The Minorities Students’ Association, Manipur, is marking Minorities Rights Day today at Manipur Press Club, Loktak Hall, to highlight the rights, concerns, and education-related issues faced by the minority groups in the State.
During this observance of academics, scholars, jurists, and representatives of civil society held deliberations regarding issues affecting minorities, with a focus on education, social justice, and development.
For the presidium of the program, Professor Chinglen Maisnam, Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of South East Asian Studies at Manipur University, and Doctor Syed Ahmed, Associate Professor at D M College of Arts, Imphal, would be there. The other participants invited are K Hellen, Vice President of the All Manipur United Club Organization; Advocate Sazad Bhuiya, convenor of the Committee on Peaceful Co existence Manipur; Julia Singlai, member of the Core Committee; and Ph Ijij Ahamad, President of the Minorities Students’ Association of Manipur.
Commenting on the occasion, Prof. Chinglen Maisnam said that the contribution of teachers to the formation of a student’s lifetime career, right from college, namely Lilong Haoreibi College, has played a significant role in the development of the minority section. He also said that the first doctorate student, who was guided by him after acquiring his position at the university, belonged to the Meitei Pangal subgroup. It was a proud moment for him.
“It is a heartening fact that more and more Meitei Pangal youngsters are pursuing higher education, but it is a matter of sadness that many children are still compelled to discontinue studies due to financial reasons,” said Maisnam, adding that it has been observed that some children are thrust into child labor due to lack of proper guidance and support, and that children from economically distressed families are often suspected wrongfully in crime, while children involved in drug trade escape notice.”
“These are closely associated with the economic conditions of the community and there is a call for a greater emphasis on higher education,” he said.
“The enrollment of Meitei Pangal students at Manipur University is an area of concern and detailed research and authentic statistics are required to grasp the realities of the problem and work out a solution,” he added.