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
* Irabot Day Observance Committee Delhi wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at irabotday(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on October 2, 2016.
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