New women's organisation PALEM launched
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 04 2024: A new women's organisation christened Progressive Alliance for Leadership and Empowerment of Mothers (PALEM) was officially floated on Friday at Maharaj Garibni-waj Memorial Club (MGMC), Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal.

The launch event was attended by Pambei-led UNLF secretary (HRD) Thangjam Ningtamba Meitei as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Ningtamba called upon individuals to cultivate a sense of nationalism, stressing that this mindset is essential for fostering growth, prosperity, and societal development.

He also underscored the pivotal role that organisations like PALEM can play in positively shaping society.

Ningtamba emphasised that while PALEM is led by leaders who have headed various organisations in the past, its success will ultimately depend on the dedication and active contributions of its members.

He expressed optimism that the newly-formed organisation will thrive with the commitment and efforts of its members.

The secretary also voiced concerns about the current direction society is taking, attributing its decline to shortcomings in the education system.

He noted that parents are sending their children to mission schools and private English schools, where the focus is often on academic success and securing government jobs, rather than instilling traditional values and societal responsibility.

Ningtamba criticised the practice in many mission and private schools of restricting/ discouraging students from speaking their mother tongue.

He lamented that children, after school, are sent for private tuition, leaving little time for parents to impart lessons on manners, culture, and human values.

As a result, children raised in such an environment grow up disconnected from their mother language, society, and cultural heritage.

He pointed put that many children today are more comfortable counting days and months in English than in their native language.

Such trends, he warned, contribute to a gradual erosion of cultural identity.

He stressed that language, script, costume, tradition, and culture are the core elements of a community's identity, and sidelining them is a step in the wrong direction.

There is nothing wrong in sending children to mission or private English schools, but it is totally wrong to restrict them from speaking their own mother language, he said.

One can learn as many languages as possible, but prioritising other languages over one's own mother tongue is not a good trend, Ningtamba added.

The launch event presideed over by PALEM president Kumabam Jibanmala was also attended by Royal Academy of Science managing director Mutum Prabirkumar, MGMC president Kh Jila, and Nupi Khunnai Chaokhat Lup advisor Maibam ongbi RK Jayanti.

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