Tag: kanglaonline

KCP (MC) warns

IMPHAL December 4: The KCP (MC ) in a press release by its R.O. Nongdrenkhomba… more »

IMPHAL December 4: The KCP (MC ) in a press release by its R.O. Nongdrenkhomba has warned that no drug trafficker should contest in the upcoming assembly election.

It has further stated that weapons may harm some sections but addiction harms the whole populace, those who are masterminding such endeavors to amass individual wealth should be boycotted.

It has further mentioned that the political parties of the state should not tender their party approval to such individuals or if done so would be treated as anti-revolutionary.

The drug mafia in order to spread its wings wants to hold the political power in the state and are not interested in tendering public service, the public should remain wary of such candidates and the outfit warns that such persons fitting the profile should not try to contest in the upcoming elections. Any political party who awards the party ticket to such individuals will be held liable for being anti-revolutionary, it added. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/kcp-mc-warns/

Address the Average

It has become a wont in Manipur to cite the example of those who made… more »

It has become a wont in Manipur to cite the example of those who made it big from the state as the evidence of the vitality of the place. This is especially true in the field of sports and performing arts. These success stories have also been often been forwarded as proof that there is no obstacle too big to restrain genius. Given the spirit, impoverished boys and girls who grew up with practically nothing that would suggest they can become champions, playing on their undersized playing fields, untutored by professional coaches and nourished mostly on the ordinary staple of rice and vegetable stew which is most affordable by most of their families, have still quite amazingly on many occasion proven they can be world beaters. This sentiment is understandable and undoubtedly has a basis in reality. However, the man on the street saying this is one thing, but when it is the politician who eulogises and dwell for too long and often on this, it would make anyone uneasy. The danger is obvious. It can become an excuse for non-performance by the political leadership precisely by shifting the burden of churning out champion materials to the individual citizen alone, thus shirking its own responsibility of building half way houses to augment the effort of the protagonists behind these extraordinary and heroic tales of individual determination and enterprise.

This excuse can also be extended, and in fact has been extended to all other fields. Hence, the fact that there are many who have done well despite having been schooled in wall-less, bench-less classrooms of the state’s dilapidated government schools, is pushed as the example that success and failure are more in the hands of individual students, and not only in those of the non-performing educational institutes. This would amount to mistaking the wood for the forest. There are indeed geniuses and these fortunate souls would pick themselves out of even the most untidy mess and find their way to the top. We have seen many such examples in every walk of life from amongst us, and as we have said before, most prominently in sports. The scripts of the path to success of achievers like Ngangom Dingko Singh, MC Mary Kom, N Kunjarani, L Sarita, Renedy Singh, would all be practically the same – a rags to riches, anonymity to celebrity story, with a little variation here and there. But the rule of nature is, the percentage of people who are above average in aptitude or intelligence, is only a fraction of those who occupy the middle ground of the average. Again, just as there are geniuses who occupy the space above the average, on the other extreme there are also the lame and slow who are below average.

So while we must be proud of the geniuses born amongst us, and look up to the examples they have set for us to emulate, let us not be blinded to the bigger reality that says there are more average than above average or under average. Let the above average and below average have special programmes, but the general policies must have to be oriented towards the average, and indeed to improve the average. To take the example of a well planned highway, let there be fast lanes for the geniuses and pedestrian paths for the lame and slow, but the rest of the highway must be dedicated to the average. The point is, government policies must first and foremost strive to raise the standard of the average. If this was done, even the genius would have a better and easier platform to launch from, as there would be less ground to cover to reach the top, the average ground having been raised.

So then, let not the often heard vaunt that the state has produced many geniuses in many fields be any cause to lull senses into any unwarranted complacency. Let us be proud of the geniuses who have made it big, but let this not lead to any false and deceptive assessment of the average citizenry. More than in sports, we see this rethinking essential in primary and secondary education. The government schools in general cater to the average citizenry and so let it be the government’s single-minded determination to uplift them at least to the standard of the best amongst the private schools in the state. This government has been around for two terms. For once let those at the helm give full commitment and concentration towards giving back to the society a promise of a future it deserve.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/address-the-average/

Cheitharol-kumbaba And The Internet: The Gregorian Dating

By Chabungbam Amuba Singh PART I In this age of the Internet, retirement is a… more »

By Chabungbam Amuba Singh
PART I
In this age of the Internet, retirement is a boon for those `who wanted to read but could not find the time`. I am talking not of any serious academic pursuit but of simple pleasurable reading. Respectfully curious of the Royal Court Chronicle of Manipur, the Cheitharol Kumbaba, I longed to read it and practiced `reading the Meitei Mayek` during my days in office. I was disappointed at the slow progress of my proficiency in Meitei Mayek. So I was really elated when I was given by Shri M Biren Singh a copy of the Cheitharol Kumbaba in the Bengali script edited by Shri L Ibungohal Singh and Shri N Khelachandra Singh and published by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (second print, 1989).

I got the shock of my life when I found that this sacred book/compilation of the records of the reigns of the `Meidingus` starts with the Sanskrit word `Shri` (“Shri Taibangpanbagee mapu ….”) and the very next sentence refers to the Kalyabda—an era system connected with Hindu mythology and not at all followed in the writing of history in any part of the world. This tell-tale evidence of the sacred book having been re-written or re-compiled at a later date when the Manipur royal court had been completely Hinduised notwithstanding, I derived immense pleasure of fleeting through the world unfolding out of the pages of this sacred book. Of course, the book written in old Meiteilon does not provide easy reading to a novice like me. Supplementing my endeavour with occasional reference to Saroj Nalini A Parratt`s English transliteration of the Chronicle (available on the Internet) opened up another woe for me: the occasional inconsistencies in the two versions of the Chronicle—the Sahitya Parishad`s and Saroj Nalini`s. 

Saroj Nalini A Parratt says that for the pre-British period, the Cheitharol Kumbaba is the only source of Manipur’s history that we have which is of any substantial historical value. This bold observation endows the Chronicle with a unique place of importance and reverence. It is my intention here to establish its chronological authenticity beyond any shadow of doubt and provide the basis for an error-free Gregorian dating of the events recorded in the Chronicle.

It is a fact that we the Manipuris adopted the Saka system of counting the solar sidereal years – but we have never followed the Saka calendar (even in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries). Throughout the Chronicle, the entry of a date always refers to the phase of the moon and a month always refers to the lunar month – a system contrary to the system of the Saka calendar which is a solar calendar. It is not at all surprising, rather it is natural, that such a luni- solar system was followed in Manipur, because such a system was followed in east and northeast India and also in Southeast Asia. However, the astronomical foundation of a luni-solar system is quite complicated. In comparison, the solar Gregorian system has a straightforward astronomical basis. That is why all historical recordings are done in or transliterated into the Gregorian system which is now called the Common Era (CE) system.

In the Internet space, I have come across quite a few write-ups about the history of Manipur in which wrong dates in CE have been given to important events. For example, in the history of Manipur uploaded by IIT Guwahati, the date of birth of Pitambar Charairongba is given as 20 May 1673 CE and that of the crowning of Pamheiba as 28 August 1708 CE – both of which are incorrect according to the recordings in the Cheitharol Kumbaba (the correct dates are 17 June 1673 CE Saturday and 14 August 1709 CE Wednesday respectively).  Marjit’s (Nongpok Wairang Pamheiba) ascension to the throne of Manipur is often reported to have taken place in the year 1813, while the true date of the event recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba is the 17th day of Shajibu (later) in  Saka 1735 which is the 6th April 1814 CE. Even in the Appendix to the Cheitharol Kumbaba published by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, the editors had given the reign of Meidingu Marjit as 1813-1819. The fact as per records in the Cheitharol Kumbaba is that Meidingu Marjit reigned from Wednesday 6 April 1814 to Tuesday 9 December 1819. It is important here to respect the authenticity and accuracy of the entries in the Chronicle.

Eclipses of the sun and the moon are God-given chronometer to determine the precise dates of historical events. Records of the eclipses can be conveniently used to translate any date in a lunisolar calendar into a date in the proleptic Gregorian calendar or the CE system provided the week-day of the date is also given. Here it is understood that the seven-day week is universally adopted. (For example, the assertion that the week-day `langmaiching` or `nongmaijing` in the Manipuri system is the week-day `Sunday` in the western system is never to be disputed.)

Solar and lunar eclipses are regular astronomical events occurring at least four times a year (a maximum of seven eclipses may occur in a calendar year). Very precise and detailed records of solar eclipses for 7000 years and lunar eclipses for 5000 years in the proleptic Gregorian calendar have been computer-generated and are now available on the Internet for ready reference.

The Cheitharol Kumbaba contains records of 189 eclipses (58 solar and 131 lunar) sighted in Manipur (a few are `reported` but not ‘sighted’) – starting with the partial lunar eclipse of 1666 December 11 (Saturday)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/cheitharolkumbaba-and-the-internet-the-gregorian-dating/

SCIENTISTS ARE NEARER TO PROVING NON-EXISTENCE OF GOD

By: Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh It was in October 2010 that I wrote about the… more »

By: Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh

It was in October 2010 that I wrote about the beginning of the search for the subatomic particle – ‘neutrino’ known as Higgs boson, nick-named ‘god particle’ that has an undetermined mass and travels at near the speed of light.

At last, scientists are nearer to finding the beginning of the universe without God. On Wednesday December 14 2011 scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Geneva have revealed the conclusive evidence of their finding of the Higgs boson – the mysterious subatomic particle neutrino and there are hopes the findings could be confirmed next year.

The experiments’ main conclusion is that the Standard Model Higgs boson if it exits is most likely to have a mass constrained to the range 116-130 GeV by the Atlas experiment and 115-127 GeV by CMS experiment.

The Standard Model is the science of particle physics – the existence of matter – the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

At the beginning of the universe, the space was completely filled with matter that was very hot and dense. As the matter expanded and cooled, the eventually produced the stars, the galaxies we see in the universe today. The space has no centre as it has no edge.

The Higgs boson is a subatomic particle, the existence of which was proposed by the British physicist Peter Higgs in the sixties. It is thought to provide everything in the universe with mass. Without it there cannot be universe except for the intervention of God.

Isaac Newton proved that the mass is the source of gravity. Albert Einstein proved by his E=mc2 that mass can be converted to energy. But no body knows what mass is and where it comes from. This is the crux of this research.

The Higgs theory is that mass arises when particles, such as protons and neutrons interact with “Higgs field” – a sort of force field that permeates everything. The Higgs boson allows the Higgs field to interact with particles that have mass.

Neutrino (Italian word for “little neutral one”) is a subatomic particle with almost no mass and no electrical charge ie neutral. As they hardly interact with solid matter, billions of them are supposed to be passing through our body at any time. In fact they can even pass though the entire Earth without being affected.

Neutrinos are everywhere. They permeate the very space all around us. Most of these neutrinos are from the Sun, created by nuclear reactions. They are therefore thought to have played an important role in the creation of the universe.

Neutrinos are fundamental particles that were first formed in the first second of the Big Bang, before atoms could form

The scientists at CERN, the giant particle accelerator, straddling the Swiss-French border has also made a revolutionary discovery though unconfirmed, that neutrinos travel faster than light.

(2)
From 2009 through 2011 the massive OPERA detector buried in a mountain in Gran Sasso, Italy, recorded neutrinos generated at CERN arriving a smidgen early, faster than light can
move in a vacuum. One hundred and sixty physicists from 11 countries collaborate on the OPERA experiment, which is largely funded by the French, Japanese and Italian governments.

Some 16,000 wispy neutrinos zooming underground in Europe apparently have been outracing light by 60 billionth of a second.

In Illinois, America, Fermilab scientists operate a similar experiment, called MINOS that shoots neutrinos from Illinois to an underground detector in Minnesota. In 2007, MINOS sniffed a hint of faster-than-light neutrinos, but the margin of error was too big to make a claim.

In 2013, the upgraded MINOS detector will restart. It could than confirm or refute their earlier findings. They would be looking at a whole new set of rules for how the universe
works.

Professor Jenny Thomas, on of the MINOS scientists said “Now we have seven times more data.” The team will verify CERN’s findings in the next year and if positive, it will show as to how the neutrinos have outclassed Einstein’s theory.

If confirmed, the finding would throw 106 years of physics into chaos. The rules might bend or break Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, published in 1905. That was a theory that tied together space and time, matter and energy. It set a limit for the speed of light, later measured to be about 186,000 miles per second.

Scientist at LHC, are nearly solving the age old problem of symmetry between matter and antimatter. In theory, when the universe began there should have been equal amounts of matter and antimatter. That is, there should have been positively charged particles like a proton and negatively charged antiprotons. In that case they should have promptly wiped out each other.

This theory means no stars, no galaxy, no earth and no us. But we are here and therefore there must have been an imbalance.

The LHC scientists have discovered the unexpected difference between matter and antimatter particles that could explain why there is an excess of matter. This “supersymmetry” may explain the existence of the elusive “dark matter” that are believed to hold galaxies together.

Whatever, we do not have to wait too long. It is only the next year. If the neutrinos exist, Albert Einstein will be rolling in his grave. A faster than light traveller shocks physicists at the moment.

Why has the finding of neutrino got to do with the existence of God? This is the question I am going to try to answer.

It is simply that the mysteries of the universe, unlike the mysteries of God, are getting solved gradually by scientific investigations.

For most astronomers, the fact that the universe began after the Big Bang is a closed debate. The Big Bang marks the instant at which the universe came into existence and all the matter in the cosmos started to expand 14 billion years ago, dating back to just 10¯43 second (10 million trillion trillionth of a second) after the Big Bang.
(3)
Before the Big Bang all four fundamental forces – gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force and weak nuclear force, were unified, but physicists have yet to develop a workable theory that can describe these conditions.

Three excellent reasons exist for the Big Bang theory to be true: (1) the universe is expanding as observed by Hubble’s telescope; (2) it predicts that 25% percent of the total mass of the universe should be the helium that formed during the first few minutes – an amount that agrees with observations; and (3) the presence of cosmic background radiation – the Big Bang theory predicted this remnant radiation, which now glows at a temperature just 3 degrees
above absolute zero, well before radio astronomers chanced upon it.

The important question that remains to be answered is why the Big Bang happened at all and why it produced this particular universe. Where did that infinitesimally small, infinitely hot and infinitely dense mass come from? No body knows yet. Many people will propose “God did it”.

The answer is for the moment, the “tiny point” did not have to come from anywhere; it was just there. Everybody has a father but God had no father. What is the difference?

The neutrino has a lot common with God, who is inferred from faith-based brain, but faith is not a phenomenon like neutrino that exists and can be proven by experiments done by science-based brain.

Worldwide, the neutrino is regarded as a matter of undisputed fact, while the very existence of God is hotly contested.

On the other hand, it is quite illogical to assign the task of creating this universe to God. The question is why did God need a Big Bang?

For an answer I have to quote Richard Carrier, a freethinker, in his Book – “Sense and goodness without God: a defence of metaphysical naturalism” (1967 p71).

He says this is an awkward fit. What does God need a Big Bang for? The process is a terrible, slow, messy and complicated way to create a universe, much less people. Why the vast expanse of the result?

One would think a god would simply create the whole universe at once or much more quickly at least and only make it as large as would suit us. There would be no need for long drawn-out processes, or of other planets and galaxies, much less all the hundreds of subatomic particles like neutrinos, muons and kaons that we know of.

“God did it” does not predict any of these things, nor does it explain them very well. God has no need for quarks (sic. the subatomic particles carrying a fractional electric charge, postulated as building blocks of normal matter), for example, neutrinos. Nor can they make any predictions about any of these things from the “God did it” hypothesis.

There are detailed assumptions about a god or his plans that could predict or explain all this, or one can resort to something vacuous like “God’s mysteries”, but either way, the god hypothesis is less plausible than any naturalistic theory that already predicts and explains all these strange things like neutrinos.

Scientists are testing them even as I write. The writer is based in the UK
Email: imsingh@onetel.com
Website: www.drimsingh.co.uk

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/scientists-are-nearer-to-proving-non-existence-of-god/

AR personnel found dead; police suspect foul play

IMPHAL, January 3: An Assam Rifles personnel was found dead with his hands tied and… more »

IMPHAL, January 3: An Assam Rifles personnel was found dead with his hands tied and bruise marks around his neck inside his own house this morning at Khangabok Sorok Wangma under Thoubal PS and following suspicion over the involvement of outsiders in the killing, locals of Khangabok village decided to ban entry of outsiders inside their village from 5pm every evening.

The decision was taken during a public meeting at the local ground this evening. The locals further formed a JAC in connection with the killing.

Meanwhile, a source has identified the deceased as Hadique Pulinchandra, 55, a resident of Shiv Sagar Assam who had relocated to Khangabok Sorok Wangma after his marriage with a local woman identified as one Champamani Devi of Heirok Part –II Thokchom Leikai.

According to a local source, the couple had relocated some few years back.

The source further added that locals after finding that a foul smell was coming from his house which had remained locked since about a month and a half; forced open the door and found his dead body inside.

The locals informed the concerned police.

Further after their initial investigation of the dead body at the spot, the police informed that both hands of the deceased were tied behind his back and that there were bruise marks of strangulation around his neck which point towards murder.

Meanwhile, the dead body has been brought to the JNIMS morgue for post mortem, while his wife has been called up by the police for taking her statement, the police informed.

Hadique Pulinchandra is survived by his wife and a one year old daughter.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/ar-personnel-found-dead-police-suspect-foul-play/

`Education alone can eradicate corruption`

IMPHAL, January 3: The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur today observed its 10th foundation day… more »

IMPHAL, January 3: The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur today observed its 10th foundation day at the Johnstone Higher Secondary School under the theme ‘liberate education from corruption’ with director college development council Manipur University, RK Ranjan as chief guest and DESAM president, LC Santosh as president and advocate Dr Ch Narendra as guest of honour.

Highlighting the importance of education, RK Ranjan in his speech stated that the people of the state should be well educated and enlightened on the importance of education in order to bring peace and development in the state.

Corruption can only be eradicated with education, and it would be wrong to assume that there are a lot of educated persons in the state which is evident from the fact that the state is witnessing the emergence of higher education only recently, he stated.

He further elaborated on the role of the individual families in bringing education to the state. Elders and parents should not allow their wards to think of going to school as making a fashion statement, and should encourage their wards to be well discipline and obedient.

However the time is such that the elders are encouraging their wards to imbibe wrong habits from a young age by introducing the children to motors and bikes at a young age, he averred.

He also added that the times has changed a lot, as, in the past, the elders of the families used to chide their wards however in the present situation, the elders instead of chiding their wards are only encouraging their wards to imbibe bad habits.

He further charged the ever spreading corruption amongst the teachers of the state for the decreasing morality amongst the students of the state. He further urged the people of the state to work together to eradicate corruption from the state and bring development in the state.

Meanwhile, PC Newton advisor of the student body blamed lack of co-operation from the people for the degrading condition of the government schools in the state.

In order to bring development in the state, the people should first bring an educated society in the state, he added.

He further blamed the inability of the government to act swiftly to the demands of the various bodies of teachers and students for the degradation of education in the state.

He also appealed to the government to act swiftly into the demands made by various bodies in connection with developing education in the state.

As part of observing its foundation day, the student body further launched its website www.desaminfo.org.

Seven teachers of the state were also awarded with the Chingmu Maichou Khongnangthaba award.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/education-alone-can-eradicate-corruption/

Senior citizens urge electors to refrain from accepting money

IMPHAL, January 3: “Muscle and money power have dominated elections in the state in the… more »

IMPHAL, January 3: “Muscle and money power have dominated elections in the state in the past two decades or so; and in the process the state has become a breeding ground for corruption” said N Binoy president Senior Citizens’ for Society during a press conference held this evening at his office.

In connection with the ensuing 10th state Assembly election scheduled for January 28, the Senior Citizen For Society today convened a press conference at its office and appealed to the people of the state to choose their candidates properly. He further added that the general public should refrain from accepting money to cast their votes.

Further speaking to media persons, he further added that the Election Commission of India and the state election department have taken up various steps to assure a free and fair poll in the state.

While lauding the steps taken up by the election commission including sending of election expenditure observers, video surveillance teams and accounting team and control rooms to monitor the election process in the state, he added that a free and fair election can only be brought with active participation from the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/senior-citizens-urge-electors-to-refrain-from-accepting-money/

Senapati magistrate imposes ban on military uniforms in dist ahead of election

IMPHAL December 3: In view of the upcoming 10th Assembly Election, the use of military… more »

IMPHAL December 3: In view of the upcoming 10th Assembly Election, the use of military service pattern uniforms, articles and painting of military colour on vehicles by civilians has been banned under the provisions of section 140 of the Indian Penal Code within Senapati district with immediate effect and until further orders in the regard. The offenders are liable to be brought for legal proceedings, stated a release of PK Jha district magistrate, Senapati.

A separate release has stated that, in pursuance of instructions of the Election Commission to impound all licensed firearms in order to ensure maintenance of law and order, the district magistrate has directed all licensed firearm holders within Senapati district to deposit their arms to the nearest police station with immediate effect. The order also notified the concerned police officers to make fool proof arrangements for keeping the deposited fire arms in safe custody and proper receipts to be issued. Further, any individual wishing to appeal against the order is directed to submit a written justification for retaining the arms.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/senapati-magistrate-imposes-ban-on-military-uniforms-in-dist-ahead-of-election/

Awarded

IMPHAL, Jan3: Takhellambam Robindro Singh of Thoubal Nongangkhong, an executive member of Revival Foundation (REFOUND)… more »

IMPHAL, Jan3: Takhellambam Robindro Singh of Thoubal Nongangkhong, an executive member of Revival Foundation (REFOUND) has  been invited to participate at the International Conference to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of UNESCO Kalinga Prize for popularization of Science. The conference will be organized on January 4/5 at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwor. He had also been awarded a National Award for his outstanding effort in popularizing science and technology among children in 2009 by the department of Science and Technology,GOI,New Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/awarded/

Arrested

IMPHAL, Jan 3: Discovering the movement of UG cadres in the Pukhao Nahrup area, troops… more »

IMPHAL, Jan 3: Discovering the movement of UG cadres in the Pukhao Nahrup area, troops of 23 Assam Rifles of 10 Secotr under the HQ IGAR (South) launched an operation in the area and apprehended one PREPAK (ogw) on January 3.

According to a press statement of the PRO IGAR (S), the Cadre has been identified as Naorem Nageshwar, 38, s/o (late) Naorem Thomba Singh a resident of Pukhao Nahrup, Lamlei.

The arrested individual was later handed over to the Lamlei Police station., the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/arrested/

Reception ceremony

IMPHAL December 3:  MPSC secretary P Doungel, IPS and Director of Manipur Police Training College… more »

IMPHAL December 3:  MPSC secretary P Doungel, IPS and Director of Manipur Police Training College organized a reception ceremony for the players and officials of Manipur Police Sepak Takraw team today at his office chambers. The team bagged the winner, runner up and third position at the Pourabi Yaipha Naharol Kanglup competition organized under the auspices of All Manipur Sepak Takraw Association which was held from December 25 to 31, a release by L Madhumani Singh,assistant sports secretary,MPSC states.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/reception-ceremony/

Photography foundation course

IMPHAL December 3: Images of Manipur, a photo news agency will conduct a short term… more »

IMPHAL December 3: Images of Manipur, a photo news agency will conduct a short term photography foundation course beginning January 10 till January 16. Interested individuals within the age of 18 to 30 and who have passed HSSLC exam can apply for the course. Interested individuals can contact mobile number 9612170470 or mail to imagesofmanipur @gmail.com. The last date for submission of forms is on January 8 stated a release of secretary of the agency.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/photography-foundation-course/

Time for Reckoning

Elections are round the corner. Although the campaigns have still not picked up heat, the… more »

Elections are round the corner. Although the campaigns have still not picked up heat, the tension in the air characteristic of an election is already clear and crisp. In a week or so from now, it will be clear who gets to contest on the tickets of the party of their desire. Almost as an unspoken testimony that the Congress ticket would be the one sought after most, even by opposition MLAs and leaders, no political party has yet announced their list of candidates pending a clear picture on the Congress’ mind. All of them are keenly watching the Congress party and the candidates they would set up. Surely, no political party would be willing to live through the embarrassment of awarding a ticket to one of its own sitting MLAs or party man, and then be betrayed by the MLAs concerned by rejecting the party’s offer to instead accept the Congress ticket. Once the Congress announces its list of candidates, it is predictable the election fever would rise with other political parties announcing their own lists in quick succession. This is the reality of Manipur politics, and there is no gainsaying it is pathetic. The idea of loyalty to party and party ideology are alien here. The rush of politicians for election ticket is with the sole intent of being on who they think would be the winning side.

This being the general profile of politics in the state, it is up to the electorate to put in their mite to bring about a change. First of all, they must reject political turncoats. Those who come back to them to seek votes on the tickets of parties they have been spitting fire and brimstone against all this while, after first betraying the parties they professed undying loyalty to, must be told in no uncertain terms that they cannot add insult to injury to the electorate. If it is a genuine case of shifting stance on ideological stances, they ought to have left their parties whose ideologies they were feeling estranged and therefore trying to distance themselves from, at least a year ahead of the elections. While as humans, shifts in beliefs and ideologies are a legitimate phenomenon, it goes against the law of probability that a genuine shift of ideological perspective can happen so suddenly just on the eve of the elections. The electorate must remember, this is not just about punishing an individual politician, but of saving politics in the state from a despicable trend which is gaining legitimacy precisely because the public has never thought of it as an affront on their dignity and sense of public propriety.

This election must also be made to be fought on issues rather than empty rhetoric and dirty money. The first question which must come to the mind of the electorate ought to be, what are the things they as respectable citizens should legitimately expect from any government worth its name and whether the political parties in contention are promising them these needs realistically? As citizens ourselves, we can also think of some very basic of these conditions. This would somewhat follow a needs hierarchy in the rough model of what psychologist Abraham Maslow spelled out. The first would have to do would food and shelter, its derivatives and more pertinent to the state being, clean drinking water, electricity and good roads. As to why these are important, we need not explain. The state has been atrociously deprived of these basic essentials for years now, and now is the time for the electorate to actually bargain and vote the party which spells out a realistic blueprint to ensure these needs. In the second hierarchy would be things like good education facilities, health guarantees, better employment opportunities through ensuring a better atmosphere for private entrepreneurship etc. In the third hierarchy would be need such as for more recreational parks for citizens, better traffic management, better and more disciplined control of the law and order situation, corruption free competitions to government jobs and benefits, better implementation of welfare schemes instituted by the Central government, and if possible for the state to start evolving state specific citizen welfare models of its own. Of the latter, there is something as local area development fund availed to the MLAs. If all of the MLAs were to use this fund honestly and imaginatively, at least the entire network of by-lanes in Imphal city and other major townships and habitation centres would have been black topped and dust free by now. The local area development fund is a brilliant idea but only if it is honestly and imaginatively used. However, almost as if by fate, in backwater lawless places like Manipur, in the absence of a vigilant electorate, between the ideas and their implementations, almost always fall the shadow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/time-for-reckoning/

Filing of nominations preponed to January 6 on ECI instruction

IMPHAL, January 2: As part of its preparation for the ensuing 10th Manipur Assembly election… more »

IMPHAL, January 2: As part of its preparation for the ensuing 10th Manipur Assembly election scheduled for January 28, the state election department with the approval of the Election Commission of India has published the final electoral role of the state electorate roll today announced the state chief election officer PC Lawmkunga during a press conference at the state secretariat South block conference hall.

The announced photo electoral roll has 97.44 percent of the total electorate.

While lauding the state election department for the feat, the chief election officer further added that there has been a considerable increase of nearly one lakh electors in the electoral roll from the previous list maintained by the department.

A total of 17,40,820 voters – 97.44 percent of the total electorate, have been announced as against 16,39,000 in the previous list.

There are 8,89,497 female electors and 8,51,323 male electors in the announced electoral roll, the chief election officer informed.

He further added that the preparation of electoral rolls in 11 constituencies have been 100 percent completed. The assembly constituencies are Khundrakpam, Heignang, Khurai, Lamlai, Yaiskul, Wangkhei, Lamsang, Sekami, Wabagai, Kakching and Sugunu.

As the voter Id card has been made mandatory for the ensuing 2012 election, the state election officer has further appealed to all electors who have been left out in the electoral roll to submit their two recent passport size photos to the concern Election Returning Officers and District Election Officers before January 10.

He has further announced that the residual electorates will be allowed to make the transposition, deletion and submission of their names from the electoral record till January 10 by submitting their required papers.

The chief election officer further informed that of the 350 companies of the required security forces assured for the smooth conduct of the election by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 280 companies will be from the central paramilitary forces while the remaining others will be picked up from other states.

A total of 200 companies of central para military forces will arrive in the state on January 10, he added.

Due to the time constrain in the state, the state election department under the instruction of the ECI has announced that intending candidates can file their nominations starting January 6, he further announced.

He also stated that the state requires 3486 electoral voting machines; however there are 4500 EVMs in the state at present with the first round checking of the EVMs and the training programme of 13,000 polling parties to be deployed at 2357 polling stations already completed.

He further added that a team of the Income tax officials will be arriving in the state tomorrow to monitor the cash transaction of intending candidates and political parties in relation to the ensuing election.

The team will further convened a one day workshop on ‘election expenditure monitor’ for public awareness in collaboration with the AMWJU at the Manipur Press Club on January 4, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/filing-of-nominations-preponed-to-january-6-on-eci-instruction/

Chosen for award

IMPHAL, Jan 2:  India International friendship society has chosen RK Nayansana Devi, chairperon, Manipur State… more »

IMPHAL, Jan 2:  India International friendship society has chosen RK Nayansana Devi, chairperon, Manipur State Social Welfare Board for this year’s ‘Bharat Jyoti’ award. The award along with certificate of excellence will be formally presented during an annual ceremony of the society to be held on February 14, 2012 at New Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/chosen-for-award/

MPP two-timing Peoples` Democratic Alliance and BJP

IMPHAL, January 2: The MPP, RJD, CPI (M), NCP and JD(U) has decided to name… more »

IMPHAL, January 2: The MPP, RJD, CPI (M), NCP and JD(U) has decided to name their newly formed pre-poll alliance as ‘Peoples’ Democratic Alliance’ with Dr Nimaichand Luwang of MPP as the convenor and Soibam Indrakumar of JD(U), K Kumarjit of RJD and L Ibomcha of NCP as co-convenor.

The decision was announced this evening by MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang during a press conference held at the MPP office.

Speaking further to media persons, the newly appointed convenor of the alliance stated that a joint meeting was convened yesterday at the residence of Thangmeiband MLA Radhabinod Koijam during which the decisions were unanimously taken.

The meeting further finalised the consensus candidates of the newly formed alliance who will be fielded in 30 constituencies as the first phase.

He further announce that in the 9-Thangmeiband a/c, the alliance will field current Opposition leader in the State Assembly, Radhabinod Koijam of NCP, while in the 11-Sagolband a/c the newly formed alliance will support the CPI (M) candidate.

He further announced that the alliance will support MPP candidates in 14 constituencies namely Lamlai a/c, Konthoujam a/c, Bishnupur a/c, Thanga a/c, Wangkhem a/c, Heirok a/c, Sugunu a/c, Patsoi a/c, Langthabal a/c, Nambol a/c, Kumbi a/c, Khangabok a/c, Singjamei a/c, Hiyanglam a/c and Thongju a/c.

The alliance will support NCP candidates in the constituencies of Thangmeiband, Kshetrigao, Uripok, Wangkhei, Moirang, Churachanpur, Saikot and Mao.

The alliance has also decided to field JD(U) candidates in the constituencies of Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Saitu, Tengnoupal and Henglep as its common candidate.

Meanwhile, the MPP president also announced a separate first phase list of candidates of the MPP.

The candidates as announced by the party president are Heikrujam Nabashyam for 13 Singjamei a/c, Nongmaithem Herojit Singh for 18 Konthoujam a/c, Dr L Chandramani Singh for 19 Patsoi a/c, Okram Joy Singh (sitting MLA) for 20 Langthabal a/c, Th Chaoba Singh (former union minister) for 24 Nambol a/c, Ningthoujam Sanajaoba Singh for 26 Bishnupur a/c, Aheibam Angousana Singh for 29 Kumbi a/c, Dr Nimaichand Luwang (MPP president) for 32 Wangkhem a/c, Nongmeikapam Sova Kiran Singh for 33 Heirok a/c, Laishram Jatra Singh for 34 Khangabok a/c, Mayengbam Amutombi Singh for 34 Hinyanglam a/c and Mayanglambam Binod Singh for 39 Sugunu a/c.

Further speaking on the alliance formed with the BJP and the MPP, the party president further added that even though the BJP is not in the Peoples’ Democratic Alliance; the two parties have an understanding that the MPP will support any BJP candidate if the MPP fail to field its candidate in the said constituencies, which will be outside the purview newly formed Peoples’ Democratic Alliance’.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/mpp-twotiming-peoples-democratic-alliance-and-bjp/

Bomb left at local daily with threat note; newspapers to carry blank editorials

IMPHAL, January 2:  A Chinese made hand grenade was found at the entrance of local… more »

IMPHAL, January 2:  A Chinese made hand grenade was found at the entrance of local vernacular Naharolgi Thoudang at Sega Road today at about 5.30 am.

The explosive was kept inside a box which was tied with a ribbon resembling a present. The parcel was found at the ground floor entrance stairway by morning staffs of the daily.

After the arrival of the police bomb squad, the explosive was later disarmed. A threat note was also found inside the parcel box which read, “Editor, this is the last warning, next is blast”, the note was addressed by one s/s commander Henthoiba Mangang of the KCP (MC) Lanchen Chanu group.

The bomb threat has been condemned by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union as an intimidation to the independent working of the media. A joint emergency meeting attended by editors and AMWJU standing committee members has resolved to urge the state home department to provide adequate security measures to the media houses by December 3 failing which state government news will be boycotted from the next day onward.

A statement by the president of the scribes’ body A Mobi said that the Chief Minister O Ibobi was intimated by editors and AMWJU members on December 8 last to provide security arrangements near the peripheral areas of media houses which has not been taken up as of yet. The editors also resolved to leave the editorials blank in condemnation of the threat.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/bomb-left-at-local-daily-with-threat-note-newspapers-to-carry-blank-editorials/

IPSA general assembly

IMPHAL, Jan 2: The 5th general assembly of the International Peace and Social Advancement, IPSA… more »

IMPHAL, Jan 2: The 5th general assembly of the International Peace and Social Advancement, IPSA was held today at the premise of GM Hall, Imphal. At the end of the general assembly, a 19 member Central Council of the organisation was formed for the next three year with Johnson Elangbam as president and Wahengbam Homeshor as secretary general, said a release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/ipsa-general-assembly/

NPF entry to Manipur is to defeat Ibobi: Shürho

SENAPATI, Janaury 2 (agencies): Naga People’s Front(NPF) president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü said the forthcoming assembly… more »

SENAPATI, Janaury 2 (agencies): Naga People’s Front(NPF) president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü said the forthcoming assembly elections in Manipur in January 2012 would be a referendum on whether Nagas live united as a family.

Speaking at an interaction with various tribal hohos and United Naga Council(UNC) at the NPF Manipur unit office here today, Dr Shürhozelie,who is also Nagaland minister of Urban Development and Higher & Technical Education said no one could stop Nagas from living together and reminded that the forthcoming assembly election was an opportunity for Nagas in Manipur to decide.

He asserted that NPF was for good relationship with various communities, political parties and organsations both underground and overground but asserted that no one would be allowed to dictate terms upon Nagas. Dr Shürhozelie revealed that the main purpose of the NPF was to defeat incumbent Okram Ibobi Singh.

He urged all Naga organizations and church to support NPF candidates in the forthcoming polls.

He said NPF in Manipur has received applications from candidates for 14 assembly seats while there was no ticket aspirant from Kuki dominated areas. He however said NPF could make some seat adjustments with other political parties in Kuki dominated areas.

Earlier, speaking to 55 out of 56 NPF ticket aspirants at Taphou Naga village Senapati, the NPF president said the party would contest the polls in Manipur for the first time and expressed the hope that voters would make wise decision.

He said NPF was the oldest regional party in the region and the only one out of 700 recognised political parties which Nagas need to be proud of. Dr. Shürhozelie said the entry of NPF to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh was in the light of the four resolutions passed by the Nagaland assembly on the issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas.

He said out of Manipur total area of 22,327 sq Km , the ratio of land area of Nagas vis-à-vis Meteis was 9:1 and which has sparked fears among the latter.

He said there were 20 assembly seats in hill areas of Manipur and if all tribals unite they could become a tremendous force he said. Dr Shürhozelie asked other communities in the Hill areas of Manipur to seriously think about it as tribals could be a formidable force to exert their rights over Meitei domination.

Altogether 55 out of the total 56 aspiring candidates including two women who had applied for NPF party ticket from 14 different assembly constituencies of Manipur attended today’s function. All aspiring candidates made a public pledge to remain loyal to the NPF party’s ideologies and support those who would eventually get party tickets.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/npf-entry-to-manipur-is-to-defeat-ibobi-shrho/