Day: October 26, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 26:

Former MLA Z Kikhonbou Newmai, has been appointed as the Vice President of the BJP, Manipur Pradesh, in place of M. Hemanta Singh with immediate effect, an order of the state BJP president, K Bhabananda Singh, dated October 26, said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 26

The cyber crime police station Manipur has detected a fraud website collecting money from candidates from the state for job under Gramin Samridhi Yojana.

According to a reliable source, the cyber crime police (CCP) received information on October 23 from Bank of Maharastra that two drafts of Rs. 3000 had been made from their bank by aspirant candidates for job under the Gramin Samridhi Yojna, payable at Kolkata which was advertised at the website (www.gys.org.in) and in a local daily newspaper.

Subsequently, on October 24 the day CCP conducted revealed that some of the candidates who have applied for the job under the scheme report the police of the same case, said the source.

It is learnt that about 4200 candidates belonging the state of Manipur, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh were in the merit list and were asked to send bank draft of Rs. 2000 to 3000 as security deposit for verification of certificate.

The CCP further in their investigation reportedly found out that the website was not authorized by the government besides the director, PR&DR, Manipur intimated that there was no such scheme by the name under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India or any other Ministry or department.

By Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Oct 27

It is good to have some goals but is equally important to have inspired journeys. True to his words, Aribam Uttam Sharma life’s journey is truly inspiring. He is a lecturer by profession but is also a passionate and accomplished professional guitarist. He will be performing in the Shillong leg of Bacardi NH7 Weekender on October 27 and 28, India’s most happening music festival.

Music lovers, especially guitar aficionados, know him and his superlative skills. In Shillong, he will share the stage with well-known blues musician, Rudy Wallang of Soulmate (based in Shillong) fame.

Alongside the Rudy Wallang band, other international and national singers and bands, including Steve Vai, Indian Ocean, The Local Train, Guitar Jamboree, Andrea Tariang and the Band, among others will be performing in the music capital of Northeast India. NH7 Weekender is termed as one of the happiest music festival, and is considered the “Glastonbury Festival” of India.

IFP caught up with Uttam to get some of his views on his journey. He told this report that he has been in love with music since his childhood, but it is practice over the years which made his passion for music deeper and deeper, until he became completely lost in it, especially the infinitely aesthetic possibilities of the classical guitar.

He studied classical guitar with premier guitarist Gareth Koch, from University of Newcastle, Australia where he also earned his B. Music degree. There he was awarded the Frank Hutchens Memorial Award for his exceptional performances.

He also composes music. He has composed music for more than 10 films of which Leipaklei and Manipuri Pony were national award winners. Anther film for which he scored the music, Hundred Zero Zero Seven was awarded the Golden Conch at Mumbai International Film Festival, 2014.

Narrating how he got to be there, he said Rudy Wallang liked his performance in a one Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICC) sponsored programme in Shillong. And then the next day he got a call to be part of the festival. He said he is indeed excited to be part of one of India’s biggest music festival.

He said he probably is the third artist from the state to perform in the festival after Imphal Talkies and The Koi.

He recounted his bad times during his journey and at one point of time, “I had to give up practice and it was hard for me”.

He took a break due to sickness for 5-6 years, but he coped and recuperated from both his fears and his sickness. He credited his father (a film-maker) for being a constant source of inspiration in bad times as much as in good times.

He said that his favourites of guitarists are many but he mentioned David Russell, Stevie Ray Vaughan among others.

Uttam revealed that he is still on medication but hopes to release one album of his own composition in next year and he is working fulltime not to make it happen.

He advised his younger counterparts that they must have goals in mind and work for them, but it is also vitally important to have the courage to step out and be ready to take the leap of faith into one’s calling.

IMPHAL | Oct 26

Education Minister Shri Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said that scientific enquiry and analytical thinking must be inculcated in the minds of young for a positive development. He was speaking as Chief Guest at the second session of concluding the XXXIX State Level Students’ Science Seminar – 2017, at Lamyanba Sanglen on the topic – Swachh Bharat: Role Of Science & Technology Promises and Challenges, organised by the Directorate of Education (Schools), Manipur under the patronage of the National Council Of science Museum, New Delhi.

The State Level Students’ Science Seminar which was held annually from the year 1978 was won by the Km. Laishram Yashmine Devi of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khumbong, Imphal West District, Zone – I for this year she will participate in the National Science Seminar – 2017 to be held at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Kolkata on 9th November, 2017. Overall the seminar was participated by 14 students who were the best performer from each 17 districts/zone of Manipur though three students were absent.

The Minister said that the rise in human population has resulted in excessive exploitation of nature causing ecological imbalance. The science seminar is held to ignite the young minds with scientific enquiry and analytical thinking to enable them to face the challenges arising out of the conflict between man and nature. To remain relevant the knowledge earned must be utilised according to the need, he added.

Former Principal D. M. College of Science Shri G. Tomba Sharma said that to build up a scientific temper such seminar specially for the young students involving their guardians and teachers is very important. He said that the scientific knowledge needs to be imparted to everyone through easy language to develop a rational society.

 The closing of the science seminar was attended by the director Education – S Thokchom Kirankumar, officials of Education Departemnt, teachers, guardians and students.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Oct 26

The 50 bedded district hospital at Duigailong village of Tamenglong district has begun its service from today.

The programme was attended by all doctors and nurses including executive engineer of DRDA, Tamenglong, Dirang Gangmei and chief medical officer of Tamenglong, Dr Chambo Gonmei at Duigailong village, which is some three kilometres from the district headquarter. The hospital has been upgraded into 100 bedded hospital but construction works are yet to be completed till date. All required equipment and sick patients were shifted to the new hospital.

Much awaited 50 bedded new district hospital at Duigailong village of Tamenglong district has not been formally inaugurated and handed over to health department, Tamenglong. The government had planned to inaugurate the hospital during Manipur chief minister’s visit to Tamenglong on October 24.

Earlier, the district administration Tamenglong had aimed for functioning of the hospital before August 15, however it was delayed for another two months. The work order was issued to a special contractor Keibamdi Panmei in the year 2009 but reportedly construction work was executed by many sub- contractors as well.

According to a reliable source, the revised estimated cost for project is Rs 21.26 crores. After deduction for various agencies Rs. 18.04 crores was deposited at DRDA Tamenglong account. The first deadline for completion of the envisaged project was fixed for December 2012 but it was extended for completion to March 2016. A noticed was issued by the district administration on October 13, 2016 as there was no sign of work being resumed.

Concerning the incompletion of building despite of huge public demand, several memorandums were submitted by various civil bodies.

It may be mentioned here that the new deputy commissioner of Tamenglong has cancelled all contractors and work agency working in multiple crores of 50 bedded hospital of Tamenglong district and the work is handled by DRDA Tamenglong now.

IMPHAL | Oct 26

A co-operative team work of Karnataka Police, Manipur Police and Women Helpline rescued three Manipuri girls of Senapati and Churchandpur district from the hands of fraudsters in Karnataka, said the manager of Helpline (Manipur), G. Ravi Shama in a press statement.

Ravi Sharma said that they will be arriving lmphal on October 2017 and will be handed over to their respected families after due process.

The statement said that a rescue operation was jointly conducted by Karnataka Police (Shimoga district), Manipur Police of lmphal West district and Women Helpline 181, Manipur where a young girl from Churachandpur called up Women Helpline Manipur 181, to enquire the authenticity of a job being offered to her in Bangalore in a beauty parlour as beautician along with two other girls (total three girls of which second girl is her sister-in-law who is a minor and third from Senapati) without any prior work experience. Though she was suspicious about the job, but she was enticed by the lucrative job offer as she had to support her ailing father and six young siblings, it added.

It said that all the three girls departed for Bangalore the next day before proper investigation about the offered job could be initiated with the help of Anti Human Trafficking Unit, Imphal West.

On the second day of their reaching Bangalore, Women Helpline received a distress call from her mother requesting them to rescue the girls as they had asked her for help. After contacting the girl, she informed us that instead of joining a beauty parlour, their agents have now asked to work in Spa as masseuse, giving body massages to the male walk-in customers and had put restriction to the use of mobile phone and now wanted them, that is, Women Helpline 181, Manipur to rescue them at the earliest, said the statement.

Further it said that she also managed to inform us that from her current location they were going to be taken to an unknown location towards Shivamogga district which was around 300 kms away.

Minute observations on the way and with presence of mind, key information such as their traveling bus number plates, milestones, roadside signage, etc. were passed on secretly by the brave girl to Women Helpline 181, Manipur and Imphal West Police, which was again further shared with Karnataka police of Shivamogga police station and finally managed to intercept the bus by getting in touch with the bus driver and the bus conductor and all three were thus rescued safely in time, it continued.

Until the rescued girls were repatriated to Manipur, they will be kept at a place of safety for women at Ujjawala Home run by the Ministry of Women and Child and government of Karnataka, it maintained.

Deputy Director (WP), Biobala Nongmeikapam, Hepline manager, Gurumayum Ravi Sharma and the entire team of Women Helpline 181 appealed to the public especially young girls from the Hill districts to remain vigilant against such lucrative job offerings and incentives outside the state.

They also urged the guardians to keep their wards against such fraudulent advertisement over the internet and job placement centres. Verification and confirmation of authenticity of jobs should be carefully carried out before sending them outside the state.

It further appealed to the public to contact Women Helpline on its toll free number #181 for any kind of women in distress situation and look forward for cooperation from community leaders, tribe apex bodies, village leaders, religious leaders and media to curb the menace of human trafficking.

IMPHAL | Oct 26

Chief Minister N Biren Singh will visit Chandel on November 4 along with his cabinet colleagues on the invitation of Maha Area Chiefs Association (MACA). A meeting in pursuance of “Go To Hills” slogan for equal and all-round development of the state will be convened on the occasion, a release from MACA said.

General Secretary, MACA, KL Franky invited political parties, civil society organisation, and residents of the district to attend the event.

“We appeal to the people of Manipur not to call any ban, blockade or general strike on November 4,” Franky added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 27

Regional director of health and family welfare services, Dr. L.A. Singh today said that every Indian consumes only 5 microgram of iodine per day against the desired amount of 100-150 microgram per day. He said this is unfortunate as iodine is very important to have a healthy life.

He gave this presentation in the observation of Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day at IMA, Lamphelpat. The day was supposed to be celebrated on October 21, but due to the festive season in the state, it was held today.

The observation was organised by National Health Mission, Manipur with a message “Daily consumption of iodised salt is the solution to the problems of iodine deficiency disorders”.

Director of Health and Family welfare Services, SMD (NHM), Dr. K. Rajo Singh attended the function as chief guest. He said that the state is iodine deficient but is not so visible.

Iodine deficiency in pregnant women can lead to their children to be born with disabilities, low IQ, still births and so on, he said.

Once affected, it is irreversible and can be prevented by only regular consumption of iodised salt, he added.

He said even though people consume iodised salt, instances of iodine deficiency are evident in the state in the prevalence of goitre, poor growth, and cretinism. This may be because of the improper storage system, underuse of iodised salt, or maybe the rate of iodine in salt is not up to the recommended limit, he said.

Additional director of medical directorate, Dr. Kh. Sasheekumar, who attended as guest of honour said that cabbage family vegetables like mustard, cauliflower, broccoli and other local foods such as bamboo shoot (soibum) and cassava (umangara) are anti-iodine, so these foods should be avoided.

He said that goitre, which is one of the iodine deficiency diseases, is highly prevalent in the state. China adopts the policy of putting iodine in water but India use it in salt. It will be good if India also follows the Chinese style using iodine in water, he pointed out.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 26

President of joint action committee of All Manipur Trade Unions’ Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees’ Organisation (AMGEO), Khaidem Mani said Chief Minister has assured to implement 7th pay commission within three months.

Mani said during a press conference held today at the head office of All Manipur Trade Unions’ Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees’ Organisation (AMGEO) located at Babupara near State Guest House.

He said the 7th pay commission recommendation was adopted in June 2016 by the Central government and in most other states, even in most of Northeast states but not in Manipur.

Demanding implementation of the recommendations in the state the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO was formed last year, he said.

The JAC had submitted a charter of demand containing 22 points to the former Congress government, in which the main priority was implementation of 7th pay commission recommendation, Mani said.

The JAC has submitted the demands to the chief minister on April 21, August 29 and the JAC met the Chief Minister today for the first time, Mani added.

After more than one hour meeting between leaders of JAC and chief minister at Chief Minister’s secretariat office, the CM gave the assurance to fulfil the 22 demands made by JAC, and said the demands are genuine.

According to Mani, Biren said the state has financial problem but he assured to discuss the matter with Union government to solve the matter.

He said AMTUC and AMGEO is an apex body and the body did not call a strike yesterday. Any organisation is welcome if it supports the demands for the implementation of the 7th pay commission recommendations. Mani said the JAC will not turn back until their demands are met.