two thousand and three hundred only on Indian currency. An income tax statement for not being a tax payer cost rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. Allow us to elaborate. Someone not from the leikai, not from the valley; a wife of a husband from a hill district had to be admitted to the hospital following her complains of extreme fatigue for quite some days. They have modest income but no sangga-pangga in the valley. The couple headed straight to a private hospital as they could not muster up enough patience to wait for a decent bed in the government hospital. They were told that she was suffering from anemia. She needed rest and two to three unit of blood without delay. Her hemoglobin count was below the normal. The blood bank in the private hospital could give them only one unit. As per the rule they have to replace it back by a donor. The husband volunteered to be the replacement donor. He had to arrange the remaining from some other blood bank. The husband went to the blood bank of a well known government hospital. He was told to buy a ticket from the emergency counter. It was the mandatory charge for cross matching the blood sample: Rupees eight hundred. The husband had a sign of relief when he was told that blood is available in the bank. He was told to wait for sometime. After a while he was gently told that he have to pay rupees one thousand and seven hundred only. Not at the counter but at a room near the blood bank. The husband thought for a few seconds. He decided not to argue. Instead he requested the man with the thick register to reduce the money. They settled with rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency note. So, dear all, who donates blood regularly. Please keep up your priceless humanitarian act of donating blood regularly. We have faith in each of the individuals who donates blood. From civil voluntary organization to defense personals, from patriots who donate blood on the eighteenth of June to officers of lions and tigers club; every single drop of your blood is going to save someone’s life; more than that every single drop of your blood is going to make someone’s purse swell. Keep donating and keep saving life. As for the leipung members, we are going to demand our share of money from the man with the register every time we donate blood.

PAY YOUR TAX: “I am a tax paying citizen and I know my rights as a citizen of a democratic country”, this is a statement oftentimes used by educated citizens whenever they mean to assert their rights. The government spent huge sum of Indian currency to persuade citizens to pay their tax well in time. They even honour celebrities who pay tax regularly. It is obligatory for everyone to pay tax. People who earn in enormous amount like industrialist and celebs of the tinsel town have to pay more tax for they earn more. What about those who do not earn or earn a little? Well, they do not need to pay income tax. At the most they have to pay electricity and water bill. Sometime back some one from the Leikai who runs an embroidery centre, with a little amount of saving decided to launch a NGO. We have no idea at whose advice she was doing that. We know that she is active in leikai meira paibi besides her embroidery centre. Not too old to get married. We heard she is standing in the next Panchayat election. Someone must have told her that an NGO would be a good option to give opportunities to people. And she can earn well if she has heijara singjaragadi quality. She opened a bank account and got a PAN card in her name. All that while, she had little idea when her PAN card would come to a use. It anyway looks beautiful with her photo and signature on it. Much better than the electoral ID card. She was advised to get her organisation registered. After that she can run for government funding. One fine day news came in that her project report got approved from the authority. She has to sign an agreement with the authorities. Along with the signed agreement she has to furnish income tax assessment order for a financial year. She got baffled. How on earth? She has never paid any kind of income tax. At last some one prepared her income tax statement after spending rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. She tried to argue that nobody had asked her to pay income tax so far. And on the contrary how can she be asked to furnish a statement like that. Someone convinced her that once anyone got a PAN card in their name, he or she would be considered a tax payer. She was happy. All these while, sitting on the Leipung we got message after message in the mobile phone. That a ‘gyanpack’ worth subscribing is in the offer; rupees Seven only on Indian currency, we hardly press any of the keys on the phone; then we got a congratulatory message that we have just subscribe the ‘gyanpack’. Rupees seven gone without touching keys: miraculous, is not it? It reminds us of a graffiti written on the wall of a public toilet – save the earth, die now. So be it, Bharati Airtel!

FOOTNOTE: Not again, our political fat cats are up to building a five star hotel in the heart of the town. That too at the cost of causing displacement to many families, Leipung Ningthou calls it, “thi chaamba heitringaida tie punnaba hotnaba”.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/qvfSf8-r0so/

IMPHAL, July 5: Security forces have arrested three persons belonging to different UG groups from various parts of the state.

Imphal East Police Commandos today arrested one PREPAK (GS) cadre, identified as one Laikhuram Pritobrata alias Nanao alias Hotenao alias Lakpa, 26, s/o (late) L Samungou of Kongba Khaidem Leikai from Kongpal Bridge at 5:30 am.

According to a release of the SSP Imphal East, the arrested person disclosed that he was involved in  extrotion from the general public and also in hurling hand grenades and transportation of arms and ammunitions.

In another incident, Thoubal Police Commandos arrested one KYKL cadre from Ningel village on July 4 at 2:50 pm, identified as one Moirangthem Ningthembi Singh alias Ningthem alias Roshan, 32, s/o Moirangthem Shyamkanhai Singh of Ningel Maning Leikai.

One 9mm pistol along with magazine containing two live rounds were recovered from his possession, informed a release of SP Thoubal.

43 Assam Rifles apprehended one KRF cadre, identified as one s/s sergeant major T Dinten Doungel, 25, s/o Paolen Doungel, r/o Saparmaina today in a joint operation with Imphal west police commandos.

One revolver with incriminating documents were recovered from the possession of the apprehendee, said a release of PRO PIB (Defence Wing).

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

IMPHAL, August 21: The Autonomous district council, Tamenglong has entreated every individual, organisation and community to exercise maximum restraint towards violence and seek reasonable understanding with one another as the issue of the demand for Sadar hills into full fledged district entails a complex settlement whereby the seriousness of the government has to be questioned.

It reminded the government that as per the memorandum of understanding signed between the government of Manipur with the UNC, ANSAM and other Naga organistions in 1981, 1996 and 1998, the resolutions adopted clearly underlined, the need for forming a cabinet sub-committee which would consult all sections of the people including the representatives of UNC, ANSAM and other Naga Organisations. Henceforth only shall a final decision be taken, it held.

It blamed the government for the impasse for not respecting the succeeding MoUs and that a reasonable conclusion could have been brought about based on the seriousness of the government.

It appealed the government of Manipur to respect the sentiments and right of its people under its own diversity and conclusive dialogues to be initiated, to ensure an early solution.

Further it also appealed the Sadar Hills Districthood demand committee for relaxation of the on-going blockade and to broadmindedly examine the situation in the larger intest of the people of Manipur at large.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/tamenglong-adc-appeal-to-resolve-sadar-hills-issue/

NEW DELHI, Aug 28 (IANS) The idea of bringing the media within the ambit of the Lokpal is `bad and mischievious`, say experts who argue that the media is `private` and the ombudsman is an institution `for redressal of grievances and to make the government behave`.

`It is a mischievous idea,` said senior journalist Prem Shankar Jha, rejecting Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav`s idea of `bringing media under Lokpal`.

`If everything will be brought under the Lokpal, what will the judiciary do,` Jha asked.

Though experts agreed there were problems in the media like paid news, they felt the media would have to deal with the issue itself.

Siddhartha Varadarajan, editor, The Hindu, told IANS: `In case the media did something wrong, the law of the land would take care of it.`

He said while involvement of a politician in paid news would come under the Election Commission of India norms, in case a newspaper took cash for publishing such news, it would violate the tax laws.

The experts mentioned there are quasi-judicial watchdogs like the Press Council of India to look into the complaints against media.

`Bringing media under the Lokpal would be like dictatorship,` said Dainik Bhaskar editor Shravan Garg.

`There is no Lokpal like idea in UK, even after the News of The World scandal,` he added.

Garg said the government has allowed 26 percent foreign equity in electronic medium and bringing media within the ambit of the Lokpal would give a wrong message to the world.

However, senior journalist Bhaskar Roy had a different take on the issue. `It is a good idea,` he said.

`If you are probing others, you too should be open to scrutiny. Media`s credentials should be above board.`

The Samajwadi Party chief had demanded in the Lok Sabha Aug 25 that media be brought within the ambit of the Lokpal.

Amid thumping of desks by his colleagues, Yadav had said `a section of the media was taking money and releasing news in favour of a particular party`.

`We suffered at the hands of the media during the polls,` he said.

Yadav went on to say that it had become a practice for the electronic media to collect money during polls and air views in support of one party.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/experts-reject-idea-to-bring-media-under-lokpal/

IMPHAL Sept 8: Thoubal district has been awarded with Satyen Maitra Memorial Award by the National Literacy Mission Authority for the best performing district in the implementation of Saaksar Bharat Mission (SBM) in the state.

The announcement was made by the additional director of Adult Education Department, A Sarat Kumar on the occasion of International Literacy Day, 2011 observed today at Rupmahal Theater, Imphal.

Wangkhem MLA, K Meghachandra and Dr K Nabachandra, retired director of education (U) attended as the chief guest and president of the function.    

A Saratkumar further asserted that this is the second time that the state is receiving the prestigious Satyen Maitra Memorial Literacy Award with Bishnupur as the first district to get the award in the year 2008.

He recalled that the prime minister of India launched the SBM, a flagship programme, on the occasion of International Literacy day on September 8, 2009, in New Delhi. It aims to eradicate adult illiteracy; out of 60 millions are women, laying emphasis on adult literacy especially among women and other disadvantage segments of the society.

Subsequently the central government approved implementation of SBM in 4 districts which included Chandel, Senapati, Chandel, Tamenglong and Thoubal district. These four districts are included in the 375 districts of India women literacy, further adds the additional director.

The survey works of SBM were completed in the four districts in May 2010, according to which illiterate women in the age group of 15 years and above were identified in the districts. In Thoubal there are 34,2999, 14,648 in Chandel, 11,5799 in Tamenglong and 32,468 (including Mao, Maram, Paomata and Purul sub-division) in Senapati district.

Delivering his chief guest speech, MLA, K. Meghachandra, said Manipur, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are amongst the state in neck to neck competition in the implementation of SBM.

He urged voluntary teachers, implementing authorities etc to sincerely discharge their duties to ensure that target is achieved which includes achieving 80 percent literacy rate and reducing of gender gap in literacy to 10 percent by March 31, 2012.

The MLA also observed that such programe will help improving economic development of the state.

During the observation the Directorate of Adult Education, state literacy mission authority, Manipur also appointed Kh. Biswamittra, renowned film director of the state, as the state literacy ambassador.

M Bilasini Devi, was also awarded with best voluntary teacher of the state. The awars comprises a shawl, rupees 10,000 cash and a badge.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/thoubal-district-bags-national-literacy-award/

IMPHAL, April 28: Manipur will be the country’s first state to receive the casket containing the relic of Saint John Bosco – popularly known as Don Bosco at Imphal airport on April 29.
It will be received by the friends and followers of Don Bosco and official functions will be held at Little Flower School Imphal and Don Bosco School Langjing on April 29.  It will be taken to Don Bosco Tamenglong on 30th and the official function to honour the great friend of youth will be held in Don Bosco Chingmeoirong on May 1.
On May 2 the relic will be taken to Pangmol, Maram, Mao en route to Kohima, Wokha, Mon, Dimapur etc in Nagaland.
The relic inside the casket is the skeleton of the right hand of Don Bosco, which is inserted in the chest of Don Bosco’s statue.
The casket with the relic of Don Bosco, which began a 130-nation pilgrimage on January 31, 2009, will be taken to different Salesian institutions in the North-East during its two months’ tour in the region.
The relic will also be carried to various centres in Moran, Doomdooma, Tinsukia, Naharkatia, Amguri, Jorhat, Dergaon and later to Guwahati and other Salesian institutions in the region.
The pilgrimage is part of the preparation for the 2015 bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth and also to mark the 150th year of the founding of the Salesian congregation.
The casket began its journey on April 25, 2009, from Italy’s Valdocco, Turin, in the Basilica of ‘Mary Help of Christians’ and is set to cross five continents, where Salesian members are serving the youth in particular.
Salesians of Don Bosco, the congregation founded by Don Bosco, have schools, colleges, vocational training institutes and social organizations spread in the entire North-East.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/m0dqgZmFq8U/

It is amazing that a single day of torrential rain yesterday and Imphal city was water-logged at many different areas. In another month or so, when the monsoon is upon the state in full gusto, it is imaginable what the scenario would be. It is not as if this is a new development. Each year, the problem has been progressively becoming worse, implying that the government ought to have begun its remedial actions much earlier. But as they say, it is better late than never. It must now jump into action without further delay. Let us also remind the government that the loss is not just in terms of inconveniences caused to the general public but also in very real revenue losses as well. Take just one instance. The black topping on the roads of Imphal are not flood proof. As it is, they are done so thin and flimsy that even without water logging, rainwater seeps through them to wet and muddy the ground underneath them, inducing the bitumen and mortar surface to begin crumbling. This being the case, water-logging would definitely mean a great deal more damages to Imphal roads, and this is there for everybody to witness every year. Literally, every water-logged monsoon in the past decade or so has meant the washing away of considerable length of roads in the Imphal area alone.
There are two areas immediately actionable. One is in the area of clearing the clogged drains all over Imphal. In some areas, especially in the suburbs, many of the elaborate traditional drainage systems known as khongban have disappeared, thanks to encroachments by residents. It is perhaps true that the traditional drainage system were too big and but much less efficient than the more scientifically conceived and constructed modern drains, and hence their replacement was necessary to reclaim some valuable land without losing out on drainage capacities. But the problem is, while the traditional khongban have disappeared, their modern replacements are still either missing or where they have been installed they are badly constructed and virtually worthless, with the end effect that drain water easily gets clogged.
The second area of immediate action is the issue of disposable plastic shopping bags. These non bio-degradable bags not only make for very ugly sights at every garbage dump, official ones as well unofficial, but they ultimately become a chief agent for clogging city drains. In fact, as many in Imphal would have noticed, they even clog the Nambul River in the stretch of the river that passes by the western side of the Paona Bazar. The government must without further delay re-impose the ban that once existed on the use of plastic bags. Many other cities and indeed states have done it, and amongst the most successful in the northeast region is Sikkim. Indeed plastic bags are going out of fashion everywhere, including in the national capital Delhi as well as other big cities of the country and Manipur must not remain unconcerned. Not only do they clog, but since they are not bio-degradable, they make for virtually unmanageable city wastes. Banning them would thus also amount to a valuable contribution towards promoting healthy world ecology.
There would definitely be businesses and small industries based on making these bags even in the state. They would definitely suffer, but for the greater common good, they would have to find some other means to continue their businesses. The government, in the name of fair play, can also step in and provide them with easy loans and consultancy to shift their business to making shopping bags with other approved easily bio-degradable materials. But it must not like the last time bow down to lobbies which want the continuance of this extremely destructive practice. It must also be remembered that each year tonnes of plastic wastes are ultimately washed into the Loktak Lake where most of the rivers of the state flow into, and this obviously would hasten the death of the lake. The shift in the ecology of the entire state in such a consequence is beyond imagination, but all the same a very real prospect now. Let the government then act now without further delay and ban plastic bags strictly without any compromises. Slap huge fines as deterrent on any shop offering them. We also wonder what all our brigades of environmental NGOs have been doing in the regards. Should not the state have heard of campaigns by them towards the same end long ago? But let bygones be bygones, and they too must now come to the fore to help in the initiative. The ordinary citizens too must be willing to bear the inconvenience for ultimately they will all be the beneficiaries.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/FUutNl0Bq9g/

IMPHAL,May 25: A large amount of drugs have been seized from a Maruti Gypsy bearing registration number MN-01-K-8433, by the troops of 116 Bn BSF of SHQ BSF CI (OPS), Manipur, while conducting vehicular checking at Heirok, Thamlai road disclosed a press release of the Deputy Commander, SHQ BSF CI.
The car was driven by one Wilson Shinglai Tangkhul, 43, s/o (L) Shangreiyo Shinglai Tangkhul. On checking the vehicle, thirteen big plastics bags containing white colour tablets suspected to be a high profile narcotic drugs/psychotropic substance, weighing a total of four hundred sixty kgs which  are worth approximately Rs. 50 lakhs,  were found.
It further mentioned that on further questioning him, the individual revealed that he was paid a sum of Rs 10 thousand to transport the drugs to a lady identified as Tinneikim Haokip from Khudeng Thabi and currently settled in Pallel.
The drugs were reportedly to be crossed over to Myanmar. He was later handed over to the Officer-in-charge, Narcotics and Affair of the Border PS, Imphal, along with the drugs, his mobile phone, Maruti Gypsy and a sum of Rs 10,650 seized from him after lodging an FIR on the case, it added.
Meanwhile troops of 42Assam Rifles of 26 sector under HQ IGAR (south) launched an operation in the general area of Bongyang on May 24 and apprehended an individual along with large amounts of Tie Cold tablets from a bus with registration number MN-01-1286, according to a press release by the AR.
The individual has been identified as Ajiz Singh, 19, s/o Ibuyai Singh, from Singmaizin, Mayang Imphal and he was later handed over to the Custom Office, Pallel, it added.

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By Pr. Kungsong Wanbe
First of all the Bible says,`A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.` Proverbs 17: 22 KJV. A recent medical and psychological research has proved beyond all doubts what the wise men always know intuitively that `Laugh and be well` is no more catch-phrase. People who are unable or cannot laugh are sickly people. The same has been detected by modern medical science that anyone who cannot laugh is in the state of sickness. Man or woman who cannot laugh is not a member of any tribe or community. One renowned doctor of the Paris Institute of Psychology proclaims that laughter releases toxic emotions, which through the medium of the sympathetic nervous system, causes a sudden nervous discharge and change the physiological reactions of the individual. He (the doctor) once gave weekly lessons in the art of socially infectious laughter to large groups of people, and secured constant proof of laughter`™s wonderfully efficient respiratory means of leveling off supercharged emotions.

Not only does laughter instantly relax on the threefold levels of the physical, the mental and the emotional and we laugh because we enjoy ourselves and it shares enjoyment to others. At an experiment held at New York University in which two groups of students under the name group `A` and group `B` were formed and placed on exactly the same daily food. That the group `A` had to occupy itself immediately after meals with serious scientific discussion led by an academic instructor, while group `B` was regularly entertained by a light comedian. After only fortnight it was found that the general health and spirits of group B were undoubtedly better than those of group `A`. Group B`™s digestions and overall emotional tone were also noticeably improved over those of their less fortunate fellows.

Even on the purely physical level, a good laugh wonderfully relaxes muscular tensions in the whole body, especially in the chest and abdomen. By relaxing the diaphragm during the heavy breathing that accompanies all hearty laughter, inner tensions are specially relieved. This in turn leads to a deeper rhythm in the respiration, allowing oxygen to circulate more freely through the blood to every part of the frame. From the vocal chords to the soles of the feet we are stimulated and then relaxed. Even after a short time of laugh a person has enriched and enlivened his whole organism in a unique way. The doctor says, `Burst with laughter and get well`. He also says, the time we live now is a bad stomach problem, this may also be cured by a happy laugh.

Laughter being the pleasantest infection in the world, audibility is its first essential. All men laugh more or less, but those who laugh the most are the ones who live the longest and enjoy the best results. Laughter dissipates fears and apprehensions and certainly minimizes mental strains. The British association for Mental Health states that laughter is the greatest enemy of worry. People who cannot laugh themselves usually suffer seriously the sense of inadequacy, which makes them refuse to admit that they are foolish or wrong. It is very much sure that people who refuse to laugh suffer heart and mental retardation.

According to a French psychologist Dr. G.W. Valentine, when things go really wrong to a small child or an infant, everything looks black and natural laughter disappears. So a sick child who can still laugh is already halfway to recovery. The doctor also said that an infant`™s first smile is the first true expression of well-being and pleasure that infants begin to laugh at about twelve weeks, though they may smile when as young as six days. The older baby laughs not because he or she is physically better able to do so than the new born child, but because he or she is psychologically better equipped and they understand in some obscure instinctive way that the general meaning of some uttered human sound is good. That the development of laughter from the earliest age is connected with development of speech, which seems to suggest that, like speech, laughter is a fundamental means of human communication.

The doctor further said that laughter maintains this laugh among nations as among men because it helps preserve a sense of promotion. `No man ever distinguished himself who could not bear to be laughed at`, someone has said in a flash of insight. Laughers generally are more sensitive and sympathetic than those who show only stiff sad unsmiling faces and dogged expressions to people. If laughter is the pleasantest of all the emotions, it is also the most useful. Above all, it is an interacting social phenomenon, which invariably exercises a humanizing effect upon all who practise or enjoy it. It is beyond all doubt, a sudden glory, the happiest convulsion which humankind can summon back again and again as long as sanity prevails.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/6fC3yFSz6QQ/

( For Irom Sharmila)by K.SatchidanandanMy body ismy flag at half-mast.My water comesfrom Tomorrow’s river,my bread,from the wind’s kitchen.In my brain is a bullet,green like the clairvoyante’s parrot.My name is the last letterof my ancient language,the final answer to every riddle,the moral of every proverb,the god of every magic chant,the ominous truth of every oracle.My life leaves me everydayand everyday it comes backlike the bird that survives the huntersto return to its nestwith the odour of the forest-rain.In the night emptied ofthe morning’s greetingsand the evening’s prayers,I lie alone under one desolate starlike the broken benchin an abndoned village teashopholding on stillto the warmth and odourof yesterday’s visitors.I have forgotten lovelike the nameless floweronce seen in a flashon a village hillock;my childhood lies sunk in the sandlike the paper boatpulped by the heavy rain.My poems are the autumn’slast yellow leaves.My kids turned into vapourby the echoes of rifles’ reportswill come down heavilyas a rain of bloodover those soldiers of hell.I won’t be there; butmy hope will be :a word from the mountainthat doesn’t need to be tube-fed,a poem from the woodsno boots can crush,an alphabet of steelno bayonet can pierce,a purple hibiscus:my Manipur heartever in bloom. (Translated from Malayalam by the poet )

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By Khuraijam Jibankumar Singh, FLS Founder and Managing Trustee,North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research, ImphalEvery year colleges in different Universities across the country are increasing their cut off marks for admission to under graduate courses. Students of states like ours are facing difficulty in getting admissions in good colleges like St. Stephen College, Sri Ram College of Commerce due to low aggregate in their marks in Board Exams. Only a few get admissions in reputed colleges and the remaining had to settle for correspondence courses or had to go for some certificate or diploma courses. Students of our state are very good in studies, extra –curricular activities and are well aware of the happening across the country or globe. In spite of all the turmoil in the state as the result of the prevailing situation in the state, students are still not losing their hope to achieve their dreams. We need to give them support, encouragements, appreciation and proper guidance. Not only these, our teachers and education system should change their approach in giving marks or grading system. Our students are second to none but are still facing problems in getting admission after XIIth. Manipur Education Board and Council should encourage teachers to give marks according to what the students deserves. Every year thousands of Manipuri students couldn’t get admission due to low grade in Board/Council Exams. However, the situation is different for students studying in other boards like CBSE, ICSE. Does it mean that students studying in CBSE, ICSE are better than students of Manipur Board/Council? Take example of Manipuri students (not only Manipuri students) studying in Assam Valley School (CBSE) in Assam get admission in colleges easily as compare to students studying in schools of Manipur Board. The only difference is marks/percentage. Every year Manipuri students topped in colleges and university somewhere or the other across the country. We have several Gold medallists and toppers in every field of sciences, arts, engineering, medical and commerce. However, the number could be increased if all the talented students get proper education and this can be achieved if they get admission in good colleges and universities. Manipur Government/Education Departments should hold regular meetings and interaction programmes with teachers, officials of Board/Council and principals to address the situation and problems faced by the students of the state in getting admission for higher education. Encourage students to pursue higher education for better Manipur. Education will bring peace and development to the state.

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By A Staff ReporterIMPHAL June 6: The ongoing Jiribam to Tupul rail head construction at Rangkhong will be stopped beginning June 12, if the due compensation amount for land acquisition is not distributed by the concerned authorities within the stipulated time.
The announcement was made by G Aching, village secretary of Rangkhong village at office chamber of K Panmei, vice chairman of the Hill Area Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
He further stated that about 29 houses have been affected by the ongoing rail works since the inception of the works in 2009, the concerned DC and district administration have been intimated about the issue, but a deaf ear has been turned to the loss of the villagers. “We have lost our arable land and our houses, we have been suffering for the last two years but our woes have remained unaddressed, we are given a step motherly treatment as we are viewed as ignorant villagers, we have been living as refugees”, a visibly distraught Aching said .
He stressed that since the compensation has not been awarded, the villagers’ social existence has been greatly affected.
Supplementing the grievances, chairman of Rangkhong village, R Dinglin stated that five villages located within Noney area namely Awang Khul, Rangkhong, Lukhambi, Nungtek and Marang Ching have been affected by the railway line construction.
“Our ancestral land, farms and streets, houses and cemetery tombs have been ravaged, mudslides are a frequent occurrence during the rainy seasons as a fallout of the excavation works, our woes have yet to be addressed by the concerned authorities, as a result we have decided to oppose the construction of the rail head” he added. The villagers appealed to the government to give the deserving compensation within the deadline of June 12, failing which the ongoing works will be stopped and other forms of agitations will be carried out.

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IMPHAL, June 10: Decrying government inaction in the case of continued looting at the shops located in the heart of Imphal city and demanding to adequate security today, shopkeepers and owners in the Paona Bazaar area staged a protest by pulling down shutters today. 

The protest of the Paona bazaar shopkeepers and owners was staged following another incident of theft at the high security bazar area.

‘Mobile planet’ belonging to one Y Surjit of Uripok dealing in mobile phone handset was found looted this morning and following the incident all shops shut down shutters to mark a protest.

Speaking to media person he said that he found his shop looted by unknown persons this early morning at around 6:30 after he was informed by his  friends which is located under the city police station in heart of the Imphal city.

He further said that the looters had carried away various company phone including high rate and low which Nokia, Samsung, LG Max and others, cost round about 9.65 lakhs. And further said that it is very unfortunate to say that how such thing is happen inside the present of tight security management in heart of Imphal city. And appealed the concerned authority to tighten up security measurement in the heart of Imphal city in the interest of business persons.

In the meantime it may be mentioned that yesterday two electronic enterprises ‘Sunrise and Chongtham Brothers’ located in Paona bazaar under the city police was also found looted.

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Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

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NEW DELHI, June 20 (MIC): Government has released Rs. 77.50 crore to different states under the Rain-fed Area Development Programme (RADP) in 2011-12 so far. The budgetary allocation for the current financial year is to the tune of Rs. 250 crore. Rain-fed areas of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are covered under RADP. 

RADP is a sub scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The programme aims at improving the quality of life of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, by offering a complete package of activities suitable for rain-fed areas. The scheme is implemented by State Agriculture Department, the nodal agency for implementation of RKVY.

All the rain-fed areas (i.e. areas which are not covered under assured means of irrigation) having large extent of cultivable land and potential for increasing agriculture productivity are covered under RADP. Within the rain-fed areas, priority is given to arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems.

Rain-fed areas constitute about three-fourth of the land mass under arid, semi-arid, and dry-humid zones and account for nearly 57 per cent of the agricultural land spread across large parts of the country. These areas are significant in terms of ecology, agricultural productivity and livelihood for millions of rural households in the country.

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By Rongreisek Yangsorang
The present Manipuri society is certainly and greatly alarmed at the poorly managed government schools with wild rumour painted in the darkest colours that the local education system will be unnecessarily discredited. It is feared that the mounting pressure of hostile public opinion about the schools which are unable to rise to the mark may render closure of government schools. In the HSLCE/11, there are, of course, quantitative gains, the percentage of pass in government high schools rising by some degrees, though continuously falling standards. The sentiment of the guardians on the heated issue of failure is becoming frenetic by the day. The one thing sadly lacking is support—whose or what support? It is the supportable base encircled by a team of bureaucrats of clean image and a few selfless law makers in the state legislative assembly who have a vision of a glorious future in the education sector. Whether the state has men of such stature to revive the unproductive educational institutions? Surely, it does have.

What a cursed profession teaching in government schools has become and what a thankless job it is——laments a head mistress of repute of Imphal city area. At a time when the responsibilities and functions of Head Masters of Government High Schools have become greater, they are placed in a pitiful grade following the implementation of new pay scales which have completely demoralized them. They have felt deceived and their status in the society withdrawn. They are not demanding what shouldn’t be theirs. They are only demanding that the pre-downward revision scale of pay of Rs.7500 with a corresponding Grade Pay of Rs.4800 PM should be restored at once as is in the case of their equivalents in the same department. Why is this discrimination? In every revision, injustice of every sort has been done to them. In fact, the existing head masters are occupying their posts after clearing tiers of departmental promotion and after having put in more than thirty years of service on an average, quite unlike those officers in other government departments. Straight away, I can say that it is their lifelong achievement in the profession.

It is difficult to believe that the downgraded head masters of government high schools in Manipur will contribute extra stamina to give a face-lift to school education in the state. The grade pay of Rs.4400 meant for them is one hundred rupees less than that of senior trained graduate teachers which is in sharp contrast to central pay structures. It is nothing but a step further for abolition of the posts of head masters of high schools in Manipur. Can we expect a better education without head masters in our society? It is impracticable. Manipur alone will be the state in the country to downgrade head masters without justification. Let us recall the status and pay scale of head masters in the past. Also, as per the modified Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008: dated 12.3.2009, trained graduate teachers are placed in PB-3 with a Grade Pay of Rs.5400 PM.

In the most unlikely manner, the recent orders of the Finance Department (PIC) of Manipur: dated 9-6-2011 has not covered the head masters of high schools in Manipur. It is really saddening. The dictum that performing employees deserve better pay scales will have no rationale and merit. There are many departments whose officers with bulky pay are failing in many respects, and are unable to provide the basic needs of the people. Why to blame only teachers, not those who have destroyed the very foundation of educational structure for poor performances of students in the Board Examinations? There are various factors responsible for it. One factor—High School Teachers are often called out for different Governmental assignments while teaching in the schools. While private high schools are generally able to perform better, overt commercialization of education has greatly affected the quality of education. It is important to note that the rot in the government schools has also spread to private schools. Despite charging hefty fees, the corresponding input in teaching cannot be achieved. Invariably, students have to resort to private tuition to attain proficiency and the ability to appear in examinations. Education of that fashion is beyond the means of low income groups. In most of the two hundred government high schools in Manipur, there are no clerks, and no head masters. Some sixty high schools have headmasters of their own while the rest of them have none. There are schools which have no mathematics teachers.

Over a hundred posts of head masters have been lying vacant in the department for so long with no arrangement in sight to fill the said posts as well. In the early 2013AD, two-third of the head masters out of sixty will retire from service on superannuation. At the same time, more than a hundred posts of assistant head masters of high schools cannot be filled in the absence of seniority list as yet. There will be no assistant head masters who can be promoted to the posts of head masters of high schools in that year. In this way, a large number of govt. high schools in Manipur will be head masterless in 2013. Under the circumstances, it is hard to imagine the overall set up of those schools by that time. A thousand graduate teachers of different streams may be appointed in the years to come without having to bother for promotion of teachers to higher posts. The school education department will not attract talented persons to become teachers when there is no planning or arrangement for promotion of teachers to higher posts in spite of a fat budget for big spending with the allocation for school education in the state budget estimates for 2011-12 being more than Rs. 613 crores.

On helpless head masters: They are having a hard time in the schools and find it difficult to cope with the situation whenever erratic teachers revolt for their own conveniences flexing their muscles. Head masters are not allowed to function freely in the management of school affairs due to disturbances from different quarters worsened by growing student indiscipline as a chronic malaise. Becoming the soft-targets of of any bloc, they work only on the diktats of political heavy-weights and ultras. They have suffered a lot and have become sacrificial lambs at the hands of the “many.”In my enquiry, I have found that the existing Head Masters and Head Mistresses hardly have the backing of strong men in the Council of Ministers or the State Bureaucracy to strengthen their platform. That’s why their position looks utterly feeble and awkward. With the advent of electronic media in everyday life, responsibilities of head masters have compounded. They are occupied with huge works. Their primary objective is to improve teaching and learning in the schools, but due to shortage of teachers and without adequate infrastructure like computers, they are handicapped and are all helpless to move forward. At this juncture, the attention of the head of the department may be drawn that a head master is not supposed to prepare pay bills of the employees and go to treasury offices to negotiate with, every time. Besides, they are to be conversant with computerization of data, data-bank and websites when the gadgets are not easily available in most of the government high schools. The department of school education of Manipur seems to be unfazed by these increased work-loads of head masters.

Till the late 70s, Govt.aided high schools were better managed, and working discipline was very much intact. By the missionary zeal of the efficient teachers appointed for the 109 high Schools taken over by the state govt. of Manipur in August, 1978, the capacity of the students was enhanced through internal assessment, constant counseling and other similar techniques. In my vivid memory, Head Masters of High Schools of yester years were pivotal earning respect from their colleagues, and teachers too were committed to the profession. Their advantage was that the department of that time did not adopt an over centralized approach. In other words, a cordial working relationship was evolved between the directorate and the head masters.

Today, however, the shape of education if to refer to govt. schools has drastically changed and enough is already known relating to the failure of the system when the underprivileged class mostly ends up in these institutions. Due to unabated political interference, inappropriate recruitment of teachers without filling the vacant posts for years together, adding of more teachers to the overstaffed schools and lack of essential facilities, a sizeable number of such schools have now been reduced to mere enrolling offices. Or there is every chance of Govt. High Schools becoming dead-wood as students can make a choice to switch over to ever expanding private high schools in Manipur. There are scores of pressing issues that require a quick overhaul. Will it be a pipe dream to reform the system—-fighting a lost battle?

Born a minority in the ocean of major communities here in Manipur, I have no political backing, and mine is of a poor background. The only wealth I am in possession of is the legacy of my semi-literate dad’s spirit whose dedication to the spread of modern education in a hill hamlet remains worthy of introspection. In 47, among the prominent political figures in Manipur then was a liberal thinking Toijam Heitonbi Singh of Nambol in the Imphal valley whose teaching as a leader was inspirational for my father to start a vernacular school. Later, the leader was elected to the territorial assembly of Manipur. Let my investigation, my passion for innovative ideas, and still what could be the fearless spirit but not in any spirit of boastfulness fire the imagination of many a student and teacher in Manipur—–to save government schools from decay for the sake of children of poor parents and those who have no money in their purses otherwise poor students of the present and the coming generation will find themselves at the ultimate losing end. It is a caution for all.

Lastly, the centralized edifice of decision-making in which even minute procedural matters to be directed by the department will hinder every scheme of school education. It is only fair if the department reconsiders its over-centralized approach and allows heads of institutions to execute their functions without too much strictures. The head of the department may skillfully employ different meters to suit the fast changing educational scenario in Manipur. A good head of the department, who is convinced of the imperfection of human nature, must be conscious of the great liability to error in managing the affairs of the vast education sector which is like a mini empire: and therefore he will be anxious to afford to every individual the readiest means of bringing to his notice whatever may require his intervention. To secure this selective objective, he will never be one-sided to distribute sweets among his employees equally. The kind of venture initiated by a high profile officer of high grade will be always rewarding.

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By Bobo Khuraijam
Two fortnights of displacement from the keyboard and monitor earns up excuse easy enough to convince the editor. That Leipung had to take leave for two fortnights. The leave was applied via the mobile cellular service. Without any hitch the leave was granted. The call cost one rupee and twenty paisa of Indian currency. People close to him would know. Our editor does not speak much. Keeps always to the point, has a good bass vocal but seldom heard him sing. May be he had tried in his school days. Experience must have taught him not to sing in the public. Some says his speech is not as good as his writing. You don’t find him commenting on the headlines in the morning taret makhai pao. In the evening when he is immersed in work, almost buried among the keypads of his laptop mono syllables like ‘o’, ‘um’ would be his words. He would beam a smile when you crack a silly joke. We hope he would spare Leipung for digging up on his quirks. As dubious as we may sound we had to take leave anyway. We are not as fortunate as the government employees. Like those who are posted in the hills. They can swap with a dummy. The largest democracy in the world can have proxy voters. But we reaffirm ourselves that there cannot be proxy Leipung – as simple as that.

COUNT YOUR BLOOD: Have not we mentioned? The leave we asked our editor cost one rupee and twenty paisa. Here are some more price tags for a few things. A unit of blood cost rupees two thousand and three hundred only on Indian currency. An income tax statement for not being a tax payer cost rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. Allow us to elaborate. Someone not from the leikai, not from the valley; a wife of a husband from a hill district had to be admitted to the hospital following her complains of extreme fatigue for quite some days. They have modest income but no sangga-pangga in the valley. The couple headed straight to a private hospital as they could not muster up enough patience to wait for a decent bed in the government hospital. They were told that she was suffering from anemia. She needed rest and two to three unit of blood without delay. Her hemoglobin count was below the normal. The blood bank in the private hospital could give them only one unit. As per the rule they have to replace it back by a donor. The husband volunteered to be the replacement donor. He had to arrange the remaining from some other blood bank. The husband went to the blood bank of a well known government hospital. He was told to buy a ticket from the emergency counter. It was the mandatory charge for cross matching the blood sample: Rupees eight hundred. The husband had a sign of relief when he was told that blood is available in the bank. He was told to wait for sometime. After a while he was gently told that he have to pay rupees one thousand and seven hundred only. Not at the counter but at a room near the blood bank. The husband thought for a few seconds. He decided not to argue. Instead he requested the man with the thick register to reduce the money. They settled with rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency note. So, dear all, who donates blood regularly. Please keep up your priceless humanitarian act of donating blood regularly. We have faith in each of the individuals who donates blood. From civil voluntary organization to defense personals, from patriots who donate blood on the eighteenth of June to officers of lions and tigers club; every single drop of your blood is going to save someone’s life; more than that every single drop of your blood is going to make someone’s purse swell. Keep donating and keep saving life. As for the leipung members, we are going to demand our share of money from the man with the register every time we donate blood.

PAY YOUR TAX: “I am a tax paying citizen and I know my rights as a citizen of a democratic country”, this is a statement oftentimes used by educated citizens whenever they mean to assert their rights. The government spent huge sum of Indian currency to persuade citizens to pay their tax well in time. They even honour celebrities who pay tax regularly. It is obligatory for everyone to pay tax. People who earn in enormous amount like industrialist and celebs of the tinsel town have to pay more tax for they earn more. What about those who do not earn or earn a little? Well, they do not need to pay income tax. At the most they have to pay electricity and water bill. Sometime back some one from the Leikai who runs an embroidery centre, with a little amount of saving decided to launch a NGO. We have no idea at whose advice she was doing that. We know that she is active in leikai meira paibi besides her embroidery centre. Not too old to get married. We heard she is standing in the next Panchayat election. Someone must have told her that an NGO would be a good option to give opportunities to people. And she can earn well if she has heijara singjaragadi quality. She opened a bank account and got a PAN card in her name. All that while, she had little idea when her PAN card would come to a use. It anyway looks beautiful with her photo and signature on it. Much better than the electoral ID card. She was advised to get her organisation registered. After that she can run for government funding. One fine day news came in that her project report got approved from the authority. She has to sign an agreement with the authorities. Along with the signed agreement she has to furnish income tax assessment order for a financial year. She got baffled. How on earth? She has never paid any kind of income tax. At last some one prepared her income tax statement after spending rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. She tried to argue that nobody had asked her to pay income tax so far. And on the contrary how can she be asked to furnish a statement like that. Someone convinced her that once anyone got a PAN card in their name, he or she would be considered a tax payer. She was happy. All these while, sitting on the Leipung we got message after message in the mobile phone. That a ‘gyanpack’ worth subscribing is in the offer; rupees Seven only on Indian currency, we hardly press any of the keys on the phone; then we got a congratulatory message that we have just subscribe the ‘gyanpack’. Rupees seven gone without touching keys: miraculous, is not it? It reminds us of a graffiti written on the wall of a public toilet – save the earth, die now. So be it, Bharati Airtel!

FOOTNOTE: Not again, our political fat cats are up to building a five star hotel in the heart of the town. That too at the cost of causing displacement to many families, Leipung Ningthou calls it, “thi chaamba heitringaida tie punnaba hotnaba”.

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HYDERABAD, July 6 (AP): Police arrested about 50 people, including three lawmakers, during protests Wednesday demanding the creation of a new state in Andhra Pradesh.

Shops and offices were shut and public transport was halted for a second day as statehood advocates pressed the government to act on their demand for a new state called Telengana be carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

Two state lawmakers and a member of Parliament were among those arrested during the demonstration in Hyderabad, the state capital, said A.K. Khan, a senior police official.

Police also fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse agitating students who pelted the police with stones at the city`s Osmania University, Khan said.

More than a dozen Parliament members and at least 80 state lawmakers in Andhra Pradesh have resigned in recent days to press the demands for creating the new state. The federal government says more consultations are needed before it decides.

Telengana supporters say the drought-prone northern area is underdeveloped and ignored by powerful politicians from southern Andhra Pradesh. Opposition to the split comes primarily because the proposed Telengana area would include the state capital, Hyderabad.

The Telengana demand has erupted sporadically since the 1950s, but protests gained strength in 2009 when veteran politician K. Chandrasekhara Rao began a hunger strike. After 11 days, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s government agreed to split the state. But little action has taken place since.

Several parts of India — the Bundelkhand region in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in the western Maharashtra state and Gorkhaland in the eastern West Bengal state and the Northeastern region of the country— face similar statehood movements, but the government has not made any moves to create states there.

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