Gaikhangam ridicules demand to recognise surname as tribe
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 22 2013:
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said that it is unfortunate that some tribal groups have put up demand to recognize a particular surname as a tribal community.
He was speaking as Chief Guest of the inaugural function of the General Conference cum Cultural Festival 2013 of Vaiphei community being organized by Vaiphei People's Council (VPC) at VPC community centre at Bethel Veng, Churachandpur district today.
Gaikhangam pointed out that at present there are 34 recognised tribes in Manipur and around 10 other tribes are demanding recognition.
However, it is unfortunate that some tribal people of a particular surname are demanding recognition of their surname as a tribe.
The main reason behind such demand is desire for leadership.
He further said that Manipur is a state consisting of various small communities.
The variation in tradition, culture, religion, language and folk art of these communities add to the beauty of Manipur.
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Observing that among the different tribes, Vaiphei is one which is playing an important role in making a united Manipur, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that while collective effort is needed to bring about development in the state, narrow thoughts of nurturing one's own tribes and ignoring others is not a good thing.
"One should know that it is the unity of different communities that makes a beautiful Manipur.
Every single community in the state irrespective of small or big, should play their part well in developing Manipur as a whole", Gaikhangam exhorted.
"Just thinking for your own family and leaving the society behind will not do any good in the advancement of the society.
The society will not develop without proper vision", he said and called upon the people of the different communities in the State to put in their best efforts in building a strong and develop Manipur and have that of obligation towards the state.
He also assured to extend possible helps to VPC in construction of its office building.
Chairman of MDTC MLA Manga Vaiphei, Executive Member of ADC Genneikhup Vaiphei, ADGP of State Police IM Khoute (IPS), Executive Engineer of PHED (CCpur) Th Baite were among others who attended the function as presidium members.
Cultural dances and folk songs of Vaiphei community were performed by youths as part of the conference.