Indigenous Peoples Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09 2020:
The Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) observed the World's Indigenous Peoples Day today.
AIMS, in a press release, said the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9 each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population.
This year's theme is "COVID-19 and indigenous peoples' resilience''.
AIMS is observing the day with the primary objectives of protecting the language, culture and identity of the indigenous peoples of the State, it said.
Stating that the economy is one of the most important factors for the survival of the indigenous people, AIMS said the State needs to ponder on the condition of its poor economy.
"We are totally dependent even for essential food items on outside States.
Honestly speaking, our economy is dependent on begging," AIMS said.
"This all started after Manipur was merged into the Indian Union.
We never depended on anyone when we were a sovereign Nation," AIMS claimed.
AIMS said the construction of Ithai Dam has submerged around 87,000 hectares of paddy fields which could have produced minimum yield amounting to Rs 300 crore.
Loktak Project should be decommissioned as it is of no use to the people, it added.