By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Dec 22:
Laishram Mema, a well-known singer from Manipur, was honoured with the “One India Award” by “My Home India”, an NGO, in an event held at Veer Savarkar Memorial Hall, Dadar in Central Mumbai on Sunday.
Mema was felicitated by MP Vinay Sahastrabuddhe with ” Sangeet Sadhana Award”, which comprised Rs one lakh and an insignia. Noted singer Anuradha Poudwal, Saraswat Bank CGM Ajay Kumar Jain, “My Home India” Founder Sunil Deodhar and President Dr. Harish Shetty were present.
Although Laishram Mema loves classical music, she has sung various type of songs including Ghazal and “Sugam Sangeet” in Marathi, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese. She is also involved in social work. As such her selection for the award is most deserving Sahastrabuddhe said.
”My Home India”, a non-governmental organization, works to unite the people of the North East with the rest of India to achieve national unity. This year, the organization provided food and other essentials every month to over 5,000 people in North East India during the Corona pandemic, Deodhar said.
”My Home India”, seeks to bring in an emotional integration between people of rest of the country India with the people of North East India, the region facing problems such as Chinese invasion on Arunachal Border, infiltration of Bangladeshis, insurgency & terrorism. Besides these issues of National Security and Law & Order, there is a major issue of socio-economical and emotional alienation faced by people of North East in general.
”My Home India”, is six year old organisation planning to expand its activities and base in future. Its major activities include: to create awareness about North East, to encourage & assist in organising tours to North East, to assist those wanting to visit North East for their work and to provide help line to North East Students across the country.
So far the NGO has helped over 500 students in Maharashtra & Karnataka. Besides it has
provided help line in relation to medical, legal & travel related aid to more than 700 individuals. It has also given career guidance to students. “My Home India” ensures participation of the students from North East in local festivals such as Holi, Gudhi Padva, Ganapati, Navratri, Dusseara, Diwali, Makar sankranti etc. It is also creating awareness about the festivals of North East, among local population.
.” We have been conducting lectures and group discussions on North East India at educational institutions, citizen groups, and similar forums across India. We have also been trying to create awareness through cultural events, sports competitions, etc. We also organise ‘Feel the North East’ tours for selected persons from rest of the country”, Deodhar said.
