All differences can be resolved through dialogue: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2015 : Referring to the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 and subsequent violent protest movements seen in different parts of the State, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has today categorically stated that all differences and misunderstandings can be resolved peacefully through dialogues .

He was speaking at the State level Teacher's Day celebration held at DM College today.

It is only natural that one community would fight back if their interest is threatened.

The State Government has been working hard to keep a fair balance between divergent interests and aspirations of different communities, the CM stated.

He said every individual, be it a Meitei, a Meitei-Pangal or a Naga or Kuki living in the State, is first a Manipuri before being separated by religion or race.

Chief Minister O Ibobi felicitates a dedicated teacher

Although the valley region accounts for only 10 percent of the total area, hill people have the right to own land and settle in valley area, irrespective of its size.

As demanded by the people, the State Government had passed three Bills in the interest of the indigenous settlers.

Although implementation of these Bills is not within the capacity of the State Government, certain groups of people, as it has been understood in the past few days, look into them with apprehension.

There are altogether 60 MLAs, out of whom 20 are representatives of hill people and all of them were present when the three Bills were passed.

All the MLAs understood that any decision that would harm the interest of the hill people would amount to disintegration of the State, the CM said.

The Governor is yet to deliver his consent on the said Bills, the CM added.

In case of approval, and in case any clause in the Bill directly or indirectly affects the hill people, the clause could be removed or the entire Bill can be withdrawn or re-drafted as was done in the case of the MRVTMW Bill, 2015 .

Damages done to public properties in the course of the ILPS protest and the protest at hill districts are in a way repairable, but the loss of precious lives cannot be compensated.

"We must strive to avoid similar unrest in the future", CM Ibobi urged.

Every problem can be sorted out through dialogue, the CM stated.

Both the hill and valley people are Manipuri by birth, there will a be solution that could satisfy both the sections of the people.

Educational institutions in the State had remained shut for about two months following the death of Robinhood and the resultant unrest in the State.

The Chief Minister has appealed to all the teachers to put in extra efforts and ensure that courses are completed before the end of sessions.Today's State level Teachers Day celebration was orga- nised jointly by the Department of Education (S), SSA Society, RMSA Society, Higher and Technical Education, State Council for Edu- cational Research and Training, Adult Education, Direc- torate of Language Planning and Implementation, Board of Secondary Education, Mani-pur and Council of Higher Secondary Education, Mani-pur under the Government of Manipur.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Education Minister Moirangthem Oken-dro shared the dais with the Chief Minister at the function.

Eight teachers of Government institutions were honoured with the prestigious State Teachers' Award 2015 .

The awards were handed over to Ningthoujam Ibechoubi Devi, Principal, Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary; Mutum Rajendra, AGT I/C Headmaster, Poiroukhongjin High School; Lourembam Nabakumar, Lecturer, Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa; Phairembam Arunkumar, AGT I/C Headmaster, Konjeng Junior High School; Joseph Lamvah, AGT I/C Headmaster, Thiwa Junior High School, Chongtham Dhirendra Singh, Lecturer I/C Principal, Jiribam Higher Secondary School, CL John, AGT I/C Headmaster, Gandhi Memorial Government High School and Hungyo Aso, AGT I/C Headmaster, Kamjong High School by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister during the celebration.

Gracing the function as chief guest, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that Dr S Radhakhrishnan was a man who honoured the teaching profession.

A teacher's role is to mould the future generations of the society into becoming a responsible citizen.

Both parents and teacher should play equal role in the development of a child, the CM stated.

At present, the literacy rate of male and female population of the State stands at 81 percent and 68 percent respectively.

Expressing the need to encourage female literacy, the Chief Minister said, while the percentage of literate males exceeds that of female, it is mostly women who step forward to fight for a cause.

As such there arises a need to educate 100 out of 100 women so that, in future, they are more aware of the limitations of the State Government before placing their demands, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, during his speech said that the real achievement of a teacher lies in the success of his students.

One can reap the fruits of education only when proper respects are paid to teachers.

Speaking at the occasion, Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro Singh congratulated the eight State Teachers' Award recipients.

The award, Moirangthem Okendra said, is the recognition of the hard work and sincerity vested into the profession.

About 335 appointment orders were also handed over to aspiring teachers during the course of the celebration today.