Programme held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 27 2017: Manipur University's Professor, W Nabakumar, today, expressed apprehension that the materialization of the policy on population transfer in India may adversely affect the less populated communities in the Northeast, particularly Manipur , and pose a serious threat in the near future .

He was speaking as the resource person in the discussion session on the theme "Chahi 38 Suraba Meereibak Machagi Wathok Amasung Leibaksigi Firep" .

It was a part of the "Yelhounatki Lamyanba Achou Toijamba Gi 7 Lak Suba Nonga Kumsaba", organized by Atom Foundation Thangapat Mapal, Konung Leikai, Imphal, at Sangeet Kala Sangam, Khurai Lamlong .

Pointing out that the present Manipuri society is struggling with an existential crisis, Nabakumar explained that the crisis is in terms of economy, identity, culture, traditions, languages, religion etc .

The sharp increase in the State's population due to the influx of large number of immigrants has threatened its economy and this makes the indigenous people oblivious to the matter of identity, culture, traditions, languages, religion and so on and instead are paying more attention on self economy development and survival .

The other major crisis in the State is the value or axiological crisis where the indigenous people in the State start doubting their own values in terms of identity, which is mostly due to the invasion of other bigger cultures, religions, identities and other values .

In such a state, the indigenous people may consider equal values with the new invading values in the State and may also feel unrestrained in throwing away the indigenous cultures, traditions and such others, Nabakumar added .

Observing that many of the movements to preserve identity, culture and other values in the State, have been fading rapidly, he opined that people's consciousness and sensibility on issues of the movements, is a must .

When masses are not sensitized, even the movement for ILP may be ineffective as there will be less number of people to support the movement even when the necessary leaders to lead the movement are aplenty .

Nabachandra also credited Toijamba for inculcating the feelings to to preserve their own identity, culture and indigenous values to the present society .

Leihaothabam Saratchandra, while speaking on the discussion, stressed on the need to unite together and make proper discussion before taking any decision on social issues .

Former president, Lourembam Dilip and social activist, Laitonjam Ranabir, were also present as resource persons in the session moderated by Wangkhem Saratchandra .

Floral tributes were also paid to the portrait of Toijamba during the function.

Comment