IT News
Imphal, Mar 20:

Seven students bodies of the state have submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding the updation and implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the available records as done in Assam, with 1951 as the base year. Earlier, the students’ bodies staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar New Delhi, demanding the same.
The memorandum signed by the leaders of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) and another major students’ body stated that the state of Manipur is just 0.7% of the country have witnessed a sharp increase in the decadal growth rate since the regulation to check the outsiders has been lifted by the Chief Commission Himmat Singh in 1950.
The memorandum further stated that the unnatural increase in population growth can only be explained by migration from neighbouring countries and states and just can’t be explained by natural birth. When one examined the composition of the population based on the mother tongue spoken, one comes to the conclusion that the immigrants are mostly from the cognate tribes from neighbouring Myanmar, Nepali from Nepal, and Muslims from Bangladesh, the latter now a distinct force in Jiribam District bordering Assam. In Tripura, Hindus were the main migrants from erstwhile East Pakistan and Bangladesh and most Muslim migrants from this country reached Assam and Manipur with some settled in Nagaland.
The students’ bodies stated that as Manipur joined the Union of India on 15th October 1949, the NRC must also be updated in Manipur with 1951 as the base year.
“Our demands are strictly based on the need for small communities in the region and the state to survive. Manipur as you are fully aware comprises almost 90% hills where land cannot be bought by non-ST, while in the valley, the population density is as per the 2011 census 730 and will not be able to cater to aliens as our growing population needs to be catered first. This high population impacts the hills as many aliens are staying there as sharecroppers and it will be difficult to dislodge them later. This impacts our indigenous hill brethren also and conflict had arisen now and then, including violent reactions. We have raised concerns over the abnormal surge of population in hilly areas and the mushrooming of villages. A report last year indicates that there is an explosion in the number of new villages in the state, with many seeking recognition from the government. It was mentioned that in addition to the existing 2803 villages another 996 villages are seeking fresh recognition”, the memorandum stated.
Even the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime which the union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has graciously extended to Manipur has little impact as there is no definition of the term inhabitant. The state cabinet has decided to adopt 1961 as the base year for identifying the inhabitant of Manipur. It is our hope that at least the State Government can regulate the inflow of visitors. However, the most important is the regulation of visitors from other countries who have the habit of settling down in the state through marriages, etc.
The seven student bodies appealed to protect the indigenes of the State, which are being swamped and marginalised in their own home state, the NRC for the state with 1951 as the base year is prepared and the State Government is advised to establish a Manipur State Population Commission in line with the National Population Commission at the earliest.

IT News
Imphal, Mar 20:

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan stated that the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is necessary for the state of Manipur.
Talking to senior journalist Dr. Seram Rojesh, Dr. RK Ranjan said that implementation of the NRC has been a major programme of the Government of India. He said that the NRC has already been tested in the state of Assam.
Appreciating the students’ bodies for bringing up such issues Dr. Ranjan said that every now and then when the society is in need of changes, the students’ bodies have always been playing a major role in the state of Manipur. The Minister said that the implementation of NRC should be based on the 1951 census.
Dr. Ranjan said that the state government of Manipur under the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had urged the government of India to issue identity cards to the Indian citizens at the border of India and Myanmar in Manipur side so that illegal migrants can be checked as done in Mizoram. He also appealed the Chief Minister N. N Biren Singh to take up adequate measures for issuing I-card to the border villagers. He also stated that strict measures have been taken up to ensure that no illegal Adhaar cards were issued. Birth certificates have been made mandatory for issuing Adhaar cards, the Minister said.

IT News
Imphal, Mar 20:

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh flagged off a team of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Manipur visiting Madhya Pradesh as a part of Yuva Sangam under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, from the Western Gate of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat today.
The team consisted of 30 students, including 12 girls and 18 boys, and 5 officials of NIT. The duration of their visit will be from 20th to 26th March, 2023. The team will visit tourist places of Madhya Pradesh, acquire knowledge on development and technological advancement of the State. The visit will also facilitate cultural exchange among the youths of Manipur and Madhya Pradesh.
Interacting with the officials and students of NIT participating in the exposure tour, N. Biren Singh stated that Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect youths across the country and make them closer to one another. It is a mission started to achieve the aim of One India, he added.
Maintaining that the State had gone through certain changes with development in various fields, the Chief Minister added that the NIT team is lucky to have many things to say and represent about the State. He also asked to have a good knowledge on the development of the State, so that they could convey a positive message about Manipur to the people of Madhya Pradesh they interact with.
N. Biren advised the team to be well disciplined during their visit so as to create a good image, adding that each small thing is important in life. He continued that civilization is not just about developing infrastructure but maintaining good discipline and character. Concluding his interaction, he extended his best wishes to the team for a safe and knowledge gaining trip.
Education Minister Th. Basanta Kumar Singh, while delivering a short speech, advised the team that they should give a positive presentation on the development achieved in the State during their visit, adding that they are not only representing the NIT, but also Manipur and other Northeastern states. He continued that the team should motivate the people of Madhya Pradesh to visit Manipur, by highlighting them about various tourist spots developed in the State.
He expressed his hopefulness that the exposure tour will be very important and helpful in becoming a successful person in future, through the knowledge gained during their visit.
Director, NIT Manipur Prof. Gautam Sutradhar, Registrar Prof. Khumukcham Tomba Singh and other officials of NIT also attended the flag off programme.

IT News
Imphal, Mar 20:

The 5th Poshan Pakwada rally was staged at various districts of the state today.
In Imphal West district Director of Social Welfare, Ngangom Uttam flagged off the rally from the Office of the Social Welfare Department. At Thoubal district Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal A.Subhash Singh, IAS, flagged off the rally at DC office Complex Thoubal
Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner said Poshan Pakhwada is organised to give awareness to the people about nutrition and to promote healthy eating habits. He appealed to the people mostly women to provide their children with healthy and nutritive food. He said parents should try to avoid junk food for their children as it has no nutritional value.
Social Welfare Director Ngangom Uttam while talking to the media appealed to acknowledge the food value of millets which were abundantly available in the state.
“Today we have not seen many people growing millets in the state however, as for the country farmers are being encouraged to grow millets in view of its nutritious food values.
The theme of this year of Poshan Pakhwada celebration is “Nutrition for all: Together towards a Healthy India “. With the declaration of 2023 as the International year of Millet the focus of Poshan Pakhwada will be to popularize Shree Anna: the mother of all grains as a valuable asset to address malnutrition.
Various activities will be held during this fortnight's celebration which will be held from March 20 to April 3. Promotion and popularization of Millet for nutritional well-being through organization of drives to link Millet-based foods with supplementary nutrition, home visits, and Diet consultations camp are some of the activities. Celebration of Swasth Balak Spardha and Popularization of Saksham Anganwadis will be held.
Around 150 Anganwadi workers & helpers, ASHA workers and volunteers of NGO’s participated in the rally. Also taking part in the rally were ADM B. Lokeshor Sharma, CMO Thoubal, Dr Y. Nokul Singh, ZEO Thoubal A. Anilkumar Singh, AC To DC, Kh. Lenin Singh, DPO, ICDS Thoubal Th. Suranjoy Singh and other District Level Officers.