Book published on Irabot Day Observance 2016 at Delhi :: Download it

Irabot Day Observance Committee *

Download the Book published on Irabot Day Observance 2016 here - 428 KB

Keynote Address

Dear friends,

The global economic plunder by imperialism, which is being carried out through the instruments of state that are constituted and maneuvered by locally co-opted powerful sections, poses the biggest threat to economic livelihood, political rights and socio-cultural welfare of underdeveloped masses. The underdeveloped masses, which spread widely across territorial borders, are composed of exploited labours, marginal peasants and a larger chunk of populations in the oppressed nations.

In Northeast India, imperialist plunder is covered up by corrupted formalisation of bourgeoisie propaganda of ‘development’ and ‘national security’. The propaganda had hegemonic effect towards making many to blindly subscribe to ‘finance intrusion’ and ‘militarisation’ as if these are the only option for better economy and individual prosperity. In practice, equitable prosperity across individuals and communities remain elusive for the underdeveloped masses: there is merely predominant form of trickle-down effect, that is, manifested in disproportionate distribution of ‘Central funds’ and ‘grants’ through corrupt channels, payment of wages, and accumulation of wealth by petty traders and other intermediary professionals.

While the economic plunder had to be speed up, the most distressing strategy of misrule to perpetuate plunder is suppression of democratic voices through brutal methods and proxy tactics. On the one hand there is heavy investments in militarisation and policing, and, on the other hand there is promotion of communal and counter-democratic forces, which combined to create mistrust and divisions among peoples. As a result, there is rampart violation of democratic rights (including rights to life and rights to economic prosperity) and communal or sectarian conflicts. All these have encapsulated the underdeveloped people under absolute subjective bondage and objective misrule and exploitation.

The Irabot Day Observance Committee Delhi feels that comrade Hijam Irabot (30th September 1896 to 26th September 1951) was one of rare persons, whose understanding of capitalism, imperialist plunder, national liberation and social emancipation are still relevant in our time. He had selflessly contributed to the democratic movement against feudal oppression and for a post independent society that would be freed from subjugation, oppression and exploitation. His international outlook for democratic resistance, and extension of comradeship across territorial boundaries on the basis of common democratic agenda of the oppressed peoples need to be retrospected to overcome the evils of chauvinism and sectarianism prevalent in the contemporary period.

On the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of comrade Hijam Irabot, the Committee hails him high and offers revolutionary salute. The Committee have invited peoples to join us in offering tribute to comrade Hijam Irabot. Our programme include poetry recitation, progressive songs, and a talk programme. We are grateful that Assistant Professor Ramananda Mayanglambam of Kirori Mal College have been quite helpful to us in getting a venue to host the programme. Some promising students have turned up to take part in the essay writing competition. We are encouraged by their enthusiasm. Beerjurekha Samom, Chitaranjan Taorem, Mutum Yoiremba and Shafikul Haque have consented to be the jury members of the essay writing competition. Many others have responded to recite poetry, to present songs and to attend the programme. We are grateful to them.

The talk programme on the theme Comrade Hijam Irabot and His Understanding of Capitalism and War is being planned with the hope to have a meaningful interaction on well informed and balanced understanding of the pertinent political economy and the distressful conditions structured under the existing political economic system. We have invited couple of resource persons on different themes. Some of them could not attend due to preoccupation with other works and some had sent regret, at the last moment, for their inability to attend the programme due to unavoidable personal exigencies. We are grateful that Assistant Professor G. Amarjit Sharma of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Convener of Forum for Understanding the Naga-India Conflict & Human Rights Mr. Lakpachui Siro, with Malem Ningthouja as moderator will constitute a panel for the talk programme.

We are expecting constructive comments and questions from the audience to make the talk programme lively and meaningful.

In our midst are likeminded individuals who have contributed financially and in kind. Alphabetically Athokpam Amit, Meiraba Mangang, RK Devendro, Rojee Khangembam, Sunil Khomdram, Sushila Leishangthem, Wakhalloi Ningthouja and Yaiphaba Khangembam. A team comprising Balbir Khuman, Herojit Wahengbam, Karnabir Thokchom, Priyobata Irengbam, Salam Mahesh Luwang and Samananda Aheibam is kind enough for transferring corpus fund from the sales of the book Comrade Irabot and the Way Forward to the organizing committee. All these supports have enable us to divert some amount of money to be used for the purpose of publishing a simple booklet entitled Irabot Day Observance 2016, which will be released in a short while and freely distributed to you.

With these few remarks, I wind up the keynote address and give way to the talk programme. I wish we all make a grand day today. Thank you.

Sd/-
Chingtham Balbir Khuman
Irabot Day Observance Committee Delhi

Download the Book published on Irabot Day Observance 2016 here - 428 KB