Day: January 29, 2014

IMPHAL, January 29: The three-day-long Tribal Cultural Festival that started on 27 January comes to an end at the Tribal Research Institute in Chingmeirong on Wednesday.

In his keynote address, George Maran, Joint Secretary, Tribal Affair, said the multi-ethnic festival participated by thirty-four colourful tribes was mainly organised to educate people about the various tribes and to make them understand their culture and traditions, also expressing the need for people to appreciate and recognise other groups so that they can start believing one another and make the society faction free.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, chief guest on the closing day of the festival organised by the Tribal Research Institute and jointly sponsored by the ministry of tribal affairs, Government of India and Manipur, said: “Today is the scrutiny of the INC nominated candidate in the Manipur State Legislative for the RS polls so I wouldn’t be able to attend the entire session. On the other hand, the festival held for the third time, has as its theme “Culture for peace and harmony” this time around, with the intention of building bridges between different tribes. People feel culture is important but the main culture is the work-culture and it’s important for all communities to have it.”

Adding further, he said the festival was organised in an opportune time after the harvesting season and lamented that people nowadays are least interested in developing a work-culture but people should not forget that work-culture is important as it will usher in a more meaningful culture.

“Whether it is Sangai festival, Tribal festival or any other festival, it will bring integrity in the state and people should cultivate peace and harmony. People should have a work-culture to bring development, peace, harmony and integrity in the state.”

Dr Chalton Lien Amo, Chairman, Hill Area Committee, was the president while T Manga Vaiphei, Chairman, Manipur Tribal Development Corporation was the guest of honour on the closing day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/strong-work-culture-need-of-hour-says-dy-cm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=strong-work-culture-need-of-hour-says-dy-cm

JIRIBAM, January 29: A mammoth Islamic conference attended by over 2000 Muslims was held today under the banner of the All Jiribam Muslim Welfare Society at Sonapur, Jiribam. More than 2000 thousand people were attended the conference.

Delivering the keynotes address, Md Najrul Islam Laskar convener of the Islamic Conference lauded minister of Forest, Law and Revenue, and local MLA Th Debendra Singh; minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Md Nasir Khan; parliamentary secretary Md Amin Shah for their support and contribution for making the conference a grand success.

The conference was attended by distinguished luminaries and Islamic scholar from different parts of the North East.

The dais of the conference was shared by Maulana Taibur Rahman, Ammera- Sarriyat Nadwatul Tammer, North East; Maulana Ahmed Sohid, principal Darul-ullum Gobindopur, Cachar, Assam; Bojlur Rahman Barbhuiya, principal Cachar Tittle Madrassa; Alim Uddun Saheb, Mohaddish Badarpur Tittle Madrassa and Kari Safikul Islam, Tripura as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Maulana Ahmed Sohid, in his presidential speech said that the meaning of Islam is peace; and called upon all Muslims to maintain peace.

He also said that the philosophy of Islam ask to love all of mankind without any barrier of caste, creed and religion.

Further in his speech, he lauded O Ibobi Singh, chief minister for the selection of the member of Rajya Shaba nominee from the Muslim community of Manipur which shows his generosity and marks the unity in diversities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/mammoth-islamic-conference-held/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mammoth-islamic-conference-held

CHANDEL, January 29: Many Anal organizations have condemned the rape of a minor by an unknown man on the night of January 20 in Kangbung village under Chakpikarong Sub Division of  Chandel.

On the day of the incident, many Anal groups were strongly objecting the intention of the Government of India and the state government to set up a model township at Holenphai by appropriating 3000 acres of land without the prior consent and knowledge of Thangbung Mino Village Authority,the real owners of the land.

Speaking at the press conference held in the ALT office, Panchai, President of Anal Naga Tangpi (ANTA), strongly condemned the heinous act of raping an eight-year-old, Elizah (name changed), on the night of January 20 at Kangbung village.

“The victim and her mother were visiting Kwangtung, her grandfather’s village, to attend the village rising day celebration. The culprit entered the room where the minor was sleeping, took her to an isolated place and committed the heinous act.”

Adding that the rapist is yet to be identified even as investigation by the Chiefs’ Association of Chakpikarong is on, Panchai appealed to the people to co-operate and support the Association in its investigation to book and punish the culprit at the earliest.

He also informed of an ultimatum in a letter  dated January 25 to the DC Chandel by the the representatives of Anal bodies for immediate withdrawal of the land acquisition letter the DC himself had written to the ADC Moreh in connection with the acquisition of about 3000 acres of land that belong to Thangbung Mino. The letter also demanded the DC to summon N Wangchou Moyon, former Chief of Penaching, and R Laban, Chief of Mangkang, for producing ‘fraudulent sales deed of November 27, 2010, signed between them and one Lalkholun Haokip without the consent of the villagers of Thangbung Minou, stating that a public rally will be held on February 1 under the aegis of ANTA, ALT, ASR and ALCA.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/anal-bodies-condemn-rape-of-minor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=anal-bodies-condemn-rape-of-minor

THOUBAL, January 29: Several units of NGOs based in Thoubal district under the aegis of NGOs Thoubal District United Womens’ Development Organisation (TDUWDO) and United Peoples Administrative Council (UPAC), today inspected the condition of the Kakching Khunou Public Health Centre (PHC) and Community Health Centre (CHC).

The inspection was jointly initiated by office bearers various units of the two apex bodies including Sugnu, Serou, Tangjeng, Kakching Khunou, Tokpaching and Umathel unit.

On finding that basic infrastructure including doctors, equipments etc in poor condition the representatives of the NGOs drew the attention of the concerned MLA to accommodate the requirements after consulting with the concerned Minister.

Speaking to media persons, the secretary of TDUWDO, Kh Mema divulged that the Sugnu CHC is providing treatments not only to patients from Thoubal but other districts including Bishnupur, Chandel and Churachandpur.

Despite being a vital source of health service for many there are only 3 Medical Officers against the required 5, maintained Mema adding that with no specialist doctor any serious case like delivery is often referred to Imphal. But, sometimes not all the patients failed to make it Imphal, added Mema.

Meanwhile, the NGOs representatives also discontented on the condition of the Kakching Khunou PHC.          

It has been informed that as assured, the centre started to function 24×7 by March 2013 but the facilities was stopped in the month of June last on the pretext of shortage of staff nurse. Even as the Medical Director through the local MLA promised to send two doctors but it has not been turned into action, further lamented the Mema.

While claiming that the hospital is the nearest and cheapest way of getting treatment for the poor people in and around the Kakching Khunou, Mema asserted that in case of emergency sometimes fatality are unavoidable with the ambulance service being stopped.

She appealed the authority concerned to intervene into the matter considering the plight of the poor villagers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/ngos-inspects-condition-of-phc-chc-of-kakching/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ngos-inspects-condition-of-phc-chc-of-kakching

IMPHAL, January 29: Education minister M Okendro has clarified that the allegations about the misuse of Rs 284 crore released by Union ministry of human resource development for 2012-13 and subsequent cessation of assistance for the financial year 2013-14 is totally baseless. The minister also refuted the charges that the fund was wrongly deposited in the account of the engineering wing against the guidelines of SSA.

The allegation was made by an organization from Dewlaland based in the hill district, said Okendro. It is very unfortunate that we are looking for positive changes in the education sector and such allegations could undo the hard works by the department, he added.

He further said that ministry released a sum of Rs 100 crore for taking up different construction works in 2012-13. Out of the sum, Rs 24 crores approximately was released to the engineering wing of the education department for construction of 10 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and nine residential schools and the step is permissible under SSA norms.

Minister further said that another sum of Rs 14 crore approximately was released to concerned SMDCs as second instalment for construction of additional classroom. Another construction could not progress due to a pending court case.  

He further clarified that the construction by the committees comprising of local MLAs but not through SMDC. He said that there is no committee for construction comprising of local MLAs. Construction executed through SMDCs only was done as per the norms of SSA.

M Okendro further clarified that there is no shortfall in the release of state matching share for the years 2013-14. The SSA, SMA received Rs 6.33 crore as the state matching share for the current year.

He further said that the allegation of wrong fund utilisation in other works not related to SSA is baseless.

He further said that government of Manipur has properly looked after the SSA programme through Assembly constituency level monitoring and supervision committee (ACLMSC) under the supervision Department of Education (S).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/okendro-refutes-misuse-of-hrd-fund/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=okendro-refutes-misuse-of-hrd-fund

KANGPOKPI, January 29: School Mapping is not the making of school building said N Subon, district science supervisor and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan co-ordinator before adding that school mapping identifies the appropriate location for school building and is very closely related to location planning.

N Subon was speaking at the one day ‘Resource Persons Training under Saitu Gamphazol block’ today at the office of the deputy inspector of schools, Gamnom Sapormeina.

He continued that there are numerous reasons behind the un-equal balance of students’ and teachers’ strength in many government educational institutions in the state adding that to correct this error one should have a proper knowledge about school mapping.

The training programme was attended by deputy inspector of schools/DDO Saitu-Gamphazol Seikholet Singsit as chief guest.

Seikholet Singsit said that the training is the last and final for 2012-13 budget and will also be the farewell training during my tenure as the DIS, Saitu-Gamphazol.

While lauding all the participants and staff of DIS, Saitu Gamphazol for their tireless efforts in bringing quality education in the area, by participating and conducting various training at different places under Saitu Gamphazol block, he further urged everyone to continue to achieve the ultimate goal.

‘School Mapping’ and ‘Duties and Responsibilities of Resource Persons’ were the main topics during the training programme which was participated by around 20 resource persons.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/school-mapping-is-not-the-making-of-school-building/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=school-mapping-is-not-the-making-of-school-building