Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, October 28:
A two day symposium on 'A New Manipur' organized by the Democratic People's Party, DPP, began today at the conference hall of Hotel Excellency.
Padmashree N Khelchandra was the chief guest and inaugurated the symposium, while the DPP president, Khaidem Mani, presided over the inaugural session.
The first day's session was on the topic 'Emotional and economic integration of the people of Manipur'.
Dr Elangbam Bijoykumar, of the department of economics, Manipur University, Prof Md Riyajudin Chaudhury, and IFP editor Pradip Phanjoubam presented papers on the topic.
Dr N Mohendro, also of the department of economics, MU, moderated.
Tomorrow's session will be on the topic, 'Right to free and fearless political participation of the people in the making of a new Manipur and role of the political parties to ensure it�.
Listed speakers are Dr TS Gangte, Dr Ksh Bimola, Dr Konsam Ibo, Prof Sairem Nilbir Meitei, and MK Binodini Devi.
Dr Arambam Lokendro will be the moderator.
In his address as chief guest, Padmashree N Khelchandra expressed regret that at a time of progress, the state of Manipur was going backwards, blaming this on a flawed political system, and a political class that has gone wrong.
Khelchandra extended his support to the endeavour of the new generation Democratic People's Party to reform the political system and bring in a new Manipur.
He observed that the topics of the symposium - emotional and economic integrity of Manipur and the political participation of the people in the making of a new Manipur were extremely pertinent, stating that ignoring these issues could lead to the destruction of the state.
He laid strong emphasis on the brotherhood and cultural commonality of the communities co-existing in Manipur since time immemorial, and lamented that outside agencies were trying to drive a wedge among them.
RK Anand, general secretary of the DPP, in his keynote address, observed that the misdeeds of the so-called people�s representatives in the last 30 years have almost succeeded in destroying the state.
Describing the current crop of politicians as political vultures, he observed that after the end of the anti-ceasefire agitation and with fresh elections on the political horizon, they were getting up to their old tricks again.
The time has come to consign them to the dustbin of history.
While the map of Manipur is intact, he said, the question of whether the communities co-existing in the state were still living together in an atmosphere of mutual love and respect would be difficult to answer.