Manipur Mail – Page 42

Ginger Soup Drinking Festival

IMPHAL, May 23 NNN : Gudui-Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community was celebrated today in many Zeliangrong villages in Manipir valley.
It is an important ritual festival of the Zeliangrong people of North East India.
Gudui means the soup of ginger.
It is also known as Maleng-Ngai. It is a festival of worship of the supreme God for abundant harvest and particularly celebrated by the Rongmei / Kabui Community. It is usually celebrated in the month of April-May for one day only. In this festival, they drink ginger soup ritually. The festival is being celebrated today in every Zeliangrong village in Manipur valley and elsewhere.
In the early morning of the festival, every household performs a ritual called Malengmei. In this ritual, rice-beer and Gutam (crush ginger) are offered to the Supreme God and Majapui, Goddess of paddy with a sort of religious hymn. This is followed by Napkaomei ritual in which an offering a fowl is made to the Supreme God for granting plentiful harvest and toward off the insects and pets.
Ginger is considered to be the most important food and it is also used in various rites and rituals. Ginger soup mixed with chicken meat is served to every member of the family to nourish health and longevity which signifies the deliverance of life from hunger during scarcity or famine. In the evening, elderly men will sing katu, an agricultural ritual song by marching from one end of the village to the other end for plentiful harvest in the year. There is a sport program called Loijaimei meaning tug-of-war between boys and girls as a symbolic representation of competition between God and Goddess for possessing the paddy. Girls ritually win the game, for there would be plentiful of food grains in the village.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ginger-soup-drinking-festival/

Youth wants to sell Kidney

Imphal May 23 UNA : A 25 year youth openly came up to sell his kidney due to extreme poor in a hospital on Thursday here in Imphal.
The youth who came to sell his kidney was detained by the doctor of the government hospital before they inform to the concern police station has other story to tell how his family suffers in repaying the bank loan.
Raju (name changed) said he came to sell his kidney as he can’t see no longer the suffering of his father in repaying the bank loan, which the bank issue an order to cease their house and their jhum field as they are going to be homeless.
According to the youth that her mother expired when they are very young, since that time his father alone took care of them without any proper job.
In trying to give them a good education his father took a loan from a bank by mortgaging the land patta (ownership document) added the youth who was released after a serious of consult given by the expert.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/youth-wants-to-sell-kidney/

Two PLA cadres held

IMPHAL, May 23: Two bomb experts of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) were arrested along with huge cache of arms and ammunitions by a combined security team in Manipur’s Thoubal district last night.
Nongmaithem Naocha Singh aged 27 of Inganglok Tera Makhong, Heirok Part-II and Laishram Kiran Meitei aged 22 of Heirok Part-III were nabbed by a combined team of Thoubal District Police commandos, 15 Assam Rifles and 116 Bn BSF during a search operation conducted under the supervision of Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Yairikpok Police in Inganglok Makhong in Heirok Part-III around 8:55 pm, a release from the district Superintendent of Police said Thursday.
One 9 mm pistol with three rounds loaded in magazine, four cakes of explosive materials suspected to be PEK, one remote control device marked TR, one Sanyo Alkaline Battery of 6LF22/9V, tow module boosters concealed with red and black tape, four electronic detonators, one white transparent plastic jar and one motorcycle bike with registration number MN04-0036 were recovered from the possession of Naocha, the release added.
Naocha disclosed that he joined the outlawed organization in last part of April 2013 along with his associate named Laishram Kiran Meitei of Heirok Part-II. After joining the outfit, he along with his associate went to Tamu in Myanmar and received training in IED and explosive items in the early part of May 2013, the release further added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-pla-cadres-held/

Gaikhangam inaugurates first Eklavya school

IMPHAL, May 23 NNN: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam inaugurated the first ever Eklavya Model Residential School in the state on Thursday at Gamnom, Sapermeina in Senapati district.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony organized by Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills, Gaikhangam said Manipur Government has plans for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential School in every district of the state adding the one opened today is the first of its kind in the state.
“If this school functions satisfactorily, another two schools now under construction at Chandel district’s Moreh and Tamenglong district will be finished soon after completing and sending the DPRs to the Central Government,” Gaikhangam said.
Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, inaugurated the school along with its hostels for boys and girls. The Eklavya Model Residential School was constructed by the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hillls under the sponsorship of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
He said, “Both the state and Central Governments are making efforts to provide good education to the poor tribal of the state to make them good citizens of the country.”
Admitting that the Government is unable to implement various schemes, policies and programmes due to lack of cooperation from the people, the Deputy Chief Minister said it has become very difficult to start various schemes in several places of the state owing to land disputes.
State IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip also spoke at the occasion. Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujjam, RD & PR minister Francis Ngajokpa, MTDC chairman Manga Vaiphei, TA & Hills Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing and Kangpokpi constituency MLA Nemcha Kipgen were also present at the event.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gaikhangam-inaugurates-first-eklavya-school/

Matriculation examination

“If I pass matriculation examination I will jump down from the roof of my house”. The man, who said it, did not keep his promise though he passed the examination after making at least five attempts. But his concern for the result reflected the difficult phase a student faces in preparing for matriculation examination. Passing matriculation examination in the first attempt was considered a big achievement in the past. A not so good student had his name printed in the list of first division passed students. He boasted that day but when the mark sheet was collected it revealed he failed. He did not think of complaining because the result was the correct assessment. Every Leikai had too many students, who could not pass the examination even after making several attempts. The pass percentage was also very low. Now the number of students is on rise but only one or two in Leikai are found appearing in the examination. In the past two figure students in every Leikai would be sitting for the examination. This is a change brought by time. Now the focus of attention has been shifted to intermediate examination. Matriculation examination is no longer considered as a stepping stone in a student’s career. A father lamented his daughter even after scoring 87 percent in the matriculation examination wept profusely. He could not arrange any sumptuous meal that night as the mark did not match with the expectation of the child. The father went out aimlessly. The father was convinced by well wishers that matriculation examination is just the beginning and it cannot be considered as the end. The girl child has long journey ahead. Is she going to remain contented with the metric certificate only? Metric certificate is fit for lowly job only. This year matriculation examination saw record figure of pass percentage. There is reason behind that. Parents focus on their children’s academic pursuit. A father despite hectic official duties finds time to drop his child at the tuition centre and then pick up after the end of session. In the past a child would move miles off with rough sack to get education. All these changes are brought by those, who received education under the shade of tree. It will be interesting to see what changes the present generation will bring for the future generation. Manipur Board in keeping with the CBSE pattern introduced grading system from this year in the declaration of Class XII examination results. This is a good trend. This will check unnecessary show of academic chauvinism by the young students. This checks weeping by brilliant students over marks. For there is no formal declaration of toppers. Now those getting AA can consider themselves as real toppers. The newly introduced system will make all students, who have passed the examination happy.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/matriculation-examination/

Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahaani

Manish Desai
Director, PIB Mumbai.
(The recent meeting the visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had with the family members of Dr. Kotnis in Mumbai has rekindled the interest in the life of this selfless Doctor. A look into the journey of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis)
No single Indian has been more revered by ordinary Chinese than a doctor who died more than 70 years ago. On the day when the Chinese pay respect to their ancestors, the grave of this doctor in North China Martyrs’ Memorial Cemetery, Hebei Province is covered with flowers donated by the local Chinese. The man thus remembered with fondness and respect is Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, an Indian doctor, who rendered yeoman’s service during China’s hour of need in late 1930s.
Kotnis was one of the five Indian physicians dispatched to China to provide medical assistance during the second Sino-Japanese war in 1938. It was during the Japanese invasion of China in 1938 when Communist General Zhu De requested Jawaharlal Nehru to send Indian physicians for providing medical assistance to Chinese soldiers. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the President of the Indian National Congress, made arrangements to send a team of volunteer doctors and an ambulance by collecting a fund of Rs 22,000. A medical team of five doctors, including Drs M. Atal, B.K. Basu, M. Cholkar, D. Mukherji and Kotnis was sent as a part of the Indian Medical Mission Team in 1938.
Dwarkanath Kotnis, born in a middle class Maharashtrian family from Solapur on October 10, 1910, had then graduated from the Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai and was preparing for post-graduation. He asked permission of his family to volunteer for service abroad. Dwarkanath’s younger sister Manorama recalls that her brother wanted to travel around the world and practice medicine at different places. She said “”most members of the family knew little about China at that time. We only knew that people used to come and sell Chinese silk,” While his father
Shantaram encouraged young Dwarkanath to venture out, his mother was very sad because he was going that far and China was in a war situation.
Dr. Kotnis first arrived in China at the port of Hankou, Wuhan. The Indian medical team was then sent to Yan’an, the revolutionary base at the time in 1939, where they were warmly welcomed by Mao Zedong, Zhu De and other top leaders of the Communist Party, as they were the first medical team to come from another Asian country. In 1939, he joined the Eighth Route Army, led by Mao Zedong at the Jin-Cha-Ji border near the Wutai Mountain Area, providing medical service in mobile clinics.
His job as a battlefront doctor was stressful, where there was always an acute shortage of medicines. In one long-drawn out battle against Japanese troops in 1940, Kotnis performed operations for 72 hours non-stop, without any sleep. He treated more than 800 wounded soldiers during the battle. Dr Kotnis was eventually appointed as the Director of the Dr Bethune International Peace Hospital named after the famous Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune.
Dr. Kotnis wrote letters to his family regularly. “He sounded very happy in the letters. People used to come to thank him for his help. He was telling the good part,” says Manorama. Every place he went in China, he described it in detail in his letters home. The whole family found them to be great fun because what he described was so different from the life in India.
During his stay in Northern China, Dr. Kotnis met and courted Chinese girl Quo Qinglan, who was a nurse at the Bethune Hospital. Quo first met Kotnis at the inauguration of Dr Norman Bethune’s tomb and was immediately attracted to the Indian doctor. Kotnis could speak Chinese and even knew how to write Chinese characters, which amazed Guo. In December 1941, Quo and Dr Kotnis were married. The birth of their son Yinhua -meaning India and China, brought a lot of joy to the couple.
But, the hardships of suppressed military life finally started to take its toll on him. Only three months after the birth of Yinhua, epilepsy struck Dr.Kotnis. It had struck once earlier, mildly, but this time it proved fatal for the young doctor. Quo was left alone with her baby son. Dr. Kotnis was buried in the Heroes Courtyard in Nanquan Village. At that time, Mao Zedong mourned his death by observing that “The army has lost a helping hand, the nation has lost a friend. Let us always bear in mind his internationalist spirit.”
In the Northern Chinese province of Hebei, in Shijiazhuang city, a famous attraction is the Martyr’s Memorial park.
The north and south sides of the park are dedicated to the veterans of the Korean and the Japanese wars. The west side is dedicated to Dr. Norman Bethune, who fought for the Chinese, and the South side to Dr Kotnis. There is a great statue in his honour. A small museum there has a handbook of vocabulary that Kotnis wrote on his passage from India to China; some of the instruments that the surgeons used in their medical fight for life, and various photos of the doctors, some with the Communist Party of China’s most influential figures, including Mao.
Dr. Kotnis was immortalized in 1946 in the V Shantaram’s movie ‘Dr.Kotnis Ki Amar Kahaani.’ His life was also a subject of a 1982 Chinese film ‘Ke Di Hua Dai Fu’ (Dr.D S Kotnis). China released two postal stamps on the 40th anniversary of doctor’s death in 1982 and then again on the 50th anniversary in 1992. In 1993, India also released a stamp depicting his photograph and showing him conducting an operation, in the background.
Dr. Kotnis is such a towering and respected figure in China that whenever any Chinese Premier or President visits India he has made it a point to visit to Dr Kotnis’ relatives. Top Chinese leaders including Zhou En Lai, Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Hu Jintao and now Li Keqiang have all met with Dr. Kotnis’ extended family members in Mumbai.
Widow of Dr. Kotnis, Quo was an honoured guest at many high-level diplomatic functions between China and India and was visited by former President K R Narayanan during his visit to China in 2000 and the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2003. . In November 2006, she accompanied Chinese President Hu Jintao on a state visit to India. She died on 28 June 2012, and is buried alongside Kotnis at the Martyrs’ Memorial Park in Shijiazhuang.
“Now that it is more than seven decades since he died, we really appreciate how the government and the people of China are giving him so much respect after so many years,” said Manorama Kotnis. Premier Keqiang during his recent visit to Mumbai said “Dr.Kotnis is a symbol of China-India friendship.”
(PIB Features.)

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/dr-kotnis-ki-amar-kahaani/

Cong-led UPA happy at completion of four years; BJP bashes

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), , completed the fourth year of its second term in power on Wednesday and the government said that it had ushered in several important decisions, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rubbished the former’s performance.
“In the matters of development or agriculture or food security or road transport or railways or medicine, this government has been lagging behind but when it comes to matters of inflation, corruption, attacking the democratic system, misusing the federal police and having corrupt ministers, this government has been leading the race,” said BJP spokesperson, Vijay Sonkar Shastri.
A series of high-profile scandals eroded trust and stymied policymaking in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s administration in recent months.
A string of billion-dollar scandals has sparked widespread anger against the government. The corruption saga has dented investor confidence and smothered reforms such as on land acquisition that could help maintain the momentum of one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, which has showed signs of slowdown.
Minister of State for Agriculture, Tariq Anwar, however, said production in the farm and other sectors had increased under the current regime despite, several scams.
“On behalf of the Samajwadi Party, we want the UPA government to improve their performance in the remaining one year. The overall mood of the public is not good. The current four years were filled with scams and this needs to be controlled and many of their ministers, who are loose cannons, should be controlled,” said General Secretary (GS) of the Samajwadi Party, Ram Asrey Kushwaha.

ATSUM stir to start on June 3

IMPHAL, May 22 NNN : “Intense agitation’ for 38 hours under the code name ROTO (Reckoning of the Others) will begin from 5 am of June 3 to be followed by another 38 hours of ‘sustained agitation’ by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) in protest against the ignoring of various demands put up by the students’ body to the state government of Manipur on tribal issues.
ATSUM president Muan Tombing,its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang and ATSUM spokesman Majabung Gangmei announced this at its office in Imphal this afternoon.
By ‘intense agitation’, ATSUM means total bandh while by ‘sustained agitation’, the students’ body said way of sudden resorting of any action at any available opportunity and at any place to draw the attention of the government.
The number ’38 hours’ denotes the number of tribes in Manipur.ATSUM pesident Maun Tombing, its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang and ATSUM spokesman Majabung Gangmei said that there has been been ATSUM long standing aspiration to find a State Commission of the Scheduled Tribes in Manipur under the Article 338A of the Indian Constitution which would usher in all round Development and progress in respect of thee tribal people in this eastern most part of the Indian Union. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes which came in to force on 19th February, 2004 has failed to provide adequate service to the state of Manipur a it is based on the distant centre in Shillong, they stated.
According to the ATSUM leaders, the state of Karnataka in 2002 had established the State Commission for SC/ST under the name and style ‘The Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Tribes Act, 2002’. They said the tribal population is the second largest in the state of Manipur but the pace of development is rather too slow till today comparing to that of the non-tribal populace. There has been the Manipur state Commission for OBC which meant to safeguard the rights of the other backward classes, the ATSUM leaders said.
“In the light of the above facts and circumstances, it is our earnest plea that the Manipur State Commission for the ST be set up in the earnest date, the tribal students’ body stated.
ATSUM then demanded for the setting up of B.Ed centres in hill districts of Manipur.
“Even the HSLC examination centres are very often treated as temporary arrangement subject to omission and commission. It is demanded that B.Ed centres be set up in all the five hill districts where TET can be conducted,” the tribal students’ body demanded.
ATSUM also mentioned that the crisis in the newly set up Indra Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) Regional Compus in Manipur is put to a situation of breaking down totally because all the required infrastructures and issues have not been properly attended to by the authorities concerned. “There is no end to the students’ agitations against many lapses in the University. Xerox copy of the MoU signed between students and the vice chancellor is enclosed herewith for kind perusal. It is our earnest plea for your urgent intervention before things turn from bad to worse,” ATSUM cautions.
One point the ATSUM said is, “We demand adequate number of both teaching and non-teaching staff in the educational institutions in the hill areas of Manipur state. We also demand that proper infrastructures for the
educational institutions in the five hill districts be provided promptly as to facilitate smooth functioning of the academic sessions”.
“The recruitment of junior Manipur Civil Service (MCS) rule latest amendment published in Manipur Gazette Extra Ordinary Dt. 06/03/2012 U/S 2(2) & (3) clearly states that there shall be 2 grades i.e. (I). Junior MCS, Junior Grade (II) Senior MCS, Senior Grade. The clauses 3 states that the post of Junior MCS, senior Grade shall be class I Gazetted while the post of Junior MCS, Junior Grade be Class II Gazetted. We demand that justice be delivered at the time of conducting DPC in respect of SC & ST requiring promotion in accordance with the Manipur Reservation of vacancies in posts and Services (for ST&SC) Rules, 2011 published on 17/05/2011,” the tribal students’ leaders pointed out.
They also touched on the tribal rights and the issue of the natural resources and said, “Protection of the rights of the indigenous tribal people over the land, forest and management of natural resources in the hill areas of Manipur should be taken care of by the Government as to dispense of justice guaranteed by the law of the land. It has been our firm stand to safeguard such rights and against unjust tapping of natural resources without prior information and consent of the indigenous land owners. Any arbitrary extraction of natural, mineral resources and acquisition of lands cannot be tolerated any more longer. The ATSUM shall be compelled to mobilize for all kinds of action programmes and agitation through the democratic means, should the Government stay in deferent to the genuine demand”.
ATSUM then said it also protest against the deletion of additional/alternative English and imposition of Major Indian Language (MIL) in Meitei Mayek in class ten in the (BOSEM) to be affective from 2014 to the 38 tribes by the government whose dialects are yet to be recognised in Manipur. Muan and Vareiyo said the ATSUM also demands for effective governance in the hill districts of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/atsum-stir-to-start-on-june-3/

Anti terrorism day celebration

Anti- terrorism day was observed all over the country to mark the 21st death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. The true quality of this leader was his craving for peace. He left no stone unturned to find lasting peace where ever there appeared turmoil. Punjab accord, Mizoram accord and lastly Sri Lanka accord were signed during his time as Prime Minister of the country. He lost his life killed by LTTE for signing Sri Lanka accord. Sri Lanka was in turmoil then, created by LTTE. Sri Lanka Government could not do anything to end the menace unleashed by LTTE. They were apprehensive how Indians would react in the event of the Lankan Government declaring full-fledged war against the terrorists. Came Rajiv Gandhi Government. Solutions were in store. Prior to that Mizoram saw the return of peace with Laldenga MNF leader getting power handed over to him on altar. Khalistan movement also ended in Punjab after signing Punjab accord. Before signing Punjab accord no democratic process could be performed. Even the scribes worked with revolver in the drawer. Reporters were stabbed even in the Golden temple. After signing Punjab accord elections had been held and Congress party formed Government. Every single individual reaped the benefit of bringing peace in Punjab. Now Punjab is the greatest contributor to GDP. Mizoram too had reaped the benefit of ushering in peace in the state. The tiny state had got peace bonus. But LTTE could not grasp the better side of the accord. The group, which was routed by Sri Lankan Government, committed the gravest mistake in killing Rajiv Gandhi. India Government did not say anything when Sri Lankan Government invaded LTTE dominated areas. There is reason behind that. No wonder peace had dawned in Lanka with the elimination of LTTE supreme. Celebration of anti-terrorism day to mark the death anniversary of the late leader is a fitting tribute to the leader who fought for ushering in peace in the troubled parts of the country and its neighbour. Power to panchayat is also the original idea of Rajiv Gandhi. He knew fund for the common masses had been hijacked. He boldly declared out of Rs one sanctioned by the Government only 15 paisa reaches the beneficiary. Too many changes had occurred. India has benefitted a lot from having great leader. Rajiv also wanted to establish duty free shopping centres one in Manipur and another in Andaman Nicober Island. He thought by establishing such centres too many tourists will visit the places considered alienated by mainland Indians. Now new township, which will have the facilities of duty free shopping is coming up at Moreh, the border town. As we observe the death anniversary we must always remember there is a lot to learn from Rajiv Gandhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/anti-terrorism-day-celebration/

Smile train mission to Myanmar

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 22 : Smile Train Shija Cleft Project has set on a journey to render free surgical treatment to cleft lip and palate patients at Monywa, Myanmar. A team of 12 members was flagged off from the campus of Shija Hospitals by G. Gaikhangam , Dy. Chief Minister, Manipur and i K. Govindas, Minister- Commerce and Industry, Manipur.
The team of 12 members under the banner of Mission Myanmar left Imphal by surface after the flag off, and will be crossing the Indo Myanmar border on 23rd and reaching Kalewa on the same day where the team will station the night. The team will reach Monywa on 24th and screen the patients and begin the operations. The team members are Dr.Kh Palin and Dr. AK Ibohal, Consultant Plastic Surgery, Dr.Sanjib Nepram, HOD Plastic Surgery, RIMS, Dr.Th Dinesh, Consultant Anesthesiology, , Dr. L.R Singh, Consultant Anesthesiology, Dr. Kh Chetan, Medical Officer, Mr. RK Romen and Mr. Y. Sanjoy, OT Technician, Mrs. Shima Y and Bishwaya Waikhom, Nurse,Premjit L, Asst Manager Business Development and Arun Ng, IT Assistant Smile Train Shija Cleft Project, Manipur has been invited by the Government of Myanmar through Indian Consulate General to render free corrective surgeries for birth defect of cleft lip and palate (Roof of Mouth) in a Government Hospital at Monywa, Sagaing Division, Myanmar.
Worth mentioning is on 15th March 2013 the management of the hospital submitted a proposal to the DC of Tamu offering to extend the service of free cleft lip and palate surgery to the much needed country, Myanmar. The same proposal was given to the 11 Myanmar delegates, including Power Minister of Sagaing region and 2 MPs, when they visited Shija Hospitals on 2nd April 2013.
It is being informed by Dr.U Than Htut, Medical Superintendant of the General Hospital, Monywa that more than 150 cleft patients are waiting for free corrective surgery. The target of the mission is to complete 100 plus surgeries in three days (24th- 27th May 2013) which is likely to be extended for one or two days because of the number. The free surgery camp in Monywa will be an ongoing process.
Mission Myanmar is a triangular effort of the Govt of Myanmar, Smile Train and Shija Hospitals to eradicate the problem of cleft lip and palate in the country of Myanmar. It is said that every 1 in 600 suffer from cleft lip and palate worldwide. According to the Myanmar population it is estimated that there are more than 1,00,000 patients silently suffering from this deformity. It can also be noted that there are very few plastic surgeons in the country of Myanmar.
During the Flag Off ceremony, Chief Guest of the function G. Gaikhangam, Dy. CM, Manipur expressed his happiness over the initiative taken up Shija Hospitals to foster the relation between the two countries of India and Myanmar. He elaborated on the importance of harnessing the opportunities of trade being opened up due to the proximity of Manipur to the other South East Asian countries. He asserted that Health Tourism should ride high among the priorities as the facilities are ready to be offered to our immediate neighbour.
K. Govindas, Minister- Commerce and Industry, Govt. of Manipur and Guest of Honour informed of the development in the effort to give VISA on arrival to the Myanmar nationals.
Dr. Kh Palin, CMD of Shija Hospitals and President of today’s function introduced the team members of Mission Myanmar. He informed that the team will be leaving for Myanmar as the guest of the country as the expenditure for the travel and accommodation will be borne by the Myanmar authorities. The team is also carrying all the consumables and medicine for the project. He reaffirmed that Manipur is at advantageous position to render the service because of the proximity to render the service of free cleft surgery. He also mentioned that he strongly felt that the Mission Myanmar will improve Indo- Myanmar relationship. It will greatly enhance the growth and development of the two nations and is very pleased to be of service to the people of Myanmar and hope to alleviate the suffering from as many cleft patients as possible.
Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi and . N.K Rana of Consulate General of India, Mandalay, Myanmar played an important role in making Mission Myanmar happen. Dr. U Than Htut, Medical Superintendant of the Government hospital at Monywa, also extended his full support for the mission.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/smile-train-mission-to-myanmar/

CBI files chargesheet against ex-Chief Minister of Jharkhand

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 22: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against Ex-Chief Minister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda in the Court of Special Judge, CBI, Ranchi for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. His associate has also been chargesheeted along with him for abetting the offence. The assets and expenditure of Ex-Chief Minister have been found to be disproportionate to the tune of approx. Rs.8.42 crores.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.
The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Patna has convicted B N Kunwar & D C Choudhary, both then Junior Engineers, RCD, Motihari (Bihar) and D N Singh, Carriage Contractor. All the three accused were sentenced to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment for misappropriating the bulk Bitumen.
The instant case was lodged by Birendra Narayan Kunwar, JE, RCD Motihari vide Motihari P. S. case No 126/96 alleging therein that carriage transporter D.N.Singh lifted 546.86 MT Bulk Bitumen against S.O. No. 4773 (E) dt. 23.07.94 but delivered only 120.84 MT. He also lifted 1024.96 MT Bulk Bitumen in respect of S.O.No. 5502 (E) dt. 17.08.94 but supplied only 12.32 MT to consignee RCD Motihari. Thus, the carriage transporter D.N. Singh misappropriated Bulk Bitumen worth about Rs 70 lakh.
CBI took up the investigation on the directions of Hon’ble High Court, Patna and registered a case on 05.03.1997.
After investigation, charge sheet was filed against three accused persons, namely D. N. Singh, Carriage contractor;
B. N. Kunwar & D. C. Choudhary, both then JEs, RCD, Motihari. The Trial Court found all the accused guilty and convicted them.
The Special Judge, CBI cases, Ernakolam (Kerala) has convicted i K. Ramarajan, then Assistant Manager, State Bank of India, Vaniyamkulam Branch, Palghat and three other private accused viz. i K. Divakaran Nair; K. Ramdas & i Gopalankutty, all resident of Palghat, in a CBI Case U/s 120B r/w 420, 468, 471 IPC & Sec. 13 (2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 and sentenced them to undergo three years Simple Imprisonment.
The investigation revealed that K. Ramarajan while working as Assistant Manager(Advances), State Bank of Travancore, Vaniyamkulam Branch, Palghat(Kerala) entered into a criminal conspiracy with 5 private accused persons viz. i K. Divakaran Nair; i K. Ramdas; Gopalankutty and two other persons. In pursuance of the said criminal conspiracy, the public servant had fraudulently & with dishonest intention, recommended agricultural loans to various persons on the basis of forged documents like Tax Receipts, Possession Certificate etc. submitted by private persons. The Assistant Manager knowing fully well that the said documents were forged and that the loanees were not entitled to get any loan, had cheated the State Bank of India to the tune of Rs.12,36,000/-(approx) and derived pecuniary advantage for himself & other accused persons. The Court found four accused persons guilty. Two accused were died and charges against them were abated by the Court.

Time to project Rahul Gandhi as Congress’ PM candidate: Kamal Nath

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday suggested it is time to project Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress Party for the 2014 elections.
“I don’t think the election is inevitable. The election will take place when it has to take place, at the scheduled time.
As things stand now, there is no possibility,” Kamal Nath said when asked for responsive to rumours of mid-term polls.
Describing Rahul Gandhi as the Congress’ number 2, Nath said he “now has all his 10 fingers in, he has served as vice-president and he should be projected as the prime ministerial candidate for the Congress Party.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said, “has served his 10 years.”
However, while the Congress-led UPA-II Government celebrated its four years in power, the BJP tore into Prime Minister Singh, with Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj saying, “I have to say this unfortunately, that the PM is not a leader. He looks at Sonia Gandhi for every decision.”
In the 2009 general elections, the Congress emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha, securing 206 to the 543-member Lok Sabha. It was able to gain a majority and form the government with the help of its regional allies.

Creating Employment Opportunities for Youth

India is a vast country with a population of about 1.21 billion and a labour force of around 475 million. There is an open unemployment of 9.5 million as per estimates available for the year 2009-10. Employment is the main source of livelihood and self-fulfillment for most women and men. About 6% of the total work force in India is employed in organised sector while remaining 94% are in the unorganised sector. Scope of additional employment generation in the organized sector for additional wage employment is less.
India has a younger population not only in comparison to advanced economies but also in relation to large developing countries. As a result, the labour force in India is expected to increase by 32 per cent over the next 20 years, while it will decline by 4.0 per cent in industrialised countries and by nearly 5.0 per cent in China. We are, therefore, endeavoring to reap this ‘demographic dividend’ by providing for higher levels of health, education and skill development. This will create an environment where in the economy not only grows rapidly, but also enhances good quality employment and livelihood opportunities to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth.
The Government has been making constant efforts for reducing unemployment through normal growth process and implementing various employment generation programmes, such as, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and National Rural Livelihood Mission besides entrepreneurial development programmes run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) also assures every rural household at least 100 days of manual work at minimum wages.
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM): The Mission’s aim is to encourage reforms and fast track planned development of identified cities. Focus is on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation etc.
Bharat Nirman
In Bharat Nirman, critical areas of rural infrastructure – Irrigation, Roads, Water Supply, Housing, Electricity and Telecom connectivity have been covered. This has improved living standards of the rural population and also created infrastructure which will ultimately enhance the economic activities in the rural areas and generate significant employment opportunities for the rural people.
Infrastructural Development
The investment on infrastructure is proposed to be increased to Rs.45 lakh crore during XII Plan period. About half of this is expected to come from private sector.
Skill Development
Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development of any country. Countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of the world.
Government is serious in creating training infrastructure and providing quality employment to youth. According to a study carried out by Quality Council of India, placement rate has increased to about 80% to 99% because of improved infrastructure in the modernized ITIs. Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) was started during the Eleventh Five Year Plan for early school leavers and existing workers, especially in the unorganised sector to improve their employability. About 16 lakh persons have been trained under the scheme so far.
Sincere efforts are being made for skill development of a large number of people under various skill development programmes. The Prime Minister has set a target of skilling 500 million persons by 2022 and the Ministry of Labour & Employment is required to train 100 million. Government is systematically working to achieve the target and the training capacity has been increased from 9 lakh in 2006 – 07 to 26 lakh in 2011-12. All the Government ITIs are being modernized. New courses have been introduced and most of the ITIs are running in two to three shifts. During last five years, the number of Government and private ITIs has increased from 5114 in 2006-07 to 10,344 which is more than double. Government has also planned to set up 1500 more ITIs in PPP and 5000 Skill Development Centres in PPP to enhance the capacity further. 27 Advanced Training Institutes are also planned in PPP to produce adequate number of trainers in the country.
Focus Area in the 12th Five Year Plan
In the 12th Five Year Plan the thrust of the Government is in bringing about an inclusive growth strategy that will provide job opportunities as well as make the young of the country employable.
The main focus areas are:
a) Thrust on Manufacturing Sector-to make it the engine of employment growth-that would create 100 million additional jobs by 2025.
b) To bring in supportive policies to incentivise labour intensive manufacturing sectors such as textile & garments, leather & footwear, food processing, gems & Jewellery to generate more employment opportunities.
c) Expanding employment in services like IT, finance & banking, tourism, trade & transport.
d) Prioritizing skill training for the informal sector; creation of appropriate skill sets among rural migrants and urban poor to make growth inclusive.
e)Ensuring the employability of skilled persons by involving Sector Skill Councils in preparation of Skill Modules matching market demand.
f) Building on the potential of Modular Employable Skill programme by ensuring combination of modules to ensure employability.
g) Extending Social Security benefits to Unorganized sector Workers.
h) Enable skill loans for poor students (Credit Guarantee Fund)
i) Streamlining the skill development programs for disadvantaged sections to ensure much larger funding for skill development.
j) Setting up of National Skill Registry to link data bases across Ministries / States to provide a platform linking people who seek/provide employment.
Expenditure on social services which include education, sports, art and culture, medical and public health, family welfare, water supply and sanitation, housing, urban development; welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other Backward Classes (OBCs), labour and labour welfare, social security and welfare, nutrition, relief for natural calamities, etc. by the Government (Centre and State combined) has also shown increase in recent years reflecting higher priority to social services.
National-e-Governance
National-e-Governance Plan has identified Upgradation and modernization Employment Exchanges as one of the Mission Mode Projects (MMP). The MMP aims to progressively support all Employment Exchanges in the country to make effective use of IT in various activities of employment services. A national web portal will be developed to make all employment related services available on a single window and will work like a virtual job market. This will help Employment Exchanges to provide efficient and quality services at wider scale and speed.
(PIB Features.)
Inputs from the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/creating-employment-opportunities-for-youth/

The focus on dam for betterment of all

Yes, Singda can be developed as a tourist spot. Singda continues to drag lots of local tourists every day. Students go to Singda as a part of study tour. A child can learn a lot by seeing the dam at the site. After seeing the dam one knows the Government is doing something for the people of the state. The spot is a treat to the eyes. Too many heroes and heroines of Manipuri films had their song sequence filmed atop the dam. If the spot is not beautiful would the director think of shooting films at the scenic spot? The happy news is that the state Government is continuing to provide serious attention on the improvement of the dam. Even the foundation stone for construction of a tourist gate near the dam was laid yesterday by the Chief Minister O. Ibobi. The dam continues to receive serious attention of the state Government, which is indicated by the fact that the Chief Minister visited the site repeatedly in the past two weeks. But these encroachers near the dam are playing spoilt sport. They have encroached upon the dam site. Even the standing trees had been felled down. There can be no human habitation near the dam. Human refuses cannot be dumped into the dam. In Maharashtra the Deputy Chief Minister Pawar representing NCP in the coalition Government led by Congress (I) almost lost his job for saying he would urinate into the dam. His statement was sacrilegious to the sanctity of the dam for the product of the dam is used for consumption. If these encroachers are not evicted albeit after paying compensation the desecration will become unmanageable. One alarming news is that the water storage capacity of the dam is reducing as the prolonged siltation had raised the bed of the dam. What causes siltation is known to all. As trees had been felled down the soil on the hill has been loosened and it slips like the mud. Naturally the mud that slips accumulates at the low lying areas. Chief Minister had warned the encroachers if necessary they will be evicted. Chief Minister upholds the philosophy “action is more important than words”. The eviction that had been done at Chingmeirong and Kabow Leikai shows that. Having ruled the state for more than 11 years Shri Ibobi thinks if not for serving the state and its people why should a Government exists. When the Government made announcement for expansion of Nagamapal road the dwellers at the road side knows what it means to them. They have done demarcation work by themselves without waiting for Government order. They know it is a matter of time eviction will be done. The Government action is shaped by people’s perception of ushering in development.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/the-focus-on-dam-for-betterment-of-all/

CBI arrests IOC official

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Safety Incharge of Indian Oil Corporation, Ambala cantt.(Haryana) for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.6,000/-from the Complainant.
A case was registered by CBI under Prevention of Corruption Act on a complaint alleging demand of bribe of Rs.6000/- by Safety Incharge, Indian Oil Corporation, Ambala Cantt., for issuing safety certificate/green cards in respect of 5 vehicles/oil tankers of the complainant, failing which he will ban the vehicles/oil tankers of the complainant.
CBI laid a trap and the accused was caught red handed while demanding & accepting bribe of Rs.6000/- from the complainant.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-ioc-official/

Blockade affects Tripura Mizoram linkage

AIZAWL, May 21 NNN : Bridge over Langkaih river is the only link between Tripura and Mizoram but the blockade imposed on this link is continuing since April 29 over the death of a man hailed from Bru community. Following the prolonging of the blockade, the tension is heightening in the Tripura-Mizoram border area.
The BDO level talk between the two states failed to bring any desirable result.The Bru community blames the Mizos for the death while the latter denied it.
Following this development, Young Mizo Association (YMA), in the western belt of Mizoram, had resorted to blockading of Langkaih Bridge at Kanhmun for an indefinite period of time starting from April 29.
It may be recalled that Sebaram Reang was one of the 8 members of an armed group arrested by Tripura and Mizoram Police in a joint operation.
He had reportedly committed suicide while searching for arms and ammunitions hidden by the armed group.
The police continue to hunt for seven other members of the group. It can be noted here that tension between the Brus and the Mizos crops up from time to time.
Mizoram had witnessed the climax of this tension in the year 2009 when houses of Mizos and Brus were burnt by each other.
In a Mizoram district of Mamit bordering Tripura, Mizo youths set the Bru (Reang) settlements and reduced 313 houses to ashes in November, 2009.
The violence in 2009 was triggered by the killing of an 18 year old Mizo youth identified as one Zarzokima by Bru militants.
Meanwhile, the process of identification of Mizoram Brus in Tripura camps for repatriation in the last part of this month is also stalled because of the tense situation. Joint Churches Committee of Mizoram proceeded towards Champhai yesterday to diffuse the tense situation between Vaphai and Saikhumphai.
According to official sources, the Joint Churches Committee was being headed by the Chairman, Rev. Lalramliana Pachuau who also is the Synod Moderator. Other office bearers and members are Lalnilawma Kawlni, B. Thangtinliana and Lt. Col. Lalramhluna. They are accompanied by the Joint Director of Local Administration Deptt. C. Lalthlamuana.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/blockade-affects-tripura-mizoram-linkage/

Assam Rifles embarks on a ‘go green fortnight’

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 21 : In the words of leading environmental activist and Former US Vice President Al Gore, “Environment conservation is really not much of a political issue but it is actually a moral issue!”
The State of Manipur needs no introduction as regards its large forest cover, which according to the State of Forest Report 2003 conducted by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, is 17,219 sq kms, nearly 77.12 % of the total geographical area of the State. However, in the last decade or so, as in other parts of the country, this beautiful state has also undergone a drastic decline in the same. The charm of this State, which can undoubtedly be accredited to the vast greenery coupled up with a moderate climate, making it a tourist heaven for the people, sadly shall too be lost.
Assam Rifles have pledged their contribution towards promoting greenery, atleast in and around their deployment areas and have embarked, furthering its undeterred efforts of preserving the bounty of the nature, on a fortnight long ‘Go Green Drive’ in entire Manipur from 24 May to 09 June 2013. Maj Gen UK Gurung, IG AR(South) has chalked out a detailed roadmap to ensure significant contribution towards this noble cause and has exhorted all Assam Rifle Sectors and Battalions to put their best foot forward. Cooperation and assistance from the Forest Department has also been solicited besides motivating the villagers, particularly the youth, for their active participation in making the entire process a great success. Besides tree plantation, there have been a number of events planned during the drive which include lectures on the benefits of afforestation for students, drawing & painting competitions based on Go Green theme and excursion trips for school children to nearby parks and gardens.
In working towards the mutual goal of sustainability through environment conservation, it’s essential that we all should make a commitment to ourselves towards conservation of fragile and diverse ecologies and start working towards environment conservation as if it’s now or never. The endeavour undertaken by Assam Rifles is aimed at starting a legacy of sustainable environmental development for ourselves and for our future generations and in turn hoping that the Green Canopy of trees that still exists is not degraded further.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/assam-rifles-embarks-on-a-go-green-fortnight/

Shirui Lily festival celebrated

UKHRUL, May 21 NNN: Cultural items, displays of Tangkhul traditional cuisines and attires, flower show, painting competition and entertainment programmes marked the district level Shirui Lily Week-2013 concluding day today at Shirui village under Ukhrul district, Manipur.
Shirui Lily, first discovered by the British in 1946 as the lily that is found only at Shirui village, has become the Manipur State flower.
During the Shirui Lily Week-2013 concluding today, the denizens of Ukhrul district with traditional attires conglomerated at Shirui village which is situated some 15 km east of Ukhrul town and joined the celebration. Young and old, kings and paupers, strong and weak were united in the spirit of the rare Shirui Lily found only in the Shirui village. Traditionally, locally brewed beer was enjoyed marking an end to the week long celebration.
Cut to modern days, the celebration has been laced with festoons and fanfare with the showcasing of tradition within
the modern context. The Shirui Lily Week celebration is in this sense, a link between the gapping hole of tradition and modernity. For the people of Ukhrul district, it is a time to retrospect about the past and look forward to the future with optimistic zeal. Diaspora of Tangkhul community takes time out to reunite with their roots despite the
mad search for global identity. For those unable to make a connection to their forefathers’ blood-drench soil of Manipur, they still make an effort by organising a district level Shirui Lily Week celebration in heart.
Billed as one of the most important celebrations, the event was celebrated presenting rich traditional dance and songs organized by the people of Ukhrul.
It was celebrated at Shirui village with much fanfare and it brought huge people from across the district including far flung areas. The time falls in the middle of May every year. It is one of the most anticipated calendar time for the people of Ukhrul and elsewhere. One of the few occasions, Shirui Lily festival symbolises happiness and health, hard work and toil, peace and brotherhood, abundance and hope.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shirui-lily-festival-celebrated/

Anti-Terrorism Day Observed CM airs views on eviction, ILP

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, May 21 : Joining the country in the observance of “Anti-Terrorism Day” on Tuesday, Manipur Government and the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee organized functions here to mark the day.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam shared the dais during the function held at the Secretariat South Block. The participants pledged that any element which threatens life and its values would be dealt firmly.
Anti-Terrorism Day commemorates the day when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi died. Gandhi died on this day in 1999.
They also vowed to maintain peace and harmony and work hard towards bringing understanding among people, and to decisively counter terrorism with all might by upholding the principles of non-violence and endurance of the nation.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi stated that terrorism brings nothing while appealing the underground organisations to solve problems through dialogue.
At the same time, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also observed the Anti-Terrorism Day at the Congress Bhavan here.Ibobi, Gaikhangam, ministers and Congress workers paid floral tribute at the photo of Rajiv.
Later, briefing the media after the function, the Chief Minister said that there were no differences between the Government and the people with regard to introduction of Inner Line Permit in the state.
The Government has been putting pressure on the Central leadership on the demand, but that it will be considered as anti-social move if the ILP demand committee decides to disallow non-Manipuris in the state.
“The Government will never permit and remain as silent spectator if such illegal steps are taken,” he vowed and added that Manipuris in other states could face the same fate.
He, however, suggested the committee to work together in the drive to identify foreigners in the state.
Making a clarification on the recent eviction drive carried out in Kabo Leikai here, Ibobi said the drive was part of the Government’s decision to upgrade Hotel Imphal to a 5-star hotel status.
He made it clear that residents in the locality failed to produce their original patta documents in the court and it was carried out after three years of assessment.
Although no compensation is given to land owned by the Government, it had already paid Rs 9 crore as compensation for all the standing properties in the area on humanity ground, he added.
Saying that the Government has never violated the legitimate rights of the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and minority, he appealed to the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) to withdraw the bandh and blockade being imposed over the quota issue in the interest of the public.
Ibobi further said the Government always gives quota to the ST, SC and minority and it is also trying to provide more facilities to them in future.
I.R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State in the Home Affairs administered the oath to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions in North Block this morning.
The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.
The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest. These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars, lectures, etc. on the dangers of terrorism & violence and a determined and sustained drive to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence.
Rajeev Shukla Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affair today administered the Anti-Terrorism Oath to the Officers and Staff of the Planning Commission in YojanaBhawan on the occasion of the Martyrdom Day of Rajiv Gandhi.

Tamenglong hospital works stalled

Imphal, May 19 NNN : The ongoing construction of 50-bedded hospital in Tamenglong is almost halting the work in want of fund to be released for the completion of the project. Contractors undertaking the construction work of the Tamenglong 50-beded hospital rued that since the billing was not done on time the ongoing work gets affected. “Payment or billing to the work done value were pending and delaying, which is to be released, resulting in the outlandish construction. We hope the concerned authority may bring a better understanding to and all. Therefore, we acknowledge the populace in general for co-operation and the concern department in particular for kind attention and billing the work done amount timely so as for better progress and development,” Keibamdi, special constractor, Digaipou, sub-contractor, Poukin Panmei, also the sub contractor and Ajang Gangmei, another sub-contractor engaged in the construction work of the hospital appealed today. The four contractors then enumerated the work construction of the 50-bedded hospital, Tamenglong at Duigailong under NLCPR, DRDA, government of Manipur that that the payments made before the execution of work were that the agency charged was 11.75%, sale tax was 5.60% VAT, Contingency charge was 3.00% and other “unseen” expenses and deduction was 15% ( or exceeding). “A clear maxim shown above, which amounts to 35.35% of the total fund, has been spent off before the actual work was executed. We are working with the remaining 65.65% of fund with consensual to the tender notification,” the four constractors pointed out.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tamenglong-hospital-works-stalled/