Seminar on movements in Northeast kicks off
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 27 2015 : The three day "international seminar on movements in recent past and present northeast India with special reference to Manipur" kicked off on Friday at the Conference Hall of the Anthropology Department, Manipur University, Canchipur.

Dr RK Nimai, Consultant to the Government of Manipur graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

N Nando, News Editor, DDK, Imphal was the Guest of Honour and Prof E Bijoykumar, Dean, School of Social Sciences presided over the inaugural function.

The programme started with the release of the book, "Claims and Refutations: Compilation on the Naga Political Movement" by Aheibam Koireng, Hanjabam Shukhdeba Sharma and Homen Thangjam.

Delivering Editor's note, Homen Thangjam stated that the political movement of the Nagas, as distinct from the popular form of politics informed by electoral democracy, has traversed a long way.

Seminar on movements in Northeast kicks off

Along the way, it has left a trail of innumerable milestones, which are the stuffs of legend and history, and created many friends as well as foes.

Any attempt to understand the historical Naga movement, which has received the largest share of attention in contemporary history of the Northeast region of India, brings us to the necessity of understanding about the identity, aspirations and demands, etc.

of this stock of resilient people, pointed out Homen Thangjam.

The compilation, Homen noted, is an attempt towards this end as whether one likes it or not the Naga political movement has somehow affected and continue to affect people in the Northeast in general and Manipur in particular, from the most mundane to the most complex.

He added that with this vision the publication was brought out and is a small token of contribution to make the Manipuri society a literate one, an endeavour which people are indebted to the ancestors.

According to Homen, the book is divided into ten sections consisting of 50 chapters, which are based on original articles, interviews, pamphlets, memorandums, press releases, joint statements and open letters, etc.

Prof MC Arun, Director, Centre for Manipur Studies, expressed his happiness in organising the international seminar which is significantly relevant to Manipur.

Movement according to him is a process, a culmination of people's desire for the betterment.

From the anthropological point of view, movements are not uni-linear or even and can change over time.

He illustrated his view citing that the Naga political movement was started by some tribal leaders but over a period of time became a mass movement.

Further he observed that the Naga movement changed its theme and goal after interacting various agents, factors and even actors in the social and political contexts.

Naorem Nandakumar, Guest of Honour of the function remarked that the theme of the seminar is very broad, and wondered if various dimensions and facets of movements can be covered during the three day.

Acknowledging the contributions of scholars and academicians, Nandakumar emphasized that the turbulent times of Manipur demands some concrete actions and believed the intelligentsias would surely contribute their mites to make Manipur a better place.

Dr RK Nimai observed that ethnic relationship is the biggest challenge in Manipur.

According to him, external factors have negatively shaped the relationship.

The most need of the hour is bringing out a comprehensive and also a structured movement for all the stakeholders in the state, added RK Nimai.

He also stressed the importance of undertaking any movements which can be related to all the brethrens in the state.

This vision can shape a Manipur, which have evolved over the years, and one which can be handed over to the future generations, observed Nimai.

Prof E Bijoykumar, President of the function emphasised the need to have a clear vision and objective of struggles.

All the movements should be complimentary to each other to serve the larger political and economic interest of Manipur.

What has happened so far, according to Bijoykumar, is that movements have negated one another, thereby, pulling the State of Manipur in a situation of contradictions.

Finally, Bijoykumar stressed the need to fully assess and exploit the resources of Manipur both material and human in the context of larger happenings in and around Manipur so that our society can thrive.

The international seminar was organised by Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University under the sponsorship of Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi.