Imphal, February 04 2009: With concern in his voice, eagerness in his eyes and confidence in his mind, Prof MV Rappai today averred that three things would certainly lift the economy of Manipur, which will naturally result in overall development in the state.

Relaxing in a spacious room at the Manipur University Guest House in the MU campus, Canchipur after a long brainstorming lecture and interaction at the Department of Political Science, MU, Prof Rappai told a few journalists this afternoon that power, education and good road connectivity would boost the economy of Manipur, thus creating opportunity for overall development.

Power being the most important factor, the authorities in the state may look at the options of producing power through mini hydro power projects instead of big dams and projects in the state, Prof Rappai opined.

Mini hydro power projects would be suitable in Manipur as there are small rivers, streams and waterfalls.

Such mini projects may be set up at many places without disturbing normal life, without having to evacuate a lot of people from their place of settlement.

Mini projects would be more suitable with the local environment, Prof Rappai said.

If ten mini hydro power projects can produce equivalent power as that of a big project, it is better to set up the ten mini projects, he suggested.

In China and Kerala in India, such mini hydro power projects are successfully running and providing the people electricity, he said.

With power available, good roads connecting all villages in Manipur and resources of educated people, the state can make much advancement in economy.

This should be carried out as time bound programmes, the Professor asserted.

In this regard, one may learn from the Chinese, he said, adding that the Chinese are a people, who once have taken a decision, would implement it without fail.

He further said that Manipur is richly endowed with bamboos, handicrafts and herbal plants.

Bamboos can be used in making different products.

Skill of handloom and handicrafts in the state can be honed to meet the challenges posed by products imported from south east Asian countries like China in the local markets.

The Chinese products are flowing in India through the neighbouring countries like Myanmar.

The Chinese products will first be sold at cheaper price with a view to capturing the local markets.

Once their products get a foot hold in the local markets, gradually they will increase the price, thus capturing the local markets.

Therefore, the North Eastern region need to prepare to counter the invading Chinese goods, he said.

Regarding opening of a Chinese study centre in the Manipur University, Prof Rappai said, it is for the state authority to pursue the matter.

He acknowledged that the state Education Minister L Jayentakumar is serious about the matter.

He agreed that opening a Chinese study centre in Manipur would be beneficial for the people.

The Chinese are travelling all over the world, they would arrive in Manipur also as tourists.

In such situation, local people, who are able to communicate with the Chinese tourists in their own tongue, even if not too good, can act as the guides.

Therefore, learning Chinese would be advantageous, he said.

He revealed that the state authority wants to open study centres on Chinese, Korean, Laos and Cambodian in Manipur University.

He has had talks with the state Education Minister regarding the education scenario in Manipur.

He has suggested a ten year free compulsory education for every child in the state.

He has also suggested, out of all the subjects children are taught, at least two should be based on the need of the students areawise.

Elaborating on his suggestion, Prof Rappai said that if the students hail from a particular village of which main occupation is agriculture, the students can be taught on agriculture and allied subjects.

Likewise students of different villages with different main occupations and needs, they can be taught accordingly.

This will hone the young students' skills in different fields, thus alleviating a lot of problems of unemployment, etc.

As regards the Look East Policy of the Government of India, the Professor regretted that though the policy has been declared, not much further work on it has been taken up.

Regarding the maintenance of good health of the Chinese people, Prof Rappai enlightened that the Chinese are early risers and excercise regularly in the early morning.

They excercise Tai-Chi or any other form of physical fitness training.

Prof Rappai narrated that the Chinese people's consciousness on good health and physical fitness came about during Mao Tse Tung's revolution.

The Chinese leader then had used coercive measures to make the Chinese people become health conscious.

But today, every Chinese citizen must be physically fit.

At the time of admission in schools, a child must not only have good marks but also be physically fit.

A child is subjected to physical fitness test at the time of admission.

Therefore, every parents make it a point that their child jogs/runs every morning.

Finally, on a question on the draconian law AFSPA, 1958, Prof Rappai quoted the former Union Home Secretary Padmanabhaiah as telling him one day that the Jeevan Reddy commission had already recommended repeal of the law, and it is for the MPs of the North Eastern states to demand that to be done in the Parliament.

Prof Rappai, who arrived at Imphal on February 2 on a five-day visit to Manipur, yesterday gave a lecture on "Growing influence of China in South East Asia: Impact on North Eastern India" at a reception cum interaction function held at Hotel Imphal, and gave a lecture at the Department of Political Science, MU today.

He has met Education Minister L Jayentakumar, MP Dr T Meinya, many other MLAs, Professors of Manipur University and other scholars.

He would be leaving Imphal for Delhi on February 6 .

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