Manipur News – Page 15967 – www.manipur.org/news

ATSUM stir suspended

IMPHAL, Feb 10 NNN: The agitation of the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has been suspended temporarily since 6 pm today.
ATSUM leaders informed NNN that following the invitation from the state government for talks, the students’ body has decided to suspend its agitation.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD & PR) minister Francis Ngajokpa and MLA Kikhonbou had a meeting with the ATSUM leaders today.
On February 16 at 3 pm the state government representatives and ATSUM leaders will hold a meeting on the demands of the tribal students’ body.
ATSUM has been agitating since February 3 midnight banning all the ongoing construction works of the national projects in the hill districts. The most affected project has been the rail-line construction of Imphal-Siclchar. Construction works of railway line have been severely affected ever since the tribal students began its agitation.
Mention may be made here that ATSUM on November 27 last year, ATSUM had apprised the government of Manipur to address issues pertaining to tribal people of Manipur and the hill districts.
The apex tribal students’ body of Manipur in its lengthy memorandum submitted to the chief minister of Manipur had demanded Manipur State Commission for the Scheduled Tribes.
ATSUM also demanded for the setting up of B.Ed centres in the hill districts. It also demanded that adequate teaching and non-teaching staff in the education institutions in the hill districts with better infrastructure.
Signed by its president Maun Tombing and its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, ATSUM in its memorandum said, “It has been our long standing aspiration to find a State Commission of the Scheduled Tribes in Manipur under the Article 338A of the Indian Constitution which would usher in all round Development and progress in respect of the nTribal people in this eastern most part of the Indian Union. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes which came in to force on 19th February, 2004 has failed to provide
adequate service to the state of Manipur a it is based on the distant centre in Shillong”.
According to the ATSUM memorandum, the state of Karnataka in 2002 had established the State Commission for SC/ST under the name and style ‘The Karnataka State Commission
for Scheduled Tribes Act, 2002′. It said the tribal population is the second largest in the state of Manipur but the pace of development is rather too slow till today comparing to that of the non-tribal populace. There has been the Manipur state Commission for OBC which meant to safeguard the rights of the other backward classes, the ATSUM representation added.
In the light of the above facts and circumstances, it is our earnest plea that the Manipur State Commission for the ST be set up in the earnest date, the tribal students’ body stated.
ATSUM then demanded for the setting up of B.Ed centres in hill districts of Manipur.
“Even the HSLC examination centres are very often treated as temporary arrangement subject to omission and commission. It is demanded that B.Ed centres be set up in all the five hill districts where TET can be conducted,” the tribal students’ body demanded.
The memorandum of ATSUM also mentioned that the crisis in the newly set up Indra Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) Regional Compus in Manipur is put to a situation of
breaking down totally because all the required infrastructures and issues have not been properly attended to by the authorities concerned. “There is no end to the students’ agitations against many lapses in the University. Xerox copy of the MoU signed between students and the vice chancellor is enclosed herewith for kind perusal. It is our earnest plea for your urgent intervention before things turn from bad to worse,” ATSUM note cautions.
One point of the ATSUM memorandum said, “We demand adequate number of both teaching and non-teaching staff in the educational institutions in the hill areas of Manipur state.
We also demand that proper infrastructures for the educational institutions in the five hill districts be provided promptly as to facilitate smooth functioning of the academic sessions”.
“The recruitment of junior Manipur Civil Service (MCS) rule latest amendment published in Manipur Gazette Extra Ordinary Dt. 06/03/2012 U/S 2(2) & (3) clearly states that there shall
be 2 grades i.e. (I). Junior MCS, Junior Grade (II) Senior MCS, Senior Grade. The clauses 3 states that the post of Junior MCS, senior Grade shall be class I Gazetted while the post of
Junior MCS, Junior Grade be Class II Gazetted. We demand that justice be delivered at the time of conducting DPC in respect of SC & ST requiring promotion in accordance with the
Manipur Reservation of vacancies in posts and Services (for ST&SC) Rules, 2011 published on 17/05/2011,” another part of the tribal students’ body memo pointed out.
The memo also touched on the tribal rights and the issue of the natural resources and said, “Protection of the rights of the indigenous tribal people over the land, forest and management of natural resources in the hill areas of Manipur should be taken care of by the Government as to dispense of justice guaranteed by the law of the land. It has been our firm stand to safeguard such rights and against unjust tapping of natural resources without prior information and consent of the indigenous land owners. Any arbitrary extraction of natural, mineral resources and acquisition of lands cannot be tolerated any more longer. The ATSUM shall be compelled to mobilize for all kinds of action programmes and agitation through the democratic means, should the Government stay in deferent to the genuine demand”.
“It is aggrieved to note that the state of Manipur had gone a head with the imposed village Authorities election, 2012 arbitrarily. The boycott call by all sections of the hill people represented by many civil societies and other voluntary organization, was not respected by government of Manipur. Mixed response was received in return when many villages boycott the said election. The right of the indigenous people and traditional systems are aversely affected by the state policy to disrobe the title of village Chief/Headman as Ex-Officio Chairman by the arbitrary amendment of section 3(4) of the Manipur Hill village Authorities Act 1956. It is demanded that the state Government display leniency by reviewing the steps taken against the tribal people’s interests. In the light of the above fact and circumstances, we appeal to your dynamic leadership to extend genuine concern and rational consideration for dispense of justice once and for all,” the apex tribal students’ body of Manipur demanded.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/atsum-stir-suspended/

18 day NIT flagged off

Mail News Service
Imphal, Feb 10 : As part of Military Civic Action Programme, Commander Loktak Brigade, Brigadier PC Nair flagged off 18 days National Integration Tour on 10 Feb 2013.
The Commander complimented the students for their keenness shown to participate in the National Integration Tour which was formulated with an intention to give the youth from the remote areas of Manipur an excellent opportunity to have a fair glance of the rich heritage and legacy of the country. He also mentioned that the Red Shield Division and its units have been a frontrunner in fostering peace and harmony in the state of Manipur.
The Commander also mentioned that he is confident that the tour will imprint positive views in these youth and will help them appreciate the paybacks of fostering peace and prosperity in the region. He also complimented the conducting infantry battalion for the efforts rendered in formulating and coordinating the tour.
The NIT team comprises of 16 students and 04 teachers of which 11 are boys and 05 are girls. The students are from all the communities of Manipur rom various schools of Manipur and this would be a good opportunity to travel out of the state of Manipur. The team is scheduled to visit South India in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
NIT tour will return back on 28 Feb 13 at Moirang.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/18-day-nit-flagged-off/

188 candidates in fray for Nagaland polls

DIMAPUR, Feb 10 NNN: Altogether 188 candidates will be vying for the 60 asssembly seats when Nagaland goes to the poll on February 23.
Saturday was the last day of withdrawal of the nomination papers.
Two women candidates are also in the fray.
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) will be contesting in all the 60 assembly constituencies while the Congress party will be contesting in 57 constituencies. There are altogether 39 independent candidates while NCP has fielded in 15 constituencies. The BJP will be contesting in 11 seats while JD(U) has fielded in 3 seats. RJD will be contesting only in two seats while United Naga Democratic Party (UNDP) will be contesting only in one constituencies.
In 20 constituencies of the 60 seats, there will be straight contests with two candidates each.
Meanwhile, the people are eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Nagaland.
Though the Prime Minister will be campaigning for the Congress party, the people’s wait for the Prime Minister has other reason. The general public wanted to know the latest condition of the vexed Naga peace talks and they feel that the Prime Minister would spell out something on the issue.
Dr Manmohan Singh was to visit the state on February 9 but postponed due to some reasons.
There is every likelihood that the Prime Minister when visits the state, will say something concrete on the Naga issue.
UPA chairperson had visited Nagaland few days ago but did not say muh except the “as soon as possible” in settling the Naga political issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/188-candidates-in-fray-for-nagaland-polls/

Weeklong campaign on PDS system

Imphal Feb 10 UNA : A weeklong campaign on public distribution system (PDS) kicked off on Sunday slammed the present system of distribution of PDS items in Manipur, alleging that actual beneficiaries were deprived of their rights.
The United People’s Struggle Committee (UPSC), a conglomerate of several civil organizations, launched the weeklong campaign to make people aware general public on the irregularities in the distribution of PDS items to the beneficiaries in Manipur.
The campaign was flagged off by president of the Senior Citizen for Society M Binoy who is also the chief advisor of the UPSC at a function held at the office premises of the CPI(ML) Manipur state council, RIMS road, Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, M Binoy slammed the present system of PDS items distribution alleging that actual beneficiaries were deprived of getting the benefits of the system.
“How the country could be called a free country when the poor were denied from getting their share. So long as poor people continue to suffer, the so called freedom as no significance,” he said, asserting that the real freedom will come only when the plight of the poor and downtrodden people were addressed and treated them equivalent with the rich people.
President of the UPSC M Radhesana Devi observed that influential people, particularly politicians have been hijacking the share of the poor people for their own benefits, alleging that PDS items were not regularly distributed to the AAY and BPL card holders.
Central government has been providing a huge quantity of rice, sugar and other items to the state too like in other states on monthly basis for distribution at subsidize rates to the BPL and AAY card holders. However, actual quantity which the card holders were to get could not be received at affordable rates as powerful people and influential people siphoned off the same.
She further blamed state consumer affairs, food and public distribution department for distributing wastage items to the poor people, alleging that fine quality have been hijacking by politicians in collusion with top ranking officials of the department.
The weeklong campaign was targeting to cover various places across the state to aware on the benefits which BPL and AAY holders were to get under the PDS.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/weeklong-campaign-on-pds-system/

NPF, ANSAM support Rio

SENAPATI, Feb 10 NNN: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s comment on Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh terming the latter as ‘one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas’ and the follow up reactions and counter reactions continue.
A day after the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has jumped into the bandwagon of Manipur government bashing.
“When Chief Minister Shri Nephiu Rio speaks the reality that Ibobi is one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas for those who do not know why does the government of Manipur and its cabinet ministers take it as a hate speech?,” the Naga students’ body questions.
(ANSAM) then questions if Ibobi is not the biggest enemy of the Nagas then who is. The government of Manipur or the cabinet ministers may like to respond, it added.
“Who talks of civil war and creates communal tension in Manipur? Isn’t it the dominant community, leaders of valley based civil societies, MLAs and ministers with chief minister Ibobi in the lead” ANSAM further questions.
“Why try to blame and throw moral responsibility upon Neiphiu Rio for his statement that ‘Ibobi is one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas’ when Ibobi has so blatantly been responsible for any social unrest and communal tension in Manipur?” the Naga students’ body further asks.
This statement is not in defence of Nephiu Rio’s statement, ANSAM clarifies.
“But how does the government of Manipur or for that matter Ibobi talks of peace and communal harmony when they oppose anything to do with the Nagas. Where is peace when war is insisted upon with threat of bloodshed and ‘timebomb”. When ceasefire between the government of India and NSCN-IM is opposed with what mask does Ibobi speak about peace. Does he mean to translate that there is peace when there is no ceasefire? How does Ibobi justify that he is not one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas?,” ANSAM continues to question.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npf-ansam-support-rio/

The product of ailing society

An executive engineer of IFCD, who refused to oblige with the directive of the higher up to deduct 10 percent of the bill amount released for the work done under the Brahmaputra project across the state was transferred. But the EE was a clean man. He never demands money from the contractors. Every contractor, who was closely associated with him knows that. He is different from other EEs of other engineering departments. The EEs of other departments openly demand bribe money. The palatial buildings they have constructed testify the claim made by all that they are corrupt. Pay, perk and perquisites only cannot ensure the growth of such buildings. After all how can the EE in question meet the demand of the higher up when the contractors have said they would rather languish without drawing the bill amount than meeting the demand of 10 percent made by the higher up. The problem with our higher up is that they consider money as if it can be plucked from the branches of trees. A former Minister once said one should not feel envy of possession of wealth by political leaders. Because the money will come out flowing at the time of election. He quipped he has seen even the one time cabinet Minister leading a life of pauper after they have retired from electoral politics. Manipur style of election is very costly, he added. Those having more money are considered advantageous in the Manipur style of election. Bureaucrats, top police officers, who have amassed wealth during their service career, tried their luck in electoral politics, unfortunately many of them failed. The reason is not far to seek. They had kept themselves aloof when they were in service and during the short period of time available they could not get closer to the voters. Next time if they try they may turn out to be victorious. Plus their spending spree must also increase. It is a sad phenomenon. During the election time all major issues are brushed aside and voters go for the candidates, who offer higher bribe money. Democratic values have nosedived. Election Commission should change its dos and don’ts code of conduct in the Manipur context. Political parties and candidates should be given enormous freedom in conducting public meetings. For fear of being caught on election related expenditure charge public meetings were not conducted. Voters could not know get the ample opportunity of weighing the merit and demerit of candidate. In the past when there were no hindrance in the conduct of election related meeting even the poor men could try luck in electoral luck. Many of the victorious candidates in the past claimed they scaled the ladder of victory by speaking. They considered their mouth as their weapon. Now the candidate having the best oratory skill stands nowhere near the rich candidate. We will continue to hear the news of higher up demanding 10 percent cut until we reform electoral politics. Sorry, clean and efficient officers have to follow the path abhorred by masses but adored by wrong doers.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/the-product-of-ailing-society/

MC Kokyak criticizes Central Congress leaders for visiting only election times

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KOHIMA, Feb 10 (NEPS): Senior DAN Minister and NPF candidate of 42 Wakching Assembly Constituency MC Konyak said the proposed visit to ENPO areas by the so-called high profile Congress leaders from Delhi would not have any impact whatsoever on the ENPO areas. “The people are with us and I am confident that they will repose their mandate in the NPF,” the NPF candidate of 42 Wakching Assembly constituency told North East Press Service over phone from Wakching Sunday.

MC Kokyak criticizes Central Congress leaders for visiting only election times

Criticizing the attitudes of the Congress leaders, Konyak, who is in straight fight with Independent Candidate YM Yolow, said the Prime Minister of this country in their last 9 years rule had not even visited Nagaland once and their visiting to the State at the time of elections had clearly exposed that they were not concerned for the people of this most backward areas in particular and State in general.
AICC President Sonia Gandhi had already visited Mokokchung and Dimapur and addressed the election rallies on February 7. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi are among others who will be visiting the State including ENPO areas for election rallies. Their dates visiting are yet to be confirmed.

“It is very unfortunate that these leaders including Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seem to be interested only in elections and not the people,” he pointed out saying such high profile political shows by Congress leaders would neither have any impact on ENPO areas nor other parts of the State.”
“The Nagas are not foolish anymore and they will give befitting reply this time,” he said adding, “I am optimistic that at least 6 NPFs out of total 9 in Mon district will emerge victorious and will cross double digit in the ENPO areas. We will get absolute majority and forming the next government.”

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Nagas have been sharply divided under NPF: Dr TM Lotha

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WOKHA, Feb 10 (NEPS): The people of Nagaland have been experiencing unprecedented divisions amongst them under the NPF-led regimes and such developments did not augur well for the future of the Naga people, said Dr TM Lotha, NCP candidate from … Continue reading →

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Talking to North East Press Service on the sidelines of his campaign trails here Sunday, the former Minister recalled as to how he as Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of DAN worked tirelessly to bring unity among the various Naga underground groups and civil societies and overground people.

Dr TM Lotha dusty campiagn trail at Wokha

“We had been meeting with leaders of various Naga underground groups while I was Chairman of the PAC and we could convince them of the urgency of coming together for finding solution to the longstanding Naga political issue,” Dr Lotha said. “I tried my best to unite the Nagas as a PAC Chairman but all have been shattered because various tribal blocs came up—viz Tenemiya, Central Naga Tribal Council (CNTC), ENPO, etc.”

“Who is responsible for these unwanted developments in the Naga societies,” he asked and alleged, “It is because of the misrule of the NPF.”

Stating that there was hardly anyone who could speak that “I am a Naga.” Because CNTC would speak for them, Tenemiya would speak for the Tenemiya people and ENPO would speak for them, he said asking who would speak for the Nagas. “And as such, unfortunately, the Naga cause was badly divided today by the NPF,” Dr Lotha added.

On the developmental front, the Dr Lotha said the NPF-led DAN Government did not perform their bounden duties in the last five years. “There is absolutely no development in the last five years of NPF-led DAN rule,” he blurted. “No development in road sectors, there is a mess in the educational sector besides power crises, etc. “It is endless to say,” he added.

“They (NPF) are bound to fall this time and will be rejected by the people,” he said.

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2012: A Good year for Manipur film industries – E-Pao.net

2012: A Good year for Manipur film industriesE-Pao.netImphal, February 10 2013 : Manipur Film Industry is one of the leading establishments in the entire north east. With the advent of filmmaking on digital format, the number of films produced in the S…

2012: A Good year for Manipur film industries
E-Pao.net
Imphal, February 10 2013 : Manipur Film Industry is one of the leading establishments in the entire north east. With the advent of filmmaking on digital format, the number of films produced in the State has increased significantly in the last decade …

BJP sub-committee formed

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IMPHAL, Feb 10: In a press release, the Bharatya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh said that BJP state President Thounaojam Chaoba Singh has formed a sub- committee with Moirangthem Prafullo as Chairman to work out a road map for bringing a better change in the life of the youths while adding that the first meeting of the sub-committee will call on intellectuals and the general public to give valuable ideas and send the valuable opinions and ideas in English or Manipuri to the office of BJP Manipur Pradesh or at it party e-mail: bjpManipur80@yahoo.com within 30 march.

The roadmap will focus on socio-political, economy, culture and sports issues.

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Grenade placed

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IMPHAL, Feb 10: Some unidentified persons placed a grenade in the courtyard of the residence of Thockchom Indrasing , Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bishnupur of Utlou Makha Leikai at 6 a.m. The grenade was picked up by police and exploded … Continue reading →

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Maoist Bandh postponed

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IMPHAL, Feb 10: The Maoist Communist Party, Manipur has said in a press release that it has postponed its February 11 midnight to February 12 midnight general strike until the outfit sends out another statement on the issue. The statement … Continue reading →

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The statement said that the general strike was imposed considering against the malpractices of corruption inside the RIMS, since RIMS is frequented by the poorer section of the society as they cannot afford the private clinics which are. expensive.

However considering the plight of the general public due to the bandh called by the Village Defence Force during the past few days, the outfit has decided to postpone the general strike, it said.

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Book released

The post Book released appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.IMPHAL, February 10: A Journal entitled “Naklou” to be published in English, Manipuri and Meitei Mayek and a book entitled “Nungshi Saktam” were released today at the P…

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IMPHAL, February 10: A Journal entitled “Naklou” to be published in English, Manipuri and Meitei Mayek and a book entitled “Nungshi Saktam” were released today at the Patriotic Writers Forum Manipur office.

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Prize Distribution

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IMPHAL, February 10: The prize distribution ceremony in connection with the 1st meritorious Competitive examination-2013 organized by SAINTS, a branch of Pandit Loisang toady at Yairipok Universal college, Wangkhem. The function was attended by Adhyaksha (I/E), Konthoujam Tombi Singh, Pradhan, Top Chingtha, Khoirom Tondon Singh, Zilla Parishad Member, Wangkhem, Ningombam Sunil Meitie, Keisam Ningthemjao Singh as the Chief Guest, President and Guest of honour respectively.

The competitive examination was held on 21 and 23 January. Students of class X of Yairipok and Thoubal areas appeared in the examination. Prizes were distributed to the topper students along with consolation prizes to some selected students.

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The curious case of State Bank of India in Manipur

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By Sanjit Laishram
SBI a regional banking giant and is one of the largest financial institutions in the world. The State Bank of India is the largest of the Big Four banks of India, along with ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank and HDFC Bank-its main competitors. The State Bank of India is also the 29th most reputed company in the world according to Forbes. In addition, SBI is the only bank featured in the coveted “top 10 brands of India” list in an annual survey conducted by Brand Finance and The

Economic Times in 2010 and boast of having the highest number of customers among all the commercial banks in India is something to be proud of for the banking giant.

Being the largest bank, State Bank of India Services offers products through its well-managed, efficient and deep-rooted networks like Domestic Treasury, Broking Services, Revised Service Charge, ATM Services, Internet Banking, E-Pay, E-Rail, Safe Deposit Lockers, and Gift Cheques. As a premier banking institute every customers expect quick and efficient service form the bank. On the contrary, SBI branches across the Imphal valley i.e. Imphal Secretariat Branch, Paona Bazaar Branch, MG Avenue Branch, Porompat Branch and MU Campus Branch is marred with technical and staffing problem on a regular basic. This is not expected from an institution like SBI. Wondering, what the condition of the banks would be in far-flung areas?

Daily server problem, issuing of limited number of token for early birds, late opening of branch office from the stipulated schedule time is against Banking Guidelines, Arrogant Staffs greets you when you visit a State Bank of India branch in Imphal. These problems are not a mere one off incident for any customers visiting SBI branches in imphal. To feel and see how the customers are unnecessarily harassed by all this issues, one can visit in any of the mention branches on any working day. Right form depositing a few amount of money or withdrawing it is a Herculean task for any ordinary customer. Making a Demand Draft or making a challan in any of the mention branches, one need to have a nerve of steel and the perseverance of the saint in order to get the job done.

Not to forget the ever idle ATM’s or you can abbreviate the name of the ATM’s in Imphal as All Time Moneyless. In addition, 27×7 banking is a distant dream for the customers except for those internet banking and mobile banking users. The ever-growing number of unsatisfied customers is not a welcome sign for SBI as people can always shift to other better service provider in near future. Wonder how the banking ombudsman would react with the entire shortcoming from a banking institute like SBI. In addition, never had I heard of a banking ombudsman giving justice to all this related issues in our state. Indeed, it is time to forward the grievance directly to Appellate Authority of RBI.

The immediate solution is to open more SBI branches in the neighborhoods with skilled and efficient staff that can cater the demand of the ever-increasing number of customers who want to avail its services. The RBI guidelines to open more bank branches for area whose population is about 25,000 needs to be implemented ASAP. Only more number of bank branches will ease the work pressure that is being piled up at the limited branches, which are available now. Whatever be the matter, it is for the management in SBI to look after the public grievances and create an atmosphere to the customers who now hate going to Bank our state to avoid the madness and chaos seen everyday in banking offices across the city. After all this is just a reminder to SBI that the customer is still the king and always will be.

(The views expressed are the personal view of the contributor)

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Quality of Life and Environment: Where are we?

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By Amar Yumnam
Quality of life one encounters in everyday living and continued living is one the most important determinants of wellbeing of an individual and a group. In recent years, this has entered so much into the decision-making process of an individual and consequently economists today attach a major importance to the quality of life and its potentials assessments of any place. We should also be attaching importance to this in Manipur to sustain as a society and as a diverse community.

Quality of life is a product of a multidimensional characteristic of qualities respecting to political, economic, social, environment, cultural, education, employment and other important factors in an individual’s response to living in a context. Well, when it comes to the political quality of life in Manipur the better it is for us if we talk least of that. In other words, the political quality of life in Manipur and the neighbouring provinces is such that it is sickening and devoid of any quality of civilizational character. In a recent lecture at Stanford University in honour of Kenneth Arrow, Dani Rodrik questions the increasing relevance of the concept of ‘nation state’ in today’s world. Rodrik has raised this question with the rising heterogeneity of consumers in the world. The civilised world has reaped the benefits of diversity and increasingly appreciates the value of it in terms of development potential, realised civilizational level and widening the perspective for a wider world. In the case of Manipur, the opposite is just the reality. The diversity of community has become a weakness and a problem rather than a strength for onward social advancement. It has become an excuse to indulge in articulations devoid of any civilizational character and increasingly jeopardising our potential for enhancement of quality of life. Indeed, the quality of life has worsened deeper in Manipur in so far as the political component is concerned.

But in the preoccupation with the political issues, articulations and race for sacrificing the civilizational aura in it, we have completely missed one very important aspect of the quality of life components. The global concern today is with climate change and the changes towards undesirable directions of the environment. In the context of Manipur, the race in political arms race has completely made the people forget and conveniently behave unconcerned with what is happening in the environment in Manipur. We need not tax our mind to understand as to how we define environment in the context of Manipur. We can easily define it as the forests and the tree-cover in the land. We may move to any direction from Imphal, we can very easily appreciate with our eyes the disappearing forests, thinning mountains and deteriorating land quality in Manipur. In fact, the phenomenon is such that only the mountains where army camps are located would be the places where forests would be saved. If this turns out to be the case, we have only one option to save our environment. This is complete militarisation of the land and thereby convert every mountain top into an army camp. But we know for sure that this is neither feasible nor democratic.

The world is moving towards a direction of thinking on environment different from the one still prevalent in Manipur. We are still in the world where the landscape functions are segregated. The thinking world has left this mind-set behind and now perceives the landscape functions in an inclusive multidimensional way. In addition to the fast depletion of forests in the mountains of Manipur and the public non-concern with it, we also have a thinking in the valley where environment is concerned to be only related to the forests in the mountains of the land. We work as if the urban planning and development has nothing to do with the environment component of the quality of life. All the developmental interventions relating to construction and improving land quality in the valley have invariably compromised the continuance of the mountains in Manipur as mountains and the richness of the forests therein. To put in another way, the segregation of landscape functions in the mentality of the people and the policy making for development is leading to the double-degradation of the environment in Manipur. The degradation of the environment in the mountains is coupled by another in the valley. Even the value attached by our kings in history to street trees no longer prevails.

This is something we cannot afford to continue further. For instance, we must remember that we have an airport with rising flight density, and our rising developmental needs demand this. However, aircrafts are the biggest pollutants anywhere in the world. We have to be very conscious of this while thinking of the environment in the valley. The urban planning process definitely has to necessarily incorporate the environmental component of the quality of life. Unlike elsewhere, we do not see the emergence of the roof-top gardening as an aesthetic value either. While the urbanisation process is deepening with rising negative aspects of it, there is no emergence of quality of urban landscape as important component in designing and policy making.

While there is no perceptible component in planning connecting people with nature, the unfolding picture has nothing to encourage us. The deteriorating forests in the mountains would tell on the water system and overall quality of life for the entire province within less than two decades in difficult to reverse terms if the present trend continues. The recent experiences with the weather – the daily manifestations of climate- in Manipur have not been what the past lived experiences of the people tell us. The deteriorating environment would start impacting negatively on the health and behaviour of the people. We have to act before these happen. The sooner we listen and respond to this natural requirement the better for the society. The sickening political environment would sicken all of us if we allow it to extend to the environmental component of quality of life.

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When One Billion Rises

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When One Billion Rises
It is hard to escape three words strung together: “One Billion Rising”. Fast being known simply as OBR, the word and the abbreviation keep on popping up as a common theme across social networking sites and in conversation and serious discussions across towns, cities and countries. Just as there are young and old people getting together to talk and plan out the day, which will be observed worldwide on February 14, there are a lot others who believe that the observation is something to do with Valentines’ Day. The history of the V-day, on which the One Billion Rising campaign is pegged; is much more than the raw consumerism of Valentine’s Day. It all started in 1998 as reactions to a politically and sexually charged play called The Vagina Monologues written by Eve Ensler, an American playwright, performer, feminist and activist. Made up of a number of monologues read by a number of women, dealing with feminine experiences touching on sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body, The Vagina Monologues became more than just a play but slowly took on the shades of a movement with its central theme on preventing sexual violence. Every year a new monologue is added to highlight a current issue that affects women around the world. The V-day as the movement became to be known started from discussions post the play and spread to countries on a global scale.

This time, given the context and the public and social debate over areas of safety for women, it is only apt that the One Billion Rising movement gets into the spotlight in India as well. While the theme may be making itself heard around us, partly because of the rage and events that has unfolded in the country after the brutal rape and subsequent death of a 23 year old in New Delhi, it is a fact that issues around women’s safety are hardly addressed with the seriousness that it deserves. It is common for most people to lay blame on women for sexual crimes committed against them. If it is a case of domestic violence, the accepted norm is that the wife must not have tried enough to keep the husband happy. If a woman gets raped, it is her fault for various reasons: the time she was going somewhere, the dress she was wearing, the company she was keeping, the community she is from. There will never be any mention of responsibilities towards women being safe from abuse, ultimately leading to figures that shock: one in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime!

India or even Manipur are not the only places where the onus for women to stay safe rests on how they dress and how they look, where they go and whom they go with. In fact the V-day movement also came about as a response to a statement made by Republican U.S. Representative Todd Akin of Missouri who said pregnancy rarely occurs as a result of what he called “legitimate rape”. This is no different to various leaders on the national level and at the state level who have given their pearls of wisdom on women’s sexual rights and freedom. Some years ago, an MLA always prone to be in the Opposition party famously went about distributing knives and scissors to women ‘to protect themselves from rape’ and struck by that same helpful gesture, a political party in Maharashtra advised that women should carry knives for protection. Missing in the area of discussion of course, was that sexual violence on women are committed by men and that they are the ones who need to be brought to book.

And while the country’s leaders set about getting the ordinance on preventing violence against women and their sexual abuse into legal implementation mode in the backdrop of calls to also look into existing gaps that have been left out and more so in the context of the safety of women in militarized zones in the country, the rallying point of the One Billion Rising Campaign should hopefully keep the talk going on till it hits home.

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Lui Ngai Ni

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By TS.Warngam Every Naga tribe has its own festival which are celebrated at the village and tribe level.Of late,Nagas have organized themselves and jointly celebrated festivals at the regional level.Nagas in Nagaland State celebrate the Hornbill festival every year.In the … Continue reading →

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By TS.Warngam
Every Naga tribe has its own festival which are celebrated at the village and tribe level.Of late,Nagas have organized themselves and jointly celebrated festivals at the regional level.Nagas in Nagaland State celebrate the Hornbill festival every year.In the same manner,Nagas in Manipur celebrate Lui Ngai Ni every year.

A seminar was held on the 10th may 1986 at GM hall Imphal which was attended by the then Hon`ble minister of state Mr.Gaikhangam and Hon`ble MLA Mr.Benjamin Banee as the chief guest and functional president respectively.It was recommended then, that a common festival of the Nagas in Manipur be celebrated every year on the 15th of February under the name of “Naga seed sowing festival”.This festival after much discussion was named “Lui Ngai Ni” in indigenous dialect putting together the best appropriate and relevant words of the tribes.The collective efforts of the Nagas enabled them to shape and celebrate the first such observance on 15th Feb.1987. In recognition of this zealous efforts,the Govt.of Manipur further declared a state holiday for the festival and in 1997,the Ministry of tourism,Govt.of India also listed the festival as one of the tourist festivals in India.

On this day of the festival, seeds of different crops are brought together and prayers are invoked to the almighty God to shower blessings on the seeds so that they grow to bear fruits for bumper harvest in order to ensure the well-being of the people.The blessings of the supreme deity is sought with expressions through dances, songs, games, sports, rituals, etc performed by the various tribes.This cultural continuity is a way of showing our unique identity. It is this continuity which we see in some of the most delightful dances,songs and other customary rituals presented during Lui Ngai Ni every year.

Out of many festivals that different Naga tribes celebrate,there are those which are uncommon in design,purpose and time.But the Lui Ngai Ni is celebrated by all Naga Tribes almost simultaneously during the spring season.

In fact,the phenomenal diversity with the Naga community itself add colors to the collective diversity of the world.In all,there are about 40 odd tribes that constitute the Naga society,and out of these about 16 tribes are found in Manipur alone. They are Anal, Maring, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe, Tarao, Tangkhul, Mao, Poumei, Maram, Thangal, Chiru, Kharam, Inpui and Zeliangrong (Zemei, Liangmei & Rongmei).

Like many indigenous tribes of South East Asia,the Nagas have a rich and colorful culture. Every Naga tribe celebrate various festivals signifying important events in their life . Though the Nagas have no well documented customs, traditions, legends, beliefs and values, many of them are relayed/passed through oral and visual traditions in the forms of song,dance,story-telling,rites and rituals, wood carvings, festivals, megaliths, etc.The written history of today does not adequately reflect the pristine wisdom of our ancestors.

Lui Ngai Ni is celebrated under the aegis of the UNC by default being the apex body every year in the district head quarters of Chandel,Ukhrul,Senapati and Tamenglong by turn in rotation.UNC usually innitiates the formation of organizing committees with all the sub-committees who in turn shoulders the responsibilities to make the event a grand success.It is celebrated with the support and contributions from the tribes,well wishers, officers, politicians, leaders, contractors, businessmen,etc.

Lui Ngai Ni 2013 is being celebrated in Chamdil (Chandel) under the leadership of Mr.Somipam Lungleng as the Chairman of COC and guidance from the UNC headed by Mr.L.Adani as its President with the theme “Weaving peace through culture” .

In celebrating the festival,the Nagas rekindle their past glorious traditions and values for their posterity,perhaps,re-enact and promote our dances,songs,customary values and rituals. May the celebration of Lui-ngai-ni usher in peace and better understanding among us all.
K U K N A L I M
(TS.Warngamis the Vice President of the United Naga Council.)

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Exposing the Urgency of Manipur NSCN-IM – E-Pao.net

E-Pao.netExposing the Urgency of Manipur NSCN-IME-Pao.netPolitical pundits are of the opinion that the political movement of NSCN-IM (frontal organisations included) have reached its zenith at least in the case of Manipur. Difficulty to manage the outf…

E-Pao.net

Exposing the Urgency of Manipur NSCN-IM
E-Pao.net
Political pundits are of the opinion that the political movement of NSCN-IM (frontal organisations included) have reached its zenith at least in the case of Manipur. Difficulty to manage the outfit's demands at the constitutional level by India have …

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The curious case of State Bank of India

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By Sanjit Laishram

SBI a regional banking giant and is one of the largest financial institutions in the world. The State Bank of India is the largest of the Big Four banks of India, along with ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank and HDFC Bank-its main competitors. The State Bank of India is also the 29th most reputed company in the world according to Forbes. In addition, SBI is the only bank featured in the coveted “top 10 brands of India” list in an annual survey conducted by Brand Finance and The Economic Times in 2010 and boast of having the highest number of customers among all the commercial banks in India is something to be proud of for the banking giant.

Being the largest bank, State Bank of India Services offers products through its well-managed, efficient and deep-rooted networks like Domestic Treasury, Broking Services, Revised Service Charge, ATM Services, Internet Banking, E-Pay, E-Rail, Safe Deposit Lockers, and Gift Cheques. As a premier banking institute every customers expect quick and efficient service form the bank. On the contrary, SBI branches across the Imphal valley i.e. Imphal Secretariat Branch, Paona Bazaar Branch, MG Avenue Branch, Porompat Branch and MU Campus Branch is marred with technical and staffing problem on a regular basic. This is not expected form an institution like SBI. Wondering, what the condition of the banks would be in far-flung areas?

Daily server problem, issuing of limited number of token for early birds, late opening of branch office from the stipulated schedule time is against Banking Guidelines, Arrogant Staffs greets you when you visit a State Bank of India branch in Imphal. These problems are not a mere one off incident for any customers visiting SBI branches in imphal. To feel and see how the customers are unnecessary harassed by all this issues, one can visit in any of the mention branches on any working day. Right form depositing a few amount of money or withdrawing it is a Herculean task for any ordinary customer. Making a Demand Draft or making a challan in any of the mention braches, one need to have a nerve of steel and the perseverance of the saint in order to get the job done. Never had I seen a staff endorse the old and the weak among the hundred tired customers.

Not to forget the ever idle ATM’s or you can abbreviate the name of the ATM’s in Imphal as All Time Moneyless. In addition, 27*7 banking is a distant dream for the customers except for those internet banking and mobile banking users. The ever-growing number of unsatisfied customers is not a welcome sign for SBI as people can always shift to other better service provider in near future. Wonder how the banking ombudsman would react with the entire shortcoming from a banking institute like SBI. In addition, never had I heard of a banking ombudsman giving justice to all this related issues in our state. Indeed, it is time to forward the grievance directly to Appellate Authority of RBI.

The immediate solution is to open more SBI branches in the neighborhoods with skilled and efficient staff that can cater the demand of the ever-increasing number of customers who want to avail its services. The RBI guidelines to open more bank branches for area whose population is about 25000 needs to be implemented ASAP. Only more number of bank branches will ease the work pressure that is being pilled up at the limited branches, which are available now. Whatever be the matter it is for the management in SBI to look after the public grievances and create an atmosphere to the customers who now hate going to Bank our state to avoid the madness and chaos seen everyday in banking offices across the city. After all this is just a reminder to SBI that the customer is still the king and always will be.

Posted: 2012-02-10

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