Prof Mohendro for ST tag on Meiteis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 01 2018:
Economics Professor N Mohendro has said that the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list of the Constitution is a step towards the direction for the search of Meitei's ethnic origin and is also a democratic right.
Speaking to media persons at his residence at Naoremthong Khullem Leikai as a part of the continuous interaction with imminent personalities undertaken by the Coordinating Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur, Professor N.Mohendro explained that many of the civilised and well developed Nations are beginning to search for their ethnic origin and added that the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list also need to be viewed from the economic aspect as well and not only from a highly political viewpoint.
He claimed that all necessary factors, like global and National changes and the changes/development seen in Manipur during the last 57 years, need to be analysed and studied before the next step towards the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST fold is taken.
Professor Mohendro claimed that Manipur is rather backward and not economically well off when compared to other regions and as such its economy is like captive economy (dependent on others).
He explained that Manipur is lagging far behind in all sectors when it comes to the development trend of the country.
Manipur is down by around 30 percent when it comes to infrastructure.
Around 32 to 42 percent of its population is extremely poor and the number of unemployed individuals is very high.
The State also owes large sums to the Central Government as well as other agencies, he added.
Professor Mohendro, who was a former member of the Steering Committee of NER Vision 2020 of Ministry of DoNER, said that all of these factors contributed towards making the State reliant on others for sustenance.
He claimed that unification of the ethnic communities of the State should be the first priority.
Admitting that bringing together such a large number of communities present in the State is a herculean task, Professor Mohendro said that proper strategies should be implemented and numerous adjustments need to be made, like bringing downtrodden/ lowly communities to the standards of the developed communities.
If there is no unity among the ethnic communities, there will be no hope for the State of being self reliant in the future, he added.
Speaking about change and development, Mohendro said that people and land of a region should be utilised with long term goals in mind.
He also stressed on the importance of developing human resource for bringing all round development as globalization brings with it superior knowledge, superior capital and modern communication revolution.
If globalization arrives in Manipur in its present condition, it will be counterproductive instead of being beneficial, he added.
Professor N Mohendro said that the State Government also plays a big role in this situation and should not remain a mere agent of the Central Government.
The State Government also need to contribute towards digging up all the necessary documents required for ensuring that Meiteis are included in the ST list, he added.
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