Seminar on 'Idea of Manipur' underscores economic relation

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9: The need for building and sustaining economic relations among all the communities  was stressed at a two-day seminar on “Idea of Manipur” opened today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.
Speaking at the opening session of the seminar organised by the Yelhou-Mee Kanba Lup (YEMKAL), retired Professor Naorem Joykumar underscored the importance of building and  sustaining economic relations among all the com- munities settled in Manipur.
The economic relation that existed between the hill people and plain people in the past has now been supplanted by non-Manipuris.
When there is economic relation, there will be cultural relation. Once there is cultural relation, there will be inter-community marriages and this will give birth to political relation, Prof Joykumar said.
Meitei community stands to lose a lot in the current crisis irrespective of whether Manipur breaks apart or not, he said.
Whereas Kukis went to different international fora in pursuit of their demand, Meiteis appeared to be the most foolish lot, he remarked.
When Manipur was under monarchy, the kings were the leaders of the State but today every one is acting like leaders, he said.
If there should be a common identity for all the people living in Manipur, a new political, social, cultural and economic approach is necessary, Prof Joykumar said.
“We are shouting for unification but we are unable to unite. We need to shed the attitude that ‘I’m the best’. We must be prepared for tomorrow”, he continued.
He also called upon all the people to work collectively towards bringing a solution to the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 and building a united Manipur.
Hill people and plain people cannot unite even today. The ongoing crisis is not a conflict between Meitei people and Kuki community. It is a conflict ignited by illegal Kuki immigrants which threatens the National security of India, Prof Joykumar said.
YEMKAL president Angom Loken Meitei said that the seminar was organised to protect the genuine and factual history of Manipur from being suppressed by fabricated and false histories brought out by certain communities.
It is essential to check and reject all the false and fabricated histories being produced by Kukis before it is too late. The seminar is aimed at bringing out a real and comprehensive history of Manipur, he said.
Angom Loken said that  the matters discussed at the seminar will be produced in book form after a thorough review.
On account of the protracted crisis, the State’s economy has been falling. The seminar will also discuss on how to revive the economy and the same will be produced in black and white, he continued.
The seminar will further deliberate on how to implemented a uniform land law across the hills and valley of Manipur and it will be properly documented, Loken said.
He said YEMKAL vehemently condemns the statement made by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma in the USA recently on creating a separate Christian Nation by merging parts of the North East region including Manipur, parts of Myanmar and a part of Bangladesh.
As the Mizoram Chief Minister’s statement threatens the integrity of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren ought to exert strong pressure on the Government of India to take up necessary actions, he asserted.
He also expressed strong reservation against the stoic silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the highly provocative statement of the Mizoram Chief Minister.
Later in the technical session, DMU retired Principal Dr Ch Sheelaramani presented a paper on “Contributions of women in the idea of Manipur” and researcher L Munindro on “Demographic imbalance in Manipur: A Historical Perspective”. The session was moderated by retired IAS Kangjam Radhakumar.