PIB (DW)
Imphal, Dec. 28: On 27 Dec 2017, a Symposium was organised by Senapati Brigade under the aegis of Red Shield Division. Symposium provided the intellectuals and youth from different ethnicities, a platform to express themselves freely and share their view point on developing harmonization in Manipur. The Symposium was conducted for a total duration of four hours in which eight speakers representing different ethnicity and profession expressed their views on the theme “Inclusive economic development will usher in ethnic harmonization in Manipur”. In addition to this, five eminent expert panelists also gave their experts comments followed by question and answer session on the topic. It was a very comprehensive debate and discussion which brought out very practical and relevant steps needed to be initiated by Govt, Socio-Political orgs, and all other stakeholders to bring harmony and peace in Manipur. More than 200 people which included number of socio-political leaders, youth from different parts of Manipur, Govt Official and personnel from different media streams attended the Symposium and benefitted from the views expressed by speakers and panelists on the topic. In the end, all speakers and the panelists were felicitated by the Chief Guest, Maj Gen U Suresh Kumar YSM, VSM, GOC 57 Mtn Div.
During the conduct of Symposium, Prof N Mohendro Singh, in his opening keynote address, said that academic intervention is most effective in leading to far reaching changes in society and this effort of the Army will go a long way in that direction. Ms Thokchom Sylvia Devi, Social Worker and National Youth Volunteer, while speaking against the motion, said that development alone will not bring harmony. We need to remove illegal taxation, corruption extreme lack of quality education, as it hurts the common people most. Due to presence of these ills, no effective development canl take place. Mr Kh. Shiile Anthony, Director HRD NEC Shillong, said that the trust deficit between various communities need to be bridged to achieve both development and harmony. He also said that Armed Forces, who represent convergence of diversity, should take initiative and help various communities come together in Manipur. Ms Bountia Keishing, Social Worker and a Business Entrepreneur, stressed upon the need by government to give suitable knowledge to people and also stressed upon importance of people participation in the development process. Professor Amar Yumnam, HOD of Economic Manipur University, while summing up the Symposium, stressed upon the importance of such a gathering to generate ideas. He also mentioned a need to get out of living in the past and look and plan for the future.
Maj Gen U Suresh Kumar, YSM, VSM, GOC Red Shield Division, in his concluding remarks said that it was a privilege to listen to speakers from various communities and each having amazing knowledge. He stressed upon the importance of harmony amongst different tribes as a pre requisite to achieve sustained development and ever lasting peace in Manipur. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Brig Dipankar Saha, Senapati Brigade.
