Seminar on development discourse ends
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 19 2013:
The two-day national seminar on "Development Discourse: Expanding Horizons" concluded today at the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, regional campus situated in the Adimjati Complex, Chingmeirong in Imphal.
The seminar was organised by the Department of Social Work, IGNTU, regional campus, Imphal.
On the second and concluding day, the panel on "State, Governance and Development" was chaired by Dr.Dhanabir Laishram, reknown social activist.
Four speakers presented their papers.
Nandini Thokchom speaking on "Rooting and Engendering Governance: Will the Twain Ever Meet" highlighted the issues of women in the context of Manipur.
She elaborated on the conceptual understanding of governance and stated that modern understanding of governance has take into account the positive aspect of traditional institutions and at the same time infuse with modern so that women can participate in not only uplifting themselves but also in decision making.
The second speaker Dr.Subharta Dutta spoke on the title, "Governance and Development Role of PRIs" stressed the importance of grass root government system, which in certain parts of India have been able to bring about positive changes in the lives of the people.
This is one of the institutions where the essence of governance in terms of participation and decision making can be meaningfully discharged.
Dr.Benjamin Gangmei spoke on "Backwardness Problem and Conflict in Manipur Hills: A study from Land Perspective" According to him land is important for community development but proper utilization of land is more important.
In the context of tribals of Manipur, there are three common types of ownership such as individual, community and clan ownership.
Of all these, in terms of land use he feels that community and clan ownership of land negatively affects land utilization.
He also opined that ethnic problems originate from the practice of isolation.
Ethnic problem is compounded by backwardness condition and today, ethnic problem has become a ethno-political problem.
Homen Thangjam spoke on "Governmentality and Development in Post Colonial Societies" .
According to Homen Thangjam modern idea of governance is informed by colonial governmentality and in fact a continuation.
Idea of development changes over time; the case of Northeast is classical case, he said.
From 1949 to the 1990s, Nehruvian model of development dictated wherein no market and financial institutions were allowed to flourish.
Perception was the region is inaccessible on account of its mountainous terrain and inhabited by savage people, whose culture need to be preserved.
From the 1990s after India undertook structural adjustment programme, the region became a land of opportunity, and in fact the land bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
What is enacted in these changing perceptions and policy framework is the circulation of colonial governmentality today understood as governance, Homen Thangjam added.
In addition to the invited speakers, there were also two parallel sessions.
Altogether there were ten paper presentations.
The sessions were chaired by Dr L.Mohendro Singh, Sr.
Fellow, ICSSR and Asst.
Prof., S Kula College, Nambol and Irengbam Arun, Sr.
Journalist, respectively.
The valedictory function was graced by Prof.Vanlanghak, Director, IGNTU-regional campus.
During the session certificates were distributed to
the participants.