EXECUTIVE COMMITTE
Ms Rita Jawaharlal, President
Shri N. Rajeshwor Singh, General Secreatary
Shri Rajoo Sharma, Treasurer

Editorial
Elangbam Dilip Kumar Singh

Welcome to the annual convention of NAMA. This year is special for all of us. We never have felt the importance of such a gathering as we do today. With so few of families scattered across the country, what is a better place than such a convention for sharing our thoughts?

We dedicate this issue to the Martyrs of Manipur who laid their lives for a cause that brought us all together. Never in our lifetime have we seen such a spontaneous sincerity across the state regardless of religion, sex, age and social status. We all stood together joining hands. The Vision was the same. Everything was spontaneous. We defied death, we broke the chain of silence, and we found hope. Students across the country joined in solidarity - Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta to mention a few. Two Lakh people in Thoubal formed a human chain, thousands of cyclists and rickhshaw wallas made a rally; students stood in front of Governor's house boycotting Indian text books, Ima Meira Paibis, women and children and all stood by our side. We never saw this before. It was a mesmerizing act. Our eyes were full of tears as we saw everyone joining in this uprising so selflessly. It is a non-violent movement second to none. History will tell us why we became one. This is not a question of being Manipuri or Meitei. Non_manipuris in Imphal Bazar, Nepalese in the hills, Muslims in the villages, Kukis in the south, Thangkhuls in the north cried out in unison, we all belong here. This is our family. One never thought or felt, how unknowingly we were nurturing such a beautiful human relationship. This uprising has opened our eyes. For a while we had lost faith in our culture and ourselves. But now the message is loud and clear. We are here today to do our best. Unity, fraternity, and love of Manipur are not lost.

We have witnessed the change. We have shared the information. The E-PAO website (www.e-pao.net) has been the lifeline to us all. We all appreciate our brothers and sisters who have done such a wonderful job. Sanathong has also given us the true perspective of our society, and this wonderful monthly journal has become a crucial companion in understanding Manipur.

We also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India. 65 signatures in all. We watched the development day by day, perhaps never realizing the depth of the problem. When we called for signature campaign eveyone knew all the detail or they had already sent the e-mail to the Prime Minister of India. Every single person was deeply involved and offered for any needed help. Shri Satyajit Sinha from New York had taken a very personal interest and had been instrumental in bringing us to this platform. We are also indebted to Dr. A. Surjalal Sharma and Shri A. Dhrita Kumar Sinha, both former Presidents of NAMA, for their help in drafting this memorandum. A copy of the memorandum is the lead article for this issue.

Our heart felt sympathy goes out to all the families of the martyrs. Our prayers are for those who are injured and recovering. We dedicate this issue to the Martyrs. Please join us in observing a moment of silence in memory of brave sons and daughters of Manipur.