Talui village showers blessings on Sword Vashum
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, November 18 2021:
Showing their support, more than 1000 people gathered at the Pre-centenary Hall of Talui village for the blessing ceremony of intending Congress candidate Sword Vashum at his native place on Thursday.
Vashum, who retired as additional deputy comptroller & accountant general (ADC& AG), is all set to run for the forthcoming Manipur State General Elections 2022 from 45-Chingai Assembly Constituency.
The ceremony was organised by talui Village Authority to shower blessings on Vashum.
Along with the locals, more than 700 people drawn from different villages under Chingai AC took part in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Vashum expressed concern about the bleak future of the younger generation unless proper intervention is made to shape it.
He reiterated that his concern is largely centred on the welfare and burning issues of the youth and the poor public.
"I have no personal agenda whatsoever to aggrandise myself.
I have committed myself to serve the people with utmost sincerity.
If given a chance, I guarantee to stand by my commitment" he said.
Lamenting the sorry state of affairs of the tribals, Vashum contended that there's something terribly amiss in the present system of governance in the state.
"This is the reason why I have decided to stand up for rectification of the gross anomalies in the system".
He also stressed on the need for the tribals to properly wield their rights, and questioned as to why the poor tribals are facing so much deprivation in their lives.
The 75-year-old retired bureaucrat continued that Article 371C is crucial for development of the tribals.
He then urged that gathering to discern true leaders from false ones while choosing their representatives, so as to bring about positive transformation in their lives.
"Politics-controlled and self-centric leaders are responsible for mortgaging the future of the younger generations to a destiny that is consigned to pain and shame," he vented his angst.
Questioning the status of the poor tribals, he said "It's been over 45 years since Manipur gained statehood but where are we today?" Vashum said that the situation of the tribals have remained unchanged despite having their own representatives in the parliament and legislature for years.
"Our democratic exercise has been reduced to a mere playing field for blatant display of money and muscle power," he rued.
In his speech, Vashum's younger brother Dr Nelson Vashum recalled how his brother had served as a government servant with dedication till he retired as IAAS 12 years ago.
Speaking for himself and their siblings, Dr Nelson, the founder of CHSRC hospital in Ukhrul, said that "a desire to serve with transparency runs in the blood of his family and it's up to the public to decide whom to give their mandate".
In the same line of thought, Talui headman Shangreikhai Shangjam vouched for the sincerity and commitment of Sword Vashum and appealed to the gathering for their mandate in favour of him.
As a centrepiece of the event, Talui Baptist Church Pastor Rev N Mingyao Zimik administered the act of blessing on the intending candidate.
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