Rejoinder To Prof. N. Mohendro's Economic Self-reliance
"Towards Rural-Urban Commercial Hub of Ningthoukhong" -18th Part.

R.K. Birjit Singh *

Sir,

Apropos to Prof. N. Mohendro's elegantly written article on Economic Self-Reliance under the caption, "Towards Rural Urbanization-Hub of Ningthoukhong" (Part-18)appeared on the 1st September,2009 in the esteemed daily, Poknapham

I am very much thankful to Prof. N.Mohendro Singh for his tireless effort for the economic development of Manipur at least through the print media although he is miserably failed to achieve his dream of becoming an MP or M.L.A.

Prof. Mohendro's 18th part (Episode) of the article serial under the sub-heading "Towards Rural Urbanization-Hub of Ningthoukhong" is far away from the ground reality and truth.

It is a matter of very unfortunate that a Professor of his status and class used to collect obsolete and false data for compiling such a small article for presenting to the people. There is no basis and truth in his article regarding Ningthoukhong. Perhaps, the article may mislead the general public, particularly the young researchers and scholars in the days to come. The article seems to be written in hurry and hay–say with the data's collected from the Fish vendor women's without any reality.

Let me elucidate the facts through your esteemed daily as the matter is neither a high profile nor mind boggling principles of science or economics.

1. Ningthoukhong is just 33 kilometers far away from Imphal not 37 kilometers as mentioned in his article and thus his data is 4 kilometers far away from the reality and truth.

2. 80% of the household of the whole population of Ningthoukhong is having tap-water connection through the Accelerated Urban Water Supply Scheme under the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Govt. of India and the scheme was commissioned for the first time in Bishnupur district. Here, I don't think that the people of Ningthoukhong require a definition of sanitation from the respected Professor. Perhaps, Ningthoukhong might have highest per capita availability of water resources either it is for drinking or domestic uses comparing with the rest of the Municipal areas of Manipur. 70% of the population or household is having modern or ultra modern sanitary toilets.

3. Ningthoukhong Bazar is having its own toilet complex with proper water connection. The Professor seems to be trying to depict the picture of Ningthoukhong with a blatant lie.

4. The health centre is a Primary Health Centre not Sub-centre and there are three MO's including an AYUSH. Now, it has 24x7 service dedicated to the people although the expansion is required and the process is on the way for the construction of a medium ultra modern building from the graceful donation of Honourable MLA.

5. Regarding Mangolnganbi College, the Professor is wrong again, since inception of the college there has been P.U.Science and Arts (Now, XI &XII) including graduate courses. The college is blessed with one of the finest campus in Manipur on the bank of enchanting Loktak wetland, mirror of Manipur, the largest fresh water lake of North-East India. It is situated at 24.574720 N and 93.775380E, at an altitude of 733 meters above sea level and at a distance of 33 kms from Imphal, the capital city of Manipur state.

An ethnic pathway through the Teddim Road leads us to the campus, near the Loktak power channel which experiences the best of both worlds: scene, isolated, tranquil, clean, green environment. The emphasis here is going to be an embracing nature and learning without stress. The rectangular shaped 25-acre campus has a horse-shoe shaped lake connected to the natural lake as its focal point where student can learn about ecology of a lake.

In view of the vast campus and its potential, the governing body established a new feeder school, christened as "Mangolnganbi Foundation" a new generation gurukul by carving out 2.5 acres of land as per wishes and aspiration of the people. It is a separate school run by the same committee and question does not arise for converting the college into a Nursery – XII School. Let me remind you that college is recognized under section (2f) and 12B of the UGC Act, 1956 and affiliated permanently to Manipur University. It is matter of strange and wonderful for us that the respected professor was once the Director of CDC. How come a college can be converted into school? How can a school run degree classes? Is there any provision of the UGC or the affiliating University in this regard?

6. Regarding his term "Applying Back Gear" let me clarify the facts with good examples. Don Bosco, Maram is running secondary and higher secondary section with one of the most promising college under a single umbrella leaving behind the valley colleges in the various degree courses. They don't defy any provision of the UGC, University and Govt. of Manipur. Kindly pay a visit to Maram, and Rayburn College in Churachanpur in Manipur. Delhi University is sharing its campus with a number of affiliated colleges. Are they applying back gear?. In South India a number of Schools are sharing their campus with Medical and Engineering Colleges as they are run by a particular Trust or Society.

7. Regarding the library, the Govt. of Manipur and the responsible department controlling the State Central Library branch at Ningthoukhong need to reactivate the library by sending its employees regularly. It's up to Govt. whether to open a bank or not. Still we have the facility within just one and a half kilometers.

8. Engaging cheap labour from the surrounding village is quite natural in a blooming town like Ningthoukhong. Why a number of multinational companies are engaging Indians? The answer is very simple, skilled and cheap labour. They are smart people and not applying back gear.

9. But the clear fact is that Ningthoukhong cannot be single out with whatever the problems that the state is having and reeling under traumatic condition. In terms of water, electricity, and conditions of road, our capital city of Imphal is in a more pathetic condition than Ningthoukhong except Babupara.

Lastly, but not the least, let me clarify that Ningthoukhong is not dull and dizzy town like the people who come directly to the conclusion before knowing anything about the crux of the problems. This is the town from where the first Doctor, Lawyer and the first literate women of Manipur were produced. The second Meetei direct I.A.S is from this town. Besides, researchers, scientist in a number of premier institutions like Indian Institute of Science, others and abroad.

An impact study whether it is for Ningthoukhong or any place needs a hard time scientific data's and sincere research to identify the problems for the solution and abatement to be taken up thereof. We should not come directly to the solution before knowing the problems. This is what we call "Scientific Temper".

If we cannot do great things, let us do small things in great way. There is always a best way of doing everything.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely,

R.K. Birjit Singh
Ningthoukhong
bsningthemcha(at)gmail(dot)com