Day: October 16, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 16

A new high powered performance tipper truck has come to town at MGT Motors Showroom, opposite Iskon Temple, airport road and was launched by works minister, Thongam Biswajit Singh today at its showroom.

Speaking at the occasion, Biswajit said that TATA is always a reliable company and had been a part and parcel of the state. It gives employment, good service to contractors and workers and Tata’s vehicles, mostly heavy vehicles are highly compatible with the roads of the state, he pointed out.

He appreciated the efforts of the MGT motors for bringing such a good service for the state. He hoped that the new heavy vehicle will do so much good in the service of the state.

The new tipper price starts from Rs. 14.54 lakhs and some of its attractive features includes fuel tank capacity of 120 litres, with maximum speed at 60kms per hour, is powered by a battery of 12 V.100 Ah, and its dimension is 6.5 M3/230 cubic feet etc.

Regional sales head, Suchindra Mandal and state product manager, Balasubramani attended the function as presidium members.

IMPHAL | Oct 16

Eight state footballers who represented India in the ongoing FIFA World Cup U-17 tournament were felicitated today by the governor of the state Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhavan here today.

Speaking on the occasion Heptulla said that she would try her best to find ways to promote the game commercially like cricket.  She said talks have already begun to promote Polo commercially, which originated from Manipur.

Speaking on the Sports University, the governor said the Prime Minister of India is keen to establish a Sports University and has assured to lay the foundation. She expressed hope that the university will help sportspersons especially those coming from poor economic background.

During her interaction with the players and the parents the governor expressing her happiness stated that she feels proud that U-17 team has the team captain and 7 other players from the State.

It is heartening to see that maximum number of players from a state like Manipur, which is known, as the powerhouse of Sports, she said. Heptulla congratulated the parents for supporting their children to play the game and expressed her desire that all the players continue to play not only for U-17 but also in the senior national team. 

Expressing happiness at the exemplary performance of the team, the governor said every sporting activity is good as it keeps the mind and body healthy and helps in concentration. Stating that she is happy to promote the game in some way, she said the entire State of Manipur is proud of the players.

She also advised them to continue to build up their body to gain more stamina and agility for future tournaments. If all the Manipuri boys playing for other teams and countries come together as one team, then there will be a strong Manipuri team for the nation, she added.

Goalkeeper M. Dheeraj Singh, Th. Boris Singh, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Nongdamba Naorem, Md. Shahjahan, W. Suresh Singh were present at the felicitation. Team Captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Th. Jeakson Singh (the first goal scorer for India in FIFA tournament against Columbia) could not attend the felicitation due to prior engagement.

 From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI |Oct 16

With an aim to promote national integration through culture and tradition and to encourage close relationship among different communities with moral and physical integration, a tribal folk festival cum seminar was successfully kicked off today at Tumuyon Khullen in Kangpokpi district.

Sponsored by ministry of culture, government of India, the three-day festival cum seminar organised by the Maram Art & Literature Association (MALA) under the theme, “Tribal Folk Festival for National Integration” was inaugurated by Th. Sanglou, superintendent of taxes, government of Manipur.

Sanglou attended the occasion as chief guest while T. Abraham, general secretary, Maram Union and Sushila Devi, director, Art & Culture, government of Manipur attended as president and guest of honour, respectively.

Various cultural troupe including MALA senior cultural troupe and T. Khullen Baptist Church Women Society presented various cultural dance and choreography during the opening ceremony while various prominent artiste also presented different folk songs.

 “If Art is to be preserved it should be learned, practiced and promoted only then art and its forms will find space in literature”, asserted Th. Shanglou Maram while addressing the occasion. The past practices are valuable but as the traditional practices has some conflict with the doctrines of Christianity it might be hard to retain them in latter and spirit but partial omission and commission might be the justified way, he said.

Further he said said art and culture should not be politicised or become a point of division but it should serve as a bonding element in the society while celebrating the diversity of culture among the tribal.

He was also of the view that adaptation and modification of art and culture is a must for tribal with modern touch while shifting the mind-set from conventional approach.

Abraham stated that much of the dialects of the tribal especially the Marams have lost its originality as a result of synthesis with other languages where Manipuri and English words have unknowingly crept into the dialect which can no longer be removed.

He also said that the preservation and promotion of culture and tradition has to start without any delay else the future generation will lose its identity.

He further emphasised that there is a need to augment the knowledge of ritual and traditional practices which have been carried on from one generation to another.

Speaking to media persons, Th. Thumbu Maram, Chairman MALA said that our beautiful culture, tradition and identity are diminishing by the wave of mix culture since we are unable to explore our identity properly.

He continued that the most valued songs are forgotten, tales are missing and even languages are mixing together which need serious attention.

A social and cultural activist, Th. Thumbu Maram, who is also a recipient of various State award further said that culture is an industry as all types of crafts such as head gears, cultural attires, cane and bamboo products, spears like war instruments, necklace are all cultural base products which need to be protected and preserved.

He appealed everyone to promote their own culture and tradition while promoting peace and integration among all communities in every village so that national integration could be achieved.

Altogether, 16 dance team, six singing team and seven prayer team including one instrumentalist from different villages across Kangpokpi and Senapati districts will participate in the three-day long festival while tribal culture and its importance on various field will be emphasised during the event by various resource persons including Meithuanlungbou Gonmei, acting principal, Mt. Everest College, Benita, curator, State Museum, Manipur and L. Pungding, Asst. Professor, MU.