Manipur News – Page 16600 – www.manipur.org/news

Talks with Kuki militants begin

IMPHAL, Jan 3 NNN: Working on the modalities to begin political dialogues with the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki militant outfits–Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) has started today.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in charge of North East Sambhu Singh who arrived Imphal yesterday briefed the representatives of the KNO and UPF in Imphal today.
Sambhu Singh along with Principal Secretary (Home), government of Manipur Mr Suresh Babu, Superintendent of Police, CID, Achin Haokip and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) LM Khaute represented the government side in the separate talks with the UPF and the KNO.
The talks were held at First Manipur Rifles Ground Banquet Hall in Imphal where the UPF leaders first met the government representatives at around 2:30 pm which concluded at 3:30 pm.
The UPF leaders said today’s talk was more on the matter pertaining to the interlocutor of the talks. The UPF leaders expressed optimism that they would go soon to New Delhi to begin the political talks.
KNO spokesman Dr Seilen Haokip informed NNN that today’s meeting with the government representatives was ‘informal’. “We will submit our formal proposal in written tomorrow (Friday) to the government regarding to whom the government should appoint as the interlocutor,” Dr Seilen Haokip added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/talks-with-kuki-militants-begin/

Negotiations with HPC D on

AIZAWL, Jan 3 NNN: Mizoram Home minister, R Lalzirliana said that the state government is making arrangements to hold negotiation with the Hmar outfit Hmar People’s Convention-Democratic (HPC-D).
R Lalzirliana said, “It is true that the HPC -D is not to be approached by the Mizoram government. However, since they use the very fact that we (the Mizoram Government) do not initiate talks with them, as an excuse, therefore, we shall hold talks with them, if necessary. HPC-D are our brothers, and the government, their father, and we are not enemies”.
According to the Home minister, negotiation between the Mizoram government and the HPC-D shall be held on certain conditions. Such that, if the HPC-D and Mizoram government are to hold talks, the HPC-D should cancel their dictate of dissolving Young Mizo Association (YMA) branches, and situation should prevail such that the government would be able to conduct village council elections in the villages where it has not been held, within areas of Sinlung Hills Development Council; and also that they should not create any disturbance to the contractors and also on the NREGS fund distribution.
Regarding the decision of the government in rejecting the appeal to release the HPC-D leaders in bail the Home minister said, “I have been accused of being ignorant of law, and of speaking of things beyond the control of the government; but, the government has its own decision, and I just spoke of what the government wants”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/negotiations-with-hpc-d-on/

NPF heaps allegations on NPCC

DIMAPUR, Jan 3 NNN: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has accused the leaders of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) as not genuine leaders of the people but only agents of outsiders imposing alien cultures upon the Nagas. The NPF also accused the Congress leaders that they are always trying to suppress the voice of the masses by misusing the powers of its ‘high command’ to rule.
Countering the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC)’s statement, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has said on Thursday it was issuing this press release in reply to the ‘absurd’ statements of the Congress.
“The NPCC’s criticism of the Planning minister representing the chief minister at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting in New Delhi is illogical and out of place. For the record, it is being informed that the chief minister has always attended NDC meetings in the past years and it was only this year that the Planning minister was made to represent the chief minister in view of important engagements that had already been scheduled for the chief minister. Moreover, the report and speech tabled by the Planning minister on behalf of the chief minister had the approval and clearance of the chief minister. Therefore, the question of the chief minister not giving importance to the economic development of the State just does not arise,” the NPF stated.
“In fact, it goes without saying that the State has witnessed tremendous economic growth and development under the astute and visionary leadership of Neiphiu Rio. It may be noted in every NDC meeting, a member of State Ministers would invariably be representing their chief ministers, who cannot attend the meeting due to some reasons or the other. Even this time, the chief ministers of West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Manipur did not attend. In the case of Manipur which is a Congress ruled State only the chief secretary, and not even a minister attended,” the NPF claimed.
It then said the NPF is also shocked to see that that the Congress has used God’s name in their attempt to gain political mileage. To say that God has rejected the Democtatic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is a total misuse of the Almighty’s name and explains the mental state of the Congress leadership in Nagaland. Going to the extent of saying that the Almighty has rejected a Government means that the Congress is completely frustrated and in a desperate State of mind. It also means that the Congress will go to any length for their narrow political gains without any sense of morality and spirituality.
Let the leaders of the Congress know that Almighty God does not belong to the Congress, but the Almighty is for all humanity. God will deliver justice and his name should not be used in vain, least of all for scoring cheap political points. The Congress party has gone to the extent of saying that DAN Government is “the pagan government”, just because they give due respect and importance to our traditional village elders by giving them a platform during the State’s premier tourist event, like the Hornbill Festival. Let it be known that invoking God’s blessing by Naga elders in traditional attire is not anti-Christian in any manner, the NPF statement added.
“So far as the role of church organisations in the Naga political movement is concerned, the NPF is of the clear stand that the Church plays a very crucial and important role. In fact, the Church has always played a contributory role in the political movement, and the NPF, while respecting this aspect, has given high importance to the church organisations in every aspect. Consecutive NPF led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) governments have regularly had consultations with the Church, irrespective of denominations, and the views and submissions of the Church organisations have always been given prominent weightage.
The leaders of the Church organisations are well aware of the DAN government’s approach to the role of the Church and we do not need a certificate from the Congress on our approach to the Church. Rather, it is for the people to realise that the name of Almighty God and the Church is now being used by a frustrated and desperate Congress,” the NPF further added.
It is also clarified to the people that prudent and responsible financial management has ensured a sound financial health of the State. There is no cause for alarm and the State’s finances are being managed in an exemplary manner. The State Government has been led by visionary leadership that has laid the foundations for a progressive new Nagaland. Visionary leadership, accelerated development and people friendly policies and programmes have ensured a State Government that is connected with the people and the grass roots, it stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npf-heaps-allegations-on-npcc/

Supreme Court to hear PILs on rape cases, women safety

New Delhi, Jan.3 (ANI): The Supreme Court will hear public interest litigation matters related to setting up of fast track courts for speedy trial in rape cases and effective implementation of existing laws for safety of women on Friday.
A two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra said that it was aware of the gravity of the issue, and would take up the PILS for review and argument tomorrow.
One of the PILs has filed by retired lady IAS officer Promilla Shanker.
The bench headed by Justice Radhakrishnan decided to hear the matter on Friday as it had received a report from the apex court registry that an identical matter relating to the safety of women was already pending.
The judges were of the view that they would like to know the details of the other pending matter.The apex court will also hear another PIL related to the issue which was filed by an advocate and social activist Omika Dubey in which directions have been sought for appointment of additional judges to adjudicate the matters of crime against women and for providing compulsory compensation to victims of rape.
The PIL filed through advocate Ravi Prakash Gupta also sought an order to restrain print and electronic media from publishing and telecasting obscene pictures of women.
The Central Government was pulled up by the Supreme Court on Thursday for failing to stop illegal clinical trials of untested drugs by multinational firms.
Charging the central government with going into deep slumber over the issue, the apex court said drug trials are creating ?havoc? across the country and causing the death of many citizens.
The court said the government needed to urgently introduce proper mechanisms to stop these ?rackets? of multinational companies.
A two-judge bench of the court, comprising of Justices R.M. Lodha and A.R. Dave said that all clinical trials will henceforth be done under the supervision of the Union Health Secretary.
You have to protect health of citizens of the country. It is your obligation. Deaths must be arrested and illegal trials must be stayed, the bench said, asking the government to handle the menace on an urgent basis.
The court also rubbished the government?s contention that various committees were look into the issue and that it would come back to the court after getting suggestions from them.
You can get back to the court but what about those people who are losing their lives in such clinical trials? the court retorted.
It is very easy to form a committee or a commission. It is done just to divert people?s attention on the issue. It is the best way to divert attention on important issues, the bench said.
The court said that the government is shying away from responding to its queries while noting that the affidavit filed by the Centre was not in consonance with its earlier order.On October 8, last year, the apex court had sought the reply on the allegation that human beings were being used as guinea pigs by drug companies.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/supreme-court-to-hear-pils-on-rape-cases-women-safety/

Climb the ladder step by step

Do not attempt to get too many things in a single day. One must attempt to reach higher echelons of the society by climbing the ladder step by step. The story of greedy grabber losing everything after the sack filled with jewellery got torn must remain as eye opener every time one sets out from home to perform daily work. A chicken centre, which became talk of the town for selling dressed chicken at cheaper rate closed down very soon after buyers detected that the weighing machine was manipulated. Likewise hardware saw complete rejection by buyers after it was detected that the items sold were immersed into the water to make it heavier. Similarly a doctor, who had the habit of negotiating about the fee before giving medical treatment to the patients, saw reduction in the number of visitors to his home for treatment. One must learn to be contented with the little one gets. Fortunate persons are those, who are loved by all. What is required is winning the confidence of all. Once you have been able to do that success will knock at your door. But not all are born to lead a successful life. This however does not mean one must cease to work when he fails in one attempt. Remember great men shot to fame after making several attempts to shine in the field of their choice. Mediocre attempts to get maximum benefit out of little they perform. They too realise where their weakness lies. When they failed to get the little they expected they lamented every step they made. We must understand where we are? We must not compare ourselves with those born in the developed parts of the world. But we must attempt to find ways for speedy development of the state. In doing that we will feel the solace of doing something for the state. Let us not envy other’s achievement. Rather than envying others achievement we must focus on ourselves to know why we could not do as the successful men did. The name and fame come to those, who work hard. If we realise that we will feel the need for working hard. Students can be advised to study hard to shine in academic life. They cannot be asked to see the short journey to achieve success in examination. Similarly youngsters aspiring to start business can be asked to adopt the method that will help them earn the love and confidence of others. When the darkness has engulfed our mind we seek advice from elders and friends. We uphold their views when they speak the truth. Therefore elders should advise youngsters to speak only the truth nothing but the truth. Because there is nothing that can stand against the truth. A child has the habit of speaking only the truth but the surrounding in which he or she has been compelled to grow up makes him or her to act as they are doing. Let us realise where we are and think what we can do to make our society a better place for living. Misunderstanding that have come up cropping must get buffeted away by the good will of the people. Let us make Manipur a better place for living.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/climb-the-ladder-step-by-step/

Temi Tea , Flavour of Sikkim

Khagendramani Pradhan
Amidst the backdrop of picturesque and mighty Mt. Khanchan Dzonga refreshed by the gentle breeze of river Teesta brews the morning sip of Sikkim – the Temi tea. Spread over 180 hectares of gentle slope with altitude ranging from 4500 to 6316 feet, the Temi tea garden produces one of the finest orthodox tea that promises the appreciation of tea connoisseur.
The Temi Tea estate was established in 1969 during the erstwhile regime of Chogyal and the commercial production started in the year 1977. In the year 1974 Tea board was formed to govern the day to day functioning of the estate and later it went on to become the subsidiary of Industries Department under Sikkim government. Temi Tea which apart from providing direct employment to over four hundred labors and thirty personnel, also is a major employer in the Government sector.
The gentle slopes that originate from the Tendong hill range has loamy soils condition with slope of 30–50% that suits best for tea plantation and produces nearly 100 tons of tea annually. Although the quantity of produce may seem insignificant in terms of major tea producing estates, the quality and the flavor it produces has been able to win the heart of tea aficionados within India and the world.
The tea produced by the Temi Tea estate is packaged under many brand names like “Temi Tea” which is of the best quality consisting of pure tea golden flowery orange pekoe. The next in quality is the popular brand of ‘Sikkim Solja’ followed by ‘Mystique’ and ‘Kanchanjunga Tea’. It is also sold in the form of ‘Orthodox dust tea’. While nearly 70 percent of the produce is sold in public auction at Kolkata through its authorized broker, the rest is converted into retail packets and sold in the local market.
The geographical location and the young plantation supplemented by organic method of production have further added to the value and flavor of tea leaves produced from this estate. Temi Tea garden closely followed the guidelines issued by IMO, Switzerland and with the completion of observation period, Temi Tea Estate was certified 100 percent organic by IMO India, a member group of IMO Switzerland in 2008. In addition, it is also a HACCP certified estate as per ISO -22000 standard under Food Safety Management System ensuring finest of quality product reaching the market. It may be noted that Temi tea garden is also the recipient of All India Quality Award from Tea Board of India for the two consecutive years.
The conversion of entire production process from conventional to organic with inputs like bio-fertilizers and pesticides like vermin-compost manure, neem cakes and castor cakes, have not only opened bigger market in international market, but has also seen a surge in demand amongst the tourist visiting Sikkim. Nearly one hundred acres of forest land at its disposal amply supplies the bio-mass to the estate making it self-reliant for required inputs.
By abandoning the use of agro-chemical and adopting organic means of production, the Temi tea estate has not only curtailed the cost of production, but also has opened wider arena of market preferring organic produce free from harmful chemicals. The Temi Tea board boasts of coming to breakeven point and substantially contributing to the State exchequer.
While Germany, United Kingdom, America and Japan constitute the major buyer, efforts are on way to further diversify the product in view of growing demand for green teas including redesigning of more attractive packets for value addition. This apart, efforts are underway to source direct buyers in foreign market for tea produced in Sikkim. The Tea Board of late has started directly exporting small quantities of organic tea to Canada and Japan where it has been fetching comparatively competitive and attractive prices.
Though, the expansion of tea plantation has been thwarted due to non availability of suitable land, Temi tea estate has been offering assistance to small scale grower and producers by providing quality planting materials and other technical knowhow. The garden nursery produces some of the best clone planting material, which is distributed among the small tea growers’ cooperatives in the state.
Though Temi Tea has lived up to expectation of many tea connoisseurs, given the climatic condition in the estate, there still is scope for production of high value and high return finest tea leaves. (PIB Features.)

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/temi-tea-flavour-of-sikkim/

AMSU directive on school fees

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IMPHAL, January 3: The All Manipur Students’ Union today called a press conference demanding for private schools to submit their fees structures at the union’s headquarter by January 10. Speaking to media persons today, the student body’s vice president while … Continue reading →

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IMPHAL, January 3: The All Manipur Students’ Union today called a press conference demanding for private schools to submit their fees structures at the union’s headquarter by January 10.

Speaking to media persons today, the student body’s vice president while declaring the deadline also said that in case of the failure of the schools to submit their respective fees structure, the union will take up steps for which the schools should bear full responsibility.

Schools should not exceed the fees structure as declared by the union earlier, he said. The fees structures were decided upon during a meeting of the student union which was also participated by the public, he said.

He continued the student body has already submitted a proposal on the issue of the private school fees to the Education (S), however only the Education (S/Hill) has complied by it while the Education (S/Valley) is yet to introduce the proposal.

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Bar association clarifies

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IMPHAL, Jan 2: The Thoubal District Bar Association has in a statement said that a meeting of its executive members have decried the news report that a rape victim was remanded to police custody by the CJM, Thoubal. It said … Continue reading →

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It said the news report was based on unfounded statements and has further appealed all concern to confirm with sources while reporting such comments.

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Kidnapped

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IMPHAL, Jan 2: The manager of the Mangalam Plywood factory, Kanglatombi identified as Shankar Lal Sahi (59), a native of Rajasthan and at present, residing at Thangal bazaar has been reportedly kidnapped by suspected valley based UG group from near the Kangla Gate under city police station yesterday morning around 5:30 for a huge monetary demand. The incident is said to have taken place while Shankar was taking a stroll in front of the Kangla gate. City police has taken up a case regarding the kidnapping.

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Family alleges foul play

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IMPHAL, January 2: Locals of the Wangkhei Thangjam Leirak fromed a JAC and partly dismantled the house of a youth yesterday morning who is said to be allegedly involved in the suspicious death of a youth on the 31 December … Continue reading →

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The deceased youth has been identified as Thangjam Bikash (21) son of Ranbir of Wangkhei Thangjam leirak and the alleged accused is identified as Moirangthem Rishi (20) son of Kunjakeshor of Wangkhei Thokpam Leikai,

According to Thangjam Ranbir, the father of the deceased, “My son was called out by Moirangthem Rishi at around 11am from our house and failed to return home till 3.30 am. When I tried to contact him over the mobile phone, the call was taken by a man who identified himself as a security personal posted at JNIMS hospital. He asked me to come to the hospital casualty immediately.” When he reached JNIMS casualty, his son was nowhere to be found but was instead told his dead body had sent to the morgue for post mortem while the hospital authority had filed a case of drug overdose as cause of death.

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Water supply scheme inaugurated at Phouden

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IMPHAL, January 2: A water supply scheme and a multipurpose community hall were inaugurated during a simple function today at Phouden under Thoubal district . The function was attended by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Md Abdul Nashir, Parliamentary Secretary (IPR&MI) … Continue reading →

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IMPHAL, January 2: A water supply scheme and a multipurpose community hall were inaugurated during a simple function today at Phouden under Thoubal district .

The function was attended by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Md Abdul Nashir, Parliamentary Secretary (IPR&MI) K Meghachandra Singh and Parliamentary Secretary (MOBC & Science and Technology) Md Amin Shah as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

According to a DIPR release, the water supply scheme was constructed at the cost of around Rs 61.21 lakh, the reservoir has a capacity of gallon 23,000 and the scheme was taken up under the Multi Sectoral Development Programme and will provide drinking water to 4096 people in and around Phoden area.

The multipurpose hall was constructed at the cost of around Rs 25 lakh, it added.

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KCP cadre arrested

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IMPHAL, Jan 2: A combined team of Imphal East commandoes and 16 Assam Rifles arrested one KCP (MC) cadre identified as Aheibam Inao Singh alias Amu, 43 son of A Apabi Singh of Chingnungkhok Maning Leikai from Chingnungkhok Mailing Leikai near Pukhri Achouba on December 31, 2012 at about 9:10pm, said a release of the Imphal East SP. According to the statement, one AK-56 rifle without magazine was recovered from his possession and on verification, Amu disclosed that he joined KCP (MC) in the year 2009 through one (L) s/s district commander Tony of Khurai and that he was involved in extortion of money from the general public, government officials, businessmen, etc.

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Not PLA

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IMPHAL, Jan 2: The proscribed RPF/PLA has said in a statement that the outfit is not related in anyway to Ph Jiten, 40 son of Manichou of Wangngu Naodakhong who was reported arrested by the 46th Assam Rifles on December … Continue reading →

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A free zone for education

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It is common to see students holding placards with “keep education/schools a free zone” when there are violence related cases in the state. It would bode well to examine what a ‘free zone’ means in the first place. If one is to look at whether schools in the state are kept free from playing to the whims of either the Government or non-Government bodies, then the answer is a big no. To begin with, transfers of school authorities and teachers take place not because of a systematic practice but mostly as a fall out over department heads, area MLAs, the coterie of contractors and their ilk. Club this with the lack of infrastructure in Government schools, the tendency of teachers to play truant and what we get is a heavy cocktail that spells ‘failure’. Private schools on the other hand employ teachers at lesser salaries and other employment benefits and not only end up turn out better success rates in terms of performance in examinations but also students who are more confident and competitive. Starting out only with a focus on exam performance, private schools end up creating a demand for student admissions and in the process gets to decide how much fees and other charges they will put up before an ever growing demand. In the process, they get the capital needed for putting in that extra bit to their institutions that are not available in Government schools: music classes, adventure courses, exposure trips etc.

To come back to the question of just what constitutes a ‘free zone’ in educational institutions: it goes without saying that schools and colleges and even the University in Manipur is largely impacted by the very nature of the unpredictable forces of social and political winds in the state. Bandhs, strikes and curfews have time and again impacted academic schedules and one has only to rewind back to 2009-2010 when educational institutions were shut down for over four months. If Education was left free from social and political turmoil in the state, we would perhaps have gotten around to seeing a different face altogether. The major rot in the Education system comes from not looking at merit and qualification at recruitment and then ensuring the latest pay packages notwithstanding performances. Teachers and other officials stay comfortable knowing that their pay is guaranteed no matter what their input.

The introduction of various schemes under Central Government funding including programs and projects like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) have come with opportunities to plug in the gaps of infrastructure in Government educational institutions but have unfortunately only ended in bringing in the contractor culture where the fund supply has been tapped in for the benefit of a few pockets. The failure of the State Government to ensure the implementation of the Right to Education Act (RTE) has also meant that private educational institutions in the state can well afford to dictate terms and conditions regarding school fee structures in total violation of the stipulations of the Act. No wonder then, that private organizations step in as parallel voices and are taking upon themselves the task of ‘supervising, monitoring’ and being authority. Just how free are schools to decide for its students can be seen from the calls for dress codes that external agencies impose upon though they do come ‘dressed’ in the garb of ‘appeals’.

The fact that external agencies and organizations can decide what happens to educational institutions in case their diktats are not followed also speaks volumes of the failure of the Education Department in recognizing just what ails the system. It would bode well for the welfare of students to ensure that appropriate stakeholders are identified and partnerships forged to work on a road map or else the education sector may well become a crowded space with too many people calling the shots and very little happening in the real sphere.

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Artiste safety

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In our society, there are certain norms of etiquette that is followed from one generation to the other and sometimes so true to form that it becomes a cultural norm. The practice of showing respect for performers or artistes who take centre stage while performing on occasions of death, marriage and other social events center around showing respect. Audience members who want to show their appreciation must first of all give their benediction to the artiste, which is done by bowing to them and then followed by the act of offering money. The process of showing appreciation is almost ritual in nature with a bow to the platform or rather, the area where the performance is being held and the nature of performance is deemed to be the one where the maximum spotlight that in earlier times, the entry of women in these domains were not encouraged.

While the practice of decorum for showing appreciation to performing artistes are still being followed for cultural and social functions, mostly because they are attended by elders; the nature of younger people towards artistes performing at entertainment programs has undergone a sea change. It is common for crowds now to heckle artistes on stage, passing lewd gestures and making rude gestures if the performers happen to be girls. Much before the storm broke out over the brutal attack on film actor Momoko Khangembam, there were many other cases where people in the audience have ended up getting all too familiar with performing artistes. There is at least one video clip on popular site Youtube where someone from the audience at a musical function, taking place in Imphal is shown being kicked by the singer. It is not clear what transpired between the singer and the person who went up on stage from the audience but suffice to say that if the singer in question did not have a valid reason for his action, he would have been booed down by the rest of the audience and been banned from singing ever again. On another occasion, a male audience member was seen getting too close to comfort to a female singer who kept stepping back from him. He said something to the artiste, which incensed one musician so much that he rushed from his performing spot with his guitar in tow and whacked the man who was pestering the singer.

Part of the problem comes from the fact that a majority of our society tends to look down on artistes who perform for a living. The lack of respect and the failure to associate dignity with the profession that artistes are in, lead to the tendency to misbehave with them. Added to this mentality, the use of alcohol and other drugs that gives people on a ‘high’ only aggravates the situation. Contrast this with how sportspersons are feted and valued in our society. Both sports and performing artistes stand on the basis of their talent and ability. The dedication and hard work that goes into making a sportsperson also applies for performing artistes but the regard that is kept for the former is still to be seen for artistes like singers, film actors, musicians, make up artistes and other technicians. In the confines of a small market made worse by the advances of technology that makes it possible for the latest songs or movies to be downloaded, film actors and other performing artistes have to resort to try other means like performing at musical functions and programs, sometimes at venues far away from Imphal. Most of the programs are decided and confirmed verbally or at most, a written invitation and do not include any terms or clauses regarding the protection of the artistes. The recent Chandel incident is a telling reflection of how things can and do go wrong for artistes and there is no guarantee that such an incident will not happen again. The extent and nature may vary but till the time artistes do not take a firm stand against being harassed by either security personnel or other anti social elements while en-route to their performances or during it, till the time they demand that organizers for their programs commit to ensuring their safety and protection, it will only be a matter of time till another gets roughed up somewhere.

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Recognition for Manipur and Meghalaya – KanglaOnline

Recognition for Manipur and MeghalayaKanglaOnlineSHILLONG/IMPHAL, Jan 3 (NNN): Manipur and Meghalaya have been on Thursday adjudged as one amongst the top three 'emerging small states' for its overall performance by the IBN7. IBN7 Thursday anno…

Recognition for Manipur and Meghalaya
KanglaOnline
SHILLONG/IMPHAL, Jan 3 (NNN): Manipur and Meghalaya have been on Thursday adjudged as one amongst the top three 'emerging small states' for its overall performance by the IBN7. IBN7 Thursday announced the winners of the fourth edition of the …

Manipur to get IBN7 award – E-Pao.net

Manipur to get IBN7 awardE-Pao.netShillong/Imphal, January 03 2013: Manipur and Meghalaya have been on Thursday adjudged as one amongst the top three 'emerging small states' for its overall performance by the IBN7 . IBN7 Thursday announced the …

Manipur to get IBN7 award
E-Pao.net
Shillong/Imphal, January 03 2013: Manipur and Meghalaya have been on Thursday adjudged as one amongst the top three 'emerging small states' for its overall performance by the IBN7 . IBN7 Thursday announced the winners of the fourth edition of the …

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Manipur to have adventure institute – Assam Tribune

Manipur to have adventure instituteAssam TribuneManipur to have adventure institute. Sobhapati samom. LAMDAN (MANIPUR), Jan 3 – Efforts are on to convert the existing Manipur Moutaineering Institute (MMI) at Landan village in Manipur's Churachand…

Manipur to have adventure institute
Assam Tribune
Manipur to have adventure institute. Sobhapati samom. LAMDAN (MANIPUR), Jan 3 – Efforts are on to convert the existing Manipur Moutaineering Institute (MMI) at Landan village in Manipur's Churachandpur district as a regional institute for adventure.

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Abducted manager’s body found, kidnappers held – Assam Tribune

Abducted manager's body found, kidnappers heldAssam TribuneIMPHAL, Jan 3 – The manager of a firm which runs a plywood factory in Manipur, who was abducted for ransom on January 2, was found killed on the outskirts of Imphal this afternoon. Police…

Abducted manager's body found, kidnappers held
Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Jan 3 – The manager of a firm which runs a plywood factory in Manipur, who was abducted for ransom on January 2, was found killed on the outskirts of Imphal this afternoon. Police sources in Imphal said that manager Shankarlal Swami (32) of Max …

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PM Unveils New Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

MNS:- The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, unveiled the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013 by presenting its first copy to the President of India Shri Pranab Mukerjee at the inaugural session of the Centenary session of the Indian Science Congress at Kolkatta today.
The STI Policy seeks to send a signal to the Indian scientific community, both in the private and public domain, that science, technology and innovation should focus on faster, sustainable and inclusive development of the people. The policy seeks to focus on both STI for people and people for STI. It aims to bring all the benefits of Science, Technology & Innovation to the national development and sustainable and more inclusive growth. It seeks the right sizing of the gross expenditure on research and development by encouraging and incentivizing private sector participation in R & D, technology and innovation activities.The policy also seeks to trigger an ecosystem for innovative abilities to flourish by leveraging partnerships among diverse stakeholders and by encouraging and facilitating enterprises to invest in innovations. It also seeks to bring in mechanisms for achieving gender parity in STI activities and gaining global competitiveness in select technological areas through international cooperation and alliances. The policy goal is to accelerate the pace of discovery, diffusion and delivery of science led solutions for serving the aspirational goals of India for faster, sustainable and inclusive growth. A Strong and viable Science, Research and Innovation system for High Technology led path for India (SRISHTI) are the goal for the STI policy.
The Key features of the STI policy 2013 are
v . Promoting the spread of scientific temper amongst all sections of society.
v Enhancing skills for applications of science among the young from all social sectors.
v Making careers in science, research and innovation attractive enough for talented and bright minds.
v Establishing world class infrastructure for R&D for gaining global leadership in some select frontier areas of science.
v Positioning India among the top five global scientific powers by 2020(by increasing the share of global scientific publications from 3.5% to over 7% and quadrupling the number of papers in top 1% journals from the current levels).
v Linking contributions of Science Research and innovation system with the inclusive economic growth agenda and combining priorities of excellence and relevance.
v Creating an environment for enhanced private sector participation in R &D.
v Enabling conversion of R & D output with societal and commercial applications by replicating hitherto successful models, as well as establishing of new PPP structures.
v Seeking S&T based high risk innovation through new mechanisms.
v Fostering resource optimized cost-effective innovation across size and technology domains.
v Triggering in the mindset & value systems to recognize respect and reward performances which create wealth from S&T derived knowledge.
v Creating a robust national innovation system.
Aspirations of the Policy
The main aspirational elements of the STI policy are:
v Raising Gross Expenditure in Research and Development (GERD) to 2% from the present 1% of the GDP in this decade by encouraging enhanced private sector contribution.
v Increasing the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of R&D personnel in India by at least 66% of the present strength in 5 years.