Manipur News

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 18

Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Yumnam Joykumar Singh today said that productive economic activities are important for development. He was speaking at the launch of “Uripok Green City” project of Panthoibi Housing Finance Company Limited (PHFCL).

The project was launched today at Classic Grande, Chingmeirong.

The deputy chief minister speaking as the chief guest of the function said that this project by PHFCL is a way of fostering economic activities of our state. He appreciated and congratulated the efforts and initiatives of PHFCL for starting such an urban project in the state. He lauded the managing director, Th. Hemo Singh, saying he is taking a risk for working in a no-income generating field.

As the finance minister of the state, he also said that the present financial status is not healthy and added that he welcomes any income generating projects for improvement of the economy.

Education minister, Th. Radheshyam Singh also attended the function as guest of honour. He stressed on the importance of town planning. He cited the example of ancient cities like Mohenjodaro, Harappa and others asserting that drainage system were good because they are prioritised while planning towns.

He said that Manipur economy is poor and therefore offers little income generating avnues. The efforts of PHFCL is not only helping the state to grow but also giving employment to the more than lakhs educated unemployed youths.

Chairman and managing director of PHFCL, Th. Hemo Singh said that in “work more, talk less” is the thrust of his plans in his keynote speech. He said he has chosen Uripok as his first target in urban category.

“I am only converting the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s PMAY project and have given loans of up to Rs.3 crores till date,” he said.

The chairman added that there are also other projects such as Panthoibi Construction and Panthoibi Foundation, which are educational institutions. He has so far helped five to six students and kept them under his supervision.

During the function, loans amounting to Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs. 8 lakhs respectively were distributed by the chief guest to three selected loan applicants.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 18

“No one religion is greater than the others. Everyone should respect every religion for they all have the potential to bring peace”, said Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama while addressing a global peace conference at the city convention centre Imphal.

A public convention was held for the visiting spiritual leader by the state government at the City Convention Centre where he addressed the media followed by a public convention on the topic “On peace and harmony”.

Responding to queries on the growing right wing religious intolerance in India, he said “India historically is a multi-religious country and everyone has their own belief and they have right to preserve it but no one religious group has right to forcibly convert or propagate their religion,” he said.

He did not directly answered queries on his opinion on the struggle in the Northeast region, but indirectly indicated how a European Union model can resolve many of these issues in a multi-cultural country like India. “People should have a broader prospective on what constitute greater common interest just as is the case with the European Union. Otherwise, it will only result in prolonging confrontation.

The formation of European Union has guaranteed peace between the conflicting Europeans countries and since the entire region has marched ahead towards development. Similarly the Indian union has also much better potential for development of all within the Union as a truly democratic nation, said the Dalai Lama.

He said there could also be union of the Asian countries, African countries and eventually of the world. This is his dream, he added.

The Dalai Lama further said that India has great potential to contribute in bringing world peace, provided it revives its rich ancient values.

The visiting Tibetan spiritual leader said that his visit is focused on bringing oneness and religious harmony in times when conflicts between different religious faiths are widespread.

He said that compassion is the ultimate source of inner peace and happiness. Every individual has different techniques and ways to achieve inner peace. Compassion is an important one among them. In the same breath he said violence is wrong and is against human nature.

Media also has responsibility to promote the sense of oneness of seven billion human beings and promote a sense of concern for wellbeing of the human race, asserted the spiritual leader.

In response to a query on the prospect of the 15th Dalai Lama, he said that the decision rests on the Tibetan people adding that his 1969 statement clearly mentioned that the very institution of Dalai Lama is the concerned of the Tibetan people.

With regards to the bitter relationship between Tibet and China, he said Tibet has stopped raising its issue in the UN since 1974 and rather focus on preserving tradition. Nevertheless, the only complain remains the suppression by not granting the autonomous status as mentioned in their (China) constitution.

He attributed his retirement from politic to attainment of Tibet’s democratic status which has always been his childhood dream.

The global conference was attended by people from many different place and from different walks of life. They included the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Y. Khemchand Singh and other politicians, school students, religious leaders, scholars and journalists.

IMPHAL | Oct 18

Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary, M. Nara said that reviewing the history of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Day will help in realising past mistakes and will be very helpful in bringing a better future for the state.

He was speaking as presidium member during the observation of the First Manipur State Assembly, 1948 today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal organised by CPI.

October 18, 1948 is one of the most important days in the history of the state as it marks the first move of the state to fight against social injustice, bring unity and development by the people’s representatives of both the hills and the valley of the state, he added. Nara said it is very unfortunate that the history of the state legislative assembly is not reviewed and discussed by those in power or the people by and large.

In making Manipur a successful and progressive state, it is necessary to review history of the state assembly, continued the state secretary.

He appealed to all the people of the state to contribute their best in making a better future for the future generation.

The function was attended by CPI secretariat member, Langol Iboyaima and social scientist Dhanabir Laishram as presidium members.