DESAM rallies for free edn zone
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2015 : In the back drop of the ever rising instances of disturbances caused to educational institutions in the State, the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) organized a mass rally demanding 'disturbance free educational zone' with a public meeting at Bishnupur today.

Over 2000 students along with officials of Education Department of Bishnupur district took part in the demonstration.

Placards reading 'Make education a free zone', 'let's keep education first', 'exempt education related persons from any bandh, blockade", 'stop pressurising officials of educational institutes and department by armed individuals or groups', 'avoid corruption in all education related matters', etc were displayed by the rallyists.

Students on rally to demand that schools be left free

The rally was flagged off from the Sports and Library Organisation ground by former president of DESAM.

The rally culminated with a public meeting at Mayangamba Shanglen.

DESAM has been organizing the mass rally on 'Disturbance Free Educational Zone' since 2008 and the said rally is scheduled to be held in other districts of the State too.

Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam was the chief guest while president of DESAM H/Q, M Angamba was the functional president of the public meeting.

ZEO, Bishnupur, Zone- IV Th Yaima, District Programme Manager (DPM) Satyajit E and DI/DDO Zone- IV T Prameshkumar were the guests of honour.

Addressing the gatherings, Govindas Konthoujam said that God creates every individual to be perfect and quoted the line of Swami Vivekananda, 'education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.' He said that to be perfect, one needs education; and that could be achieved when there is serene environment.

Hailing DESAM for its endeavour to bring disturbance free educational zone in the State, Govindas stressed the need to put in collective efforts by all student bodies of the State irrespective of geographical location and ethnicity in order to bring a change in the education sector.

Quoting APJ Abdul Kalam's words 'Dream is not the thing you see in sleep but is that thing that doesn't let you sleep,' the Minister said that students should have perseverance if one is to succeed in life.

He also urged the students to dream big and set an aim in life and strive to achieve it.

Govindas further said that every individual of the State has the potential to excel in education apart from sports.

He also stated that the Government of Manipur has been working tirelessly to bring a sea change in education sector and it will take time to achieve the desired goal.

Meanwhile M Angamba appealed to all concerned to stop threatening the educational environment in the State.

He appealed to all not to cause disturbance to educational institutions by serving monetary demands and imposing bandhs and blockades.

Pointing out recent incident of all Catholic institutions being banned by an armed outfit, Angamba urged all not to consider education centres as money earning hub.

Both the State and non-State actors should refrain from using students as tools to achieve their political aspirations, he said.

There is lack of transparency in implementation of Central sponsored schemes, transfer of teachers and other activities.

He alleged that even though the present Government has been shouting for the last many years to improve the education sector in the State, nothing worthwhile has been witnessed so far.

In this 21st century, education is the key to modernization and development, and knowledge industry is far more valued than any other industry, Angamba said while adding that the State Government should give more attention to the education sector.