2nd youth conclave : TSE, ISTV continue to explore better future for mankind
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2019: The second edition of the Youth Conclave jointly organised by The Sangai Express and Information Service Television (ISTV) Network on the theme 'Exploring a better future for mankind' was held today at Hotel Sangai Continental, MG Avenue.

Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services (FEEDS), Hengbung president Haokholet Kipgen and The Sangai Express publisher Nishikant Singh Sapam graced the conclave as chief guest and president which was participated by many students and youth working at different establishments.

Giving the key-note address of the conclave, AIR Imphal, Regional News Unit Editor A Ibomcha recalled that the first edition of the conclave was held at the same venue on August 11.He said that the State's pace of development is being impeded by negative outlooks and vibes.

Youngsters are unable to bring forth their potential and capabilities.

2nd youth conclave : TSE, ISTV continue to explore better future for mankind

The two media houses have been organising the youth conclave to contribute something towards propelling Manipur society on the path of a better future, Ibomcha said.

The conclave is aimed at nurturing constructive ideas after threadbare discussions on different matters with a positive outlook, he said.

'Importance of communication among the youth' and 'You can' were the two topics of today's discussion.

Ibomcha said that communication is a very powerful tool and it is this tool which helped mankind build many civilisations.

Again, it is communication which enabled mankind rule the planet.

Animals do communicate with each other but their level of communication is very limited as compared to mankind.

Imprisonment of a man for offences or crimes he committed is basically about cutting off communication with his near and dear ones, Ibomcha said.

The other topic 'You can' is primarily about invoking one's will power.

Will power is another very powerful tool of human beings, Ibomcha said.

Haokholet Kipgen pointed that thousands of students graduate every year in the State but it is highly questionable whether all the graduates are qualified to receive the particular degree and whether they are capable of contributing to the State's welfare.

At the same time, the Government is not in a position to give jobs to all the graduates.

Given these facts, the conclave held today is highly significant, Haokholet remarked.

Quoting former President late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam that a dream is not something that happens while you are asleep, a dream is something that does not let you sleep, Haokholet exhorted youngsters to dream the kind of dream dreamt by Dr Abdul Kalam.

Dr Abdul Kalam once stated that different varieties of medicinal plants worth billions of dollars which can cure several present day and future diseases are found in the North East region, he pointed out.

He then lamented that youngsters of the region are still unable to exploit these natural resources.

Majority of the people are still stricken with poverty and most women are engaged in unskilled works.

"We must pave way for a better future.

A better future would not come on its own.

But this requires sound and visionary policies of the Government", Haokholet asserted.

"I'm a National vice-president of BJP ST Morcha but the policies and programmes formulated by the Central Government have little relevance to the State of Manipur", he continued.

People might be still thinking that the Golden Triangle is a place for druglords but costly fruits like blackberry and blueberry are being planted there.

People there have been earning huge profits from these fruits and it is even higher than the profit they earned from manufacturing drugs, Haokholet claimed.

He went on to ask if blackberry and blueberry cannot be cultivated in the hill areas of Manipur where poppy is cultivated.

Highlighting the growing importance of active reforestation activities particularly in catchment areas, Haokholet claimed that forests are thriving at Hengbung.

He also informed that he started cultivation of big cardamom at Hengbung since 1995.Abrupt climatic changes, rising temperature and flood or drought situations experienced in the State can be attributed to extensive deforestation activities in hill areas, he remarked.

He also underscored the need for the Government to formulate framework and guidelines which would uplift youngsters and create self-employment avenues.

The conclave held today may constitute a working group which may suggest inputs towards preparation of such policies, frameworks and guidelines, he added.

Just like IT parks, the Government may also set up agricultural, agro-forestry and horticultural parks.

Medicinal, aromatic and edible plants found in the State may also be produced on commercial scale, he said.

Manipur is known for its handloom and handicraft products but the mode of production is still traditional.

It would do well for the State's handloom and handicraft sector to promote popular designers and open handloom and handicraft outlets at Manipur Bhavans located at different cities of the country, he suggested.

Nishikant Singh Sapam pointed out that there is no short cut to success.

For anyone to be successful, one must be persevering, self-confident and he/she must have a strong craving for excellence in their respective fields.

"The journey of my life is a little different from others.

I'm just a graduate and I used to play basketball.

When I returned to Imphal after studying outside the State, my father was engaged in publishing Government publications", Nishikant said.

"At the time, corruption and bribery was at its height.

As I hated such practices, I set up a press and started publishing school textbooks.

This was followed by the publication of Imphal Free Press and later The Sangai Express", he recounted.

Saying that publication of a newspaper is a team work, Nishikant said that he is proud of The Sangai Express team.

He then exhorted the youth not to allow the society and the system subdue them.

Instead of asking what the society and the Government had done for you, you need to ponder over what you have done for the society, Nishikant said addressing the youth.

One should pursue one's goal with a firm determination and youngsters should always stay away from corruption.

One should be ethical in one's approach.

Only then, one can overcome all challenges, he asserted.

All the people of Manipur, particularly youngsters should have a craving to compete at the international level.

One should think globally and act locally, Nishikant said.

The technical session of the conclave was moderated by ISTV News Editor-in-Chief Brozendra Ningomba where young IAS officer Pooja Elangbam spoke on the topic 'Importance of communication among youth' while Manipur University (MIMS) Prof L Jibon Kumar spoke on the topic 'You can'.

This was followed by an interaction session.