JAC formed

IMPHAL, July 4: A Joint Action Committee of Nungba Assembly Constituency has been constituted under the chairmanship of Gangchei Gangmei in a public meeting held on July 2 at Rengpang… Read more »

IMPHAL, July 4: A Joint Action Committee of Nungba Assembly Constituency has been constituted under the chairmanship of Gangchei Gangmei in a public meeting held on July 2 at Rengpang Village, Tamenglong district, said a release.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/mMS9w6gO9X4/

Five from Manipur to attend FIFA referee course

IMPHAL, July 7: Four football referee./Referee assessors of Manipur have been recommended by the AIFF to attend FIFA/MA Referee and Referee Assessor Course at Chennai. According a release of the… Read more »

IMPHAL, July 7: Four football referee./Referee assessors of Manipur have been recommended by the AIFF to attend FIFA/MA Referee and Referee Assessor Course at Chennai.

According a release of the AMFA, the selected referees who are to attend the FIFA referee course are M Magho Singh, FIFA, I Rabichandra Singh, national referee, H Khamba Singh, national referee and Ch Keilyani Chanu, FIFA. They are to report on July 24. The lone referee assessor selected to attend the course is Ksh Saratchandra Singh, who is to report on july 29.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/nZKUP0Fh1gU/

Poultry farm construction

IMPHAL, July 8: Two poultry farms have been constructed by 37 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) in village Hollengjang and Tuijang of Samtal Salient. Hollengjang and Tuijang… Read more »

IMPHAL, July 8: Two poultry farms have been constructed by 37 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) in village Hollengjang and Tuijang of Samtal Salient. Hollengjang and Tuijang are remote villages near Indo-Myanmar border and have very poor social and economic index. 

A statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S) said that due to almost nonexistent basic infrastructure and other means of employment, villagers of this area had resorted to poppy cultivation. In an endeavor to wean away villagers from poppy cultivation numerous socio- economic measures have been taken up by 37 Assam Rifles and construction of these poultry farms is one of them, it said, adding complete infrastructure has been provided by the Battalion including shelter, chicks, poultry feed, vaccination and transportation from Imphal to these remote villages.

The villagers have also been trained for professional poultry farming by Assam Rifles. Fifty chicks have been given to each poultry farm as a pioneer project, said the statement.

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RIMS refuted

IMPHAL, July 18: The attention of the authority of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, has been drawn to a tendentious, baseless and highly misleading report published some local dailies… Read more »

IMPHAL, July 18: The attention of the authority of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, has been drawn to a tendentious, baseless and highly misleading report published some local dailies editions on July 18, 2011, claimed a statement issued by the Meida advisor RIMS.

It claimed that the reports published in connection with the promotions of Doctors and payment of salaries for doctors were equally outlandish and at the same time wrong as it lacks credible technical and official information.

In order to maintain balance and credibility the statement has requested that the facts be confirmed before going to press from the Media Adviser of RIMS, Imphal adding the telephone numbers and email address of the Media Advisor, RIMS are available with the newspaper offices and with correspondents.

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Phone affairs goes awry, accused arrested

Newmai News Network IMPHAL, July 19: A love affairs conducted over phone went terribly awry with the young woman duped and abandoned in a hotel room a day after the… Read more »

Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, July 19: A love affairs conducted over phone went terribly awry with the young woman duped and abandoned in a hotel room a day after the couple eloped.

The 33-year old dupester Sapam Noren aka Manao s/o Gouramani of Heingang Awang Leikai under Imphal East police station was arrested by Waikhong police on July 18 and taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for medical examination. The young woman victim has been identified as Moirangthem Priya, 23, d/o M Boboy of Waikhong Kunjao Keikai in Thoubal district.  

The two lover began their affairs over the phone. After about two months of phone affairs, the couple finally met on June 20, at about 11 am at Waikhong Kunjao area.

Noren, who is married, reportedly used a fake name and concealed his marital status in order to woo young Priya. 
The two decided to elope within minutes of their first meeting and took their love affairs to a hotel room in North AOC area. But the fraud guy ventured out the next day in the pretext of finding financial assistance and never went back, abandoning her to her own devices.

A report had been registered with the police after the incident. The police who have been investigating into the case made a breakthrough by establishing the veracity of a phone number used by the accused. Noren was arrested by the police at about 1 pm from Heingang village yesterday, according to the police.

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Slow Poison

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba Though the state is presently vexed with many pressing issues which need immediate reddressal. The most important issue seems to be the one in which one… Read more »

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba
Though the state is presently vexed with many pressing issues which need immediate reddressal. The most important issue seems to be the one in which one is directly or indirectly involved.

The state has seen decades of armed conflict, atrocities, underdevelopment, corruption, AIDS and the menace of drug addiction, which concern all. But, one feels that one of the most important threats which need to be dealt with is the disease of alcoholism which has occupied a pandemic situation in Manipur.

Manipur, a virtually ‘dry state’ according to the state government can be termed as a farce. The pipeline of alcohol has been laid from outside the state and presently, everyone is enjoying the delightful ‘flood’ which pours out from the said pipes. The state itself has a colorful cultural background of brewing liquor . Andro, Sekmai and Phayeng areas are synonymous with quality local made brew.  The dry state status can be compared to a pact made between a joker and a thief, none is credible.

Many a lives, precious ones also have lost due the conflict situation, intravenous use of drugs and spread of HIV virus. But as of late, it may be safe to say that through widespread awareness programs , the AIDS/HIV pandemic has been brought to a controlled stage now. But, like the proverbial snake in the grass, it can be said that more people have died of alcohol abuse and the effects of alcohol have caused a domino effect to the families of the alcoholic’s and further to the society, which is more cause for concern.

Addressing the seriousness of the abuse and its effects on society, certain civil organizations namely All Manipur Anti Drugs Association (AMADA) and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) have carried out drives to stop liquor vending and brewing.

The drives were met with mixed responses from the public, but the bottom line is though the all out effort which was time consuming, financially and physically taxing to the anti drug volunteers, the problem refuses to go.

Prior to the drives, certain insurgent groups had issued dictates’ that drug pushers will be given capital punishment and users even severely reprimanded on numerous occasions, had also failed to bear fruit.

Alcohol  is viewed as a ‘social’ drug. No one gives much ado if one returns home with a whiff of liquor. Celebrations invoke openings of branded bottles and posing for a photograph in one best suit with a glass of the bubbly is considered a ‘Kodak’ moment. Having a collection of rare vintages is considered a status symbol.

The Manipuri society being an amalgamation of diverse cultures gives equal opportunity to the sections to indulge themselves in the festivities. From the beginning of the calendar till the end, Manipur despite its problems observes a yearlong party. The dipsomaniac at these occasions has a perfectly good excuse for not able to reach home.

‘Controlled drinking’ is a term often used by teetotalers and those who dislike drinking and the angry wife. As two individual cannot have similar fingerprints, the genetic defects and the tendency to be addicted differs from individual to individual.

After some time the tolerance of a person to alcohol develops and thus addiction starts. One may put an alcoholic family member for treatment at a rehabilitation centre. The person may undergo the program, but after getting out from the centre, relapses again.

The causes for relapse are varied, but the most common is the desire to drink and to be in the company of ‘old friends’. The person tends to go back to the old habits.

To give aid to those who wish to stay sober and overcome their addiction ,Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)  ,an international mutual aid movement declaring its “primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety”  must be initiated in the state for the alcoholics seeking recovery.

AA, started in 1935  and is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to ‘stop drinking’. There are no dues or fees for membership and is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. So, the need of the hour is to propagate AA in the state, so that it may spread to each nook and cranny and help those persons who want to be rid of alcohol. It will not be an exaggeration to say that alcohol is a slow poison. An alcoholic dies silently, unnoticed and contemptuously. Its up to you –die a heroic death or have a miserable end. And the society’s responsibility is to ensure that everyone dies honorably. For this, help the helpless. Lets join hands to help the helpless.

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Baruah hatching terror plot: Assam CM

GUWAHATI,July 22(NNN): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) military chief Paresh Baruah was bent upon subversion in the state despite the outlawed outfit’s declaration… Read more »

GUWAHATI,July 22(NNN): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) military chief Paresh Baruah was bent upon subversion in the state despite the outlawed outfit’s declaration of ceasefire.

Barua and some 150 hardliners have refused to talk to ‘colonial New Delhi’ and have broken off with the majority pro-talks ULFA headed by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa.

“We’ve received intelligence inputs that Paresh Baruah is planning terror attacks in the state with help from Manipur-based People’s Liberation Army, the Maoists and some other extremist groups of the Northeast,” Gogoi said on Friday. “But we are alive to the situation and taking all precautionary measures to foil his designs.”

Gogoi criticized Baruah for continuing with the armed movement when most of his colleagues gave up arms in the interest of peace. “I urge him to see the writings on the wall and abjure the path of violence. People want peace and not violence,” he said.

The Assam government believes that Baruah is operating from safe hideouts along China-Myanmar border. “He is currently holed up in northern Myanmar but keeps moving around. A number of extremist groups of the Northeast have their bases in that region,” Gogoi said.

Earlier, the ULFA used to operate from Bhutanese territories until being flushed out during ‘Operation All Clear’ (an Indo-Bhutanese joint military offensive of December 2003). Later, the outfit set up bases in adjoing Bangladesh. But the return of Sheikh Hasina to power and a subsequent crackdown on Northeast Indian militants saw ULFA shift to the China-Myanmar border.

Gogoi said peace parleys with the pro-talks faction of ULFA were imminent. “We’ve got green signal from the central government. Peace talks between ULFA and the Central government will begin very soon,” he added.

According to the chief minister, the talks will be held directly between ULFA and central government. Earlier, peace talks between ULFA-appointed People’s Consultative Group and central government hit roadblocks ostensibly after the government had refused to discuss all core issues. The issue of Assam’s sovereignty is one of ULFA’s most contentious demands.

“In the first round of talks, ULFA would submit its charter of demands. Government will then see how far it could go to accommodate the demands. All decisions will be taken by the central government but we’ll be consulted,” he said. The chief minister added that efforts were being made to bring all other militant groups to the negotiating table.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/9v7Ob5CPv2I/

Appeal

IMPHAL July 23 : All India Youth Federation, Manipur State Council appeals the state government to provide necessary relief to the flood affected families. A release by joint secretary, S… Read more »

IMPHAL July 23 : All India Youth Federation, Manipur State Council appeals the state government to provide necessary relief to the flood affected families.

A release by joint secretary, S Sanglen states that the flood has caused immense damage to the livelihood of the farmers as the rice fields and fish farms have badly affected.

The flood situation is an annual occurrence and the state government needs to take up permanent measures to avoid similar recurrence in the interest of the general public, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/s3AEwym9tfo/

Workshop on Biodiversity conservation held at Wangbal

IMPHAL, July 26: One day workshop on Biodiversity conservation was successfully conducted by Rural Voluntary Organisation, Uyal Makha Leikai yesterday at Wangbal Heiruthong Leikai under the sponsorship of Ministry of… Read more »

IMPHAL, July 26: One day workshop on Biodiversity conservation was successfully conducted by Rural Voluntary Organisation, Uyal Makha Leikai yesterday at Wangbal Heiruthong Leikai under the sponsorship of Ministry of Environment and Forest government of India through state Environment and Ecology wing Porompat.

As part of programme W Gopen Singh lecturer and M Chaoba Singh Asst. teacher attended as resource persons and talk about bioderversity conservations during the technical session of the workshop yesterday which was attended by about 35 participants and 190 different kinds of trees are planted in the areas yesterday.

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MPP youth front condemns

var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL August 2: The MPP youth front condemns the elements responsible for the Sangakpham bomb blast.  A release by N…

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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL August 2: The MPP youth front condemns the elements responsible for the Sangakpham bomb blast.  A release by N…

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Teacher Eligibility Test

var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, Aug 3: The last date of issue and submission of application form for state teacher eligibility test has been extended till August…

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var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, Aug 3: The last date of issue and submission of application form for state teacher eligibility test has been extended till August…

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Super six hockey

IMPHAL, Aug 4: MPSC defeated COSMO by 4-0 goals in today’s match of Super Six State Level Hockey League held at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium. The goal scorers of MPSC… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 4: MPSC defeated COSMO by 4-0 goals in today’s match of Super Six State Level Hockey League held at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium.

The goal scorers of MPSC were Th Birjit (three goals) and M Ingobi.

MPSC will meet YCCIC in the final.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/super-six-hockey/

Sunitibala women football

IMPHAL, Aug 6: MPSC and KRYPSA ended in goalless draw in today’s match of 8th Edition Sunitibala Memorial Senior Women Football League held at Chajing Kangjeibung.

IMPHAL, Aug 6: MPSC and KRYPSA ended in goalless draw in today’s match of 8th Edition Sunitibala Memorial Senior Women Football League held at Chajing Kangjeibung.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/sunitibala-women-football/

Inherited Negativism

Life in Manipur ceased to be something to be exulted a long time ago. In its place we have today the protest culture. And hence there is never a week… Read more »

Life in Manipur ceased to be something to be exulted a long time ago. In its place we have today the protest culture. And hence there is never a week that passes without some form of a protest bandh or rally or strike. Again, except for our religious festivals, not many of the days we observe as holidays or else as simply a day to be remembered, are actually in the real sense of the words, celebrations. Most of these are observed in recollection of dark and tragic events. The state’s calendar year hence is dominated “dark days,” “gloomy days,” and “protest months”…. Then there are of course the predictable general strikes, as for instance on January 26 and August 15, apart from a horde of other absolutely impromptu strikes and bandhs, that are immediate responses to developments that are not upto the liking or taste of any given group big and small. While we do not deny that all these reflect the condition of Manipur today, it is also true that we have inherited an oppressive negativism in our attitude to life. The forward looking outlook that eggs individuals as well as entire people to ever increase their levels of achievement, have been eclipse. This, we have no doubt, is a recipe for ultimate social disaster. Unless we overcome it, doomsday cannot be far away.

It is true we are in bad times. Even if it is again true that all this is not of our own making, we must find ways to make progressive action and thought exist side by side of the protests and struggles. Otherwise, we cannot hope to open up our horizon to a brighter future. We are tempted to refer to the famous existentialist vision of life as a never ending struggle, as so aptly illustrated by the Sysiphus hyperbole, in which Sysiphus the figure from the Greek mythology is seen pushing a rock up a hillside in Hades as a punishment. If Sysiphus slackens the rock slips. If Sysiphus gives up, he   would be crushed. The only real option left before him is to keep pushing the rock up, even though he never knows where the summit is, and when he can ever find time to relax. The trouble with this kind of a vision of life is, it is suffocatingly intense. Although there is much truth in it, we still are inclined towards the romantic. Life is multifaceted and offers immense possibilities. The sense of urgency in the picture of Sysiphus struggling up the hillside allows no room for appreciating life’s myriad other offerings. And in the process our vision of life also gets narrower and narrower, until it is reduced to just the rock ahead…. and tragically nothing beyond.

We are today caught in the Sysiphus trap. Apart from what is immediately before us, we have no energy left for any kind of creative pursuits, or even to visualise alternative and more fruitful routes we can take to the future. Everything around us has become so drearily prosaic, and with such predictable narrative depths. This is reflected in our present day literature, poetry, song lyrics, shumang lilas, movies and even a greater part of our theatre. Protests and resistance, are all very well, but when they are carried out without offering a safe and productive outlet, can become so wasteful, destructive, and self consuming. By the awesome circumstance we are exposed to, our collective vision seems to have been dwarfed by our obsessive preoccupation with the present. We would not even call the situation explosive, for there is a picture of expansion and spread of energy in it, even if in a violent way. On the other hand, we would much rather prefer to describe the situation as implosive, where energy absorbs itself and everything collapse inwards and disappears into the depthless void of a black hole.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/inherited-negativism/

Awareness programme

IMPHAL, Aug 11: All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association Manipur (AMADA) organized an academic awareness programme at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou. Advocate Soibam Hemanta, psychiatrist Dr H Angomcha and NCB SP RK Ibungosana… Read more »

IMPHAL, Aug 11: All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association Manipur (AMADA) organized an academic awareness programme at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou. Advocate Soibam Hemanta, psychiatrist Dr H Angomcha and NCB SP RK Ibungosana spoke as resource persons on various topics related with drugs abuse, stated a release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/awareness-programme/

Medical camp

IMPHAL, August 9:An Independence Day medical camp was organized by 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division at Moldak on Aug 9 . According to a… Read more »

IMPHAL, August 9:An Independence Day medical camp was organized by 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division at Moldak on Aug 9 . According to a PIB statement the camp was attended by military dignitaries, local school’s staff, students and local leaders. It has also added a free dental check up was also organized at S Kholen in Henglep Sub Division. Col Vikas Chawla, Comdt, 46 Assam Rifles inaugurated the camp which was attended by over 200 individuals.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/medical-camp/

Badminton tournament

IMPHAL, Aug 10: The 30th inter-district badminton championship and 56th state level badminton championship will be held from August 23 to 28 at MBA Indoor Stadium near DM College.

IMPHAL, Aug 10: The 30th inter-district badminton championship and 56th state level badminton championship will be held from August 23 to 28 at MBA Indoor Stadium near DM College.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/badminton-tournament/

A Left-Hander`s Musing

By Manas Maisnam I came to know from a social networking site a few months back that every year, 13th of August is observed as “International Lefthanders Day”. Frankly speaking,… Read more »

By Manas Maisnam
I came to know from a social networking site a few months back that every year, 13th of August is observed as “International Lefthanders Day”. Frankly speaking, I have heard of Valentine’s Day, Friendship Day, Youths’ Day etc.; but Lefthanders Day? Never had I heard or was aware about it. Being a left-handed person, I felt extremely delighted that one day in a year is designated by the left-handed community to highlight problems, inconveniences and sometimes prejudices, we encounter in a world which is predominantly comprised of right-handed populace. It is a well known fact that almost exactly 10 percent of the world’s population is left-handed and why left-handed persons are in such minority is still an unsolved mystery.

Till date, there has been no satisfactory explanation on why the right hand became the dominant hand for majority of mankind, or how a person becomes either right-handed or left-handed. Many interesting and thought-provoking theories have been postulated by experts, but none of them are able to give a conclusive proof/ reason to why humans are predominantly right-handed. Whatever may be the reasons, it is accepted that being either right-handed or left-handed also largely depend on the surrounding environment one grows up, apart from other factors like genetics, hereditary, birth defects etc.  As for example, my son, who is a normal right-handed boy has become a “lefty” as far as usage of computer mouse is concerned. Ever since he started using my laptop a few years ago, he didn’t change the side on which the mouse was kept (I keep it on the left side). Instead, he clicks the mouse with his left hand. Now, he is not conversant in using the mouse with his right hand. I even observe that he moves the mouse to left   side, if he happened to use someone else’s computer!

Out of the many tests used by experts, two simple tests will be helpful in ascertaining the handedness of a person. Firstly, a left-hander will tend to draw a side profile picture facing right, while a right handed-person will draw it facing left. Secondly, a left-hander will draw a circle in anticlockwise direction as compared to a right-handed person, who will draw it in clockwise direction.

The prejudice against the left-handers has been in existence throughout the history. Till not so long ago, left-handers were stigmatized and oppressed owing to socio-religious reasons. In ancient times, left-handers were denounced as servants of devils. Many negative aspects of human life were made to be associated with the left hand. In our country, the left hand is considered to be “impure” and one is not supposed to touch food, sacred objects with left hand. In some other parts of the world, women were not allowed to use their left hand during cooking, fearing the food might be poisoned by sorcery. Only a few decades ago, in Japan left-handedness in wife was enough ground for divorce! During Victorian period in England, left-handed students were forced to write with right-hand. Women, who are so called ‘weaker sex’ (though personally I don’t subscribe to this concept), are described in our own parlance as “Oigee Lamdang Oibee” and the males, who are supposed to be ‘superior’ are described as “Yetki Lamdang Oibaa”. At social or religious functions, the place for women is on the left side of their male counterparts. There is no need to elucidate on which hand is given more prominence vis-à-vis the preceding two phrases and description.

According to some study, forcefully changing the inborn left-handedness of a person due to societal prejudices might lead to depression, introversion etc. owing to overburdening of the non-dominant part of the brain as the dominant part of the brain remains unchanged even if the handedness is changed. But a voluntary change of handedness doesn’t appear to lead to such consequences. On National Geographic channel, I once saw a programme where a right-handed woman, who was a squash player, voluntarily participated in an experiment to study the effects of change in handedness. In the experiment she had to change herself to a left-handed woman within one month. Initially, she faced trouble performing daily activities or hitting the ball with squash racquet. But as time progressed, her capability to use left hand gradually improved. Even her reflex actions became oriented towards left hand. By the end of the month, left-handedness improved and could even play squash with her left hand. There were no negative impacts on her mental health owing to the changeover of the handedness from right to left.

My grandfather and his two brothers are left-handers. During my childhood, I heard stories about how their elders restrained their left hands and forced them to pick up morsels of food by right hand. Tearfully, they complied and thus, outwardly became right-handed persons, but their inherent left-handedness still remains for they use the left-hand while performing day to day works. Thankfully, for me there was no pressure to change the use of my hand and I eat, write and draw with my left hand. However, in deference to religious customs, I use my right hand while offering/ picking flowers or offering money at religious functions. I manage to do it somehow with some tacit support from my left hand!

A left-handed, or southpaw person has to face many a practical difficulties and inconveniences while performing day to day activities. This stems out from the fact that almost all the tools, machineries and gadgets used in our daily life or for educational purpose are manufactured to suit its usage by right-handers, who are 90 percent of the total global population. During my student life, using a burette in Chemistry laboratory was a bit problematic, because the tap was placed on the right side with the graduation marks facing the user. If I had to use the burette, controlling its tap with my left hand then, the burette had to be turned the other way round. In that case, the graduation mark was away from me and I had to look around to get the reading. Such problems occurred with a mini drafter too. In fact, during my college days, my mini-drafter was placed during drafting classes only for cosmetic purpose. I hardly used it. Even taking lecture notes in a classroom filled with writing pad chairs was also quite troublesome. As the pad was fixed on the right side of the chair, I had to drag in another empty chair and keep it at my left side to keep my notebook. But if the classroom happened to be fully occupied then I was left with no other option but to twist my torso and write on the notebook placed on the right side. There are many other tasks in everyday life which a southpaw person finds it hard to perform owing to the non-conformity of the tools with his handedness; for instance, pulling a generator’s cord. Most of the modern gadgets have their buttons and knobs on the right side and when used by a left-hander, it is bound to create some difficulty.

Acknowledging these practical difficulties faced by the southpaw community, a shop at London is selling products designed especially for left-handers. They range from scissors to cameras. Even the clock on sale in the shop moves in anticlockwise direction with the hourly markings as mirror image of the conventional clock!

In conclusion, we the left-handed community should not feel inferior to others or embarrassed on account of our handedness. Nature has meant us to be left-handed and we should respect it. Parents should not try to force their left-handed children to change the handedness.  Despite all odds and challenges, we should look at life through a positive prism and try to get maximum advantage from it.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/a-lefthanders-musing/

Peace In Manipur; Its Different Dimensions – A Discourse

By Priyadarshni M. Gangte, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding”                 – Albert Einstein. The word “Peace” means freedom from cessation of… Read more »

By Priyadarshni M. Gangte,
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding”
                – Albert Einstein.
The word “Peace” means freedom from cessation of war, i.e. peace with honour, peace at any price (J.B. Sykes (ed) : The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (7th Edition), Oxford University Press, 1987, p.753). Leiren (Dr. L. Leiren’s Article, “Peace Education in the 21st Century.” Imphal Free Press, 1st Sept., 2006) has elegantly contended that “peace” as a comprehensive enterprise that requires a transformation in our thinking sense of valued wills, resources and solidarity of all. Thus, it is a way of life in which one experiences inner tranquility, harmonious relationships and an interconnectedness with the world. Moreover, the term connotes in the real sense a state of Being (Net). It is about honouring and nurturing our spiritual side.

As our topic concentrates solely around “Peace”, it is pertinent to have some more definition of the same (Net):

“Peace is associated with clarity, and with an inner stillness that often gives rise to playfulness and inspired activity. So, while peace does come from non-resistance and acceptance of what is, it is not necessarily a state of passivity; rather it gives rise to choices that are free from automatic resistance …”

“… peace means being at peace with whatever is going on, so that any individual is aware of her or his inner reactions and can respond from a place of compassion and understanding …”

“… an inner state in which we are calmly impervious to whatever comes into our awareness of a distressing or inharmonious nature …”

“… peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all these things and still be calm in our heart. That is the real meaning of peace”, and,

* Presented in the 2-Day State Level Seminar on Kabow Valley and How To Bring Peace In Manipur, organised by Dr. Suresh; Centre for Foreign Studies And Placement in association with Cultural and Historical Research Trust, Manipur at the Central Library Hall, Imphal on 30-31st July, 2011.

“Peace means a quite stillness within oneself …, a completeness and a knowingness that everything is as it should be. A stillness so deep, that we know that each moment, each hour, each tomorrow is in this stillness waiting to blossom. Within this stillness there is no judgement, hatred, anger only a perfect stillness … a swelling of love …”

Before the advent of British rule in India, it was, of course, of varieties of small and big kingdoms, since the inception of sixteen Mahajanapadas with which led to the emergence of Maurya Empire in BC’s and still carrying her legacy upto the Mughal Empire. Such phenomenon have had not been witnessed or noticed by the North-eastern India, however in different ways of uniqueness these regions have their respective own histories. It will not wrong to say that independent India abruptly adopted democracy, without any having any taste and feel of the same. Further, after six decades and more being a democratic country masses in general and elite and other sections/groups in particular do not understand the actual meaning of democracy yet.

It is pathetic that the Indian State has not toed the democratic norms. Rather, on security point of view, the Indian state either simply copied the draconian laws of the colonial as referred by Baxi (Upendra Baxi : The Crises of the Indian Legal System, Delhi Law Review, 1982; p.43) and even made new extraordinary and harsher laws in maintaining law and order and tackling insurgency movements in the country. Some of these laws that have been quite abusively used – Punjab Security of State Act, 1953, The Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous Districts) Act, 1958, The Terrorist And Disruptive (Prevention) Act, 1987, The Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), 2001, repealed etc, etc. It has been experienced oft and again that these extraordinary laws do not solve the problems of people’s dissent and insurgency movements. Instead the common people have been the victims of the atrocious laws. While the Terrorist and Disruptive (Prevention) Act, 1987 has lapsed after wide protests, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is still being promulgated in various states, particularly, the North East India. Sharmila has been undergoing fast unto death for complete removal of the Act. Scores of concerned civil society organisations including Sharmila Kanba Lup and the intelligentsia among others have been launching movements against any further promulgation of such Act, the authority has ever been arrogant. In fact the Act does not tune with the social reality (B.B. Pandey, Right To Life On Death ? : For Bharat Both Cannot Be ‘Right’, Supreme Court Cases, Delhi Law Review, 1994, 4(SS(J); p.24). Thus, we experienced gross violation of human rights of the common peoples (Prakash Louis and R. Vashum : Extraordinary Laws In India, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 2004, p.9). Sanajaoba (Keynote address by Prof. N. Sanajaoba “Human Rights Standard- Setting, Constitutionalism And Repressive Laws in Armed Conflict Situation” in the Seminar-cum-Workshop on Human Rights And Repressive Laws at L. M. S. Law College, Imphal, Manipur with the Initiative from the Centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research, Law Faculty, Guwahati University, organized by the college on 28-29 October, 2004) observed “subjugation has become the political culture”.

As far as to bring peace in Manipur is concerned, we need to trace back the past historical event, that is, of course, the causes and consequences of what we are facing to-day. Moreover, deprivation of justices, particularly political, economic, social, etc. were on the high. It is an empirical fact, that Manipuris have been protesting against even the British regime, can be clearly known from events, the First and Second Nupilals, Anglo-Manipuri War, Anglo-Kuki War, Irawat’s and Zeliangrong movements. Despite this situation, Merger of Manipur to the Indian Dominion and placed as part C state also had added fuel to the fire. As a setback there came up the secessionist movements. Manipur being very aloof from others was also a economic backward state (Ksh. Bimola; while delivering speech on the subject “Political Movements in Manipur” in the Refresher course Programme of History Department, Manipur University conducted by the Department of History with sponsorship of U.G.C. on 7/3/2005).

What intelligentsia and policy of our areas especially Manipur, popularly believe the future prospects of development and political stability of our regions lie in the Look East Policy, is, however, Roy (The Future of North-East –Need to Look East or Look All Around, an article by Prof. J.J.Roy Burman published in the Sangai Express, Nov. 19, 2010) has flatly refuted that it cannot be a panacea to the lingering problem of North-East, apart from the pangs of formation of an arbitrarily created nation – State with artificial borders, lies in the imposition of a system of parliamentary democracy based on the colonial legacy of constituency formation that hinges on the population logic.

Moreover, absence of a smooth transition and the non-existence of a just outcome at the end of the tunnel have made our youths absolutely restless and prone to addiction to drugs (Amar Yumnam’s view in the Imphal Free Press titled Youths, Drugs and Justice : Absence of Smooth Transition, Sunday April 24, 2011) concentrating only on bringing to book the addicted youths through the strong hand of the law enforcing agencies would amount to addressing the substantive grievances without ever bothering at the root cause of the issues involved (Ibid). And obvious response of the UG ‘taxation’ to the present strategy of the Manipur Police would for it to go further underground (Culture of corruption and extortion – Hindrance to Social Progress – Paper presented by Pradip Phanjoubam in the Seminar-cum-Workshop on Human Rights and Repressive Laws, Initiated by CHLS&R Law Faculty, Gauhati University, organised by the college on 28-29 October, 2004).

Likewise, women related institutions starting from prostitution, extortions, trafficking of women to other states, involving in transporting arms and ammunition are the social menace of today’s society. It is pertinent to look into the cause of such activities and try to solve by the authority instead blaming or otherwise such as “selfish claiming”.

Human Right awareness is of course the need of the hour, every individual should be given the education of Human Right. State forces as well as the state actors are the one in their attitude towards masses. Thus Human Right should be incorporated in the text, curriculum, syllabus starting right from the grass-root level so that any discrepancy would not take place, any more by forces of different “departments” of “groups” (groups).

Apart from the death, the most hated Human Rights abuses committed by the security forces are the so-called “Punishment attacks” when people suspected of “antisocial behaviour” (usually young male) are shot or beaten, usually in or on the hand, kneecaps or ankles, ‘Third-degree torture’ methods are subjected to.

In relation to a number of high profile deaths, the government has reached very slowly to calls for public inquiries to determine whether there is any collusion. Thus, State forces should have a Serious Crime Review Team looking at unsolved killing and occasionally of course, the “Police Ombudsman”, may (better than the CBI) can help if new evidence to such deaths comes to light.

The Manipur Human Right Commission is urged to do the utmost to persuade and the state actors, the political parties and the community and voluntary sectors to its proposal for a Bill of Rights for Manipuris. Meanwhile, the commission should endeavour to urge still improvements in a variety of more specific content such as mental care and human rights education (edited by R.Kumar, A. Puri, S. Naithani : What Makes A Peace Process Irreversible – A Delhi Policy Group Publication – Delhi, 3, 2005, p.63).

Peace will prevail in Manipur when, inter alia, females are also honoured as ‘Devis’ (Goddesses) as apostles of peace and any attempt to touch them with carnal, pernicious, lusty, adulterous desire to enjoy with her body and spoil her sanctity and image, including dowry deaths and torture, domestic violence, mental harassment and all sorts of discrimination specially the abduction and kidnapping of women – extreme violation of human rights considered as the greatest sin (The International Journal of Peace Studies – edited by Paitoon Patyaiying, Charernpradit, Muang, Pattani 94000, Thailand, Vol.2, No.2, Dec. 1999; p.22).

Manipur is passing through one of the most critical periods in its long history, and as is usual with all transitional phases, is full of stress and uncertainty. what she needs today as never before in its history is intellectual, moral and spiritual guidance if it is to survive its own destruction. “Ethnic brotherhood concept” should be applied to all fields of human activity – politics, economics, sociology, science, education, etc, and then peace and prosperity will ultimately prevail. Every individual is a unity in the make up of family, societies, communities and nations, having being inspired and implemented their ideal into practical lives – resorted to a profound effect on the society, community and nation. Thus peace cannot be brought at all without individual peace.

Basic needs are the basic things required to living human beings, in particular of course, animals, plants and trees and environmental consequences and biodiversity in general. Let us observe what have eminent scholars opined : According to Baxi (Upendra Baxi’s article “Social Change, Criminality And Social Control in India, in the Essays on Crime And Development, ed by Ugljesa Zvekic, United Nation Interregional Crime Justice Research Institute, Rome, 1990, p.44) “basic needs” are the human rights, if not deemed by the State, then brings “consequent anarchy”, so the first and foremost duty of the authority is to consider “human rights” (K. Ponnuswami (ed) : Right To Basic Necessities Of Life, Delhi Law Review, Vol.10-11, 1981-82, Delhi University Press, Delhi – 7, 1983; p.3). Ibohal (Human Rights And Repressive Laws presented in the Seminar-cum-Workshop at L. M. S. Law College, Imphal organised by the College with the initiation from the centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research, Law Faculty, Gauhati
University on 28-29th October, 2004) also contended

“If a government violates and suppresses basic human rights and fundamental freedom people have a legitimate right to rebellion against such a government”.

Pande (B.B. Pandey, Professor of Law, Delhi University, while delivering his speech on Basic Needs on 8/4/1995, at Law Faculty Conference Hall, Campus Centre, Delhi University) has maintained that an individual’s basic need is his or her scheme of life. Basic needs must be treated as fundamental right. Whereas Karl Marx contended that the primary basic need is to have companion to perform productive work. And some of the recent writings, have focused on social needs in equality basis with full access to justice. Also, Amartya Sen, prefers and stresses to add another tier which describes as a meta right making possible to achieve the right. (Dworkien’s Theory of Background Rights and Institutional Rights – Website).

Moreover, in prioritizing human needs, the united nations has identified the following list of basic needs :- (i) Nutrition (ii) Shelter, (iii)health, (iv) education, (v) Leisure, (vi) Security (Physical safety and economic security and (vii) environment. And, of course, right to self-determination for “right” and basic needs are complimentary or obligatory to each other subject to unfulfilments of all the need, necessities of life by the authority. However, Conrad; while in his discourses clearly asserted that fulfillment. (K. Ponnuswami : (ibid)) by other social welfare countries like (Germany) / unfulfilment (India) of basic needs as guaranteed by the State is not in itself sufficient or likely to produce lasting social peace. It may be mentioned here, India having not ratified the entire covenant as yet has to explain its position on the matter to the effect that the reference to right of self-determination in Article of the International Covenant on, Economic, Social And Cultural Rights applied only to people under foreign domination, not to independent sovereign states or part of a people or nation. Moreover, in its report of 1991, India was to explain violation of Human Right due to enforcement of AFSPA in North-East of India particularly in Manipur though at present partly removed and Nagaland indicates that India has violated Article 1 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and so also the provisions of optional protocol. India needs to sign and ratify the protocol Additional I and II to Geneva Conventions, 1949, and 1988 Rome Treaty maintained by Pramod in his paper presented in the One-Day Workshop on International Humanitarian Law, Organised by the Royal Academy of Law, Oinam, Manipur with initiated by the Centre for Humanitarian Law Studies and Research Law Faculty, Gauhati University on 12th June, 2005. In the like manner, some groups of our “freedom fighter”, insurgents, etc, etc. Have also violates human rights. Apart from these, we being the citizen should also know our fundamental duties.

As far as justice is concerned, we have noticed and have a smell of it in different ways as propounded by authorities in eminence.

Stone (Julius Stone’s article “Justice and Not Equality” in Hastings Law Journal, 1978, Vol. 29.5; p.995) in his introduction, has maintained that one related tendency of social, political and jurisprudential theorists in the present century has been to seek criteria of justice of vastly simplified indeterminacy or ambiguity, such as ‘fairness’ and ‘equality’ in the hope of escaping the admitted perplexities involved in grappling directly with question of justice and peace.

Whereas, Rawls (John Rawls : A Theory of Justice, Oxford University Press; London, 1972; p.3) opined “Justice” as the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. A theory however, elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust. Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.

Indian legal system is based on colonial idea is, of course, an offshoot of the British India Legal System, how laws being received and the very reception of the same is termed as Top Down Models of the British Indian Legal System by Baxi (Upendra Baxi: (Ibid)). Thus reception of law and endeavouring to modernize the same will not go with the every aspects of day to day life in this present society particularly that of Manipur. Even the 14th Report of the Law Commission of India way back was in 1958, emphatically stated and urged the authority to reform the existing law that should not lie in the abandonment and replacing it by another. The real need of the hour is the inculcation of a higher sense of duty, a greater regard for public convenience, greater efficiency in all those concerned in the administration of justice. Yet, in this 2011’s, we still need the updation of law, i.e. an alternative law (laws) to go with the social reality in India in general however very specifically in states like Manipur.

Law and order operations considered essential for development and nation building also shelter a whole variety of legal and extra legal police and para-military violence (Ugljesa Zvekic (ed): (Ibid pp. 228-229). Progressive criminality of this nature is to be sure, a notoriously global phenomenon, and the use of fatal force by security forces in India, especially through “encounters” in term of art describing civilian casualties in dealing with dacoits, extremists, militants and now terrorists is alarming on the rise. Standard-less use of force by the very custodians of peoples security and well being seems in India justified as an aspect of development, here conceived in terms of reasons of state as reinforcing national unity and integration (Ibid : p.229).

In Europe, more autonomy is given to publics patients have the right to die, the system goes with globalisation, whereas, in India we have only the right to life (only in name sake). There is no crime in suiciding, in Switzerland, people who have been suffering from a boring prefer to die, state authorizes to end their lives, (B.B. Pande : Ibid.). In fact, there is no fantasy it is reality, for the right to die is a basic need for them.

The role of privileged class is very important though the nature and dimension of them is for deviance. How, identifying the “Privileged Class” as the elite class (on the basis of super qualities) or the ruling class (on the basis of ownership of means of production by the traditional and non traditional thinkers (K.S. Shukla (ed) : Other side of Development: Social-Psychological Implications, Sage Publications, N. Delhi, 1987; p.138). In general the term relates to the section or strata of the society who enjoy some kind of position of power or advantage over the rest of population. This group advocates even the laws are selfishly codified without slightest concern of the masses particularly the poorest of the poor and weaker sections of society including women – Super-discrimination. Hence, the law is repressive and negative aspect of the entire positive, civilizing activity undertaken by the State (Antonio Gramsci: State and Civil Society – Website). Also while dealing with cases, the courts maintain the domination of the ruling class by the law strictly. It is particularly high in the exceptional state because of the role of social forces which the supporting classes often play in particular the petty bourgeoisie (Nicos Paulantzas : The Exceptional State – Website).

Dr. Irengbam Mohendra Singh (calling Time on the most unsafe state in India – Manipur on a Swiss Model and article by Dr. I. M. Singh published in the Sangai Express on 24/4/2011) has suggested very apparently the political legitimacy is indeed central to the sustenance of Manipur identity. The existence of secessionist movements reflects a lack of legitimacy. The lack of state legitimacy relates to the rise of ethnic conflict and competing ethno-nationalism. Repressive policies to deal with ethnic dissent are counter-productive.

Like Switzerland, Manipur needs to transform itself into a multi-ethnic state with a sense of collective national identity, each community taking part in common institutions and practices, separated from a ‘culturalist’ and ethnic perspective (Ibid). Such a circle should devise how to build a composite Manipuri identity based on equality or autonomy within the framework of the existing state of Manipur Politicians with such broader aims in their manifestoes should be chosen to form a ‘unitary’ democratic government in Imphal subject to change the capital in the hill areas from time to time so that balancing the whole state regularly takes place in the widest social inclusiveness i.e. “equality indication”. Manipuri’s need a think tank or a policy institute i.e. a non-profit organisation that conducts research and engage in advocacy in areas such as economy, social policy or political strategy that will be fair to all ethnic groups, big or small. There must be ‘give and take’ approach rather than ‘take and give’ policy (Ibid).

Bringing peace in Manipur deals with the following perspectives :
1) Student power -Proper education – education does not mean degrees only – it means a transformation of mind in understanding issues at hand – the comely is facing. Education stabilizes roots of planning and achieving a sense of progress and development.
2) The idea of corruption – must cease, the Government must adopt ‘Zero Tolerance’ of corruption committed by officers, ministers and other sections in the socio-economic and political sectors. Rampant corruption must go.
3) Judicial system must be revamped.
4) Money meant for social development must be utilized for the same.
5) Opening up of economic sector.
6) Trade & commerce – employment generation and the urge of the youth to each a livelihood of dignity must be encouraged.
7) Manipur suffers from ‘indignity’ and callous approach of the authorities that be. It is a beautiful region with lots of potentialities these must be proved, planned and encouraged especially in the sector of tourism.
8) Ethnic clashes should give way to ethnic cooperation and a progress based upon mutual trust and dignified living.
9) The need for the armed forces will go once the various communities start living together without being afraid of each other.
10) Intermarriages should be encouraged.

Conclusion : Peace is not cessation of war; it is a noble way of understanding the impact of wars and the way of avoiding it. Peace is a perception of avoidance of conflict. It is a way of live – Living with inconsistencies and yet not opting for violent means which normally should be the last option.

If Egypt can change and bring about a political peace why can’t Manipur let the youth will it and peace shall prevail.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/peace-in-manipur-its-different-dimensions-a-discourse/

Don`t` let Sadar Hills issue be the cause of another communal flare up

Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda The issue over the present Sadar Hills districthood demand in the state is becoming more sensitive day by day as the issue seems to be tending… Read more »

Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda
The issue over the present Sadar Hills districthood demand in the state is becoming more sensitive day by day as the issue seems to be tending towards the communal line following continuous pouring of total oppositions from different sections of Naga communities of districts of the state to the demands of the Sadar Hills Demand Committee keeping Sadar Hills as one of the full fledged revenue districts by the state government.

The agitation of Sadar Hills Demand Committee by launching indefinite economic blockade along the existing National Highways of the state which are the only life lines of the people has completed 20 days today as a result the common public in the state have started facing serious grievances due the continuing reduces on the stocks of different essential commodities in the state and subsequent rise of prices of various commodities in the main markets at present. But how long such situations of the state will continue to the state, this is the common questions raise by the common public of the state.

It would be tough time for the state government to deliver the present demands easily even though the state Chief minister O Ibobi Singh  himself recently claimed that, whatever demands made by the Sadar Hills Demand Committee was genuine, but it would be right decision for the state to allow continuation of economic blockade along the existing National highways for so long and letting the common people suffer. There must be a solution to each and every problem which the state government need to find out before matter is affecting to the entire administration of the state.

State government need to recall the past similar instance of serious effects on the entire administrations of the government during last year prolonged economic blockade along the National highways of the state called by the Naga bodies for their certain demands. Who knows the present economic blockade will more terrified than last year economic blockade called by the Naga bodies. Time has come for the state government spell out utmost sincerity and ability to solve existing problems before it is too late.

On the other hand, the issue of Sadar Hill due to the emerging of strong opposition from the Naga bodies has added more complex and the very demand itself is now letting the general public to take as demands of a particular Kuki community. The motive behind the unprecedented claims of total opposition by the Naga bodies against the declaration of Sadar Hills as full fledged district seems adding fuel to the fire upon the state government, and declaration of extending support to Sadar Hills Demand Committee by the different Kuki bodies from various districts of the state are questionable, and which can be now openly term as issue of communal tension which the state government need to be worry.

It may be mentioned that, the people of the state specially the two major ethnic communities, Kukis and Nagas have experienced the sorrows and hardship in the past during ethnic clash from then onward elders of both communities have been still praying the lord for not return of such incidents in the future, but who knows the issue over the Sadar Hills may be another reason for reoccurring of the similar events that had taken place in the past.

Considering the complicacy of the issue of Sadar Hills state government need to tackle the issue delicately as technically as the issue has become amounting to communal issue at present and same time the peace lovers Kuki and Naga brothers to sincere to withdraw their present steps a little backward and reconsider for bringing an amicable solutions through dialogue or through joint gathering so that peace of mind can bring be prevailed to all common people of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/dont-let-sadar-hills-issue-be-the-cause-of-another-communal-flare-up/