Tag: kanglaonline

Peace is Being Destroyed

By Dr. Thamsing Lamkang The world today, we can simply say that ‘the love of… more »

By Dr. Thamsing Lamkang
The world today, we can simply say that ‘the love of money’ seems to destroy everything, no doubt about it. Politics is good for many reasons but when the politicians try to muscle their power through money, it destroys. It is evident, nowhere is no secrets that destroys the peaceful co-existence of the people living together as one-humanity. The politicians use money to sell and buy their power and it becomes their god. They’re capable to rule and destroy the dreams of common people, simply by making some arbitrary decisions! There almost exists a conflict of interest between materialism and any other cause, including people’s live. Satan uses material things to lord it over men. Thus, greediness owns everything, showing the world that he is rich and powerful.

In a decade’s past people became more selfish and greed for money, motivated in craving more than others, and it’s a big ‘SIN’. Being jealous of neighbors and not wanting to settle for anything below their level, it’s also a big ‘SIN’. And it has to do with money and political power. The wrong mind-sets to have more than others, I don’t care what happens to others! The Election could be a good time to examine the power of money in politics, and that hampered the peaceful coexistence of people living together in peace and harmony.

Men’s reaction seems to oppose anything that does not promote money or power. Basically the society in Northeast India is grounded in this; the interplay between money, politics and power. It is the reason why those who have huge financial assets are able to dominate. And the powerful people are those with money. It is, what’s more, a philosophy of life, the philosophy of material success, of power and, often, of political deceit. But wise people know the limit of being rich and powerful, yet, they can’t ignore, because God is not their priority in life!

The seriousness of the matter is that these ‘enemies’ can rob your spiritual reward. Always remember that if you give into the pressure, if you allow them to govern your lives. They are real enemies which infiltrate your lives without you realizing it. They make you think in the same way as the rest of the society; you feel obliged to have the same motivating force, and give importance to the same things. You then stray from your own objectives, and so you have your prize taken away, which is in God. In the ‘Olympic Games of our spiritual life’, money and power stops you from participating and winning the most important prize, the crown of ‘Eternal Life’.

Unfortunately, it’s not only these external enemies that you are concerned with. Equally dangerous are the enemies inside your lives. Yes, although it seems hard to believe, your own sin is your worst enemy. It shows itself in hundreds of different ways, egoism, pride, envy, jealousy, giving into temptation… and the worst of it is that you are often unaware of what is happening and taking place around you because of your wrong and negative decision making.

Millions of people base their hopes on material possessions which have no future, others grasp at religions which make no sense, and many are full of fear for what could happen. There are men and women who are cheated by those who ‘buy and sell the truth’, people who are not concerned about their final destiny. Many go to hell by way of false teaching, sects and the so-called ‘enlightened ones’- many people whose future is eternal condemnation.

We should be ready, ready to do battle against the enemy that wants us to disqualify your receiving the crown of life, whether it is from outside or within you. We have the right to work for the eternal crown; no one should take it from you or allow others to lose that crown, because it is Everlasting. Don’t let others walk on your shoes. Don’t strike and sin for the sake of retaliation but be rather kind and gentle for Christ sake and you’ll be rewarded with ‘the crown that’ll last forever’. God has promised us the victory in these kinds of situation.

What you do on earth determines your reward in heaven! On the day you die, what will you take with you? You may have all the money in the world-but it’ll all stay here. You may have all the admirers in the world-but they’ll stay here. You may enjoy the best social position that you know, but when you die, you won’t take that position with you. You may have the most beautiful houses, material possessions, land, and cars-but will all stay here. You may have everything necessary to live the good life-but one day you’ll have nothing. You’ll leave everything behind.

One of the greatest moral stories being told even today is about the Great Emperor Alexander: When he was on his dying bed he was asked for his last dying wish. He told his minister; let both of my hands be put outside the coffin box. His minister asked him my lord, if your people question me, what does it means to keep the Emperor’s hand outside the coffin. He said, “Let the world knows that, even the Great Emperor like me dies without taking a single penny, but an empty handed.” So that my people will not pile up wealth, instead use their wealth for the welfare of others, especially to comfort the poor and needy. Can we learn something out of it?

If you’re believer don’t let the love of money take away your Eternal Crown. The important thing about money is ‘whether it’ll save your life or it destroys’. We shouldn’t forget that the Government fund is regarded as God’s money; you’re only entrusted to manage and deliver for the purpose. How do you handle that you’re entrusted with, it will determine your destiny!

The last but not the least, the Bible says in Col. 2: 18 “Do not let anyone…disqualify you from the prize”.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/peace-is-being-destroyed/

Indian athletics and its hurdles

By Jenson Rajkumar When hurdlers across the world are practicing with hurdles on the track,… more »

By Jenson Rajkumar
When hurdlers across the world are practicing with hurdles on the track, their Indian counterparts are hoping to overcome hurdles of a very different kind, the one that it faces from the Indian Government. Athletes in India are only remembered when the Olympic Games or the Asian games draw nearer. Otherwise the Indian Government keeps the list of athletes in their cupboards.

So as usual, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the athletes will be more on the focus as the summer games in London draws nearer. Have they been in exile since Beijing and Guangzhou? The main culprit for this is the lack of focus of the Indian Government towards sports apart from cricket.

The positive thing is, from the past 3-4 years, Olympic sports (which includes each and everything apart from cricket) has been on the rise in terms of the attention given to them. There are many boxers, wrestlers and many talented sportspersons have been given financial benefits, sponsorships etc. this will certainly help in motivating these sportspersons. But are these enough?

To some extent, these are good. But the scene including both the Indian athletes and the Government is very short lived. Whenever an athlete comes back from an athletics meet victorious, they will be given a rapturous welcome, which they deserve. Cash, Government jobs, awards etc. etc. will be announced, athletes will enjoy their moment of fame. And after a few months, there will be utter silence and those athletes did their country proud, will be kept in the dark. With the exception of a few lucky ones who’ll get some advertisement contracts and sponsorships, many of the names will be forgotten and it will be another case of has been.

In India, there is belief that if you are going to make sports as your profession then you have to do it in cricket. I’ve seen many small kids, after school, going to the ground with a cricket kit bigger than them. Many of you must have seen it. But how many of us have seen kids with a running and going to the track, or even with a football stud and going to the football field. Sad but true, but these are very rare. This shows the lack of attention given to sports other than cricket. The result can be seen in the Olympic Games, Indian contingent will be always small.

Even if the focus is given to other sports, it will be given to only a few people. Why only a few? Why not in hundreds, thousands? The answer will always be the same to questions of this type, inadequate facilities and budget problems. It is irrational, completely irrational. What about the things which has always been promised in the budget? How much is the Government going to lose if they are to lay a new track for track and field athletes? Even if they don’t build a stadium, they can at least put a track. Even a tiny country has produced many outstanding athletes, and they are starting to dominate the world in track and field. What is the reason? Proper scouting and grooming of raw talents. When they can do it, why not India, which is many times bigger in terms of size and population.

It is appalling to know that there are talents in every nook and corner of the country, yet they are not being scouted. It is always a case of ifs and buts. As an Indian, I want my country to be represented on the Olympic map and do it in style. If only there are many eyes on other sports (not only cricket), then it would have been a different story. I wish the athletes who will represent the country at the upcoming summer Games all the best. Do us proud.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/indian-athletics-and-its-hurdles/

Honest Media

Not as opposed to a free media, but in addition to being a free media,… more »

Not as opposed to a free media, but in addition to being a free media, what is also extremely important is giving substance to the idea of an honest media. Of course we are aware we skate on very thin ice, by necessity, when we even place a foot in the realm of the abstract. “Honesty” for instance is heavily nuanced, as the stage explorations of Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen touchingly and convincingly bring out. To take a very obvious example, can a white lie be a show of lack of honesty. So very often, we find people confusing a white lie to mean a blatant and deliberate lie. It is indeed blatant, so is it deliberate as well, but the question is, is it really a lie in the sense that we know a lie to be? Consider this perfect example of a white lie. Suppose a doctor were to tell her terminally ill patient that there is nothing seriously wrong with him and he can recover, can the doctor be called a liar? By definition yes, for she did not tell the truth, but the reason that she shielded her patient from the cruelty of the truth is obviously for the cause of a deeper truth – the wellbeing of the patient even in his last hours. The untruth of the white lie may in this sense be actually noble, and in a spiritual way, show a fidelity not to hard facts but to a realm beyond. So very often, honesty and dishonesty are not so obvious, but are deeply buried below multiple nuances of a complex subject. Sincere introspections and indeed discourses must have to be about digging out these nuances and then reassessing our situations with them as the backdrop. It is also against this backdrop that our sense of right and wrong, or call it conscience if you will, must be placed.
But the problem is, when your house is on fire, there is hardly any likelihood that you will have time to think of anything else but the fire. And so, the chief concern of the Manipur media today is media freedom from external pressures. There is hardly the leisure as yet to think beyond this and to begin touching the nuances of abstract but essential subjects as honesty etc. Much like what Prof. Charles Douglas Lummis, in his lectures in Imphal last year, and some of his writings and lectures available on the internet, implied of the question of rule of law. Things are so chaotically bad in Manipur today that just the return of the rule of law can do it wonders as a first step. But this first step can hardly be the last, for the rule of law too can become extremely oppressive. As for instance, to take an example which nobody in Manipur would miss, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, is an instrument of the rule of law. Hence, in any consideration of rightness and wrongness, there is the need ultimately to realize there is something beyond even the rule of law. The rule of law ultimately has to be built on the foundation of certain innate and universal qualities of the individual, such as “the innate resistance in a man to kill another man”, in Prof. Lummis’ own words. “Radical citizenship” and “radical democracy” would then be for the civil society to provide the foil to ensure the rule of law does not stray from these universal qualities.
The Manipur media too must then first ensure that its basic editorial freedoms are guaranteed. It must continue to resist and challenge all oppressive pressures to control its editorial discretions, be it from the underground establishment or from the government authorities. It must also be brave enough to acknowledge that while there is a tendency over the years for the government to relax its controls, sometimes to the extent of promoting anarchy, it is the diktats from underground organizations and their fronts, which have been the source of most media fetters. This too, we must add, is easing up. Once these overt threats are overcome, it must begin the soul search for the nuances of the qualities that concern us most, and which we have always taken so much for granted. These would include, as we have briefly touched upon earlier, honesty, but also freedom for instance. For beyond freedom from physical threats to personal wellbeing, this concept too is extremely nuanced. As a footnote it must be said, in digging out these nuances, there can be no medium better than the arts, as men like Ibsen have demonstrated. Who says the arts have ceased to be relevant to modern life no more than their ornamental value?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/honest-media/

History of Valentines Day

February has long been a month of romance. It is the month associated with Valentine`s… more »

February has long been a month of romance. It is the month associated with Valentine`s Day celebrations. We have, time and again, heard the name St. Valentine being uttered before us in this season of love. But just who is this St. Valentine? Why is this month associated with love and romance? Learn about St. Valentine, how Valentines day came into practice as it is today. The origin of this lovers day goes back as early as 270 A.D and started with the clash between a kindly priest and a mighty ruler. To know more, just read on and discover the true meaning of this festival. If you like our little article about the splendid history of Valentine`s Day, just click here and refer this page to your friends and loved ones. Wish you a Happy Valentine!

Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries, restaurants and eateries are seen to be filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a young man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day.

The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago.

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine`s Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine`s Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine`s Day.

The modern St. Valentine`s Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine`s Day honors. 

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February. 

It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time. 

The story of St. Valentine has two different versions – the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers. 

The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans. But they dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor. The kindly bishop Valentine also realized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of young lovers who gave up all hopes of being united in marriage. He planned to counter the monarch`s orders in secrecy. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this “friend of lovers,” and had him arrested. 

While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by his jailor, Asterius. It was said that Valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people. Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that Valentine in some way did succeed to help Asterius` blind daughter. 

When Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine. 

Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius` daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of his friend`s imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD. 

Thus 14th February became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. It began to be annually observed by young Romans who offered handwritten greetings of affection, known as Valentines, on this day to the women they admired. With the coming of Christianity, the day came to be known as St. Valentine`s Day. 

But it was only during the 14th century that St. Valentine`s Day became definitively associated with love. UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of “Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine”, credits Chaucer as the one who first linked St. Valentine`s Day with romance. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated on February 14. Hence, Chaucer used the image of birds as the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day. In Chaucer`s “The Parliament of Fowls,” the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine`s Day are related: 

“For this was on St. Valentine`s Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.” 

By the Middle Ages, Valentine became as popular as to become one of the most popular saints in England and France. Despite attempts by the Christian church to sanctify the holiday, the association of Valentine’s Day with romance and courtship continued through the Middle Ages. The holiday evolved over the centuries. By the 18th century, gift-giving and exchanging hand-made cards on Valentine`s Day had become common in England. Hand-made valentine cards made of lace, ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts began to be created on this day and handed over to the man or woman one loved. This tradition eventually spread to the American colonies. It was not until the 1840s that Valentine`s Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine`s Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap”. It was when Howland began Valentine`s cards in a large scale that the tradition really caught on in the United States. 

Today, Valentine`s Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are “valentine”s. The “valentines”, as Valentine`s Day cards are better known as, are often designed with hearts to symbolize love. The Valentine`s Day card spread with Christianity, and is now celebrated all over the world. One of the earliest valentines was sent in 1415 AD by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife during his imprisonment in the Tower of London. The card is now preserved in the British Museum. 

There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/history-of-valentines-day/

Re-polls inevitable as mass discrepancies discovered during photo comparison

Exposing the rampancy of muscle power and intimidation in the hill districts at the recently… more »

Candid Camera: These few comparisions provides a peek into the gross discrepepancies discovered between the mug shots of electorates in the electoral roll bank (left) and those taken at the polling booths

Exposing the rampancy of muscle power and intimidation in the hill districts at the recently conducted Manipur Assembly polls, tell-tale irregularities have been noticed while comparing the photos of the voters shot at the polling stations and the voters electoral roll bank. Repoll in several stations are expected. As a means of emphasizing transparency in the polls, the ECI laid down norms that the voters should be photographed at the polling station bearing the ink mark on the finger and later compared with the photos in the electoral roll post poll.
The voters comparison for Chandel, Senapati and Kangpokpi ADC was conducted today at the office complex of the Chief Electoral Office at Lamphelpat, beginning from 11 am today and manually scrutinized by three special observers amidst tight security cover. The photo matching was done following 76 complaints made to the CEO of the state by candidates on grounds of unfair means being carried out at the polling stations, the complaints were later referred to the ECI. Out of the complaints, 35 complaints had been acknowledged and further ordered to the CEO for verification by comparing the photos under scrutiny of the ECI observers.The matching session was conducted at the said complex and telecasted in three television screen which could be witnessed by the complaining candidates and other concerned officials. The television screen listed the gender, age, ID card number, photo in the electoral roll and the photo taken at the time of polling.Media persons present at the site witnessed the tell tale irregularities in the comparison. Photos in the electoral roll of male individuals were compared to female ones and vice versa. Different individuals in the compared photographs, same person impersonating others, women with covered faces,blurred photographs ,photographs taken against the light and cannot be identified, photos of electoral roll missing and vice versa.“It is perceived that there are certain irregularities in the comparisons, the verification reports will be made by the observers to the ECI and we shall see if repolls are recommended”, CEO, Lawmkunga told IFP.
Talking to IFP Daokhomang Khongsai, MLA of Saikhul a/c asserted that the memory card of the mobile phone used for taking photographs of voters at Thangal Surung, 46/14  polling station of the said constituency was reportedly lost and no voter comparison can be made. “ It is clearly evident from the comparisons made today that proxy voting has been rampant and no further complaints need not be made ,the concerned must take up measures for repoll in the identified polling stations”,he stated.
The session was held till 6 pm today and the photo comparisons for Ukhrul and Churachanpur will be held tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/repolls-inevitable-as-mass-discrepancies-discovered-during-photo-comparison/

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012 The First HYMS North East Football Cup… more »

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012, brainchild of Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS) was held on 4th and 5th of February, 2012 at Gymkhana Ground, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. With a strong support from its members and well wishers, HYMS brought together football teams from NE community. This football cup was an important event of HYMS annual calendar.

Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS) was formed after a detailed discussion and coming together of likeminded people. It was inaugurated formally in University of Hyderabad football ground in 2011, June. It was attended by nearly 200 Manipuri residents of Hyderabad. HYMS was formed with an aim to set up a platform for the people of Manipur who are currently residing in and around Hyderabad. HYMSs’ main objective is to provide better connectivity among Manipuris in Hyderabad and it acts as an agent for such a thought out connectivity. It also extends support when required to this group of people apart from organizing cultural event, community awareness programmes and sports activities. With such activities and objectives in mind, HYMS aims to spread peace, harmony, mutual respect of ‘differences’ between different communities.

HYMS maintains an annual calendar. In the last eight months since its formation, HYMS has managed to rise up to many occasions which deserve appreciation. In its infancy period, HYMS has oranised a sit-in-protest against the draconian AFSPA (1958) on 2nd Oct. 2011 at Ambedkar Statue, Tank Bund, Hyderabad in collaboration with National Alliance for People Movement : http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2507525.ece

The First HYMS North East Football Cup 2012

It also has started a signature campaign against the same act and in support of iconic Irom Sharmila Chanu. On Oct. 29, 2011, HYMS has organised Thabal Chongba, calling on Manipuris from Hyderabad for a light and hearty get together. It was a huge success with a turnout of about 300 Manipuris. The Thabal went on till 11.30 at night. A week after this event, on 4th November, 2011, HYMS collaborated with the Manipuri students of University of Hyderabad to show solidarity to Irom Sharmila and to celebrate her Iron will as she completed 11th years on 4th November. The programme witnessed a huge turnout from all sections of life, from all communities and was supported by more than seven student bodies from Hyderabad University and outside. There were candle march, poetry reading, songs, documentary screening and speeches. In collaboration with Manipuri students, we have printed 250 shirts of Irom Sharmila to spread her message and struggle.

HYMS also celebrated Eid and performed an special programme for the Manipuri Muslims. On 17th December, HYMS organised an advanced Christmas Celebration at Secunderabad. It was graced by Don Pasteur from Palestine and other dignitaries. It had gift exchange programme, Christmas Carol and speeches.

The football tournament was an invitation tournament which would bring together different teams from different communities mainly from the North Eastern region of India who are currently residing in Hyderabad, 8 teams participated the tournament.

Following are the team who participated ‘The 1st HYMS North East football tournament’ :

HYMS Team A
HYMS Team B
BBC (Bharat Bible College)
Mizoram team (A)
Mizoram team (B)
Kuki Students organization (KSO)
Kuki Students organization(KSO)
Tangkhul Team

The Final match was played between Mizoram (A) and BBC (Bharat Bible College). Mizoram team (A) won the HYMS cup by scoring 2-0 against BBC.

HYMS thanks to all the teams who took part in this event and all the dear ones who help us financially and physically. Thank you for all your support, your keen interest and enthusiastic participation to make this event a GRAND SUCCESS. We could not make this event without your support and co operation.

Lastly, HYMS proudly declares ‘The 1st HYMS North East football tournament’ a GRAND success. Even though both the football teams of HYMS failed to reach the finals, we felt that the goal/aim/cause for which the tournament was held was achieved. Above all the positive feedbacks which we received from the other teams such as – Kuki Students organization, Bible college, Mizoram team was the icing on the cake.

You can find the photos of the ‘The 1st HYMS North East football tournament, 2012′ from the below web link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104519718610110825395/TheFirstHYMSNorthEastFootballCup2012#

Regards,
Maibam Hitler Singh (Chief coordinator HYMS)

Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS)
www.hyderabadmanipurisociety.org

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/the-first-hyms-north-east-football-cup-2012/

Lion Barooah assures fund for alternative relocation construction of Kohima leprosy inmates

KOHIMA, Feb 12 (NEPS): District Governor (DG) of the District 322D of the Lions Club… more »

District Governor Lion Amar Barooah, PMJF (3rd left sitting), LCK President Lion Er Hozheto Shikhu (4th left sitting) seen on the occasion of his (DG) visit to LCK held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on February 12, 2012. NEPS Photo.

KOHIMA, Feb 12 (NEPS): District Governor (DG) of the District 322D of the Lions Club of International, Amar Barooah, PMJF, has today urged the fellow Lions of the Lions Club of Kohima (LCK) to become a “role model” for others to emulate them. He told them to be “dedicated and devoted” with one track mind in the one of the largest “philanthropic organizations” of the world.

Addressing a function organized in honor of his visit to LCK here at Hotel Japfu on Sunday, the DG expressed his happiness on the various permanent and ongoing projects of the LCK. He further advised the fellow Lions in Kohima to organize more awareness programs on HIV, AIDS, and other Health related issues, etc in small ways. “You can organize awareness programs on HIV/AIDS, health related issues in schools and colleges with one or two recourses persons,” he said. “Our youth are easily attracted to negative sides and this should be arrested through such awareness programs.”

While expressing his happiness of the permanent project of the Leprosy inmates at Naga Bazaar, Barooah also took serious note of the news of the present Leprosy inmate center at Naga Bazaar being asked to shift somewhere. This matter was earlier raised by the LCK President Lion Er Hozheto Shikhu while delivering his welcome address to him (DG).
Shikhu disclosed that the present Leprosy Center whose living accommodation constructed by LCK had been asked to shift somewhere at the peripheries of the colony. He also explained the need to shift the present Leprosy center from the “logistic point of view” for which he requested the visiting DG to initiate for fund.

Shikhu also explained that when the marginalized section of the people was left defenseless, the LCK was compelled to step in to find alternative relocation for them.

DG assured that he would try his best to get fund from the International Lions Club, while asking the Lions at the same time to prepare detail project report at the earliest. “This is very genuine issue,” he said. “I hope we can get reasonable funding from the International Lions Clubs. This is a need-based project.” He further asked the Lions at Kohima to start working something, while pursuing for funding.

On the occasion, the DG also inducted two more new Lion members, Er Kaikho Dawman and Er Aroba.

LCK Secretary Oken Jeet Sandham had presented Club’s Reports on the occasion, while Lion Talitemsu Jamir read out brief profile of DG. Lion SP Francis pronounced invocation and flag salutation. Senior Lion Meren Paul, PMJF, was Mater of Ceremony, while LCK President Lion Er Hozheto Shikhu chaired the occasion.

Region Chairperson Lion PK Maheswari, Zone Chairperson Lion Kakheli Zhimomi and 1st Lady Lion Purabi Sharma, wife of DG were also present during the occasion. LCK Treasurer Lion Achakbou Newmai delivered Vote of Thanks.

Senior Lions and office bearers of LCK also attended the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/lion-barooah-assures-fund-for-alternative-relocation-construction-of-kohima-leprosy-inmates/

Thang-Ta martial arts training in Sri Lanka

H. PREMKUMAR SINGH, President, Thang-Ta Federation of India, World Thang-Ta Federation and Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta… more »

H. PREMKUMAR SINGH, President, Thang-Ta Federation of India, World Thang-Ta Federation and Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Association, Manipur left Imphal today the 12th February 2012 for Sri Lanka to give Thang-Ta martial arts training to youths of Sri Lanka. President’s visit to Sri Lanka is to make a big Thang-Ta family and spread the massage of Thang-Ta martial arts.

A meeting was held with the presence of the members of the Federation and the Association before he left Imphal. He appeal to all the youths and Thang-Ta Sintakpurels (Gurus) to join, co-operate and go hand in hand for the promotion of Thang-Ta.

Regards,
H. Kirankumar Singh
P.R.O. Thang-Ta Federation of India
Secretary, Asian Thang-Ta Federation
pa_chinglai (at) yahoo.com

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/thang-ta-martial-arts-training-in-sri-lanka/

Career Counseling Session for Class XI & XII – NAMA in collaboration with LIONS Club, Greater Imphal & COMET School

Career Counseling Session for Class XI & XII – NAMA in collaboration with LIONS Club,… more »

Career Counseling Session for Class XI & XII – NAMA in collaboration with LIONS Club, Greater Imphal & COMET School
11th Feb 2012, Maryland USA

1. M. Gojendra Singh giving a background of LIONS Club

LIONS Club Greater Imphal in collaboration with North American Manipur Association (NAMA) conducted a Career Counseling Session on 14th January 2012 at COMET School, Changangei. The event was inaugurated with the blessings of Pabung Thokchom Gourachand, Principal COMET School. The event was targeted at young students and more than 70 students mostly from Class XII attended the session.  Lion Th. Joykumar Singh, Region Chairman LIONS Club Greater Imphal, (LIONS Club International District 322D) graced the occasion as the Chairperson and various other LIONS Club members, parents and teachers of COMET School also attended the session.  A short background of LIONS was given by Lion Mayanglambam Gojendra Singh.  The session was introduced and co-ordinated by Lion  Somorendro Huidrom.

The first part of the session was on the topic “Choosing a Career After Class XII and Beyond”. This was presented by Sapam Shyamananda, NAMA member and career counsellor. His presentation covered the following aspects:

· Career phases – Transition Phase – Class XI & XII
· Career Options – Academics & Non-Academics; Options that students are not aware of
· Communication Skills, mentor, positive attitude & using internet for information

The second part of the session was a presentation on “How to prepare for the IAS exam?” by Geoffrey Ninthoujam (IAS 2005 Batch). He covered various themes such as:

· Importance of a Role Model
· Learning from failures
· Tips to prepare for the IAS exam

2. Somorendro Huidrom introducing the panelists

Post this the counsellors interacted with the students in a question answer session and the event concluded with a vote of thanks from Somorjit Sanjenbam, one of the Directors of COMET School. On the whole the session was very well received with a number of students expressing that their awareness levels have increased. A COMET teacher mentioned that it was a unique session he has ever attended. Many students have sent their queries via e-mails and they have been answered by the NAMA team.

NAMA Counsellor also visited the Manipur Institute of Management Studies (MIMS) and few other schools and conducted career counseling sessions.  NAMA plans to conduct similar sessions in the future and continue to mentor and groom as many students from Manipur as possible. It is NAMA’s firm belief that young students in Manipur, today, need superior guidance and awareness in order to fulfill their career goals and not get derailed on their journey. NAMA members will dedicate their time and energy in order to keep this initiative successful and sustainable.

NAMA team would like to thank LIONS Club, Greater Imphal, for arranging the event at such short notice. Also a big thank you to Romi Meetei, our friend and well wisher who recorded the session through his camera crew, as well as attended the inaugural ceremony.  The video recording of the event will be released soon in ISTV Imphal and in the NAMA website.

NAMA Career Counselor can be contacted at career.wahang (at) gmail.com

NAMA Executive Team
North American Manipur Association (NAMA)
PO Box 682
Fulton, MD 20759-0682
USA
e-mail: namagroups (at) gmail.com
www.namaonline.org

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/career-counseling-session-for-class-xi-xii-%E2%80%93-nama-in-collaboration-with-lions-club-greater-imphal-comet-school/

Why water is vital for life & how did it come to earth?

By Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh We all think that water was always there on Earth…. more »

By Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh

Dr. Irengbam Mohendra Singh

We all think that water was always there on Earth. No, it’s not true. Water was brought to Earth from space before the arrival of living organisms. The planetary scientists have now evidence to conclude that asteroids were the main source of Earth’s water while comets had contributed a mere 10 per cent.

Why do we drink water? The answer is we feel thirsty. We are thirsty because we are dehydrated. Dehydration means we are losing water more than we consume. How do we know we are dehydrated? There is a thirst centre in the hypothalamus of our brain that gives the signal.

Water is literally vital for life because life needs a solvent as a medium in which all the body chemicals dissolve and chemical reactions can take place. There is no liquid better than water.

Water is very important because each molecule of water has a magnetic property ie one end of the molecule behaves like a weak magnetic north pole and the other end as the weak magnetic south pole. Other molecules have the same property.

We know that the opposite poles of magnets attract each other (+ -). This polarity causes the not only the water molecules but molecules of chemicals dissolved in this water to line up in certain ways, determining the shape of the aminoacid molecules that is vital for life.

Aminoacids (20 of them) are the building blocks of proteins used in every cell in our body, making up three fourths of our body.

Another strange property of water is that solid water ie ice floats in water. It is because the solid water is less dense than liquid water. When water freezes its molecules line up to form a very open crystalline structure, in which the molecules are arranged farther apart than they were in liquid water.

In other substances, the molecules are closer together in the solid form and thus it is denser than in the liquid form. During the Ice Age, ice forms a skin on top of top of the ocean at high latitude, keeping the water underneath at warmer temperature.

If the ice sank to the bottom of the sea the top layer of the uncovered water would freeze in its turn. If the process repeated the whole ocean would have been a large solid ball of water.

So, as far as we know life needs the presence of liquid water. In terms of solvent power ammonia is the next best, but it lacks many properties of water and is not essential for life.

Scientists believe that water facilitated the formation of the planet’s first life forms – acting as a medium in which organic compounds could mix with one another (primordial soup) and possibly protecting them from the sun’s radiation.

During the process of evolution from simple one-celled organisms to most complex plants and animals, water has played a critical role in survival technique.

In humans water acts as a solvent and a delivery mechanism, dissolving essential vitamins and nutrients from food and delivering them to cells. Our bodies also use water to flush out toxins through urine and faeces. It regulates body temperature by sweating and aids in our metabolism by the digestive juices secreted internally and by hormones.

Water has also promoted human life in other ways eg by providing fish and aquatic vegetables for food. It has helped in the advancement of civilisation, taking people and animals from one part of the world to the other by boat.

Water can exist as vapour to provide humidity. It can be stored in the atmosphere as clouds and be delivered as rain across the planet to help vegetations grow. The vast oceans serve as home for a variety of marine life.

The beautiful Siroi lily in the mountain ranges of Ukhrul or the colourful lotuses in the Loktak Lake at Moirang, of Manipur would not have grown without water.

While we know that water is vital for life on this Earth, scientists have wondering if life is at all possible without water, but with some other fluid medium on other planets.

What else is there apart from water? Scientists have come up with ammonia and formaldehyde, being the most eligible liquids. But they have problems with them.

Liquid ammonia only exists at extremely cold temperatures, at which organisms would not have energy (heat) for their metabolism. Formaldehyde on the other hand, remains liquid at a larger range of temperature than water and is capable of dissolving many organic materials. But scientists have found no evidence that it can support life. Indeed it is poisonous to the present life forms.

However, new research by George Cody along with Conel Alexander and Larry Nittler from Carnegie Institute for Science, USA, suggests that formaldehyde may have helped in the primitive solar system to create the organic compounds present in the universe that gave rise to life.

Another recent study suggests that an alternative life form might be lurking in our solar system. Researchers studying Titan – a ‘moon’ orbiting Saturn, noticed that hydrogen in the moon’s atmosphere wasn’t found on its surface. One explanation for the missing hydrogen is that life forms are consuming it, just as we consume oxygen.

Water makes up 60 percent of our body and it needs replacement everyday. Nobody survives without water more than a few days but one can without food.

Scientists have been debating on how much water a person needs everyday. Nobody knows how much water one should drink everyday. To some extent, it depends on the age, size, level of physical exercise and the existing climate.

Recent studies have revealed that there is no set requirement of water per day. But the rule of thumb is that you should drink when you are thirsty (dehydrated). If your urine is white or slightly yellow, it’s a good indication that you are hydrated.

However, there have been some calculations since I was a medical student that an average person should drink 1.2 litres of water every day to complement 2 litres of water we get from food. To put it in another way, one should drink 8 glasses of water every day (each glass = 8oz).

Based on the belief that life will exist where there is water, the search for water on other planetary bodies has taken a giant leap forward in recent months. In November 2011, NASA announced that it had found substantial quantities of water on the Moon. Later, in December the Cassini spacecraft obtained data about one of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, that may confirm the presence of sub-surface liquid water on the Moon.

Until recently, scientists were puzzled that water could survive in liquid or vapour form in the ‘disc of materials’ from which the planets formed (theory of gravitational collapse of giant molecular cloud). They have explained that there is plenty of hydrogen in the “clouds” (produced by the Big Bang) from which stars formed. The hydrogen combines with all the available oxygen to convert it to water (H20).

In the stratosphere of Earth the ultraviolet radiations from the sun are constantly converting oxygen molecules (O2) into ozone (03), but other chemical reactions convert the ozone to oxygen as fast as it is formed. There is thus a permanent layer of ozone high over our heads, which filter most of the ultraviolet radiations coming to us.

Likewise, within the “cloud of materials” from which planets started to form, there is a similar shielding effect. This allows complex and more complex molecules to exist from their interactions. They provide a rich source of organic compounds with which planets can be seeded with life.

But the question is how water and complex organic molecules got down to earth after the planet had cooled off sufficiently to stop the water boiling away. Scientists say that they came from small planets, which always contained water, and never got hot enough for the water to vaporise.

When Earth was young, Jupiter is in the right place to have sent to it just enough asteroids rich in water. The earth contains less than 1 per cent water but the debris in the Asteroid belt (the region of the solar system located between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter). contains 10 per cent water.

Findings of the proportion of water in meteorite samples (that have fallen on earth) confirm that Earth acquired its volatile materials from impacts at a late stage of the formation of the planet. The recent discovery of water locked up in the moon rocks also confirms the hypothesis.

Because Earth did form along with a large moon, and it did have oceans of liquid water, life could get started on this planet. But we are still waiting for the scientific evidence of how life first came about on Earth and subsequently evolved into intelligent humans as we are now. The evidence will come one day, I am sure.

The writer is based in the UK Email: imsingh (at) onetel.com Website: www.drimsingh.co.uk

Posted on KanglaOnline: 2012-02-12

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/why-water-is-vital-for-life-how-did-it-come-to-earth/

Documentary on Manipuri cinema wins award at Mumbai International film festival 2012

PRESS RELEASE: Documentary on Manipuri cinema wins award at Mumbai International film festival 2012 Fried… more »

PRESS RELEASE:
Documentary on Manipuri cinema wins award at Mumbai International film festival 2012

Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and a Premiere Show, a 90min documentary film dealing with the alternative cinema tradition in Manipur wins the International Jury Award at the 12th Mumbai International film festival held at Mumbai from 3rd to 9th February 2012.

The film is directed by Mumbai based International award winning filmmaker Mamta Murthy.

Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films (MIFF), is a festival organised in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) by the ‘Film Division’, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It has been organised since 1990, and focuses on documentary, short and animation films.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/documentary-on-manipuri-cinema-wins-award-at-mumbai-international-film-festival-2012/

MSAD Annual Sangai Cultural Evening 2012 (March 3, 2012)

Ref. No: 20120207 / Culture Notice Date: 7th Feb, 2012 Notice  – Annual Sangai Cultural Evening… more »

MSAD Notice Annual Sangai Cultural Evening 2012

Ref. No: 20120207 / Culture Notice
Date: 7th Feb, 2012

Notice  – Annual Sangai Cultural Evening 2012

The Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD) is organising the annual cultural programme “Sangai Cultural Evening” 2012. The event will be held on the 3rd of March, 2012, at Dusshera Ground, Mukherjee Nagar, North Delhi-09, from 5:00 to 11 pm.

Events such as this, will keep us close to our cultural roots, and serve as a platform for us to assemble and realize our belongingness. The traditional ‘Thabal Chongba’ (Lamtagi Thabal) will be featured as the main attraction of this occasion.

MSAD also believes that cultural events planned for the evening would address cultural nostalgia among the Manipuri Diasporas and reaffirm Manipuri national identity. MSAD would appreciate participants who turned up for the programme in their respective customary attire.

Your enthusiastic and sincere participation will go a long way in making this event a success.

Sd/-

Thoi Thoi Kongkham
General Secretary
Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD)

SANGAI CULTURAL EVENING

Date: 3rd March 2012; Venue: Dusshera Ground, Mukherjee Nagar, North Delhi-110009

Time: 5 pm to 11 pm

Contribution: Minimum Rs 100 only per person

Programme Detail

    • Assembly
    • Welcome Address
    • Keynote Address
    • Address by the Chief Guest & Invitees
    • Cultural Programme
    • Vote of thanks

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/msad-annual-sangai-cultural-evening-2012-march-3-2012/

Jobs at Idaa Shillong – multiple positions

(1) Faculty or Lab Consultant for 3D Animation Production • Min Experience: 1-10 yr. •… more »

(1) Faculty or Lab Consultant for 3D Animation Production

• Min Experience: 1-10 yr.
• Qualification: Graduate (BA, B.Sc, B.Com), Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Premier and Autodesk 3DS Max, Maya
• No of Opening: Two Positions

(2) Faculty or Lab Consultant for 3D Visualization In Architecture

• Min Experience: 1-10 yr.
• Qualification: Graduate (BA, B.Sc, B.Com), Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Premier and Autodesk 3DS Max, Maya
• No of Opening: Two Positions

(3) Sales & Marketing 

• Business Development Executive – Two Positions
• Experience: 0 – 5 years
• Qualification: Any Graduate with basic Computer Knowledge
• MBA /PGDBM (Marketing will be given more preference)

Salary – No Constraint for Right Candidate.

E-mail your Resume to shillong (at) idaa (dot) in

Job Location: Shillong

Contacts Address:
Idaa Software Pvt Ltd.
Room No # 103/104, Windsor Hall,

Upland Road, Laitumkhrah
Shillong, Meghalaya

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/jobs-at-idaa-shillong-multiple-positions/

Re-polls inevitable as mass discrepancies discovered during photo comparison

Exposing the rampancy of muscle power and intimidation in the hill districts at the recently… more »

Exposing the rampancy of muscle power and intimidation in the hill districts at the recently conducted Manipur Assembly polls, tell-tale irregularities have been noticed while comparing the photos of the voters shot at the polling stations and the voters electoral roll bank. Repoll in several stations are expected. As a means of emphasizing transparency in the polls, the ECI laid down norms that the voters should be photographed at the polling station bearing the ink mark on the finger and later compared with the photos in the electoral roll post poll.
The voters comparison for Chandel, Senapati and Kangpokpi ADC was conducted today at the office complex of the Chief Electoral Office at Lamphelpat, beginning from 11 am today and manually scrutinized by three special observers amidst tight security cover. The photo matching was done following 76 complaints made to the CEO of the state by candidates on grounds of unfair means being carried out at the polling stations, the complaints were later referred to the ECI. Out of the complaints, 35 complaints had been acknowledged and further ordered to the CEO for verification by comparing the photos under scrutiny of the ECI observers.The matching session was conducted at the said complex and telecasted in three television screen which could be witnessed by the complaining candidates and other concerned officials. The television screen listed the gender, age, ID card number, photo in the electoral roll and the photo taken at the time of polling.Media persons present at the site witnessed the tell tale irregularities in the comparison. Photos in the electoral roll of male individuals were compared to female ones and vice versa. Different individuals in the compared photographs, same person impersonating others, women with covered faces,blurred photographs ,photographs taken against the light and cannot be identified, photos of electoral roll missing and vice versa.“It is perceived that there are certain irregularities in the comparisons, the verification reports will be made by the observers to the ECI and we shall see if repolls are recommended”, CEO, Lawmkunga told IFP.
Talking to IFP Daokhomang Khongsai, MLA of Saikhul a/c asserted that the memory card of the mobile phone used for taking photographs of voters at Thangal Surung, 46/14  polling station of the said constituency was reportedly lost and no voter comparison can be made. “ It is clearly evident from the comparisons made today that proxy voting has been rampant and no further complaints need not be made ,the concerned must take up measures for repoll in the identified polling stations”,he stated.
The session was held till 6 pm today and the photo comparisons for Ukhrul and Churachanpur will be held tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/repolls-inevitable-as-mass-discrepancies-discovered-during-photo-comparison/

Tipaimukh Dam area under Hmar extremists` control

Kolkata, Feb 12: The members of an extremist group of the Hmar, a dominant tribe… more »

Kolkata, Feb 12: The members of an extremist group of the Hmar, a dominant tribe of Tipaimukh, control the vast area adjacent to the much-talked-about Tipaimukh Dam project.Several militant organizations are active in Manipur state with different demands. But, Hmar Peoples Convention-Democratic’ (HPC-D) is the most influential extremist group.Banglanews correspondent got the information while visiting the impassable and hill tract areas of Jiribam, Senbum and Churachandpur districts of the state.HPC-D does not want the Tipaimukh Dam on Barak River. They also vowed several times to prevent the construction of the dam.Wholesaler of Fulertol market Pradeep Pal told banglanews the daily essential demands of one third people in Monirampur is supplied from the Fulertol Port.He added: “Though Bangla-spoken people are the majority in Fulertol, but Hmar is the dominant in the area.”Barak River is the easiest way of communications in Tipaimukh and adjacent areas. So, the main aim of HPC-D and other extremists is to establish control over the river.The HPC-D sets Check-post, Kachurbali, in 10-kilometer far from Jakuradahr. All boats plying in Barak River are compelled to stop at the check-post.No boat can play on Barak River sans the license provided by HPC-D. They issued a number written on a steel plate as ‘license’, the boatmen have to paste it in front of their boats.Each big size boat has to pay Rs 2,000 to HPC-D per year for playing on the river.On condition of anonymity, owner of an engine-driven boat in Barak River told banglanews that they have no fear about the toll collection by the extremists. They give the money happily.He said, “We had not any security of lives to go upstream from Jakuradahr earlier three to four years. But now we are secured for HPC-D.”However, the boat owners, boatmen and passengers of Barak River are panicked of the sub extremist groups. They behaved like the terrorists of Bangladesh. A boatman said the small extremist groupsoperating in the area feared of the HPC-D members.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/tipaimukh-dam-area-under-hmar-extremists-control/

Medical Camp

IMPHAL, Feb 12: 30 Assam Rifles organized a medical camp conducted by doctors from its… more »

IMPHAL, Feb 12: 30 Assam Rifles organized a medical camp conducted by doctors from its unit and RIMS at Sekta in Imphal East district today. Around 500 persons from Sekta, Huidrom and Pundongbam villages received treatment and free medicines at the camp. The doctors also performed an awareness lecture on hygiene and sanitation and sexually transmitted diseases. In another occasion, 37 Assam Rifles organized a leprosy awareness programmed at Tuikong village in remote area of Chandel district along the Myanmar border yesterday. The event was conducted by a team of medical officers and para-medic staff of the unit. ï»¿

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/medical-camp/

`Magnificient Manipur` promo attracts interest of tour promoters

IMPHAL, Feb 12: Manipur Tourism, led by tourism commissioner KK Chhetry, along with Dr K… more »

IMPHAL, Feb 12: Manipur Tourism, led by tourism commissioner KK Chhetry, along with Dr K Shyamsunder, dy director, L Ibochoubi, tourist officer and Saichhingpuii, section officer, participated in the 19th South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange, Pragati Maiden, New Delhi, February 10 to 12, 2012 for promotion of Manipur as an important tourism destination for inbound tourists.More than 30 countries like Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Phillipines, Fiji, UAE, Greece, etc. and 100 travel and hospitality companies took part in the exchange of buyers and sellers of niche tourism products. Manipur Tourism did an aggressive campaign to promote the brand “Magnificent Manipur” and had close interaction with various tour managers, hospitality companies and eco-adventure industries. The Lalit Suri group of companies have shown keen interest in promoting polo and hotels, and will be presenting to the Government with a concrete plan, stated a release of the commissioner tourism, government of Manipur.The official statement has further stated that all tour operators acknowledged the significance of Manipur in the overall growth of the tourism industry of India and have agreed in principal to include destination Manipur in their travel itineraries. Cox & Kings were particularly enthusiastic and declared to increase Japanese tourists for pilgrimage related tourism to Manipur. Mystic Mountain Pvt Ltd, one of the largest private sector adventure tourism companies, agreed to establish a package deal for adventure tourists to Manipur.Manipur Tourism will continue to tirelessly act to make Manipur a world class tourism destination, the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/magnificient-manipur-promo-attracts-interest-of-tour-promoters/

Found hanging

IMPHAL, Feb 12: A 23-year old woman, Nameirakpam Babina, daughter of Tombi of Naharup Awang… more »

IMPHAL, Feb 12: A 23-year old woman, Nameirakpam Babina, daughter of Tombi of Naharup Awang Leikai, was found hanging at her own residence at around 5.30 am today.The post mortem was conducted at JNIMS, Porompat.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/found-hanging/

Beyond Number Games

The trouble with elections in Manipur today is, it lacks a soul. Hence, elections here… more »

The trouble with elections in Manipur today is, it lacks a soul. Hence, elections here have always been dominated by the arithmetic of a headcount. The true spirit of electoral politics, in this way has never really internalized adequately in either the politicians or the hoi polloi so to speak, making these exercises superficial, and more in the nature of a five yearly fanfares, than a collective expression of the will of the people as to how they want their affairs to be governed. Election campaigns reflect this mood very much, resembling as they do, one extended picnic for party workers. Feasting, overnight camping, traffic-disrupting rallies that have no other meaning than to blow own trumpets, house to house visits by workers to demonstrate the campaign for their candidate is alive and kicking, and also to attempt to buy loyalty. Public meetings by candidates are also predominantly about mudslinging against opponents. Conspicuous by their absence are talks of any coherent and sincerely drawn blueprints of the future of the state. The absolute poverty of political vision can be gauged from the fact that almost all of the manifestos of the various political parties in the fray are virtually replicas of each others. Transparent in all of them is an avaricious motive to latch on to the raw sentiments from the streets, and since the sentiments on the streets speak virtually the same language, each election manifesto carries virtually the same message in virtually the same language.
Not that the street issues are not important, but political vision must necessarily be laid on a bigger canvas where these issues are placed in perspective. You cannot for instance solve poverty by distributing money, as so many politicians, including the chief minister caught on camera by a newspaper today, seem to think. It needs no economist to tell us that it can only be done by uplifting the economy. Likewise, you cannot solve unemployment by artificially creating more government departments, but by ensuring that jobs are generated in the largely untapped non-government sectors of the economy. As to how these vital larger goals are to be achieved should have been the substance of election blueprints of the parties in the contest. However, no manifesto of any of the parties intelligibly tries to capture the larger pictures of the state of our state, or where and which direction they plan to take it next. It ought to be no consolation that things are not any better in so many other states.
Beyond the arithmetic of electoral politics then, there is also something as electoral chemistry. This is what comes across as extremely scarce. No doubt the number game is a salient feature of democracy as such, and cannot possibly be banished, or for that matter desirable to be banished. The primary strategy of the democratic polity is to establish who or which party has the majority support. But running alongside the number game must also be qualities that make democracy become a contest of social architects and their ideas. Politics against this backdrop would be about a love for the people and the ability to draw up road-maps to a future of greater common good: Visions such as that of a conflict free, equitable and just society; visions also of a society free of the curse of poverty, where every child is guaranteed good nutrition, health, quality education, etc so that they may grow tall and proud, to be able pillars of the edifice of the future of the society in whatever profession choose to go into. Politics under the circumstance would cease to be solely about personal ambitions, but of fashioning the future using the political powers consensually given to leaders at the time of elections. Unfortunately, politics today has still not been able to absolve itself of the number game curse. There is no gainsaying that the game is also a reciprocal process between the politicians and the people who elect them. It is hence up to both to lift the standard of the game and reap the benefits together. But this is always easier said than done, but nonetheless something which must have to be done.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/beyond-number-games/

Day`s Agenda -Innovation, Transparency, Accountability & Skill Development– Dr. Manmohan Singh Tweets

By: G.S.Oinam   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has joined twitter to capture the attention of… more »

By: G.S.Oinam

 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has joined twitter to capture the attention of young Indians and inform people about the work done by his office through 140 characters on the microblogging site. “The Prime Minister`s office is now on Twitter @PMOIndia Thank you for your support,” Manmohan Singh`s newly appointed communications advisor Pankaj Pachauri said on his own Twitter account. PMO sources said the account was presently managed by his communication team but there was a possibility that Manmohan Singh would send out tweets personally, ANI reported.

Within hours of opening the account late Monday, Dr. Manmohan Singh attracted nearly 7,000 followers and written three tweets till Tuesday afternoon. The account refers to the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) and it would be handled by his media team, PMO sources said. The prime minister`s opponents have been criticising him for maintaining a silence over burning issues and remaining inaccessible to the media. So far, PM has written 69 tweets and more then 44,613 followers’ within15 days. Only few north east people are following PM’s tweets because of information gaps.

His first three tweets were about a function on bravery awards. This included his picture with the winners. “You make all of us proud…PM tells young brave hearts,” said his last tweet, which provided a link to his public speech at the bravery awards function.

PM on Public Sector: Public investment is especially needed at a time when the country is looking towards domestic drivers of growth. PM was extremely happy to learn that 17 of our CPSUs have committed to invest Rs 140000 crore in the coming year.

On 2nd February PM said that MNREGA has provided employment to more than 250m people in 6 years, more than the population ofEurope. In 2010-11 MNREGA reached 55 m households in the country. More than Rs 25,600 crore has been distributed as wages. If MNREGA is made more responsive, it could be a model scheme for overall rural development in the country.

On 3rd February, PM tweets about his speech at the annual conference of chief secretaries”Day`s agenda -Innovation, transparency, accountability & skill development”. Electronic Delivery of Services Bill has been introduced in Parliament … it provides for delivery of public services to our citizens. Unfortunately, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill could not be passed in the last session of the Parliament. But, we do hope that we would soon be able to enact a strong Lokpal law. But we still have a long way to go. I would urge all of you to ensure that the Centre and the states work together to move ahead….” Last year, I had stated that our government was committed to taking all legal and administrative measures to curb corruption in public life. We have introduced a Bill on Citizens’ Charter which will empower citizens to demand services at appropriate standards from governments, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh tweets.

Up to 11 February 2012, Mr. Sashi Tharoor Congress MP has highest tweets of 8874 and number of his followers are 1,256,310. Narenda Modi tweets 831and his followers are 478,307; Narendra Modi says- The world is not for cowards… Join yourself to the perfectly unselfish will and work on. Development is the sole medicine for resolving every problem of the country. While the World has coined a term `Globalisation`, our ancestors already gave us the mantra of `Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam`! Smt. Sushma Swaraj tweets-1678 and her followers are 211,335; Smt. Sushma Swaraj tweets very sweet, sweet simple words! Ajay Makan Union Minister tweets 217 and his followers are 11,923; Ajay Makan tweets mostly official matters. Barak Obama tweets-2810 and his followers are 12, 451,034.

Among the media, CNN-IBN- 61,638 tweets and 170, 822 followers; Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN tweets 8,764 and his followers are-399,528. Ms Sagarika Ghose of CNN-IBN tweets 7970 and her followers are 63,543. NDTV tweets 28,404 and 381,809 followers; NDTV Anchor Ms. Barkha Dutta tweets 41,726 and her followers are 485,011. Star News- tweets 35,632 and 27,524 followers. Mr. Deepak Chaurasia of Star News tweets 217 and his followers are 7109. Times Now- 2,121 tweets and 7058 followers; Mr Arnab Goswami tweets 24 and his followers are 10,705. www.e-pao.net, Manipur tweets 44,997 and 1340 followers and www. kanglaonline tweets 7375 respectively.

Among the film stars, Amir Khan tweets 8280 and his followers are 489,840. Amitabh Bachan tweets 197 and his followers are 222,510 and following Barak Obama only; AB latest tweet is — Friends, would you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? If you are unable to answer this question, ask those around you!! If you woke up this morning with only the things you thanked god for yesterday, how would your life be? Something to dwell on!

Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to speak one line of Mr. Rahul Gandhi; — like baggers, our youths shall not migrate to other states in search of jobs. Jobs have to be created within mile. Technical and professional training centres shall be open within mile. There is no good reason to go outside state for job and professional training; instead, more vocational training centre / institutions have to be open by the state government. There are many reputed training institutions willing to open training centre in the state if the state government is willing to provide them support or invite state people to open training centres/ institutions in the state. There are many educational franchise dealers world wide.

Mr. Prime Minister, please pull up some unfit state babus to relearn and proper training. We simply bark but we don’t bite; but they don’t bark but they bite. Politician can’t do corruption without the help of bureaucrats. Next government will be inaugural by employees salary strikes. We extend our appreciation to union government new policy for compulsory retirement of unfit babus in public interest. Performance appraisal has to be done with immediate effect.

Centre has notified a rule making it compulsory for IAS/ IPS and officers from other all Indiaservice to retire in “public interest” if they fail to clear a review after 15 years of service and second evaluation will be done after 25 years of service. Performance review may be done by government at any other point in their career. Non performers who are retiring are entitled to post retirement benefits, including pension for life. Performance review will include appraisal of the entire service record of an officer “regarding suitability or otherwise” for further retention in the service. The new rules say “ the central government may, in consultation with state government concerned, required a member of the service to retired from service in public interest, after giving such member at least three months previous notice in writing or three months pay and allowance in lieu of such notice.” Earlier, the government was empowered to compulsory retirement of any officer at any stage only if s/he is convicted for a crime or Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) imposes a penalty of compulsory retirement and performance review was done only after 30 years.

Mr. Prime Minister,Delhi, Orissa and Union Government have implemented “Citizens’ Charter” Please give a direction to the Manipur Government to implement citizen charter.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/days-agenda-innovation-transparency-accountability-skill-development-dr-manmohan-singh-tweets/