TSE, ISTV host youth conclave with a difference
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2019: A youth conclave christened 'Exploring a better future for mankind' was held today at Hotel Sangai Continental, Thangal Bazar under the aegis of The Sangai Express and ISTV Network.

Manipur University Administrator Jarnail Singh and The Sangai Express publisher Nishikant Singh Sapam graced the opening session of the conclave as chief guest and president respectively.

The conclave was attended by a number of experts and youth who came from different educational institutions.

In his introductory remark, AIR Imphal, Regional News Unit Editor A Ibomcha Sharma said that the conclave is a joint initiative of The Sangai Express and ISTV Network and it is aimed at giving a concrete shape to new vistas for enhancing human resources of the State and the Nation and work out a better road map for the future.

India is known for its human resources and it was Marshal McLuhan who introduced the concept of global village in 1964 .

However, the concept of global village had been there in India since many centuries back.

The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is a family) is encapsulated in many Maha Upanishads, Ibomcha said.

Since the period of ancient civilisations till the contemporary period, India has been occupying a prominent place in the fields of philosophical thoughts and physical sciences.

Quoting a statement made by a Union Minister in the Parliament a few years back, Ibomcha said that 12 per cent of the total scientists working in the USA are Indians and 38 per cent of doctors serving there are Indians.

Moreover, Indians constitute 36 per cent of the total employees of Microsoft and IBM.

The conclave is a perfect opportunity to ponder over what Manipur can do for the Nation rather than harping on what the State would receive from mainland India, he said.

The people of Manipur have been basking in the State's past glory but the State's recent past was tumultuous and its future is bleak.

"But we can certainly transform the State's future into a bright one if we work collectively and the conclave is being organised to ignite this thought/belief in the young minds", Ibomcha said.

Speaking at the gathering, MU Administrator Jarnail Singh said that the youth are the most valuable assets of the country.

All the youngsters should be properly educated and it is also crucial to make them skilful in myriad fields.

Sharing his experiences, Jarnail Singh said that when a political person from India met a Minister of the Chinese Government, the latter talked about only two key points.

Although China is bigger than India in terms of population and geographical area, China is fearful of India's huge youth population and the country's total arable area which is bigger than that of China, the former Chief Secretary conveyed.

He said that he reached Imphal for the first time in June, 1975.At that time, power generated from the Keishampat powerhouse (diesel engines) was not available for more than three/four hours in a day.

Since then, the State has undergone dramatic changes.

There are a good number of educational institutions and there are many highly educated and skilful people, he said.

Still there are many shortfalls.

The State is rich in natural resources but the people are still suffering because the natural resources are not exploited properly and in a sustainable manner.

To address all these problems, it is crucial to make the people, particularly the youngsters skilful in myriad fields, Jarnail Singh said.

About the State's bureaucracy, the former Chief Secretary said that it would be quite beneficial for the State if officers of the State go to other States and countries and come back with extra knowledge and skills.

But no extra knowledge can be acquired if one confines oneself over a table for years, he said.

Addressing youngsters, Jarnail Singh asserted that the body and the mind are their two best friends.

The better the mind and body are, the more productive would be an individual.

Nishikant Singh Sapam said that he sees education as something totally different from the general understanding.

Education is not restricted to classrooms alone but it is quite vast and the process of learning goes on every single day.

Education is not restricted to technicality alone but it can also been seen from the degree of exposure.

"I studied at Delhi and Manipuri students studying there created a little Manipur", he said, in an oblique reference to ghettoisation.

Studying outside one's home State gives exposure to the outside world while pursuing academic excellence at the same time.

The main objective of education is to groom each and every children to be good individuals.

Humanity is the ultimate religion and the ultimate aim of good education is to find happiness, Nishikant ISTV News Chief Editor Brozendra Ningomba moderated the second session where RIMS Director Prof A Santa, MIMS, MU Director Prof Ch Ibohal Meitei and Social Welfare Director Ng Uttam spoke on different topics.

Prof A Santa spoke on 'Post Graduate in medical education', Prof Ch Ibohal on 'Employability and skill development for youth in a new world order' and Ng Uttam on 'Youth and positive changes'.

They also replied to queries raised by students.

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