Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 12:
The implication of the proposed Trans-Asian Highways on the cultural tradition of Manipur has been discussed threadbare during a work-shop held at Hotel Nirmala here today.
The day-long workshop held under the theme 'Implication of the Trans Asian Highway on the cultural tradition of Manipur' was organised jointly by Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) Limited and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi.
Padmashree RK Jhalajit, and historian and scholar Lokendra Arambam inaugurated the workshop as chief guest and functional president respectively.
Delivering the introductory speech of the workshop, freelance journalist Salam Rajesh pointed out that the Trans Asian Highway is one of the mega projects proposed to be taken up in Manipur.
Such mega projects are likely to give a serious impact not just on the socio-economic and political set up of the State but also on the culture and tradition of the people.
Among all others, the likely impact on the culture and tradition of the people needs to be discussed and analysed thoroughly, he observed.
After connecting the western part of Asia, Turkey with Middle East and passing through Myanmar from where the road is to be bifurcated into two one extending upto to the Far East and the other upto South East, it is only a small portion of this mega project that is going to reach Manipur.
The pertinent points to be discussed here is the possibility of the influx of migrant labourers, foreign Nationals and MNCs along with the road connectivity.
If their visit is not intended just on buying or selling a commodity or two but for making a permanent base, it is apprehensible that such developments would have a serious impact on the culture and tradition of the people not only in Manipur but also of the whole North Eastern region, Rajesh contended.
At present, alien culture has already started invading into different parts of Manipur and we have seen how Hawai Island has lost its own cultural identity, the tea gardens of Assam have been taken over by MNCs and how the indigenous tribal people have been reduced to the status of slum dwellers in the oil city Digboi.
Inspite of all these, it is high time for the State Government to make necessary precautionary measures and implement the same ahead of the arrival of the project.
Ramananda Wangkheirakpam of Forum for Indigenous Perspective and Action and Lecturer of Modern College L Somorjit were among the resource persons who spoke on various related topics in the technical session of the workshop.