Defiling temple of learning
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 25, 2012 -
Perhaps, we may have espoused the cause of education through this column for an umpteen number of times, for it is our firm belief that a sound mind can be produced only through a sound education.
It is through the light of knowledge gained through education that an individual can not only participate meaningfully in the socio-politico-economic process of the society but also to understand the deeper meaning of life and relationship with one's own surrounding.
So, the importance of education and its relevance to human society can never be underestimated. The value and role of knowledge may be different from one society to another but a good and basic education system is essential for every society and at all levels, so much so that education has come to be regarded as the backbone of any human society and civilization today.
However, the process of imparting education in Manipur, whether it is in the valley or the hill area, has never been able to free itself from numerous disturbances.
From non-availability of text books in time to lack of necessary infrastructure and teachers, and from the impact of social upheavals being witnessed in this strife-torn state every now and then, to the culture of issuing threats to the school authorities over monetary demands, there has always been some sort of difficulties towards ensuring smooth process of imparting education in Manipur, thereby affecting the career of the students. This is really unfortunate.
In the latest onslaught on education, threats and monetary demands served on the schools, both Government and private, in Noney area of Tamenglong district has caught the public attention with various social organizations coming out as one in decrying such acts of defiling the temples of learning.
Leading the brigade, Zeliangrong Student's Union, Manipur (ZSUM) denounces the diktat of all underground factions operating in Tamenglong district, particularly in Noney area, to school authorizes for shutting down if the demands served could not be fulfilled.
Although ZSUM has made clear of its non-tolerant stand on 'such military repressive domination over the sacred learning places', the student body has not named any particular group behind the diktat.
However, Longmai Area Zeliangrong Students' Union, Inpui Naga Students' Union, Village Authority Council, Naga Women's Union and Rongmei Naga Council have gone ahead pointing finger against Chingtam Revolutionary Army, the armed wing of United Naga Peoples' Council (UNPC).
What is disturbing in the latest assault on education is the forced collection of mobile phone numbers of heads of the institutions through which threatening calls are made to hold them captives and also kidnapped the students in case of failure to comply with the demand.
Such threats and diktats, which could have germinated only from an unschooled mind, are indeed condemnable.
By the way, where have all those who are crying hoarse for making education a free zone gone?
Or does their slogan means free for all in education? Perhaps.
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