Follow Irabot's ideals: Nando Luwang to MLAs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 21 2023:
While attributing the present situation of Manipur to lack of determination on the part of the ministers and MLAs, Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM) convenor Ph Nando Luwang has suggested that MLAs follow Lamyanba Irabot's way of doing things; as he was also once an MLA himself.
He made the statement during a people's convention organised by Lamyanba Irabot Ningshing Thouram Observation Committee (LINTOC) under PPCM and in collaboration with Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) at the Commerce Hall, MU on Thursday.
Speaking as one the presidium members, Nando remarked that Manipur is filled with cries of pain, our mothers' tears running non-stop and many souls forced to leave the land of the living.
The elected ministers and MLAs do not care about their, motherland and the people or their communities, which has led to the present situation.
The indigenous people are also unable to live up to even one-fifth of their responsibility to the land, thereby causing the present crisis to escalate.
Thus, elected representations should try to live up to Lamyanba Irabot's way of doing things, for Irabot himself was once an MLA who prioritised bringing about a better future.
Regarding the Convention's theme, he continued that the present Manipur is different from the Manipur envisioned by Irabot.
During his time as an MLA, Irabot sacrificed all the benefits associated with the post, while prioritising the people and that there is no need to be greedy for the MLA seat taking the long-term prospect of Manipur.
Questioning how are the present ministers and MLAs are faring with regard to their duties, he said that Irabot's thinking is drastically different from that of contemporary elected representatives and as such, urged the MLAs to follow Irabot's thinking as even a few MLAs can bring change in Manipur for the better.
Thus, the convention was organised with the aim of guiding the ministers/ MLAs to follow the footsteps of Irabot, he said.
With regard to the month-long observance of Lamyangba Irabot Ningshing Thouram, Nando said that several educational institutions have been visited to instil the spirit of patriotism and spread awareness about the role of the people in protecting the state and its citizens.
Delivering the keynote address of the Convention, LINTOC Publicity Sub Committee convenor Okram Dilipkumar Meitei said that it is time to analyse and realise the united, egalitarian Manipur envisioned by Lamyanba Irabot.
The convention was attended by LINTOC convenor Kh Gopen Luwang, co-convenors K Thoiba, Y Khomba Meitei, L Shyam Khuman and MUSU president Th Sonamani as presidium members.
MU retired HOD of History Department Prof Naorem Brajakumar and columnist Guninchandra Kakchingtabam spoke as resource persons.