Patil's pep talk to women of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 11 2011: Appreciating the courage and wisdom of Manipuri women, President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil has expressed the need for Manipuri mothers to play a more proactive role in bringing about a political solution to the decades old insurgency problem in the State.

In a meeting with the Chairperson of Manipur State Women's Development Corporation, AK Mirabai at the Raj Bhavan, the President reportedly pointed out that there is no other means than political solution to end the problem of insurgency in Manipur and the Manipuri mothers should take it as a challenge to convince their sons.

On the other hand, Chairperson of Manipur State Social Welfare Board RK Nayansana too reportedly raised various issues to the President while calling on the latter at the Raj Bhavan today.

Talking to mediapersons in her office chamber in connection with her meeting with the President, Mirabai informed that the meeting the President took place at around 9.42 am today at the Raj Bhavan and lasted for 5 minutes.

Mirabai said that the President was fully conversant with the case of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on a fast for more than 10 years demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

When the case was taken up during the brief meeting, the President said she is fully aware of the case and assured that discussion will be held with other Central leaders to see what can be done, Mirabai said.

Mirabai further said that an 8-point memorandum highlighting various important issues pertaining to development of women in general and that of Manipur in particular had also been submitted to the President during the meeting.

To the points for expediting the pending Bill for reservation of 30 percent of the seats both in the Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies for women, to have at least two women members in any institutions that had more than five members on its board, to reserve one-third of the post for women in any appointment process of Government and other Non-Government sector and to establish separate women cells/units in all police stations to ensure safety of women specially at nights, the President said these are essential but she laughed at the demand for opening women battalions for the State, Mirabai recalled.

Mirabai further informed that during the brief meeting, the President expressed her desire to visit the Ima Market and wanted to know how is the market system like and whether the women vendors can live on their earning from the market.

In response, Mirabai is reported to have conveyed that among the women vendors there are many who have educated their children to become engineers and doctors.

At the meeting, Mirabai presented one Phanek Mayek Naibi and an Innaphi of the Meitei, which was to the liking of the President, who requested Mirabai to show her how to wear them.

Mirabai said that the President was sad that she could not find time to meet and talks with Manipuri women whose courage and hard work are well known but she would definitely visit Ima Keithel and meet the people of Manipur in her next visit.

Similarly, Chairperson of Manipur State Social Welfare Board RK Nayansana has taken up issues related to Irom Chanu Sharmila, finding a political solution to the problem of insurgency and armed conflict in Manipur, economic empowerment of widows and destitute women, problem of unemployment and women's reservation for political empowerment of women.

With regard to the Sharmila's more than 10 years old fast demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Nayansana requested the President to spare some of her administrative wisdom to look into the matter.

She also urged the President to bring a political solution to the problem of insurgency and armed conflict in Manipur, to take up steps for economic empowerment of widows and destitute women in the State who are the worst victims of HIV/AIDS and armed conflict, solve the problem of employment through lifting of ban on recruitment in various Government departments and initiating more income generation schemes as well as for ensuring women reservation for political empowerment.

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