PCRM observes 10th foundation day

IMPHAL, Oct 20
People’s Campaign for Resurgent Manipur (PCRM) celebrated its 10th foundation day  under the theme “Meeyamgi Leingak, Miyamgi Thoudang: Eikhoi Houjik Kari Tougaani?” on October 18.
The programme was presided by Dr RK Nimai (retd IAS ) and graced by Khaidem Mani, Acting Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commissions as chief guest, Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor of IRAP and Babloo Loitongbam, Director, HRA as guests of honour, said PCRM in a statement.
PCRM which was founded on October 18, 2011 is a group of citizens who are concerned with the prevailing state of affairs in Manipur, it added.
Saying that the campaign seeks to fight the private and vested interests that undermine the basic fabric of a collective life in Manipur, the statement added that PCRM also aims to  cultivate a culture of dialogue and debates to generate informed opinions and choices on public issues and make the political class, public institutions and leaders accountable to the citizens.
 In his speech, Khaidem Mani said "we the citizens are responsible for the sad state of affairs in Manipur."
Saying that election is crucial in a democratic country as it manifests the exercise of human rights, he added that there, however, is a need for electoral reforms.
He also stressed on the importance of the election manifesto of the political parties and the need to monitor the malpractices during the election.
Pradip Phanjoubam reminded the gathering that there is a need to shape critical thinking and a healthy public sphere while  Babloo Loitongbam spoke on the need to coordinate amongst civil society groups to make institutions accountable.
Dr RK Nimai, in his presidential speech, said that there is a lack of ethical value, not only in Manipur but in the entire country.
Saying that there is also a tendency of abusing people rather than engaging with people’s views and justifying mistakes rather than acknowledging it, he emphasized the need to monitor the financial aspect in elections.