National seminar on ethnic Relation in Manipur begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 13 2014 :
A two-day national seminar on "Ethnic Relation in Manipur: Past, Present and Future", jointly organized by the National Research Centre, Manipur and the State Council of Educational Research and Training, Manipur, began from today at Kangla Hall here.
In the opening ceremony of the seminar, Aheibam Rommel, Prof.V.E.& Head of Office, SCERT, Manipur was the Chief Guest while Prof.(Red.) MS Ningomba, Founder President, NRC, Manipur presided the function.
In his keynote address, NRC Secretary P.Bandhan said, 'although various ethnic communities have co-existed in Manipur since time immemorial, Manipur has become a fragmented society with each ethnic group pursuing their own aspirations.
The main aim of the seminar was to understand how all ethnic groups can work together for a united Manipur by understanding the past and keeping in mind the significance of the future, continued Aheibam Rommel, while adding that the seminar will be followed by a workshop for building up of a better and harmonious relation among the various tribes and communities in Manipur.
He shared that SCERT, Manipur will produce a text book for students on ethnic relations in the state based on the papers of the seminar as well as inputs gathered during the proposed Workshop.
Prof.(Red.) MS Ningomba in his presidential address stated that one cannot blame the past for what is happening at present.
This present will become a past someday, thus, one should always be guided by honesty, he stressed.
Moderated by Prof.Arambam Lokendra, Former Director, AVRC, Manipur University, the first academic session of the seminar was titled "Ethnic Pluralism and Its Significance" and three Resource Persons presented papers.
Former MLA RV Mingthing, presenting a paper on "Contemporary Issues faced by Northeast: Need for Collective Action" remarked that adoption of Hinduism and forceful conversion of the general populace into Hinduism by King Charairongba (Pamheiba) and subsequent episode of the Puya Mei Thaba of 1732 were unfortunate incidents in history.
After the King ordered the conversion of all the populace into Hinduism, those who opposed started following different ways of live, he claimed.
Dr.Chirom Rajketan Singh, Assistant Professor of Manipuri, Kha Manipur College, Kakching, presented paper on "Understanding composite History of Manipur through Oral literature: A Study" .
According to Dr.Chirom, there are many groups of people who do not yet have a written history.
However, these societies have their own oral histories which include many accounts of history.
Dr.Rajketan's paper was on the study of the oral history of the different communities to find out the similarities and commonness in the origin of Tangkhul, Mao, Maram, Thangal, Paomai and Kabui communities.
Elaborating on the oral tradition of Aimols, Kharam, Chiru, Chothes etc., Dr.Rajketan said they once lived in a cave and their traditional attire, religion and culture bear lot of similarities of those of the Meeteis.
Dr..HShimreingam, Assistant Professor of English, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul also presented paper on "The Cave Born Tribes of Manipur and the Tangkhul Literature" .
The post lunch session titled, "Ethnic Relation and Conflict Situation" was chaired by Prof..NJoykumar, Department of Political Science, Manipur University and two Resource Persons presented papers.
Social Scientist Dr.Dhanabir Laishram spoke on, "Hill-Valley Relationship in Manipur: Past and Present", while Dr.Leban Serto, Freelance Consultant for the Berghof Foundation, Germany presented paper on "Ethnic integration: Community and Peace Building in Manipur" .
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