Manipur News

IMPHAL, December 13: Maintaining a state archive will help in tracing back the history of the land, said deputy chief minister Gaikhangam today,

Addressing the 34th Archives Week Celebration cum Record Exhibition at the Manipur State Archives Complex, Keishampat today, the dy CM asserted that the archives is an important tool.

He said that whenever there is any confusion regarding the history of the land, the archives acts as the solution.

Commenting on the history of the land, without proper knowledge would be delusive, said Gaikhangam.

He elaborated even though the state has its own archive, there are very few who have referred the material available at the archive.

The habit of availing the materials at the archive needs much encouragement and boost up, he continued.

Commissioner, Art and Culture, Dr RK Nimai Singh said the modern history is not without mistakes.

In order to avoid such mistakes, people need to discuss the materials available in the archives, he said.

Director, Art and Culture, Dr K Sobita said the arts and culture department has been taking up all possible steps for improvement of archives.

She said the preservation of the archives was started only recently.

She observed that Archaeology, Museum and Archive which is under the Art and Culture department are very technical and correlated to each other.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/state-archive-can-help-in-tracing-the-history-of-the-land-dy-cm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=state-archive-can-help-in-tracing-the-history-of-the-land-dy-cm

IMPHAL, December 13: Even days after the Manipuri Nata Sankirtana was recognized and declared ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by the UNESCO Heritage Tag, the state government has continued to remain silent and oblivious of such a huge achievement, lamented a sankirtana academy of the state today.

The Gulapi Nata Sankirtana Academy called a press conference at its Kwakeithel Nganapi Thong Mapal premise this afternoon.   

Spokesperson, Aribam Chitreshor Sharma said Nata Sankritana is renowned all over the world and in fact, UNESCO has also declared the art form as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity”.

The art form is not famous for its song lyric, but for the whole set-up including its stage decoration, mandap, pooja and offering of ‘lei chandal’, he said.

Lamenting that the government has continued to remain oblivious to the achievement, he said whenever any sportsperson achieve some kind of success, the government comes out with full praise and congratulations.

However, even the Arts and Culture department has remained silent even after the UNESCO declaration, he said.

Now, the government’s attitude comes at a time when, the youth of the state has lost all connection with the art forms of the state, he observed.

He further elaborated on the need to discuss the history of the art form.

He said even though the Manipur University has a dance department; there is no proper platform for Nata Sankirtana.

He further appealed for the introduction of the art form in the colleges so as to provide the students with proper knowledge.

The state government need to take immediate action, and bring the needed development, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/nata-sankirtana-artistes-sad-at-govt-apathy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nata-sankirtana-artistes-sad-at-govt-apathy

IMPHAL, December 13: With the main objective of meeting the various pressure faced by the media houses of the state, the Editors’ Guild, Manipur was formed during a meeting on December 7 by 28 editors of media houses from both the hills and valley of Manipur, said a press statement of the Editors’ Guild.

It said the meeting was called following a resolution of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union, that the editorial rights and policies should be the sole responsibility of the editors.

Before the resolution, all such issues were discussed by a joint meeting of the editors and AMWJU, it said.

It further continued that the Editors’ Guild, Manipur and the AMWJU are not parallel, the objectives of the two are separate and the two are complementary in nature.

The separate entities of the Editor Forum, Manipur and the Editors Committee, Manipur were joined together to form the Editors’ Guild.

The Editors’ Guild, Manipur further appealed to the civil society organisations, other bodies that any issues arising with any media houses be settled with the Editors’ Guild, Manipur. The Editors’ Guild, Manipur will not be responsible for any media house whose editor is not a member of the guild, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/editors-guild-manipur-statement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=editors-guild-manipur-statement

IMPHAL, December 13 (NNN): An activist from Manipur has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court formally challenging the Government of India for failing to fulfill till date the Article VIII (3) of the Merger Agreement of March 21, 1949 which led to the merger of Manipur into the union of India.

The petitioner, Dr Suresh, chairman, Centre for Foreign Studies and Placement while talking to newsmen at the state BJP office here, said he had earlier on May 8, 2012 sought information through RTI regarding the non-implementation of the said Article enshrined in the Merger Agreement, however the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) and the Ministry of Home Affairs in reply to the query had said that the information was not available with the CPIO.

The Article VIII (3) in the Merger Agreement says that the Government of India also undertakes to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in the various branches of Public Services, and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them. It further says that they also undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people.

Dr Suresh cited the reply of the CPIO and MHA as saying that the information sought by the applicant is not available with the CPIO, and that there was no intention to hide any part of information available with the CPIO/FAA as the specific information is not available with the concerned CPIO.

Upset over the negative reply, he approached a senior advocate of Supreme Court, Pinky Anand in August 2013 and later filed the PIL which has been accepted by the top court of the country waiting to begin the hearing of the case, the activist added.

He said if the apex court’s ruling on the case turns out in favour of the state, the profit will be got by every youths of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/manipur-rti-activist-files-pil-to-supreme-court/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=manipur-rti-activist-files-pil-to-supreme-court

IMPHAL, December 13: Ojha Sanajaoba dreamt of a Manipuri society driven by the innovative youth and dedicated his last publication to the youth, stated Dr Dhanabir Laishram while speaking at the fourth death anniversary observation of the activist at the Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Complex at Leirikyengbam Leikai today.  

Dr Dhanabir further said Ojha Sanajaoba gave importance on development of the innovative abilities of the youth and constantly encouraged them. His philosophy of a new society was based on placing steadfast confidence on the youth. Global support of his ideas can be drawn from the latest development which showed that persons between 25 to 38 years of age are linked with most advanced inventions and researches. He made an appeal to the managing trustees of the Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Trust to give additional focus on promotion of research works and thesis production among local youths by following the ideals set by Sanajaoba.

Dr Dhanabir said the ideology of Ojha Sanajaoba was marked by illustrious theoretical prospects, deep observation and right recommendation from time to time with sharp decision. The vacuum left by his demise in our society cannot be filled up by anyone, he stated. His interpretation of political economy was very deep and he was a leader who always tried to find an alternative system not replicate or repair the system, he added.

In the key not and welcome address delivered speech by the S Bhubol Managing Trustee, OSMT said that Ojha Snajaoba was bone on December 30 and expired on December 13.

From last year on December 30 the managing trust organised Ojha Snajaoba Memorial Lecture programme. He said this year the eminent theatre personality Ratan Thiyam will deliver lecture speech on day of OjhaSanajaoba Memorial Lecture programme. He further stated that Ojha written is based on the historical fact.  

Managing trustee, S Bhubol said the trust has been organising a memorial lecture on December 30, the day of his birth, from last year. Eminent theatre personality Ratan Thiyam will be delivering the main lecture, he informed.

Solutions of many problems existing today can be found in the articles of Ojha Sanajaoba, he said and added that his articles are based on historical facts. He has profound knowledge of the past, present and future of the society and knew the importance of discussing the present and future problems, S Bhubol.

Columnist H Sanajaoba described Ojha Sanajaoba that he was an organic intellectual person. He knew the ancient history, present situation, and think deeply for the future of the Manipuri society. He was a key brain behind the establishment of All Manipur Student Union in the year 1965.  He wrote on human rights and activities for self-determination for the people who are deprived by the government. In his career, he engaged in the equal development of hills and valley on language and work culture etc. it is not surprising that on news of his demise, his enemies expressed deep sorrow and regret, he added.

Sairem Nilbir Member Kangla Fort Board, Prof N Rajmuhon, President of the trust, Md Abdul Hakim Shah, Secretary State Minority Commission, Dr. Thathang Vaiphei Asst Professor Centre for Inclusive and Exclusive studies MU, and Dr Ngalengam Prof. Of Political Science, IGNTU, RCM were present as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.     

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/ojha-sanajaoba-dedicated-his-last-publication-to-the-youth-dhanabir-laishram/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ojha-sanajaoba-dedicated-his-last-publication-to-the-youth-dhanabir-laishram