Religion should not divide us : CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2016:
"Religions should not divide us and solutions to every problem can be brought through dialogue", stated the Chief Minister O Ibobi at the third MK Priya Brata Singh Memorial Lecture-2016 or-ganised by Manipur Cultural Integration Con-ference (MCI-C) as a part of the 105th birth anniversary of the late leader at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.
The memorial lecture witnessed rich floral tributes being paid to the late Maharajakumar Priya Brata Singh who was popularly known as 'PB', led by the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister O Ibobi attended the memorial lecture as the chief guest while president of MCIC Aribam Brajakumar Sharma was the functional president.
Chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shillong and former Secretary of NEC Falguni Rajkumar gave the lecture on "Old Links: New Context" (Role of primordial connectivity in peace and development) .
The Chief Minister emphasized on the importance of remembering and going back to the past where all communities of the State were united as one regardless of where they lived.
He stated that the late leader worked tirelessly to unify and spread message of unity.
"In this present context, where various forces are working to disintegrate Manipur, his message and works have become very relevant.
We, as their children, should walk after his footsteps and translate his dreams to save our unique history," stated O Ibobi.
Further he said that "Various communities have been living together for almost 2000 years and there is no reason for division just because people are following different religions.
Communities residing in different areas may have advantages over one another on account of geographical factors.
And every problem or issue which arises out of such situation will always have a solution, and solutions should be brought through dialogues and understanding among ourselves" .
Maintaining the rich history of the State should be documented well for generations to come, the CM stated that the present condition of palaces where kings once stayed and ruled over the land has been decaying each and every day.
The State Government will work to restore and maintain those palaces in the near future, he added.
Falguni Rajkumar who gave the memorial lecture on the 105th birth anniversary of Late Maharajkumar Priya Brata on the topic "Old Links: New Context"( Role of primordial connectivity in peace and development), revisited the history of Manipur in particular and the North East region of India in general from a socio-cultural perspective.
His lecture analyzed on many shared anthropological, socio-cultural affinities, attributes and history that run deep among the tribal and non-tribals of Manipur.
He stated that different communities of the State are more like a divided family entangled in identity politics.
One of the main causes for all these is the random and gradual disappearance of the various indigenous institutions particularly religious beliefs, which preserved and held these communities to their ancient native roots and anthropological links.
Further he stressed that the bonds which different communities once had need to be reclaimed by learning to work together as one unit in order to bring peace and economic development of Manipur and the States of the entire North East region in the face of fast changing globalised world.
Falguni stated that the British purposely divided hills and valley and till today the Government of India has successfully applied the same policy.
Categorization of different communities supposedly for a good purpose has widened the gap among different communities.
"We must work to correct this divide as we are all victims of circumstances of history.
Let us remember that we are a part of a large family," Falguni said.
Citing an example of an indigenous festival 'Mera Hou Chongba', he stated that the story that revolves around it is a living proof that the people were once a family settled in different parts of the State.
Comment
