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The manner in which the phone hacking controversy as well as its retribution is unfolding in Britain is interesting for more reasons than one. The media in the country is… Read more »
The manner in which the phone hacking controversy as well as its retribution is unfolding in Britain is interesting for more reasons than one. The media in the country is being pilloried in the open, and deservingly too, for crossing its limits of journalistic propriety and democratic accountability. To put it in a nutshell, the investigation is about how journalists of one of the best selling tabloids of country, News of the World, used phone hacking (phone tapping) widely and indiscriminately as a newsgathering strategy, in the mad race to be always scoops ahead of their rivals. The scandal has already resulted in some top heads of the media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News International rolling, including that of its chief executive Rebekah Brooks. Even Rupert Murdoch and his son James Murdoch, chairman of the company, along with Brooks, were grilled in the British Parliament, the entire proceeding of which was televised across the globe. Murdoch it may be recalled owns an estimated 176 media organisations across the globe, some of which are amongst the most prestigious in the business. The latest of the big time purchases he made is the respected American newspaper The Wall Street Journal. What is also loudly evident is the storm of public outrage the issue has raised in Britain.
Even as the public trial of the scandal unfolds in Britain, the contrast with which a similar scandal was treated in India, cannot escape discerning observers. We refer to the ongoing investigation into the 2G scandal. While the scandal rocked the country and literally shook up the government establishment, resulting in even in Union ministers having to pay the price, a good section of the media which was also implicated, perhaps not directly in bribe taking or deal making, but in actually facilitating the key players in the scandals, virtually went with little or no penalty. Public outrage too sooner than later died down, and those implicated are back as the media stars they were before their involvement in the scandal became known. Nobody, not even those exposed to intense public scrutiny resigned or were relieved from their jobs, and nobody, not the least the general public, seem to mind this either. Does this in any way say there is a difference in public ethical standards between the West and here? In the run up to the Commonwealth Games, when construction of portions of the village was found to be incomplete and filthy, a similar statement that there was a wide difference in the hygiene standards between Indian and the West was made by a top official in charge of the construction of the Games Venue, scandalising many. Many of the top officials in this scandal too also indeed have had to face severe retributions. The question then is, why were all those in the media charged of complicity in the 2G scam spared altogether? Equally, it must also be said, along with the media, corporate houses implicated in these scandals did not also get the same treatment under the law as government officials caught in the act.
This is time for the media in the country to reflect. While it cannot be denied that the Indian media has done commendably well in bringing to book the government for many wrongdoings, it has always somewhat treated itself as the beyond ordinary law or public scrutiny. This self righteousness is what must be purged for the media to not only gain public respectability but strengthen its own moral standing. At this moment, even mainstream broadsheets have introduced elements of tabloid sleaze and although it is true this has boosted the sale of these newspapers, media observers are now predicting a backlash sooner than later. In many of the discussions in the Indian media that followed the phone hacking scandal in Britain, the nostalgia for the media or yore which commanded public faith and not just the market shares was clearly felt. True there can be no a U-turn now. The times have changed and lifestyles have transformed unrecognizably in the face of a liberalised, globalised economy. News today must also be laced with entertainment, especially when it comes to the visual media, for it to still catch eyeballs, but this does not mean every value which form the foundation of the media must be abandoned. One of these is public accountability, and there seems to be a shortfall of this quality at the moment. There is no gainsaying this does not have to be abandoned anywhere anytime, as the unfolding trial in Britain, of the world’s most powerful media organisation, lead by the world’s most iconic media mogul, is demonstrating.
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IMPHAL, July 22: Four students have been selected by social welfare department for participation at the Zonal Level Bal Shree Camp. The selected students are Waikhom Marilyun Devi of Tiny… Read more »
IMPHAL, July 22: Four students have been selected by social welfare department for participation at the Zonal Level Bal Shree Camp. The selected students are Waikhom Marilyun Devi of Tiny Tots` Unique School (creative writing), Minerva Laiphungbam of Little Flower School (creative performance), Chingakham Chanu Lamnganbi of Heritage Convent (creative scientific innovation) and Naoroibam Anand Singh of Eagle High School (creative art).
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GUWAHATI,July 22(NNN): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) military chief Paresh Baruah was bent upon subversion in the state despite the outlawed outfit’s declaration… Read more »
GUWAHATI,July 22(NNN): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) military chief Paresh Baruah was bent upon subversion in the state despite the outlawed outfit’s declaration of ceasefire.
Barua and some 150 hardliners have refused to talk to ‘colonial New Delhi’ and have broken off with the majority pro-talks ULFA headed by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa.
“We’ve received intelligence inputs that Paresh Baruah is planning terror attacks in the state with help from Manipur-based People’s Liberation Army, the Maoists and some other extremist groups of the Northeast,” Gogoi said on Friday. “But we are alive to the situation and taking all precautionary measures to foil his designs.”
Gogoi criticized Baruah for continuing with the armed movement when most of his colleagues gave up arms in the interest of peace. “I urge him to see the writings on the wall and abjure the path of violence. People want peace and not violence,” he said.
The Assam government believes that Baruah is operating from safe hideouts along China-Myanmar border. “He is currently holed up in northern Myanmar but keeps moving around. A number of extremist groups of the Northeast have their bases in that region,” Gogoi said.
Earlier, the ULFA used to operate from Bhutanese territories until being flushed out during ‘Operation All Clear’ (an Indo-Bhutanese joint military offensive of December 2003). Later, the outfit set up bases in adjoing Bangladesh. But the return of Sheikh Hasina to power and a subsequent crackdown on Northeast Indian militants saw ULFA shift to the China-Myanmar border.
Gogoi said peace parleys with the pro-talks faction of ULFA were imminent. “We’ve got green signal from the central government. Peace talks between ULFA and the Central government will begin very soon,” he added.
According to the chief minister, the talks will be held directly between ULFA and central government. Earlier, peace talks between ULFA-appointed People’s Consultative Group and central government hit roadblocks ostensibly after the government had refused to discuss all core issues. The issue of Assam’s sovereignty is one of ULFA’s most contentious demands.
“In the first round of talks, ULFA would submit its charter of demands. Government will then see how far it could go to accommodate the demands. All decisions will be taken by the central government but we’ll be consulted,” he said. The chief minister added that efforts were being made to bring all other militant groups to the negotiating table.
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IMPHAL, July 23: 31 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under the aegis of Head Quarters IGAR (S) organized a football tournament at Chavangphai football ground, Moreh. Six local teams took… Read more »
IMPHAL, July 23: 31 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under the aegis of Head Quarters IGAR (S) organized a football tournament at Chavangphai football ground, Moreh. Six local teams took part in the tournament, stated a release of IGAR (S).
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IMPHAL, July 26: Wife of one of three persons whose whereabouts is yet unknown after the trio including her husband was allegedly apprehended by personnel of the Assam Rifles of… Read more »
IMPHAL, July 26: Wife of one of three persons whose whereabouts is yet unknown after the trio including her husband was allegedly apprehended by personnel of the Assam Rifles of Khudengthabi Check post on July 23, has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today.
According to the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the three missing prsons have been identified as Laishram Herojit Singh, s/o of L Ibomcha Singh of Utlou Awang Lekai, Jackson Maring of Machi Konaithong village of Chandel district and S Bobo Singh, s/o of S Samu Singh of Karam.
In this connection Th Thoibi Devi wife of the missing S Bobo Singh has submitted her memorandum to the chief minister today along with their local womenfolk this morning, requesting CM to take positive steps to let the members of family know their whereabout and to instruct the concerned AR authorities to hand over the arrested persons to the police station immediately in the fair play of law and justice, the memorandum added.
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, July 31: 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) conducted a medical cum dental camp today at Lilong Dam…
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, July 31: 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) conducted a medical cum dental camp today at Lilong Dam…
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL August 2: The MPP youth front condemns the elements responsible for the Sangakpham bomb blast. A release by N…
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL August 2: The MPP youth front condemns the elements responsible for the Sangakpham bomb blast. A release by N…
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, Aug 3: Many more social organizations have expressed words of condemnation on the Sangakpham blast which rendered five persons dead…
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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, Aug 3: Many more social organizations have expressed words of condemnation on the Sangakpham blast which rendered five persons dead…
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Appeals for peaceful coexistence have become commonplace today. That these appeals should at all become necessary is an indication that there are forces pulling the fabric of coexistence apart. There… Read more »
Appeals for peaceful coexistence have become commonplace today. That these appeals should at all become necessary is an indication that there are forces pulling the fabric of coexistence apart. There is another often heard appeal today and this has to do with tolerance. However, because of the multiplicity of connotations associated with the latter term, we are a little suspicious of this appeal. Although we are aware of the well intended spirit, there are other meanings, conscious or otherwise, inherent in the appeal itself. For one, tolerance presupposes that the object to be tolerated is offensive in nature. The equation sought hence is never one of equality, but of a superior entity putting up with an inferior counterpart even if this means having to make do with inconveniences, keeping in view longer term self-interests. The question becomes in this way reduced to making a choice for the lesser of two evils. Tolerance has another nasty connotation. It can portray a picture of passivity and inactivity. It can be taken to mean insensitivity and the lack of a natural sense of rights and justice, hence the failure to claim them. Some very often asked question will illustrate: How can the people of Manipur tolerate corruption or violence the way it has? How can Manipur tolerate non performance by its governments the way it has?
We prefer the word coexistence then. The term first of all is value-neutral and there is no implied meaning of inequality buried in it. It suggests an equal partnership, where the different communities exposed to each other by circumstances of geography, economy and politics, live in a free interplay of ideas and customs. In Manipur, as in any other multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religion societies, such a formula will have to be the only route to lasting peace. The foundation for peace must be laid in a salad bowl scenario, where each ingredient remains distinct, but in their totality give themselves a new collective identity and personality. Adjustments, not tolerance, will no doubt become necessary to make sure the vital agenda of governance is given smooth passage. There will have to be, for instance, laws and norms applicable to all, just as all must be deemed to be equals before these same laws. But while an integration process cannot be overt, there will come about unseen, unobtrusive forces that initiate a meltdown of the different ingredients: The compulsions and bonds of economics being the most powerful of these. The salad bowl will then begin giving way to the melting pot precisely at the marketplace which must have a lingua franca that no one can claim as their exclusive, a common currency, ethos, value system etc.
In contemplating coexistence and integration, we are impressed by the call for the return of a moral fabric to bind all into a common humanity. The sobering influence of religion on society cannot be undervalued or rejected as is increasingly the tendency. Of course, in modern times, religion has come to be divisive in nature, but this is only because religion has been put in political garbs. But a reverse of this same equation may not mean the same thing, and so instead of politicizing religion, maybe a better way of looking at things would be to introduce religiosity to politics. A religious State and a theocratic State are certainly not one and the same thing. In Manipuri, the term dharma leiba, does not imply the man possessing this quality as belonging to any particular religion. It just means a good-hearted, God-fearing, moral man. And after all, all religions at their core, preach all men to possess these qualities. Perhaps then we should also strive for a dharma leiba politics and society: A society and politics with a deep sense of belief in morality. It is a thought that needs introspection, but maybe the Western model of secularism, which defines the term absolutely as the separation of the Church from the State, is not complete.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/coexistence-or-tolerance/
IMPHAL, Aug 6: MPSC and KRYPSA ended in goalless draw in today’s match of 8th Edition Sunitibala Memorial Senior Women Football League held at Chajing Kangjeibung.
IMPHAL, Aug 6: MPSC and KRYPSA ended in goalless draw in today’s match of 8th Edition Sunitibala Memorial Senior Women Football League held at Chajing Kangjeibung.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/sunitibala-women-football/
Life in Manipur ceased to be something to be exulted a long time ago. In its place we have today the protest culture. And hence there is never a week… Read more »
Life in Manipur ceased to be something to be exulted a long time ago. In its place we have today the protest culture. And hence there is never a week that passes without some form of a protest bandh or rally or strike. Again, except for our religious festivals, not many of the days we observe as holidays or else as simply a day to be remembered, are actually in the real sense of the words, celebrations. Most of these are observed in recollection of dark and tragic events. The state’s calendar year hence is dominated “dark days,” “gloomy days,” and “protest months”…. Then there are of course the predictable general strikes, as for instance on January 26 and August 15, apart from a horde of other absolutely impromptu strikes and bandhs, that are immediate responses to developments that are not upto the liking or taste of any given group big and small. While we do not deny that all these reflect the condition of Manipur today, it is also true that we have inherited an oppressive negativism in our attitude to life. The forward looking outlook that eggs individuals as well as entire people to ever increase their levels of achievement, have been eclipse. This, we have no doubt, is a recipe for ultimate social disaster. Unless we overcome it, doomsday cannot be far away.
It is true we are in bad times. Even if it is again true that all this is not of our own making, we must find ways to make progressive action and thought exist side by side of the protests and struggles. Otherwise, we cannot hope to open up our horizon to a brighter future. We are tempted to refer to the famous existentialist vision of life as a never ending struggle, as so aptly illustrated by the Sysiphus hyperbole, in which Sysiphus the figure from the Greek mythology is seen pushing a rock up a hillside in Hades as a punishment. If Sysiphus slackens the rock slips. If Sysiphus gives up, he would be crushed. The only real option left before him is to keep pushing the rock up, even though he never knows where the summit is, and when he can ever find time to relax. The trouble with this kind of a vision of life is, it is suffocatingly intense. Although there is much truth in it, we still are inclined towards the romantic. Life is multifaceted and offers immense possibilities. The sense of urgency in the picture of Sysiphus struggling up the hillside allows no room for appreciating life’s myriad other offerings. And in the process our vision of life also gets narrower and narrower, until it is reduced to just the rock ahead…. and tragically nothing beyond.
We are today caught in the Sysiphus trap. Apart from what is immediately before us, we have no energy left for any kind of creative pursuits, or even to visualise alternative and more fruitful routes we can take to the future. Everything around us has become so drearily prosaic, and with such predictable narrative depths. This is reflected in our present day literature, poetry, song lyrics, shumang lilas, movies and even a greater part of our theatre. Protests and resistance, are all very well, but when they are carried out without offering a safe and productive outlet, can become so wasteful, destructive, and self consuming. By the awesome circumstance we are exposed to, our collective vision seems to have been dwarfed by our obsessive preoccupation with the present. We would not even call the situation explosive, for there is a picture of expansion and spread of energy in it, even if in a violent way. On the other hand, we would much rather prefer to describe the situation as implosive, where energy absorbs itself and everything collapse inwards and disappears into the depthless void of a black hole.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/inherited-negativism/
IMPHAL, Aug 11: All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association Manipur (AMADA) organized an academic awareness programme at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou. Advocate Soibam Hemanta, psychiatrist Dr H Angomcha and NCB SP RK Ibungosana… Read more »
IMPHAL, Aug 11: All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association Manipur (AMADA) organized an academic awareness programme at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou. Advocate Soibam Hemanta, psychiatrist Dr H Angomcha and NCB SP RK Ibungosana spoke as resource persons on various topics related with drugs abuse, stated a release.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/awareness-programme/
IMPHAL, August 9:An Independence Day medical camp was organized by 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division at Moldak on Aug 9 . According to a… Read more »
IMPHAL, August 9:An Independence Day medical camp was organized by 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division at Moldak on Aug 9 . According to a PIB statement the camp was attended by military dignitaries, local school’s staff, students and local leaders. It has also added a free dental check up was also organized at S Kholen in Henglep Sub Division. Col Vikas Chawla, Comdt, 46 Assam Rifles inaugurated the camp which was attended by over 200 individuals.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/medical-camp/
IMPHAL, Aug 10: The 30th inter-district badminton championship and 56th state level badminton championship will be held from August 23 to 28 at MBA Indoor Stadium near DM College.
IMPHAL, Aug 10: The 30th inter-district badminton championship and 56th state level badminton championship will be held from August 23 to 28 at MBA Indoor Stadium near DM College.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/badminton-tournament/
By Manas Maisnam I came to know from a social networking site a few months back that every year, 13th of August is observed as “International Lefthanders Day”. Frankly speaking,… Read more »
By Manas Maisnam
I came to know from a social networking site a few months back that every year, 13th of August is observed as “International Lefthanders Day”. Frankly speaking, I have heard of Valentine’s Day, Friendship Day, Youths’ Day etc.; but Lefthanders Day? Never had I heard or was aware about it. Being a left-handed person, I felt extremely delighted that one day in a year is designated by the left-handed community to highlight problems, inconveniences and sometimes prejudices, we encounter in a world which is predominantly comprised of right-handed populace. It is a well known fact that almost exactly 10 percent of the world’s population is left-handed and why left-handed persons are in such minority is still an unsolved mystery.
Till date, there has been no satisfactory explanation on why the right hand became the dominant hand for majority of mankind, or how a person becomes either right-handed or left-handed. Many interesting and thought-provoking theories have been postulated by experts, but none of them are able to give a conclusive proof/ reason to why humans are predominantly right-handed. Whatever may be the reasons, it is accepted that being either right-handed or left-handed also largely depend on the surrounding environment one grows up, apart from other factors like genetics, hereditary, birth defects etc. As for example, my son, who is a normal right-handed boy has become a “lefty” as far as usage of computer mouse is concerned. Ever since he started using my laptop a few years ago, he didn’t change the side on which the mouse was kept (I keep it on the left side). Instead, he clicks the mouse with his left hand. Now, he is not conversant in using the mouse with his right hand. I even observe that he moves the mouse to left side, if he happened to use someone else’s computer!
Out of the many tests used by experts, two simple tests will be helpful in ascertaining the handedness of a person. Firstly, a left-hander will tend to draw a side profile picture facing right, while a right handed-person will draw it facing left. Secondly, a left-hander will draw a circle in anticlockwise direction as compared to a right-handed person, who will draw it in clockwise direction.
The prejudice against the left-handers has been in existence throughout the history. Till not so long ago, left-handers were stigmatized and oppressed owing to socio-religious reasons. In ancient times, left-handers were denounced as servants of devils. Many negative aspects of human life were made to be associated with the left hand. In our country, the left hand is considered to be “impure” and one is not supposed to touch food, sacred objects with left hand. In some other parts of the world, women were not allowed to use their left hand during cooking, fearing the food might be poisoned by sorcery. Only a few decades ago, in Japan left-handedness in wife was enough ground for divorce! During Victorian period in England, left-handed students were forced to write with right-hand. Women, who are so called ‘weaker sex’ (though personally I don’t subscribe to this concept), are described in our own parlance as “Oigee Lamdang Oibee” and the males, who are supposed to be ‘superior’ are described as “Yetki Lamdang Oibaa”. At social or religious functions, the place for women is on the left side of their male counterparts. There is no need to elucidate on which hand is given more prominence vis-à-vis the preceding two phrases and description.
According to some study, forcefully changing the inborn left-handedness of a person due to societal prejudices might lead to depression, introversion etc. owing to overburdening of the non-dominant part of the brain as the dominant part of the brain remains unchanged even if the handedness is changed. But a voluntary change of handedness doesn’t appear to lead to such consequences. On National Geographic channel, I once saw a programme where a right-handed woman, who was a squash player, voluntarily participated in an experiment to study the effects of change in handedness. In the experiment she had to change herself to a left-handed woman within one month. Initially, she faced trouble performing daily activities or hitting the ball with squash racquet. But as time progressed, her capability to use left hand gradually improved. Even her reflex actions became oriented towards left hand. By the end of the month, left-handedness improved and could even play squash with her left hand. There were no negative impacts on her mental health owing to the changeover of the handedness from right to left.
My grandfather and his two brothers are left-handers. During my childhood, I heard stories about how their elders restrained their left hands and forced them to pick up morsels of food by right hand. Tearfully, they complied and thus, outwardly became right-handed persons, but their inherent left-handedness still remains for they use the left-hand while performing day to day works. Thankfully, for me there was no pressure to change the use of my hand and I eat, write and draw with my left hand. However, in deference to religious customs, I use my right hand while offering/ picking flowers or offering money at religious functions. I manage to do it somehow with some tacit support from my left hand!
A left-handed, or southpaw person has to face many a practical difficulties and inconveniences while performing day to day activities. This stems out from the fact that almost all the tools, machineries and gadgets used in our daily life or for educational purpose are manufactured to suit its usage by right-handers, who are 90 percent of the total global population. During my student life, using a burette in Chemistry laboratory was a bit problematic, because the tap was placed on the right side with the graduation marks facing the user. If I had to use the burette, controlling its tap with my left hand then, the burette had to be turned the other way round. In that case, the graduation mark was away from me and I had to look around to get the reading. Such problems occurred with a mini drafter too. In fact, during my college days, my mini-drafter was placed during drafting classes only for cosmetic purpose. I hardly used it. Even taking lecture notes in a classroom filled with writing pad chairs was also quite troublesome. As the pad was fixed on the right side of the chair, I had to drag in another empty chair and keep it at my left side to keep my notebook. But if the classroom happened to be fully occupied then I was left with no other option but to twist my torso and write on the notebook placed on the right side. There are many other tasks in everyday life which a southpaw person finds it hard to perform owing to the non-conformity of the tools with his handedness; for instance, pulling a generator’s cord. Most of the modern gadgets have their buttons and knobs on the right side and when used by a left-hander, it is bound to create some difficulty.
Acknowledging these practical difficulties faced by the southpaw community, a shop at London is selling products designed especially for left-handers. They range from scissors to cameras. Even the clock on sale in the shop moves in anticlockwise direction with the hourly markings as mirror image of the conventional clock!
In conclusion, we the left-handed community should not feel inferior to others or embarrassed on account of our handedness. Nature has meant us to be left-handed and we should respect it. Parents should not try to force their left-handed children to change the handedness. Despite all odds and challenges, we should look at life through a positive prism and try to get maximum advantage from it.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/a-lefthanders-musing/
By Priyadarshni M. Gangte, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding” – Albert Einstein. The word “Peace” means freedom from cessation of… Read more »
By Priyadarshni M. Gangte,
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding”
– Albert Einstein.
The word “Peace” means freedom from cessation of war, i.e. peace with honour, peace at any price (J.B. Sykes (ed) : The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (7th Edition), Oxford University Press, 1987, p.753). Leiren (Dr. L. Leiren’s Article, “Peace Education in the 21st Century.” Imphal Free Press, 1st Sept., 2006) has elegantly contended that “peace” as a comprehensive enterprise that requires a transformation in our thinking sense of valued wills, resources and solidarity of all. Thus, it is a way of life in which one experiences inner tranquility, harmonious relationships and an interconnectedness with the world. Moreover, the term connotes in the real sense a state of Being (Net). It is about honouring and nurturing our spiritual side.
As our topic concentrates solely around “Peace”, it is pertinent to have some more definition of the same (Net):
“Peace is associated with clarity, and with an inner stillness that often gives rise to playfulness and inspired activity. So, while peace does come from non-resistance and acceptance of what is, it is not necessarily a state of passivity; rather it gives rise to choices that are free from automatic resistance …”
“… peace means being at peace with whatever is going on, so that any individual is aware of her or his inner reactions and can respond from a place of compassion and understanding …”
“… an inner state in which we are calmly impervious to whatever comes into our awareness of a distressing or inharmonious nature …”
“… peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all these things and still be calm in our heart. That is the real meaning of peace”, and,
* Presented in the 2-Day State Level Seminar on Kabow Valley and How To Bring Peace In Manipur, organised by Dr. Suresh; Centre for Foreign Studies And Placement in association with Cultural and Historical Research Trust, Manipur at the Central Library Hall, Imphal on 30-31st July, 2011.
“Peace means a quite stillness within oneself …, a completeness and a knowingness that everything is as it should be. A stillness so deep, that we know that each moment, each hour, each tomorrow is in this stillness waiting to blossom. Within this stillness there is no judgement, hatred, anger only a perfect stillness … a swelling of love …”
Before the advent of British rule in India, it was, of course, of varieties of small and big kingdoms, since the inception of sixteen Mahajanapadas with which led to the emergence of Maurya Empire in BC’s and still carrying her legacy upto the Mughal Empire. Such phenomenon have had not been witnessed or noticed by the North-eastern India, however in different ways of uniqueness these regions have their respective own histories. It will not wrong to say that independent India abruptly adopted democracy, without any having any taste and feel of the same. Further, after six decades and more being a democratic country masses in general and elite and other sections/groups in particular do not understand the actual meaning of democracy yet.
It is pathetic that the Indian State has not toed the democratic norms. Rather, on security point of view, the Indian state either simply copied the draconian laws of the colonial as referred by Baxi (Upendra Baxi : The Crises of the Indian Legal System, Delhi Law Review, 1982; p.43) and even made new extraordinary and harsher laws in maintaining law and order and tackling insurgency movements in the country. Some of these laws that have been quite abusively used – Punjab Security of State Act, 1953, The Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous Districts) Act, 1958, The Terrorist And Disruptive (Prevention) Act, 1987, The Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), 2001, repealed etc, etc. It has been experienced oft and again that these extraordinary laws do not solve the problems of people’s dissent and insurgency movements. Instead the common people have been the victims of the atrocious laws. While the Terrorist and Disruptive (Prevention) Act, 1987 has lapsed after wide protests, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is still being promulgated in various states, particularly, the North East India. Sharmila has been undergoing fast unto death for complete removal of the Act. Scores of concerned civil society organisations including Sharmila Kanba Lup and the intelligentsia among others have been launching movements against any further promulgation of such Act, the authority has ever been arrogant. In fact the Act does not tune with the social reality (B.B. Pandey, Right To Life On Death ? : For Bharat Both Cannot Be ‘Right’, Supreme Court Cases, Delhi Law Review, 1994, 4(SS(J); p.24). Thus, we experienced gross violation of human rights of the common peoples (Prakash Louis and R. Vashum : Extraordinary Laws In India, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2004, p.9). Sanajaoba (Keynote address by Prof. N. Sanajaoba “Human Rights Standard- Setting, Constitutionalism And Repressive Laws in Armed Conflict Situation” in the Seminar-cum-Workshop on Human Rights And Repressive Laws at L. M. S. Law College, Imphal, Manipur with the Initiative from the Centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research, Law Faculty, Guwahati University, organized by the college on 28-29 October, 2004) observed “subjugation has become the political culture”.
As far as to bring peace in Manipur is concerned, we need to trace back the past historical event, that is, of course, the causes and consequences of what we are facing to-day. Moreover, deprivation of justices, particularly political, economic, social, etc. were on the high. It is an empirical fact, that Manipuris have been protesting against even the British regime, can be clearly known from events, the First and Second Nupilals, Anglo-Manipuri War, Anglo-Kuki War, Irawat’s and Zeliangrong movements. Despite this situation, Merger of Manipur to the Indian Dominion and placed as part C state also had added fuel to the fire. As a setback there came up the secessionist movements. Manipur being very aloof from others was also a economic backward state (Ksh. Bimola; while delivering speech on the subject “Political Movements in Manipur” in the Refresher course Programme of History Department, Manipur University conducted by the Department of History with sponsorship of U.G.C. on 7/3/2005).
What intelligentsia and policy of our areas especially Manipur, popularly believe the future prospects of development and political stability of our regions lie in the Look East Policy, is, however, Roy (The Future of North-East –Need to Look East or Look All Around, an article by Prof. J.J.Roy Burman published in the Sangai Express, Nov. 19, 2010) has flatly refuted that it cannot be a panacea to the lingering problem of North-East, apart from the pangs of formation of an arbitrarily created nation – State with artificial borders, lies in the imposition of a system of parliamentary democracy based on the colonial legacy of constituency formation that hinges on the population logic.
Moreover, absence of a smooth transition and the non-existence of a just outcome at the end of the tunnel have made our youths absolutely restless and prone to addiction to drugs (Amar Yumnam’s view in the Imphal Free Press titled Youths, Drugs and Justice : Absence of Smooth Transition, Sunday April 24, 2011) concentrating only on bringing to book the addicted youths through the strong hand of the law enforcing agencies would amount to addressing the substantive grievances without ever bothering at the root cause of the issues involved (Ibid). And obvious response of the UG ‘taxation’ to the present strategy of the Manipur Police would for it to go further underground (Culture of corruption and extortion – Hindrance to Social Progress – Paper presented by Pradip Phanjoubam in the Seminar-cum-Workshop on Human Rights and Repressive Laws, Initiated by CHLS&R Law Faculty, Gauhati University, organised by the college on 28-29 October, 2004).
Likewise, women related institutions starting from prostitution, extortions, trafficking of women to other states, involving in transporting arms and ammunition are the social menace of today’s society. It is pertinent to look into the cause of such activities and try to solve by the authority instead blaming or otherwise such as “selfish claiming”.
Human Right awareness is of course the need of the hour, every individual should be given the education of Human Right. State forces as well as the state actors are the one in their attitude towards masses. Thus Human Right should be incorporated in the text, curriculum, syllabus starting right from the grass-root level so that any discrepancy would not take place, any more by forces of different “departments” of “groups” (groups).
Apart from the death, the most hated Human Rights abuses committed by the security forces are the so-called “Punishment attacks” when people suspected of “antisocial behaviour” (usually young male) are shot or beaten, usually in or on the hand, kneecaps or ankles, ‘Third-degree torture’ methods are subjected to.
In relation to a number of high profile deaths, the government has reached very slowly to calls for public inquiries to determine whether there is any collusion. Thus, State forces should have a Serious Crime Review Team looking at unsolved killing and occasionally of course, the “Police Ombudsman”, may (better than the CBI) can help if new evidence to such deaths comes to light.
The Manipur Human Right Commission is urged to do the utmost to persuade and the state actors, the political parties and the community and voluntary sectors to its proposal for a Bill of Rights for Manipuris. Meanwhile, the commission should endeavour to urge still improvements in a variety of more specific content such as mental care and human rights education (edited by R.Kumar, A. Puri, S. Naithani : What Makes A Peace Process Irreversible – A Delhi Policy Group Publication – Delhi, 3, 2005, p.63).
Peace will prevail in Manipur when, inter alia, females are also honoured as ‘Devis’ (Goddesses) as apostles of peace and any attempt to touch them with carnal, pernicious, lusty, adulterous desire to enjoy with her body and spoil her sanctity and image, including dowry deaths and torture, domestic violence, mental harassment and all sorts of discrimination specially the abduction and kidnapping of women – extreme violation of human rights considered as the greatest sin (The International Journal of Peace Studies – edited by Paitoon Patyaiying, Charernpradit, Muang, Pattani 94000, Thailand, Vol.2, No.2, Dec. 1999; p.22).
Manipur is passing through one of the most critical periods in its long history, and as is usual with all transitional phases, is full of stress and uncertainty. what she needs today as never before in its history is intellectual, moral and spiritual guidance if it is to survive its own destruction. “Ethnic brotherhood concept” should be applied to all fields of human activity – politics, economics, sociology, science, education, etc, and then peace and prosperity will ultimately prevail. Every individual is a unity in the make up of family, societies, communities and nations, having being inspired and implemented their ideal into practical lives – resorted to a profound effect on the society, community and nation. Thus peace cannot be brought at all without individual peace.
Basic needs are the basic things required to living human beings, in particular of course, animals, plants and trees and environmental consequences and biodiversity in general. Let us observe what have eminent scholars opined : According to Baxi (Upendra Baxi’s article “Social Change, Criminality And Social Control in India, in the Essays on Crime And Development, ed by Ugljesa Zvekic, United Nation Interregional Crime Justice Research Institute, Rome, 1990, p.44) “basic needs” are the human rights, if not deemed by the State, then brings “consequent anarchy”, so the first and foremost duty of the authority is to consider “human rights” (K. Ponnuswami (ed) : Right To Basic Necessities Of Life, Delhi Law Review, Vol.10-11, 1981-82, Delhi University Press, Delhi – 7, 1983; p.3). Ibohal (Human Rights And Repressive Laws presented in the Seminar-cum-Workshop at L. M. S. Law College, Imphal organised by the College with the initiation from the centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research, Law Faculty, Gauhati
University on 28-29th October, 2004) also contended
“If a government violates and suppresses basic human rights and fundamental freedom people have a legitimate right to rebellion against such a government”.
Pande (B.B. Pandey, Professor of Law, Delhi University, while delivering his speech on Basic Needs on 8/4/1995, at Law Faculty Conference Hall, Campus Centre, Delhi University) has maintained that an individual’s basic need is his or her scheme of life. Basic needs must be treated as fundamental right. Whereas Karl Marx contended that the primary basic need is to have companion to perform productive work. And some of the recent writings, have focused on social needs in equality basis with full access to justice. Also, Amartya Sen, prefers and stresses to add another tier which describes as a meta right making possible to achieve the right. (Dworkien’s Theory of Background Rights and Institutional Rights – Website).
Moreover, in prioritizing human needs, the united nations has identified the following list of basic needs :- (i) Nutrition (ii) Shelter, (iii)health, (iv) education, (v) Leisure, (vi) Security (Physical safety and economic security and (vii) environment. And, of course, right to self-determination for “right” and basic needs are complimentary or obligatory to each other subject to unfulfilments of all the need, necessities of life by the authority. However, Conrad; while in his discourses clearly asserted that fulfillment. (K. Ponnuswami : (ibid)) by other social welfare countries like (Germany) / unfulfilment (India) of basic needs as guaranteed by the State is not in itself sufficient or likely to produce lasting social peace. It may be mentioned here, India having not ratified the entire covenant as yet has to explain its position on the matter to the effect that the reference to right of self-determination in Article of the International Covenant on, Economic, Social And Cultural Rights applied only to people under foreign domination, not to independent sovereign states or part of a people or nation. Moreover, in its report of 1991, India was to explain violation of Human Right due to enforcement of AFSPA in North-East of India particularly in Manipur though at present partly removed and Nagaland indicates that India has violated Article 1 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and so also the provisions of optional protocol. India needs to sign and ratify the protocol Additional I and II to Geneva Conventions, 1949, and 1988 Rome Treaty maintained by Pramod in his paper presented in the One-Day Workshop on International Humanitarian Law, Organised by the Royal Academy of Law, Oinam, Manipur with initiated by the Centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research Law Faculty, Gauhati University on 12th June, 2005. In the like manner, some groups of our “freedom fighter”, insurgents, etc, etc. Have also violates human rights. Apart from these, we being the citizen should also know our fundamental duties.
As far as justice is concerned, we have noticed and have a smell of it in different ways as propounded by authorities in eminence.
Stone (Julius Stone’s article “Justice and Not Equality” in Hastings Law Journal, 1978, Vol. 29.5; p.995) in his introduction, has maintained that one related tendency of social, political and jurisprudential theorists in the present century has been to seek criteria of justice of vastly simplified indeterminacy or ambiguity, such as ‘fairness’ and ‘equality’ in the hope of escaping the admitted perplexities involved in grappling directly with question of justice and peace.
Whereas, Rawls (John Rawls : A Theory of Justice, Oxford University Press; London, 1972; p.3) opined “Justice” as the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. A theory however, elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust. Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.
Indian legal system is based on colonial idea is, of course, an offshoot of the British India Legal System, how laws being received and the very reception of the same is termed as Top Down Models of the British Indian Legal System by Baxi (Upendra Baxi: (Ibid)). Thus reception of law and endeavouring to modernize the same will not go with the every aspects of day to day life in this present society particularly that of Manipur. Even the 14th Report of the Law Commission of India way back was in 1958, emphatically stated and urged the authority to reform the existing law that should not lie in the abandonment and replacing it by another. The real need of the hour is the inculcation of a higher sense of duty, a greater regard for public convenience, greater efficiency in all those concerned in the administration of justice. Yet, in this 2011’s, we still need the updation of law, i.e. an alternative law (laws) to go with the social reality in India in general however very specifically in states like Manipur.
Law and order operations considered essential for development and nation building also shelter a whole variety of legal and extra legal police and para-military violence (Ugljesa Zvekic (ed): (Ibid pp. 228-229). Progressive criminality of this nature is to be sure, a notoriously global phenomenon, and the use of fatal force by security forces in India, especially through “encounters” in term of art describing civilian casualties in dealing with dacoits, extremists, militants and now terrorists is alarming on the rise. Standard-less use of force by the very custodians of peoples security and well being seems in India justified as an aspect of development, here conceived in terms of reasons of state as reinforcing national unity and integration (Ibid : p.229).
In Europe, more autonomy is given to publics patients have the right to die, the system goes with globalisation, whereas, in India we have only the right to life (only in name sake). There is no crime in suiciding, in Switzerland, people who have been suffering from a boring prefer to die, state authorizes to end their lives, (B.B. Pande : Ibid.). In fact, there is no fantasy it is reality, for the right to die is a basic need for them.
The role of privileged class is very important though the nature and dimension of them is for deviance. How, identifying the “Privileged Class” as the elite class (on the basis of super qualities) or the ruling class (on the basis of ownership of means of production by the traditional and non traditional thinkers (K.S. Shukla (ed) : Other side of Development: Social-Psychological Implications, Sage Publications, N. Delhi, 1987; p.138). In general the term relates to the section or strata of the society who enjoy some kind of position of power or advantage over the rest of population. This group advocates even the laws are selfishly codified without slightest concern of the masses particularly the poorest of the poor and weaker sections of society including women – Super-discrimination. Hence, the law is repressive and negative aspect of the entire positive, civilizing activity undertaken by the State (Antonio Gramsci: State and Civil Society – Website). Also while dealing with cases, the courts maintain the domination of the ruling class by the law strictly. It is particularly high in the exceptional state because of the role of social forces which the supporting classes often play in particular the petty bourgeoisie (Nicos Paulantzas : The Exceptional State – Website).
Dr. Irengbam Mohendra Singh (calling Time on the most unsafe state in India – Manipur on a Swiss Model and article by Dr. I. M. Singh published in the Sangai Express on 24/4/2011) has suggested very apparently the political legitimacy is indeed central to the sustenance of Manipur identity. The existence of secessionist movements reflects a lack of legitimacy. The lack of state legitimacy relates to the rise of ethnic conflict and competing ethno-nationalism. Repressive policies to deal with ethnic dissent are counter-productive.
Like Switzerland, Manipur needs to transform itself into a multi-ethnic state with a sense of collective national identity, each community taking part in common institutions and practices, separated from a ‘culturalist’ and ethnic perspective (Ibid). Such a circle should devise how to build a composite Manipuri identity based on equality or autonomy within the framework of the existing state of Manipur Politicians with such broader aims in their manifestoes should be chosen to form a ‘unitary’ democratic government in Imphal subject to change the capital in the hill areas from time to time so that balancing the whole state regularly takes place in the widest social inclusiveness i.e. “equality indication”. Manipuri’s need a think tank or a policy institute i.e. a non-profit organisation that conducts research and engage in advocacy in areas such as economy, social policy or political strategy that will be fair to all ethnic groups, big or small. There must be ‘give and take’ approach rather than ‘take and give’ policy (Ibid).
Bringing peace in Manipur deals with the following perspectives :
1) Student power -Proper education – education does not mean degrees only – it means a transformation of mind in understanding issues at hand – the comely is facing. Education stabilizes roots of planning and achieving a sense of progress and development.
2) The idea of corruption – must cease, the Government must adopt ‘Zero Tolerance’ of corruption committed by officers, ministers and other sections in the socio-economic and political sectors. Rampant corruption must go.
3) Judicial system must be revamped.
4) Money meant for social development must be utilized for the same.
5) Opening up of economic sector.
6) Trade & commerce – employment generation and the urge of the youth to each a livelihood of dignity must be encouraged.
7) Manipur suffers from ‘indignity’ and callous approach of the authorities that be. It is a beautiful region with lots of potentialities these must be proved, planned and encouraged especially in the sector of tourism.
8) Ethnic clashes should give way to ethnic cooperation and a progress based upon mutual trust and dignified living.
9) The need for the armed forces will go once the various communities start living together without being afraid of each other.
10) Intermarriages should be encouraged.
Conclusion : Peace is not cessation of war; it is a noble way of understanding the impact of wars and the way of avoiding it. Peace is a perception of avoidance of conflict. It is a way of live – Living with inconsistencies and yet not opting for violent means which normally should be the last option.
If Egypt can change and bring about a political peace why can’t Manipur let the youth will it and peace shall prevail.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/peace-in-manipur-its-different-dimensions-a-discourse/
Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda The issue over the present Sadar Hills districthood demand in the state is becoming more sensitive day by day as the issue seems to be tending… Read more »
Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda
The issue over the present Sadar Hills districthood demand in the state is becoming more sensitive day by day as the issue seems to be tending towards the communal line following continuous pouring of total oppositions from different sections of Naga communities of districts of the state to the demands of the Sadar Hills Demand Committee keeping Sadar Hills as one of the full fledged revenue districts by the state government.
The agitation of Sadar Hills Demand Committee by launching indefinite economic blockade along the existing National Highways of the state which are the only life lines of the people has completed 20 days today as a result the common public in the state have started facing serious grievances due the continuing reduces on the stocks of different essential commodities in the state and subsequent rise of prices of various commodities in the main markets at present. But how long such situations of the state will continue to the state, this is the common questions raise by the common public of the state.
It would be tough time for the state government to deliver the present demands easily even though the state Chief minister O Ibobi Singh himself recently claimed that, whatever demands made by the Sadar Hills Demand Committee was genuine, but it would be right decision for the state to allow continuation of economic blockade along the existing National highways for so long and letting the common people suffer. There must be a solution to each and every problem which the state government need to find out before matter is affecting to the entire administration of the state.
State government need to recall the past similar instance of serious effects on the entire administrations of the government during last year prolonged economic blockade along the National highways of the state called by the Naga bodies for their certain demands. Who knows the present economic blockade will more terrified than last year economic blockade called by the Naga bodies. Time has come for the state government spell out utmost sincerity and ability to solve existing problems before it is too late.
On the other hand, the issue of Sadar Hill due to the emerging of strong opposition from the Naga bodies has added more complex and the very demand itself is now letting the general public to take as demands of a particular Kuki community. The motive behind the unprecedented claims of total opposition by the Naga bodies against the declaration of Sadar Hills as full fledged district seems adding fuel to the fire upon the state government, and declaration of extending support to Sadar Hills Demand Committee by the different Kuki bodies from various districts of the state are questionable, and which can be now openly term as issue of communal tension which the state government need to be worry.
It may be mentioned that, the people of the state specially the two major ethnic communities, Kukis and Nagas have experienced the sorrows and hardship in the past during ethnic clash from then onward elders of both communities have been still praying the lord for not return of such incidents in the future, but who knows the issue over the Sadar Hills may be another reason for reoccurring of the similar events that had taken place in the past.
Considering the complicacy of the issue of Sadar Hills state government need to tackle the issue delicately as technically as the issue has become amounting to communal issue at present and same time the peace lovers Kuki and Naga brothers to sincere to withdraw their present steps a little backward and reconsider for bringing an amicable solutions through dialogue or through joint gathering so that peace of mind can bring be prevailed to all common people of the state.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/dont-let-sadar-hills-issue-be-the-cause-of-another-communal-flare-up/
IMPHAL, August 20: A five days basic course on Disaster Management for police officers will be organized by the relief and disaster management, government of Manipur on August 23 to… Read more »
IMPHAL, August 20: A five days basic course on Disaster Management for police officers will be organized by the relief and disaster management, government of Manipur on August 23 to August 27 at the conference hall of state guest house, Sanjenthong.
The inaugural function of the programme will be graced by principal secretary of Manipur, I.S Laishram, Dr. Suhel Aktar and retired IGP M. Susil Kumar, as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/disaster-management-course/
IMPHAL, August 21: Assam Rifles troops claimed to have arrested two militant cadres and rescued a youth, foiling recruitment bid informed a statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S). It… Read more »
IMPHAL, August 21: Assam Rifles troops claimed to have arrested two militant cadres and rescued a youth, foiling recruitment bid informed a statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S).
It said that the militant cadres belonging to the proscribed UNLF was apprehended by troops 29 AR while conducting in general area of Sita track junction from a van bearing registration number MN04-A/3134. It further stated that a youth who was taken for recruiting in the outfit was rescued from the clutches of the militants.
The arrested cadres have been identified as one Kh Sanjoy Kumar Singh, 31, s/o Kh. Kumar Singh of Ningthoukhong Mayai Leikai ward No-IX and Haujam Romesh Singh, 27, s/o (L) Haujam Nipamacha of Khoijuman Mayai Leikai ward No.II while the rescued youth is identified as one Haujam Shanti Kumar Singh, 20, s/o H. Bonoy Singh of Khoijuman Mayai Leikai ward No.II.
An Indian currency rupees 2045 was recovered from the militant cadres.
The militants were handed over to the Imphal West Police station and the rescued youth has been handed over to their parents, it said.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/recruitment-bid-foiled-two-ugs-arrested/