Month: November 2014

Modi talks tourism prospects of State, assures all assistance during Sangai closing function

IMPHAL, November 30: Manipur and the other North Eastern States have huge potentials in tourism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said and promised to help promote the richness of the State

IMPHAL, November 30: Manipur and the other North Eastern States have huge potentials in tourism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said and promised to help promote the richness of the State to the outside world to develop tourism in Manipur.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the concluding function of the Manipur Sangai Festival at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre today said tourism is the fastest growing sector in the world.

Tourism is one sector which requires little input and investment and gain maximum return at the same time. It can benefit all, starting from tea-sellers to taxi drivers and others, he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the Centre will provide all possible help to the State.

Manipur gave to the world the game of Polo, he said adding that he will help in promoting the game to encourage tourist to flock into the State.

Recalling an earlier plan, he said during his stint as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had proposed to the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States to send 200 women police personnel each to his State.

He elaborated this would not only help in national integration but also help encourage tourism in the North Eastern States.

Modi continued that he has already suggested to the authorities of HRD to make 100 students from each universities in the country to visit North East annually to promote tourism. He continued his speech with his plan to recruit youth from the region in the Delhi Police and desire to bring the IT sector into the region.

Referring to the State Chief Minister`™s earlier address urging assistance from the Centre in improving infrastructure in the State including roads and hospitals, the Prime Minister said he was happy that the Chief Minister has faith in his government and that it will fulfil its promises.

Promising to look into all the requests, the Prime Minister said he will discuss the issues once he returns to Delhi.

The Prime Minister said he wants to see the whole of North East developed and altogether Rs 60,000 crores had been earmarked in the Budget for developing infrastructure in the region.

Speaking of connectivity, the Prime Minister said during his recent trip to Myanmar most of his discussions with the leaders of the neighbouring country were on connectivity between Imphal and Myanmar.

He also said Manipur is rich in art, culture, tradition and can be described as the capital of arts and culture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the setting up of a Sports university in the State and said Manipur has contributed much in making the country proud in sports.

The opening of the university will not only help in promoting sportspersons, but boost employment tremendously by producing dieticians, ground men, coaches and many other experts relating to sports he said.

Lauding the State for its contribution in the field of sports, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the drug menace in the State.

He said he feels sad on hearing about the drug issue.

He appealed to the youth to stay away from drugs and not allow it to destroy their families.

We cannot allow our future to be destroyed, so the people must work together to fight this issue, the Prime Minister said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/modi-talks-tourism-prospects-of-state-assures-all-assistance-during-sangai-closing-function/

Impact TV to air new show on women every Monday

IMPHAL, November 30: Women in North East India particularly in Manipur, irrespective of their profession and status, bear the impact of conflict directly and indirectly. Many become widows at a

IMPHAL, November 30: Women in North East India particularly in Manipur, irrespective of their profession and status, bear the impact of conflict directly and indirectly. Many become widows at a young age and are found struggling for survival. This was said by Women in Governance (WinG), Manipur Chapter member Helam Haokip while announcing a new TV show `Women Talk`™ to be aired every Monday on Impact TV.

She was speaking in a press conference held at the office of Impact TV.

She further said that women in the State experience poverty and untold miseries including gender discrimination in the form of sexual violence.

Many continue to live in a traumatic environment with all kinds of social stigmas as HIV/AIDS patients, sometimes driven to drugs and peddling arms, or into the sex trade for survival, she said.

At the same time, violence against women has been seeing a rapid increase in recent times she said adding that women are easy victims of crimes and discrimination.

Helam said forms of violence are varied and they can include domestic violence, cyber-related crimes, sexual violence, physical assault, suicide, among others.

We have several legislations to safeguard women and girls against any form of violence, but it is unfortunate that often there is no one to approach as the system and institutions which are suppose to help are sometimes not very trustworthy, she observed.

She said WinG-Manipur works to groom women to be able to participate in decision making at all level.

The organisation has helped women in the State gain knowledge and information on issues confronting them, break down their isolation, increase their visibility and enable stronger collective voice, she said.

She further announced a TV show `Women Talk` to be telecasted in 50 weeks in collaboration with Impact TV which will be aired on the TV channel starting from Monday. A victim of VAW or officials of the concerned departments will speak on the issue in the show, she added.

Helam Haokip was accompanied by chief editor of Impact TV, Yumnam Rupachandra during the press conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/impact-tv-to-air-new-show-on-women-every-monday/

Dsylexia

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant Dsylexia is a reality which often goes unnoticed, untreated and often leaves the affected person with a low self worth and sometimes even a faced

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant

Dsylexia is a reality which often goes unnoticed, untreated and often leaves the affected person with a low self worth and sometimes even a faced by many failures. In today`s times, where success is often measured according to rank a child achieves in class, their grades and percentages and in the long run by the amount of wealth a person acquires in his lifetime. In such times, if often becomes immensely difficult for children who are not able to cope up with the rest of the crowd to hold their head high and even consider the possibility of success if not academic. And so today we shall cover the topic of dyslexia which is a fairly common disorder in children.

So we begin with the first basic question, what is dyslexia? Dyslexia is a learning disorder or a reading disability, which is mainly a difficulty in reading caused mainly due to problems in identifying speech and sound and how to relate them to letters and words. Dyslexia is a disorder in children who have normal intelligence and vision. They have no obvious physical abnormality and do not have any mental retardation. The cause of dyslexia is known to be inherited and is passed in family history. The main disorder is that it affects the working of the brain making identifying letters and words difficult and also the children are unable to figure out the relation between the letters and the words they form. However children with dyslexia are very much able to succeed in schooling and further with the help of specialized tutoring and specialised study programmes.

We move on to the next obvious question, how does one know if their children are dyslexic? A child does not get dyslexia, but is born with the brain disorder. The signs and symptoms may not be obvious at the beginning. Sometimes dyslexia may go undiagnosed and untreated and may be discovered in adulthood. And so it is very essential on the part of the parents to pay attention during the early years of their children, and be keen observers and watch out for any signs of abnormality in the child. The symptoms may be difficult to identify before the child enters school. However, it is important for parents to watch out in toddlers and pre school kids for simple signs like learning to talk very late, difficulty in learning new words, slow learning of nursery rhymes, and inability of playing simple games like throwing and catching a ball. After the child enters school, and after reading and write begin in their syllabus, the symptoms begin to become obvious and usually the teacher may be one of the first people to notice the disability. As the reading skills of the child are well below the expected level of children of that age, difficulty in hearing and following commands, unable to follow rapid instructions, problem in remembering simple things, not able to remember or follow a sequence of events, difficulty in seeing and hearing similarities and differences in letters and numbers eg. No. 9 and 6 , alphabets N,S, B etc also commonly observed is the child writing in mirror image form. Difficulty in pronouncing new or tough words etc. If such symptoms are unnoticed in childhood they often are discovered in adulthood where the symptoms remain more or less the same, but are more pronounced as they face inability to understand jokes, puns, are unable to manage time, have poor memory, difficulty in mathematical calculations etc.

It is always better if such symptoms are noticed at a younger age and prompt treatment is given so that maximum progress can be made in the child and that he is able to attain his full potential.

As so it is extremely important on the part of the parents to be observant right from the beginning. And if you notice any below average reading or learning skills which are persistent without any other obvious reason, then parents must not hesitate to bring it to the notice of doctors.

If left untreated this condition continues to remain causing many difficulties and complications in the child`s life. It makes learning very difficult, they are unable to keep up with their school mates, and this can lead to social problems like a low self esteem, behavioural problems, anxiety, and aggression. And children are often unable to deal with this and often try to mask their inability by lying, hiding or becoming withdrawn from their peers, teachers and family.

If symptoms are noticed, it should be brought to the notice of a doctor who will check for and rule out any visual, hearing or other brain problems before confirming the diagnosis.

Dyslexia is a lifelong condition with no cure. But if timely detection is done then treatment can be given to cope with the disability and learning to live with it. A child with dyslexia goes through a lot of emotional turbulence which is very difficult for them to cope with. And so the child requires plenty of emotion support and confidence. Dyslexia can be treated with special techniques which involve hearing, vision and touch to improve reading skills. The school teacher may be requested to help the child accordingly. Also special tuitions may prove to be beneficial.

As parents it is firstly very important to watch for timely signals and seek help well in time. Also provide the child tremendous emotional support to deal with their low self esteem. It is advisable for parents to be touch with the school teacher and keep up with the child`s progress. And parents must praise every little improvement the child makes, and encourage them to read more. Also parents must take time off and spend time with the child and sit an read with them, often reading out aloud, and create a comfortable environment at home for the child. As the child grows, parents must explain to the child what dyslexia is and that it is not the child`s failure but the condition that makes reading challenging for them.

With sufficient help and support the children can grow up and flourish as well as the many famous personalities like Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison who were also born with the gift of dyslexia.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/dsylexia/

Enterprise or Sloth

It will come as no surprise that there is an exodus of young aspiring professionals away from the state. In a way this is good, for if and when they

It will come as no surprise that there is an exodus of young aspiring professionals away from the state. In a way this is good, for if and when they return, they will bring back new skills and outlooks. But there is also a fairly good chance that a majority of them will not return, for at this moment, job prospects befitting their skills and aspiration are virtually nil. Nor is there a climate for them to want to return and build enterprises from scratch. It is in this sense a very critical period for the state. Push matters a little farther and things can reach a point of no return, where the best talents leave permanently to find their fortunes elsewhere. If however the state does not allow the situation to drift beyond the critical point, who knows, in the years ahead, it may be time for a new renaissance, when the prodigals begin heading home. At this moment though, the picture is rather grim. As for instance, few jobs outside those offered by the government are worth today`™s wage standards, and the government job sector is super-saturated. Selection tests for a few dozen state civil servants, or lecturers, once or twice a decade, cannot come as any consolation to the ever growing number of job seekers. There are no signs that the situation can improve in the near future either. The government neither has the resource to create more direct jobs, nor the will or imagination to foster the growth of employment outside itself. All it can do, and has been doing, is to blame the bad law and order situation for its failures. Nobody can deny this is a factor, but it is precisely the government`™s duty to ensure the rule of law exists, and it can best begin by practising what it preaches.

The rule of law is another story, but the immediate challenge is about creating jobs and since the capacity of the government to employ has a definite ceiling, it will have to look at the private sector. For this sector is multidimensional with practically the sky as the ceiling. An article by journalist Michael Hasting, comparing the resurgence power of Vietnam and Iraq, is interesting in this regard. Hasting covered both the Vietnam War and Iraq War. While still on assignment in Iraq, he visited Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) for a story that compared to two wars. Forty years after the war, Vietnam is bouncing back. Its economy is buoyant, everybody is raring to go and win his share from it, and in the process contribute his share too. In comparison, forty years hence, he is not hopeful Iraq can emulate the same feat. Individual entrepreneurship was always very strong in Vietnam, unlike Iraq which was for too long hooked to easy petrodollars. Vietnam`™s economy was built around the enterprising spirit of its people, as well as the skill and discipline of its labour force. By contrast, Iraqis in general have come to be addicted to subsidies, so that in times of crisis, such as wars and their aftermaths, while Iraq had nowhere else to look for resurgence, Vietnam could draw strength from within and pick itself up much sooner. Moreover, unlike Iraq which is dominated by a revenge culture, Vietnam was much more practical and outward looking. Even in the midst of the bitter war against America, it was never bitter toward Americans, so much so that Ho Chi Minh was supposed to have written a letter during the war to the American President, Lyndon Johnson, that Americans would be welcomed back as friends after the war. And Americans are now indeed rushing back to Vietnam, not to make war but as tourists and businessmen.

The uneasy thought is, Manipur seems to be much closer to Iraq than Vietnam. It is possessed by a culture of revenge and bitterness. It is also almost completely dependent on government subsidies. Private entrepreneurship has been dwarfed, and at best it is about dishonest government contract work or else, with the exception for a few, has not risen above retail trade, which promise money perhaps, but no creative contribution to the economy. Its education system is in the pit, incapable of producing quality skills or knowledge. Parents who can afford the cost look away from the state increasingly for their children`™s education. These children may not feel inclined to return when they come of age, and they are not at all to blame. Shouldn`™t a rethinking process begin? Shouldn`™t the government be thinking of evolving policies to nurture back to health the general entrepreneurial spirit?

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/enterprise-or-sloth/

KSO-Ukhrul calls 24 hour bandh along Imp-Ukl

IMPHAL, Nov 30: The Kuki Students`™ Organisation Ukhrul has called a 24 hour bandh along the Imphal-Ukhrul road from midnight of November 30 protesting `Assam Rifles`™ brutality against Aishi villagers

IMPHAL, Nov 30: The Kuki Students`™ Organisation Ukhrul has called a 24 hour bandh along the Imphal-Ukhrul road from midnight of November 30 protesting `Assam Rifles`™ brutality against Aishi villagers and the total disregard of the AR to its demands.

A statement of the student body said the KSO vehemently condemn the incident in which villagers were summoned to the AR battalion headquarters at Chassad and subjected to unimaginable torture for not reporting movement of UG cadres in the area.

The KSO considers this as complete violation of human rights and also calls all human rights agencies to take up the issue at the highest level of justice, it said.

The statement continued that AR highhandedness over poor and innocent Kuki villagers in remote areas has become a habit of sort and the AR`s conduct at Sehlon village some years back is still afresh in the minds of villagers.

It stated that some months ago, the AR taking the law into its own hands had banished two families of Old Samtal to Myanmar and just recently the AR came down hard on the villagers of Tengnoupal in the aftermath of a bomb blast.

The Aishi incident where villagers were thrashed black and blue is the latest of the many incidents of AR`s total disregard for human rights, the KSO- Ukhrul statement condemned.

The claim of AR as `the friend of the hill people` no longer has any meaning to the hill people, because it is the hill people who have continuously suffered physical and mental assaults in their hands, it claimed and added by setting up check points along roads and highways in the hills the AR have intermittently harassed the people.

It is a common sight that there are two to three checkpoints along a single road in the hills which have become places of harassment and assault, it said and added that the KSO has resolved not to compromise this Aishi incident and has resolved to fight to the end for justice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/ksoukhrul-calls-24-hour-bandh-along-impukl/

PM assures help to Manipur – The Hindu


The Hindu

PM assures help to Manipur
The Hindu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of Manipur that the Centre will look into the demands by the State’s Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, including the setting up of the sports university in Imphal. In his 25-minute speech in Imphal during …
Modi for sports university, eco-tourism in ManipurIndia Today
Want to make world aware of Manipur’s potential, says PM ModiZee News
Modi’s Northeast visit: Manipur, Nagaland wait for PM push on peace talksIndian Express
Business Standard
all 108 news articles »

The Hindu

PM assures help to Manipur
The Hindu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of Manipur that the Centre will look into the demands by the State's Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, including the setting up of the sports university in Imphal. In his 25-minute speech in Imphal during …
Modi for sports university, eco-tourism in ManipurIndia Today
Want to make world aware of Manipur's potential, says PM ModiZee News
Modi's Northeast visit: Manipur, Nagaland wait for PM push on peace talksIndian Express
Business Standard
all 108 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFAgGQ3_8owuxuiS2EC4Y4_PH1TTQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778670580828&ei=UTWAVKC5IaHy8QHfwoGAAw&url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/imphal-sports-university-in-recognition-of-manipurs-youth-modi/article6648774.ece

PM Narendra Modi says tourism necessary for development of Manipur – indiatvnews.com (press release) (blog)


indiatvnews.com (press release) (blog)

PM Narendra Modi says tourism necessary for development of Manipur
indiatvnews.com (press release) (blog)
Addressing a mammoth gathering at the concluding day of ‘Sangai Manipur Tourism Festival’, Modi said the state needed road connectivity and other communication infrastructure system should be developed so that tourists were able to travel to the state.

indiatvnews.com (press release) (blog)

PM Narendra Modi says tourism necessary for development of Manipur
indiatvnews.com (press release) (blog)
Addressing a mammoth gathering at the concluding day of 'Sangai Manipur Tourism Festival', Modi said the state needed road connectivity and other communication infrastructure system should be developed so that tourists were able to travel to the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNF6t1R4enqU9V6qenhWvEjHy691sA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=kPN7VMiFIKL68AGGuIGIBg&url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/narendra-modi-says-tourism-necessary-for-development-of-manipur-23116.html

Want to make world aware of Manipur’s potential, says PM Modi – Zee News

Want to make world aware of Manipur’s potential, says PM Modi
Zee News
There is immense scope in field of tourism in North-East states. I want to work with you shoulder to shoulder for making the world aware about potential of Manipur,” Prime Minister Modi said during the `Sangai` Festival at the Bhagyachandra Open Air …

Want to make world aware of Manipur's potential, says PM Modi
Zee News
There is immense scope in field of tourism in North-East states. I want to work with you shoulder to shoulder for making the world aware about potential of Manipur," Prime Minister Modi said during the `Sangai` Festival at the Bhagyachandra Open Air …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEY-hV5u7l3VoAymMfSOsfWtlnc7A&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=Yo6AVKD3NqSi8gH4vYA4&url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/want-to-make-world-aware-of-manipurs-potential-says-pm-modi_1507248.html

Heightened security annoys many

IMPHAL, November 29: Security arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s first visit to the State after his mammoth victory at 14th Lok Sabha Election is creating quite a buzz. Combing

IMPHAL, November 29: Security arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s first visit to the State after his mammoth victory at 14th Lok Sabha Election is creating quite a buzz.

Combing operations are being conducted like never before, even as a SPG team is already in the State to oversee the security preparation.

The Prime Minister will be attending the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 on November 30 at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.

As part of the security preparation for the Prime Minister`™s one and half hour stop in the State before hurrying off to Nagaland, the SPG has had IFCD pump out water from the two pools at the entrance of the BOAT this evening.

The IFCD had started the process since yesterday around 9pm and was unfinished till the filing of this report late this evening.

Three big water pumps and nine smaller pumps are being used to pump out water from one pool to the other.

A bystander, who was visiting the festival but ended up watching the pools suck dry, said all the security measures taken up for the visit was making the festival a chaotic event.

He said India is such an advance country, and if they really had to check the bottom of the ponds, than why can`™t they use something which could plunge deep into the water and check the bottom.

At the same time, since militant groups including the CorCom have imposed a curfew and a bandh tomorrow, the festival drew maximum crowd today making it all the more chaotic.

Meanwhile, the Commerce & Industries director B John Tlangtinkhuna has also served a notice to all food stalls to remove their gas cylinders from their stalls latest by tomorrow morning.

The government notice was issued late this evening. Many are unhappy with the notice as the stall owners had paid huge deposit money for the opening their stalls and now they have to close shop before the closing day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/heightened-security-annoys-many/

Heightened security annoys many

IMPHAL, November 29: Security arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s first visit to the State after his mammoth victory at 14th Lok Sabha Election is creating quite a buzz. Combing

IMPHAL, November 29: Security arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s first visit to the State after his mammoth victory at 14th Lok Sabha Election is creating quite a buzz.

Combing operations are being conducted like never before, even as a SPG team is already in the State to oversee the security preparation.

The Prime Minister will be attending the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 on November 30 at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.

As part of the security preparation for the Prime Minister`™s one and half hour stop in the State before hurrying off to Nagaland, the SPG has had IFCD pump out water from the two pools at the entrance of the BOAT this evening.

The IFCD had started the process since yesterday around 9pm and was unfinished till the filing of this report late this evening.

Three big water pumps and nine smaller pumps are being used to pump out water from one pool to the other.

A bystander, who was visiting the festival but ended up watching the pools suck dry, said all the security measures taken up for the visit was making the festival a chaotic event.

He said India is such an advance country, and if they really had to check the bottom of the ponds, than why can`™t they use something which could plunge deep into the water and check the bottom.

At the same time, since militant groups including the CorCom have imposed a curfew and a bandh tomorrow, the festival drew maximum crowd today making it all the more chaotic.

Meanwhile, the Commerce & Industries director B John Tlangtinkhuna has also served a notice to all food stalls to remove their gas cylinders from their stalls latest by tomorrow morning.

The government notice was issued late this evening. Many are unhappy with the notice as the stall owners had paid huge deposit money for the opening their stalls and now they have to close shop before the closing day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/heightened-security-annoys-many/

Legal Aid

By M.C. Linthoingambee We all need a little bit of help from time to time. There are several reasons why certain projects begin with the outlook into 50 years ahead

By M.C. Linthoingambee

We all need a little bit of help from time to time. There are several reasons why certain projects begin with the outlook into 50 years ahead of time and wondering if it would work. The idea of giving of legal aid is one of such perspective that might have worked out for better or for worse. Everything works for money now; there are no rooms for the poor anymore. There are no narrow escapes anymore to see whether all individuals are liable to receive equal opportunity in every aspect. The rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer. This is one the great ideology passed down for generations or somewhere in the deep wilderness but there are times when the statement goes in an opposite direction. But more than 70% of these people stand by their social and economic deprivation till today. In this world, we all hang by a thin line of justice. There are times when even innocents are even put behind bars at the incompetence of some.

There is a presiding rule of long litigation procedures with expensive cost schedule in India henceforth, the line of people who suffers most from this effect are the poor. They are grouped according to the reports provided by the National Sample Survey (NSS) and placed into different categories separated by the poverty line according to their respective Cost Basic Needs and Consumer Price Index. The Culture of Poverty has deprived millions and several growing generations from achieving their rightful right to develop as individuals. Once upon a time, we were even foolish enough to establish grounds of un-touchability. We were being selfish but human perceptions have changed today and people are fighting more and more to establish civilized conversations, settlement, etc.

In the concern of giving justice to these classes of citizens we are looking at bigger and better pictures now. The Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary have come under one common agreement and even established express provisions in the Constitution to give equal justice and free legal aid under Article 39A. In the hope of giving more authority to provisions of legal aid the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament in the hope of giving a voice of hope to the poor citizens. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to monitor and evaluate implementation of legal services available under the Act. Otherwise if we further expand our horizon we have seen measures of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) expanding at a rapid rate in the form of: Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation, Arbitration and most importantly Lok Adalat in a way to developing the principle of natural justice. The establishing principles of Lok Adalat have achieved more than the principles it was set out for but we need more awareness on these issues specially when there are no fees given in a settlement negotiation of the People`™s Court. It has a far reaching effect with eligibility for such free legal services inclusive of Women and children; Members of SC/ST; Industrial workmen; Victims of mass disaster; violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster; Disabled persons; Persons in custody; Persons whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 50,000/- Victims of Trafficking in Human beings. The network is widening and has expanded on to pending petitions that lies with the Women`™s Commissions, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunal, etc.

Legal Aid Clinics are new innovations in establishing peace within our society. Legal Aid Clinics in all Gram Panchayats operate by engaging competent lawyers as legal consultants in the clinics thereby giving wide publicity about the clinics with the help of local Self-Government Institutions. There are also ways by which law colleges and law universities are encouraging students to adopt legal aid clinics and work in remote village areas as their area of operation. In its recorded achievement reports till about March 31, 2009 there are reports of 96.99 lakh people benefiting through legal aid and advice throughout the country in which about 13.83 lakh persons belonging to Scheduled Caste and 4.64 lakh people of Scheduled Tribe communities were beneficiaries. More than 10.22 lakh people were women and about 2.35 lakh people in custody were also benefited. About 7.25 lakh Lok Adalats have been held throughout the country in which more than 2.68 crore cases have been settled. In about 16.87 lakh Motor Accident Claim cases, more than Rs. 7593 crore has been awarded as compensation.

The Initiative that began under the supervision of some of the legal and diversifying assets in the country have taken a heavy toll and expanding till today. Every state in India has begun with the practicality of establishing their own respective state legal service authorities and has worked to their full capacity side by side with the rule makers and executioners of such rule. And that is the idea folks of delivering justice in their full capacity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/legal-aid/

Legal Aid

By M.C. Linthoingambee We all need a little bit of help from time to time. There are several reasons why certain projects begin with the outlook into 50 years ahead

By M.C. Linthoingambee

We all need a little bit of help from time to time. There are several reasons why certain projects begin with the outlook into 50 years ahead of time and wondering if it would work. The idea of giving of legal aid is one of such perspective that might have worked out for better or for worse. Everything works for money now; there are no rooms for the poor anymore. There are no narrow escapes anymore to see whether all individuals are liable to receive equal opportunity in every aspect. The rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer. This is one the great ideology passed down for generations or somewhere in the deep wilderness but there are times when the statement goes in an opposite direction. But more than 70% of these people stand by their social and economic deprivation till today. In this world, we all hang by a thin line of justice. There are times when even innocents are even put behind bars at the incompetence of some.

There is a presiding rule of long litigation procedures with expensive cost schedule in India henceforth, the line of people who suffers most from this effect are the poor. They are grouped according to the reports provided by the National Sample Survey (NSS) and placed into different categories separated by the poverty line according to their respective Cost Basic Needs and Consumer Price Index. The Culture of Poverty has deprived millions and several growing generations from achieving their rightful right to develop as individuals. Once upon a time, we were even foolish enough to establish grounds of un-touchability. We were being selfish but human perceptions have changed today and people are fighting more and more to establish civilized conversations, settlement, etc.

In the concern of giving justice to these classes of citizens we are looking at bigger and better pictures now. The Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary have come under one common agreement and even established express provisions in the Constitution to give equal justice and free legal aid under Article 39A. In the hope of giving more authority to provisions of legal aid the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament in the hope of giving a voice of hope to the poor citizens. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to monitor and evaluate implementation of legal services available under the Act. Otherwise if we further expand our horizon we have seen measures of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) expanding at a rapid rate in the form of: Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation, Arbitration and most importantly Lok Adalat in a way to developing the principle of natural justice. The establishing principles of Lok Adalat have achieved more than the principles it was set out for but we need more awareness on these issues specially when there are no fees given in a settlement negotiation of the People`™s Court. It has a far reaching effect with eligibility for such free legal services inclusive of Women and children; Members of SC/ST; Industrial workmen; Victims of mass disaster; violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster; Disabled persons; Persons in custody; Persons whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 50,000/- Victims of Trafficking in Human beings. The network is widening and has expanded on to pending petitions that lies with the Women`™s Commissions, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunal, etc.

Legal Aid Clinics are new innovations in establishing peace within our society. Legal Aid Clinics in all Gram Panchayats operate by engaging competent lawyers as legal consultants in the clinics thereby giving wide publicity about the clinics with the help of local Self-Government Institutions. There are also ways by which law colleges and law universities are encouraging students to adopt legal aid clinics and work in remote village areas as their area of operation. In its recorded achievement reports till about March 31, 2009 there are reports of 96.99 lakh people benefiting through legal aid and advice throughout the country in which about 13.83 lakh persons belonging to Scheduled Caste and 4.64 lakh people of Scheduled Tribe communities were beneficiaries. More than 10.22 lakh people were women and about 2.35 lakh people in custody were also benefited. About 7.25 lakh Lok Adalats have been held throughout the country in which more than 2.68 crore cases have been settled. In about 16.87 lakh Motor Accident Claim cases, more than Rs. 7593 crore has been awarded as compensation.

The Initiative that began under the supervision of some of the legal and diversifying assets in the country have taken a heavy toll and expanding till today. Every state in India has begun with the practicality of establishing their own respective state legal service authorities and has worked to their full capacity side by side with the rule makers and executioners of such rule. And that is the idea folks of delivering justice in their full capacity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/legal-aid/

BJP State unit wants Manipur Governor changed on charge of being too close to local Congress govt

IMPHAL, November 29: The BJP State unit is leaving no stone unturned to gain political supremacy in Manipur. Its action plans for the purpose have become evident from a series

IMPHAL, November 29: The BJP State unit is leaving no stone unturned to gain political supremacy in Manipur. Its action plans for the purpose have become evident from a series of recommendation emails signed by the BJP State president, Th. Chaoba, addressed to Ajit Seth, IAS, Union Cabinet secretary to the Government of India, Rashtapati Bhavan, made available to the Imphal Free Press.

Quite surprisingly, amongst the many recommendations made by the BJP State president, is the replacement of the current Governor who has been sworn into office only a few months ago. The IFP has not named the Governor in person, because the letter does not either. At one point of the letter written on November 17 (No. 1/Appt/BJP-MP/2012), the BJP State president merely says:

`While we discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the State, we cannot simply put the square blame on the Chief Minister alone. Every single crime or scams whatever be it, is being carried out under the very nose of the present Governor of Manipur. It is highly suspicious that the CM and the Governor of Manipur together are hand in glove in misdeeds which is highly counterproductive in the process of formation of a redeemed society.`

The letter qualifies this statement saying: `The present Governor seemed to be more interested in State politics rather than acting as a responsible Governor. In the greater interest of the people of Manipur he may please be relived (sic) from Manipur.`

Chaoba`™s letter further suggests a person who would be a better choice for the gubernatorial post in Manipur: `In the light of the fact stated above, i would like to come up with a humble suggestion that the highest chair of Manipur be conferred to a person with political background or a well experienced and reputed retired IAS officers (sic).`

The letter is however cautious of what the choice of Governor should not be: `A Governor nominee with military background may not be the choice of general public for the people of the State had been experiencing a bitter chapter of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). So, any nominee either from police or army may be opposed by the people of Manipur.`

The letter even goes ahead to name a person who should replace the present Governor: `As we presume Shri Mamdhukar Gupta, IAS 1971 batch of Uttarkhand/UP cadre, Former Union Home Secretary, may best suited to the post. He had long experience knowledge (sic) in the North Eastern State of India.`

In another letter, also made available to the IFP, the BJP State president also forwarded a list of prominent officers, academics and personalities from various walks of life in Manipur, who are `hard core BJP sympathisers`, recommending them to be nominated to positions of power in Union Government offices, schemes and projects in the State. All these are ostensibly with the aim of putting the prestige of the BJP on the ascendency in the State.

Several other letters also called for CBI probes into alleged scandals and corruption charges against the Congress government in the State led by Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, as well as into the affairs of autonomous institutions of the State government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/bjp-state-unit-wants-manipur-governor-changed-on-charge-of-being-too-close-to-local-congress-govt/

BJP State unit wants Manipur Governor changed on charge of being too close to local Congress govt

IMPHAL, November 29: The BJP State unit is leaving no stone unturned to gain political supremacy in Manipur. Its action plans for the purpose have become evident from a series

IMPHAL, November 29: The BJP State unit is leaving no stone unturned to gain political supremacy in Manipur. Its action plans for the purpose have become evident from a series of recommendation emails signed by the BJP State president, Th. Chaoba, addressed to Ajit Seth, IAS, Union Cabinet secretary to the Government of India, Rashtapati Bhavan, made available to the Imphal Free Press.

Quite surprisingly, amongst the many recommendations made by the BJP State president, is the replacement of the current Governor who has been sworn into office only a few months ago. The IFP has not named the Governor in person, because the letter does not either. At one point of the letter written on November 17 (No. 1/Appt/BJP-MP/2012), the BJP State president merely says:

`While we discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the State, we cannot simply put the square blame on the Chief Minister alone. Every single crime or scams whatever be it, is being carried out under the very nose of the present Governor of Manipur. It is highly suspicious that the CM and the Governor of Manipur together are hand in glove in misdeeds which is highly counterproductive in the process of formation of a redeemed society.`

The letter qualifies this statement saying: `The present Governor seemed to be more interested in State politics rather than acting as a responsible Governor. In the greater interest of the people of Manipur he may please be relived (sic) from Manipur.`

Chaoba`™s letter further suggests a person who would be a better choice for the gubernatorial post in Manipur: `In the light of the fact stated above, i would like to come up with a humble suggestion that the highest chair of Manipur be conferred to a person with political background or a well experienced and reputed retired IAS officers (sic).`

The letter is however cautious of what the choice of Governor should not be: `A Governor nominee with military background may not be the choice of general public for the people of the State had been experiencing a bitter chapter of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). So, any nominee either from police or army may be opposed by the people of Manipur.`

The letter even goes ahead to name a person who should replace the present Governor: `As we presume Shri Mamdhukar Gupta, IAS 1971 batch of Uttarkhand/UP cadre, Former Union Home Secretary, may best suited to the post. He had long experience knowledge (sic) in the North Eastern State of India.`

In another letter, also made available to the IFP, the BJP State president also forwarded a list of prominent officers, academics and personalities from various walks of life in Manipur, who are `hard core BJP sympathisers`, recommending them to be nominated to positions of power in Union Government offices, schemes and projects in the State. All these are ostensibly with the aim of putting the prestige of the BJP on the ascendency in the State.

Several other letters also called for CBI probes into alleged scandals and corruption charges against the Congress government in the State led by Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, as well as into the affairs of autonomous institutions of the State government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/bjp-state-unit-wants-manipur-governor-changed-on-charge-of-being-too-close-to-local-congress-govt/

Da Bung of Palace Compound

By Khura Seraton You open some paan dukans and eateries, and you call it some kind of festival. Yaare! Please take it away somewhere from here. We have enough of

By Khura Seraton

You open some paan dukans and eateries, and you call it some kind of festival. Yaare! Please take it away somewhere from here. We have enough of it`. Da Bung is an angry man these days. You know, he has been angry even before the festival had begun. He is someone who doesn`™t get upset so easily. Those who know him would agree. For most of the time, you will find Da Bung with a smile, but not this time. I told him that he should not be so harsh with his comments. `Ebungo Gyankumar. Don`™t feed me your gyan today`¦` But, Da Bung, I am not trying to `¦ He interrupted and continued, `Mr Speaker Sir, I have heard about something called House Arrest over the news channels sometimes `¦ the leader of so and so is under house arrest for his unwanted political activism against the establishment. But I am not a leader of any organisation. So are my family members. We are now under house arrest for committing the crime of residing at Palace Compound`. You can`™t call that a house arrest, Da Bung, I tried to reason. `Do you have a better word? Even if you have, keep it with yourself. You know what. We are given a Pass by the prabhu(s); a single Pass for the entire family members to move in and out from our own house. My children go to school. I go to work. My parents go to work. I too go to work. Tell me, should I distribute the Pass among us by cutting it into equal parts?`

What can we do about it, Da Bung? It`™s not only your family. There are other families in and around Palace Compound who have to take the same trouble as yours. The restrictions are just for ten days. `Ho Oya! Oya Gyankumaraa! I know what you are trying to say. Being a citizen I have to give cooperation to the organiser for successful conduct of the event. You mean to say that. Isn`™t it? Yes, I totally agree with it. Well, let me tell you one thing. Cooperation is something which you give voluntarily`. Da Bung, you are taking it too far. And I think our conversation will lead us to argument for the sake of it. I am just trying to point out that Da Bung is taking things personally. `Hold it right there, sir. I am not interested in any sort of argument. Nor do I have any intention to prove myself by demeaning you in an argument. As you have mentioned `personal`™, yes I do take things very personally`.

I realised our conversation was getting a bit heated. I could see Da Bung was getting excited. We have known each other for a long time. We often catch up and talk of so many things under the sun. Da Bung has been suffering from Migraine ever since I have known him. He had consulted with many doctors in the state to treat his Migraine. But the Migraine is still with him; giving him bad time when it pays its visit. Da Bung would try to bear the pain in his own way without any medicines. In fact, he has learned to live with the pain. But at times, the pain is unbearable to him. And I feel really helpless about it. Da Bung always tries forgetting his pain, or rather tries to keep it aside as if nothing is wrong with him. This is what I admire about him most. Besides, he is someone who always tries to light up the gathering with his ever pleasing persona. He is also techno-savvy, ready to be self-taught and also ready to experiment with assortment of electronic gadgets, lying around his bed and drawing room. I do take liberty to visit him when any of my gadgets go to sleep without any reasons. Da Bung will do the needful. Da Bung also administers a social network group which is especially for people who has Migraine like him. His group shares quite a lot of information besides their experiences of coping with Migraine and latest medical research finding on the subject. Thanks to the information technology.

Ever since the Sangai Festival had begun, Da Bung has not been able to connect with the internet, which means he has been cut off from his social media community since the last many days. To Da Bung and his group the social networking site has been a kind of Sanatorium. They take solace sharing their experiences of bearing pain induced by Migraine. This being the case, Da Bung has been grumpy, saying the festival has been the culprit causing cyber traffic jam.

He continued his talking, `I don`™t mind the noise, I don`™t mind the dust. You know, we are used to it. Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre and the chains of public events that it has given space to have become almost a lullaby to us. What I really don`™t like is the security personnel searching the children`™s school bags when they go out for school`. They have to do it as part of their duty, Da Bung. They are just following orders. You know that. `Agreed, Gyankumar, agreed. But I always fail to explain to my children why their bags are checked when they asked after their return from school. That pain is more severe than Migraine`.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/da-bung-of-palace-compound/

Da Bung of Palace Compound

By Khura Seraton You open some paan dukans and eateries, and you call it some kind of festival. Yaare! Please take it away somewhere from here. We have enough of

By Khura Seraton

You open some paan dukans and eateries, and you call it some kind of festival. Yaare! Please take it away somewhere from here. We have enough of it`. Da Bung is an angry man these days. You know, he has been angry even before the festival had begun. He is someone who doesn`™t get upset so easily. Those who know him would agree. For most of the time, you will find Da Bung with a smile, but not this time. I told him that he should not be so harsh with his comments. `Ebungo Gyankumar. Don`™t feed me your gyan today`¦` But, Da Bung, I am not trying to `¦ He interrupted and continued, `Mr Speaker Sir, I have heard about something called House Arrest over the news channels sometimes `¦ the leader of so and so is under house arrest for his unwanted political activism against the establishment. But I am not a leader of any organisation. So are my family members. We are now under house arrest for committing the crime of residing at Palace Compound`. You can`™t call that a house arrest, Da Bung, I tried to reason. `Do you have a better word? Even if you have, keep it with yourself. You know what. We are given a Pass by the prabhu(s); a single Pass for the entire family members to move in and out from our own house. My children go to school. I go to work. My parents go to work. I too go to work. Tell me, should I distribute the Pass among us by cutting it into equal parts?`

What can we do about it, Da Bung? It`™s not only your family. There are other families in and around Palace Compound who have to take the same trouble as yours. The restrictions are just for ten days. `Ho Oya! Oya Gyankumaraa! I know what you are trying to say. Being a citizen I have to give cooperation to the organiser for successful conduct of the event. You mean to say that. Isn`™t it? Yes, I totally agree with it. Well, let me tell you one thing. Cooperation is something which you give voluntarily`. Da Bung, you are taking it too far. And I think our conversation will lead us to argument for the sake of it. I am just trying to point out that Da Bung is taking things personally. `Hold it right there, sir. I am not interested in any sort of argument. Nor do I have any intention to prove myself by demeaning you in an argument. As you have mentioned `personal`™, yes I do take things very personally`.

I realised our conversation was getting a bit heated. I could see Da Bung was getting excited. We have known each other for a long time. We often catch up and talk of so many things under the sun. Da Bung has been suffering from Migraine ever since I have known him. He had consulted with many doctors in the state to treat his Migraine. But the Migraine is still with him; giving him bad time when it pays its visit. Da Bung would try to bear the pain in his own way without any medicines. In fact, he has learned to live with the pain. But at times, the pain is unbearable to him. And I feel really helpless about it. Da Bung always tries forgetting his pain, or rather tries to keep it aside as if nothing is wrong with him. This is what I admire about him most. Besides, he is someone who always tries to light up the gathering with his ever pleasing persona. He is also techno-savvy, ready to be self-taught and also ready to experiment with assortment of electronic gadgets, lying around his bed and drawing room. I do take liberty to visit him when any of my gadgets go to sleep without any reasons. Da Bung will do the needful. Da Bung also administers a social network group which is especially for people who has Migraine like him. His group shares quite a lot of information besides their experiences of coping with Migraine and latest medical research finding on the subject. Thanks to the information technology.

Ever since the Sangai Festival had begun, Da Bung has not been able to connect with the internet, which means he has been cut off from his social media community since the last many days. To Da Bung and his group the social networking site has been a kind of Sanatorium. They take solace sharing their experiences of bearing pain induced by Migraine. This being the case, Da Bung has been grumpy, saying the festival has been the culprit causing cyber traffic jam.

He continued his talking, `I don`™t mind the noise, I don`™t mind the dust. You know, we are used to it. Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre and the chains of public events that it has given space to have become almost a lullaby to us. What I really don`™t like is the security personnel searching the children`™s school bags when they go out for school`. They have to do it as part of their duty, Da Bung. They are just following orders. You know that. `Agreed, Gyankumar, agreed. But I always fail to explain to my children why their bags are checked when they asked after their return from school. That pain is more severe than Migraine`.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/da-bung-of-palace-compound/

Flowers for My Fair Lady

By Malangba Bangormayum I like people who like people whom I like. I like specially those people who like my son and tell things like, `he is so cute`, `he

By Malangba Bangormayum

I like people who like people whom I like. I like specially those people who like my son and tell things like, `he is so cute`, `he is so talented`… `he is very intelligent`. I like them anyways even if I know that what they say might not be true. Is it just me or is it a common phenomenon? My wife says it is common enough.

I like people who like Manipur. I met two such people on the same day last week. The first person`™s father was an IAS officer posted in different parts of Manipur – Chandel, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Imphal. She grew up in Manipur. And more importantly she talks of Manipur with a certain unmistakable nostalgia. She conducts a children`™s choir. Her brother is none other than the conductor of The Shillong Chamber Choir. Circumstances had somehow brought the two of us together to adjudge very talented singers and instrumentalists from the NER. In fact, the talent and stature of one in particular put the two of us in a very discomforting position. We had to judge, one of the most identifiable singers from our region, who has attained iconic status. He was part of the Great Society and has a penchant for wearing really tight and really short jeans pants while performing. There are some people who are beyond any kind of formal judging `“ they have made a mark, they have contributed their bit. He is one of them. How do one judge persons like him? Simply because I happen to have a formal degree in the domain in which he functions, I am made a judge of him.

The director of the government agency where this business transpired, it so happens, was throwing a luncheon to celebrate his retirement in a few days. When I was making an exit from the premises, I was introduced to him. He was in high spirits. He smelled of fine spirits – literally. As soon as he came to know that I am from Manipur, he started to move his well-oiled wheels of eloquence. His father was the proprietor of Imphal Talkies. He grew up in Imphal. He talked of Imphal Talkies with pride and joy `“ even though Imphal Talkies is no longer theirs. His father made it a point that the finest Hollywood productions had its premiere shows, in the country, in Imphal Talkies. This was a big gamble. Distributors charge disproportionate fees for premieres. Though this made him lose money he didn`™t mind. Such was his passion to make Imphal Talkies a Cinema to talk about.

My Fair Lady, I was told by this gentleman, made its premier in India at Imphal Talkies. When one of the Warner Brothers came to Bombay as part of a victory lap for the phenomenal success, especially in terms of returns of this film, he was greeted by a bouquet of flowers with the card `For My Fair Lady from Imphal Talkies`. When the producer returned home, he sent a thank you card with the words – `To Imphal Talkies from My Fair Lady. No one had sent a lovelier gift`. These stories from another generation sounded fantastic. They enervated my tired nerves after a daylong affair of judging artistes`™s talents and capabilities, some of which were atrocious. The stories reaffirmed my belief about the part passions play in carving the world.

When I was about to leave, I asked the name of his father. The gentleman came close to my ears and whispered a name which sounded like an Islamic name. But the spirits had done its work by then. I could not get the name. Afraid that I might offend such a nice person, I did not have the courage to ask him to repeat the name. I thought `what`™s the point?` I know the person without knowing the name, without having seen his face. I felt I knew him, someone separated by time. What`™s in a name anyways?

I remember the big long fans inside Imphal Talkies. Who can forget the languorous whirring synchronicity they performed in those warm Imphal summer holidays. As a kid, I loved to look at them, more than the movies sometimes. Now, everyone knows the condition of Imphal Talkies. It has had its day. And what an amazing day it must have been.

On my way home, I silently reflected on whether the state`™s creative output in the area of films had anything to do with the passion of that gentleman. Perhaps, it might have. Some Manipuri friends of the gentleman`™s father jokingly told him that his father whetted the insurgency movements by bringing in films about rebellion, films about freedom and films about the wild, wild-west. Perhaps, this too might have some truth under the veneer of a joke. A far-fetched possibility in any case.

Every time I go by Imphal Talkies, I shall smile, knowing that it had a past, a wonderful past. I might also sigh at the condition that it has come to. Perhaps, I would then reflect on the transitory illusoriness of things. This reflection too, no doubt, shall be transitory.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/flowers-for-my-fair-lady/

Flowers for My Fair Lady

By Malangba Bangormayum I like people who like people whom I like. I like specially those people who like my son and tell things like, `he is so cute`, `he

By Malangba Bangormayum

I like people who like people whom I like. I like specially those people who like my son and tell things like, `he is so cute`, `he is so talented`… `he is very intelligent`. I like them anyways even if I know that what they say might not be true. Is it just me or is it a common phenomenon? My wife says it is common enough.

I like people who like Manipur. I met two such people on the same day last week. The first person`™s father was an IAS officer posted in different parts of Manipur – Chandel, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Imphal. She grew up in Manipur. And more importantly she talks of Manipur with a certain unmistakable nostalgia. She conducts a children`™s choir. Her brother is none other than the conductor of The Shillong Chamber Choir. Circumstances had somehow brought the two of us together to adjudge very talented singers and instrumentalists from the NER. In fact, the talent and stature of one in particular put the two of us in a very discomforting position. We had to judge, one of the most identifiable singers from our region, who has attained iconic status. He was part of the Great Society and has a penchant for wearing really tight and really short jeans pants while performing. There are some people who are beyond any kind of formal judging `“ they have made a mark, they have contributed their bit. He is one of them. How do one judge persons like him? Simply because I happen to have a formal degree in the domain in which he functions, I am made a judge of him.

The director of the government agency where this business transpired, it so happens, was throwing a luncheon to celebrate his retirement in a few days. When I was making an exit from the premises, I was introduced to him. He was in high spirits. He smelled of fine spirits – literally. As soon as he came to know that I am from Manipur, he started to move his well-oiled wheels of eloquence. His father was the proprietor of Imphal Talkies. He grew up in Imphal. He talked of Imphal Talkies with pride and joy `“ even though Imphal Talkies is no longer theirs. His father made it a point that the finest Hollywood productions had its premiere shows, in the country, in Imphal Talkies. This was a big gamble. Distributors charge disproportionate fees for premieres. Though this made him lose money he didn`™t mind. Such was his passion to make Imphal Talkies a Cinema to talk about.

My Fair Lady, I was told by this gentleman, made its premier in India at Imphal Talkies. When one of the Warner Brothers came to Bombay as part of a victory lap for the phenomenal success, especially in terms of returns of this film, he was greeted by a bouquet of flowers with the card `For My Fair Lady from Imphal Talkies`. When the producer returned home, he sent a thank you card with the words – `To Imphal Talkies from My Fair Lady. No one had sent a lovelier gift`. These stories from another generation sounded fantastic. They enervated my tired nerves after a daylong affair of judging artistes`™s talents and capabilities, some of which were atrocious. The stories reaffirmed my belief about the part passions play in carving the world.

When I was about to leave, I asked the name of his father. The gentleman came close to my ears and whispered a name which sounded like an Islamic name. But the spirits had done its work by then. I could not get the name. Afraid that I might offend such a nice person, I did not have the courage to ask him to repeat the name. I thought `what`™s the point?` I know the person without knowing the name, without having seen his face. I felt I knew him, someone separated by time. What`™s in a name anyways?

I remember the big long fans inside Imphal Talkies. Who can forget the languorous whirring synchronicity they performed in those warm Imphal summer holidays. As a kid, I loved to look at them, more than the movies sometimes. Now, everyone knows the condition of Imphal Talkies. It has had its day. And what an amazing day it must have been.

On my way home, I silently reflected on whether the state`™s creative output in the area of films had anything to do with the passion of that gentleman. Perhaps, it might have. Some Manipuri friends of the gentleman`™s father jokingly told him that his father whetted the insurgency movements by bringing in films about rebellion, films about freedom and films about the wild, wild-west. Perhaps, this too might have some truth under the veneer of a joke. A far-fetched possibility in any case.

Every time I go by Imphal Talkies, I shall smile, knowing that it had a past, a wonderful past. I might also sigh at the condition that it has come to. Perhaps, I would then reflect on the transitory illusoriness of things. This reflection too, no doubt, shall be transitory.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/flowers-for-my-fair-lady/

The 2014 edition of the great Sangai Festival

By Tinky Ningombam In the hope to do a little bit of research for this year`™s fest, I stumbled upon their pretty website http://sangaifestival.gov.in/ . Ignoring my OCD against grammatical

By Tinky Ningombam

In the hope to do a little bit of research for this year`™s fest, I stumbled upon their pretty website http://sangaifestival.gov.in/ . Ignoring my OCD against grammatical errors, I browsed through the pages in a frenzy. And then I found something fascinating. There it was, a tab that said `MAN BEHIND THE WHEELS/FESTIVALS`, just within the section THEME & PURPOSE OF FESTIVAL. Of course I wanted to know who the MAN is, the man who is running this entire show, who came up with this spectacular event. Who wouldn`™t? I clicked on it and what did I find? NOTHING. A blank page. A million questions ran in my mind. Why was this blank? If it was supposed to be blank, why was this page created? Who did they want to name the Father of The Sangai Festival? Who is the neo, the alpha, the omega ? Who is the ONE? A mystery never fails to excite me. Manipur, you always seem to give me such profound moments of joy every single day. One mystery after another. It is like living a Sherlock Holmes story. When will I ever tire of you?
Manipur celebrates Sangai Festival. All that people seem to be talking about is the festival. Which is good. Talk is good. No publicity is bad publicity. 30,000 thronged the 8th day of the event read local dailies. For the state it is one of the rare market-able investment. So far in all these years, the only scaling up I felt were the delegations from other states and countries. And now our PM.

The cultural events seems to have wowed the delegates; that is good news indeed. Sunday`™s grand finale will be the make or break day. It might just be a little early to rejoice. Last time I checked, the best thing about last year turned out to be the Moreh light bulbs outside. Not only for being a good backdrop for people`™s Facebook pictures but especially the day after where people took (stole) it to light their own homes. And who could forget the ample bad memories from years past. The unruly audience catcalling foreign artistes and the obnoxious thefts from the foreign stalls. The drunk people at the venue and the caterwauling at fashion shows. See, some things you have to learn as individuals. The government is not responsible for how the people behave, that we have to admit. This time around, it is quite funny though that by far the most talked about stall is the certain one with fried chicken from Guwahati. Beat that! Manipur tourism fest mega-seller is a fried chicken stall! Colonel Sanders must be seeing dollar signs in heaven.

Though without doubt, a state sponsored festival with no competition so far is definitely a very good product to build and market. Give or take some glitches, such as the lack of security or proper hospitality infrastructure. People like a spectacle, period. We like drama and entertainment. All work and no play definitely makes Jack a dull boy. So every year, people come to see the same venue and stalls over and over again in the hope to find something new, something better for them. But what is the future of the festival now? Can we hosts hundreds of people coming in from other places to visit? Because it is `Safety First` right? Till we can assure safe travels and stays, the Sangai Festival has to be in the beta stage because sadly, despite many promises, it is still a `come at your own risk` affair.

It is an occupational hazard that every time I read a bad headline, the PR person in me twitches her thumbs. A grenade managing to miraculously get past our beloved and efficient police and security forces. Some officials seem to be a little too distracted by the food stalls. But what the heck, business as usual, eh? One asks why it is that anything that our state government does gets bad press. One answer. No trust. It is all a vicious circle. The people don`™t trust the government, they don`™t trust the law enforcers, and the government don`™t trust the people `¦ practically no-one trusts anyone to do the right job. Murphy`™s Law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In our state, there is more wrong than right.In fact there is no `right`, there is the `wrong` and the `not-so-wrong.`

What of the festival though? The gathering of rich and poor alike, meeting of locals and people from beyond. How does it bode for the state? This is where it makes one wonder how you measure the success of the festival. Is it the public`™s satisfied palates, profits from the local stalls, publicity to fill up their year books? What is the benchmark? What deals goes on behind the red tapes?

There is only one way to sustain a property to create interest and that is to scale it up – to make it bigger, better and grander. Tourism is more than just festivals, you will agree. Tourism fests are about creating local affinities, enabling infrastructure, enhancing the image of the state, helping the economy. You don`t need a college degree to understand this. We need some real action, less deceptive magic tricks. No smoke clouds and sparkles. More returns for the people. Because we know better that it is one thing to create a spectacle and another to get benefits. Some national limelight will definitely be a welcome sign for the final day. Due credit to one of Indian media`™s darling, our hon. Prime Minister, Mr Modi. Grand day ahead. Between a curfew and the PM`™s bandobast, it will be a swell Sunday. Notwithstanding some inappropriate man-handling and body cavity searches. Readers, do upload selfies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/the-2014-edition-of-the-great-sangai-festival/

The 2014 edition of the great Sangai Festival

By Tinky Ningombam In the hope to do a little bit of research for this year`™s fest, I stumbled upon their pretty website http://sangaifestival.gov.in/ . Ignoring my OCD against grammatical

By Tinky Ningombam

In the hope to do a little bit of research for this year`™s fest, I stumbled upon their pretty website http://sangaifestival.gov.in/ . Ignoring my OCD against grammatical errors, I browsed through the pages in a frenzy. And then I found something fascinating. There it was, a tab that said `MAN BEHIND THE WHEELS/FESTIVALS`, just within the section THEME & PURPOSE OF FESTIVAL. Of course I wanted to know who the MAN is, the man who is running this entire show, who came up with this spectacular event. Who wouldn`™t? I clicked on it and what did I find? NOTHING. A blank page. A million questions ran in my mind. Why was this blank? If it was supposed to be blank, why was this page created? Who did they want to name the Father of The Sangai Festival? Who is the neo, the alpha, the omega ? Who is the ONE? A mystery never fails to excite me. Manipur, you always seem to give me such profound moments of joy every single day. One mystery after another. It is like living a Sherlock Holmes story. When will I ever tire of you?
Manipur celebrates Sangai Festival. All that people seem to be talking about is the festival. Which is good. Talk is good. No publicity is bad publicity. 30,000 thronged the 8th day of the event read local dailies. For the state it is one of the rare market-able investment. So far in all these years, the only scaling up I felt were the delegations from other states and countries. And now our PM.

The cultural events seems to have wowed the delegates; that is good news indeed. Sunday`™s grand finale will be the make or break day. It might just be a little early to rejoice. Last time I checked, the best thing about last year turned out to be the Moreh light bulbs outside. Not only for being a good backdrop for people`™s Facebook pictures but especially the day after where people took (stole) it to light their own homes. And who could forget the ample bad memories from years past. The unruly audience catcalling foreign artistes and the obnoxious thefts from the foreign stalls. The drunk people at the venue and the caterwauling at fashion shows. See, some things you have to learn as individuals. The government is not responsible for how the people behave, that we have to admit. This time around, it is quite funny though that by far the most talked about stall is the certain one with fried chicken from Guwahati. Beat that! Manipur tourism fest mega-seller is a fried chicken stall! Colonel Sanders must be seeing dollar signs in heaven.

Though without doubt, a state sponsored festival with no competition so far is definitely a very good product to build and market. Give or take some glitches, such as the lack of security or proper hospitality infrastructure. People like a spectacle, period. We like drama and entertainment. All work and no play definitely makes Jack a dull boy. So every year, people come to see the same venue and stalls over and over again in the hope to find something new, something better for them. But what is the future of the festival now? Can we hosts hundreds of people coming in from other places to visit? Because it is `Safety First` right? Till we can assure safe travels and stays, the Sangai Festival has to be in the beta stage because sadly, despite many promises, it is still a `come at your own risk` affair.

It is an occupational hazard that every time I read a bad headline, the PR person in me twitches her thumbs. A grenade managing to miraculously get past our beloved and efficient police and security forces. Some officials seem to be a little too distracted by the food stalls. But what the heck, business as usual, eh? One asks why it is that anything that our state government does gets bad press. One answer. No trust. It is all a vicious circle. The people don`™t trust the government, they don`™t trust the law enforcers, and the government don`™t trust the people `¦ practically no-one trusts anyone to do the right job. Murphy`™s Law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In our state, there is more wrong than right.In fact there is no `right`, there is the `wrong` and the `not-so-wrong.`

What of the festival though? The gathering of rich and poor alike, meeting of locals and people from beyond. How does it bode for the state? This is where it makes one wonder how you measure the success of the festival. Is it the public`™s satisfied palates, profits from the local stalls, publicity to fill up their year books? What is the benchmark? What deals goes on behind the red tapes?

There is only one way to sustain a property to create interest and that is to scale it up – to make it bigger, better and grander. Tourism is more than just festivals, you will agree. Tourism fests are about creating local affinities, enabling infrastructure, enhancing the image of the state, helping the economy. You don`t need a college degree to understand this. We need some real action, less deceptive magic tricks. No smoke clouds and sparkles. More returns for the people. Because we know better that it is one thing to create a spectacle and another to get benefits. Some national limelight will definitely be a welcome sign for the final day. Due credit to one of Indian media`™s darling, our hon. Prime Minister, Mr Modi. Grand day ahead. Between a curfew and the PM`™s bandobast, it will be a swell Sunday. Notwithstanding some inappropriate man-handling and body cavity searches. Readers, do upload selfies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/the-2014-edition-of-the-great-sangai-festival/