Archive for category Politics & Perspectives
Insurgencies in Manipur: politics & ideology
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on January 28, 2010
By M.S. Prabhakara
Source: The Hindu
The people of Manipur had ‘histories’ and ‘memories’ that were longer and deeper than those of most other Indians when India attained independence.
Every time one travels to Manipur, one returns humbled. This has been the case since my first visit in the late 1960s, long before becoming a journalist. Active insurgency was not even on the horizon then though some resentment against ‘India’ was evident. Between 1983 when I joined this paper and mid-1994, I visited the State at least once every year — more than once during some years. In the last eight years I have returned four times. The feeling of inadequacy to confront and understand the complex situation in Manipur, the whys and wherefores of the insurgencies (the plural is advisedly used), the resilience of the ordinary people whose amazing creative energies thrive in the midst of all the pain and violence manifest in every walk of life, has only increased. Read the rest of this entry »
India: Is Manipur Less Important Than Andhra?
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on December 22, 2009
Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission
Manipur, a state in the northeast of India is in national news since the past two decades. The state remains in news for all the wrong reasons. Stories from Manipur are not that of the miraculous economic growth the country has been achieving despite the worldwide recession. They have nothing to do with the information technology revolution which has contributed immensely to India’s claim to become a future superpower. Neither do these stories have anything to do with the democratic experiment that the country has undertaken with élan.
The stories from Manipur are that of despair. They are of extrajudicial executions, abductions by state agencies and armed insurgents, of custodial rape and that of torture. These stories have turned the citizens into hapless creatures, caught in a ruthless cycle of self reinforcing violence. Read the rest of this entry »
A New Hope Of Life For Our Ailing Education System
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on June 29, 2009
By Shobha Shukla, CNS
It is heartening to note that the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), under the able guidance of Sri. Kapil Sibal, wishes to overhaul the education system in the country. It envisages replacing marks with grades (already been done by some Boards), having a ‘one nation -one board principle (an excellent idea), and bringing a tough law to prevent, prohibit and punish educational malpractices (very laudable, indeed).
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Women Empowerment in the History of Manipur
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on June 16, 2009
By W. Jibanlata Devi
INTRODUCTION
The foundation stone of the monarchial kingdom of Manipur was laid by King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba allegedly in 33AD. He founded the kingdom as a princely state at the very outset. It turned into a principality, shortly after a lapse of about 5 century during the regime of King Nauphangba (C. 428 – 518 AD.). People believe that Nongda Lairen Pakhangba also founded the royal dynasty of the Meitei Kingdom which has a history of about 2000 years. Even though the foundation of royal dynasty of Manipur are attributed to Nongda Lairen as the Meitei live in the patriarchal society, the plan and policy of the cited foundation and establishment were plotted out by a lady named Nongda Nongkhallembee who was the widowed mother of Nongda Lairen and was titled Leinung Yabeeroy after she give birth to Nongda Lairen (M.S.K.A, 1994, 1-2). From this point of view it is obvious that women’s empowerment in Manipur had already been flourishing prior to or at the dawn of the beginning of history in Manipur. Even the widow, using her skill and art of craftiness held the opinions of the then three top leaders “Soraren Ariba Ahum” to set up a princely estate for her young child defeating various resisting forces especially, the allied power of the Khaba, the Nganba, the Chakpa and a section of the Thangyi (Chenglei or Sarang Leishangthem) [Kh.YS: 1967,21-33 & ms Ch. K. Kh.]. This empowerment of the widowed woman by the then three top leaders who followed the aspiring object of the widow rendered Nongda Lairen to found the Meitei royal dynasty and their princely estate i.e, the Ningthouja principality. However, there are conflicting views about the early history of Manipur but there is no doubt about the empowerment of Manipuri women in their own society.
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Manipur – We Shall Overcome
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on April 28, 2009
Concept & Compilation: Basanta Rajkumar.
Soundtrack: Rock adaptation of the popular anthem we shall overcome. Hari on vocals; Tarun on Guitar and Bass; Mickey on guitars; Shankar on drums.
But it is wisdom to believe the heart.
Columbus found a world and had no chart.
The Role of Women in Peace initiative in Manipur
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on April 17, 2009
By Prof. GANGMUMEI KAMEI*
This is the Keynote Address of the author in the Workshop on Role of Women in Peace Initiative in Manipur organised by the 0 K Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati and American Centre, Kolkata at Imphal on 24th March. 2006.
*The author is a retired Professor Department of History, Manipur University, Manipur.
MANIPUR AS A HOT SPOT OF ASIA
Manipur is now a hot spot of Asia due to insurgency which has affected every part of social fabric of Manipur. The State, its democratic institutions and its tools of governance have been greatly weakened. The State and the government machinery exist due to the security provided by the Security Force of India and some State Police. There is violence everywhere. Killing, Kidnapping and conflict between the armed insurgents and Security force and Police have made Manipur a killing field. The efforts made by the State to protect its bureaucracy and other democratic institution have led to the emergence of State terrorism verses insurgency.
The Assembly which is the highest temple of democracy has not engaged itself to solve the problem. It has become mere forum to perform the constitutional function of passing the budget. The political parties are evading the issue. The political parties or the individual leaders have been under great pressure and are helpless. Struggle for power and use of power to continue to be in power is the political ethos in Manipur. Unfortunately, the state police, the dreaded and hated commandos and other police force have turned into the instruments of terror. In the name of fighting the insurgents, the police have trampled the laws. And the Indian Security Forces are also violating human rights in their counter insurgency operations.
Pandering to the inevitable
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on September 25, 2008
By Pradip Phanjoubam
Source: The Statesman
EVEN as there is a near consensus amongst rights conscious liberal civil society that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has outlived its utility, the liberal dilemma as to what must replace the Act continues.
It must be added here that even those who think the Act must continue agree that it remains a choice because there is no other choice, and the sooner the conditions that led to the imposition of this draconian Act recedes, the AF(SP)Act would die a natural death.
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Irom Sharmila: Eight years on, and still fighting
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on April 24, 2008
Author
Deepti Priya Mehrotra
Source:InfoChange India
A profile of the unique rebel who is fighting for a repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur, by the author of a new book on Irom Sharmila.
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SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF MANIPURI WOMEN
Posted by admin in Politics & Perspectives on April 8, 2008
Author
Dr.L. Kunjeshori Devi
Since prehistoric times status of women has not remained static nor has it seen changes in social formation, however, we do not find changes in the status of women culminating in a position of complete subordination and surrender. Women still continue to be submerged half in a culture of suffering handed down from Manu-Smrite (400 – 300 BC).
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