Buttering Najmaji in public

Free Thinker *

Governor Dr Najma Heptulla celebrating Holi at Raj Bhavan, Imphal in March 2018 :: Pix - Okendrajit Luwang Yumlembam

We the people of Manipur wholeheartedly congratulate Madam Governor Dr Najma Akbarali Heptulla for winning the Best Parliamentarian Award. Najmaji, was presented the Best Parliamentarian Award for the year 2013, in the Central Hall of Parliament , on 1st August 2018, by the President of India in the presence of Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker Lok Sabha and a huge distinguished guests which included our MPs namely Dr . Meinya , Mr Thanso Baite, Shri Bhabananda , Ms. Mary Kom and Shri Khemchand , Manipur Speaker (brief appearance) .

We are so proud to see Najmaji wearing an elongated Manipuri bead-necklace seemingly of lapis lazuli while accepting the prestigious award. Inadvertently she had the opportunity to stand on the dais while reading out the citation (other four awardees din't have that opportunity).

There is no doubt that she has been promoting Manipuri textiles and customary apparels as an undeclared brand ambassador of Manipuri traditional attires and wearables . How lucky we are?

Citing the Citation (abstracts) - "A parliamentarian par excellence, a versatile personality, gifted orator and an accomplished scholar, Dr. Najma Akbarrali Heptulla has been zealously espousing the cause of women, the under-privileged, the minorities and the other vulnerable sections of society, all through her nearly five decades long public life. A multifaceted personality, Dr Heptulla has had a long and distinguished parliamentary career spanning over three decades.

Dr Najma Heptulla has had an outstanding academic career. She received her Doctorate in Zoology at the age of 22. A scientist by training, she has had a brief stint in academics, teaching at the University level. She also worked in the Scientists Pool of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

Hailing from a prominent family of freedom fighters, Dr Najma Heptulla is the grand-niece of the renowned scholar and the legendary freedom fighter, the late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of Independent India.

Dr Heptulla was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time in July 1980.She remained a Member of the Upper House for more than three decades. Dr Heptulla has the unique distinction of being elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha four times.Ever committed to upholding our core national values of secularism and co-existence, respecting the highly pluralistic nature of our society, Dr .Heptulla always stood for transparency and probity in public life.

Dr Najma Heptulla created history when in 1999 she was unanimously elected as the first women President of the 130 years old Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a prestigious world body. Dr Heptulla is the first women Chancellor of Jamia Millia University. Throughout her long years of parliamentary and political career, she headed several important Parliamentary Committees and numerous socio-cultural and political forums including the prestigious Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

During the years she headed he Inter-Parliamentary Union, she made painstaking efforts to evolve a global consensus to fight the menace of Global terrorism. She was nominated as the Honorary Life President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 2002. Dr Najma also authored several books.

She was conferred with the highest civilian decorations of Morocco, Egypt and of the Republic of San Marino. In her capacity as the Union Minister of Minority Affairs (2014-2016) she took several path-breaking initiatives for the upliftment of all the minority communities in the country. The initiatives to help preserve the rich culture and heritage of the minorities under the overall concept of Indian culture , had her true personal imprint.

As a Member of Parliament on the ruling and the Opposition sides at different periods, as a Presiding officer and as a Minister, Dr. Najma has skillfully utilized the forum of Parliament to champion the cause of women empowerment and the concerns and grievances of the common people.

A veteran parliamentarian with a sound knowledge and deep understanding of the parliamentary practices and procedures, Dr Heptulla, has always upheld the dignity and decorum of the Parliament with confidence and grace. Her vast knowledge and experience couple with her unwavering commitment to democracy has helped her serve effectively in different positions and make meaningful contributions in varied walks of life that she has been associated with through several decades."

Last but very crucial, people have high hopes from Najmaji, because they know very well that she is very popular and capable within the Delhi power circuit. She can certainly and of course innocuously intervene and do good for the people of Manipur by finding reasonable solutions for the PUPILS, PANDEY, PILLAR and PACT.