UA Shimray Memorial Lecture
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 28, 2012:
The issues of identity politics in Manipur and attempt to craft the future of its fractured fraternity' have implications for issues that confront India's North East and beyond.
Imagining a future beyond this fractured fraternity entails a critical engagement with the hitherto hegemonic privilege accorded to identity politics as well as the way we understand our world and only then the people would be able to put the predicaments in perspective and deconstruct certain discursive categories particularly those pertaining to geopolitical discourses and historiography, asserted Dr A Bimol Akoijam.
Dr A Bimol Akoijam was delivering the memorial lecture of Ungshungmi A (LA) Shimray today at Tribal research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong on Negotiating Identity Politics: Crafting the future of a fractured fraternity.
Stating that NE India is home to myriad of communities, Dr Bimol said the fact could be asserted as a statement of celebration of diversity which sometimes happen though it has come to be a reminder of the fractured polities and simmering conflicts amongst different communities in this part of the globe.
Dr Akoijam Bimol, whois also an associate professor at the School of Social Sciences of the prestige Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, further stated that identity politics of an ethnic conundrum has come to be the overwhelming framework of addressing the myriads of issues in the NE.
He added that imagininga future beyond this fractured fraternity entails a critical engagement with the hitherto hegemonic privilege accorded to identity politics as well as the way we understand our world.
The memorial event was attended by representatives of UCM, DESAM, NPMHR, MDAVO, NESCC,NWU,DHP,TISS, Human Rights Alert, UVYC Imphal West.
The event was chaired by Walter Fernandez, the founder Director of NE Social Research Centre, Guwahati while the panel lists included Homed Thangjam, Joyson Mazamo and Dr Xonxoi (Sanjoy)Borbora.
UA Shimray was a student of CSRD JNU New Delhi.
He had produced several publications marking his dedication to specific issues and his conviction towards an academic engagement that can impact lives of people rather than becoming sterile features in journal.