Group Photo: Team Grace Zamnu, ex MDC (Muallum)

Group Photo: 

Day of Filing of Nomination for ADC Elections in Manipur.

Pi Grace Zamnu, MDC (Muallum) and her supporters at DC Office, Lamka, Ccpur, Manipur on 05 May 2015 (Tuesday).

Pic: KHALVONTAWI 

Grace Zamnu filed nomination for MDC Election in Manipur

Lamka, May 5, 2015: The sitting and lone woman MDC in Churachandpur district of Manipur, Ms Zamneiching @ Grace Zamnu, MDC Muallum on Tuesday filed the nomination paper for the ensuing Member of District Council Election to be held on June 1, 2015.

Flanked by veteran supporters, youths, women and well-wishers, Ms Grace Zamnu filed the nomination paper as independent candidate for 23-Muallum ADCC Constituency 2015.

A blessing programme for filing nomination and election committee for Grace Zamnu was held before the filing of the nomination. It was chaired by Mr Kamneithang of M Tanglian Village, and opening prayer by Elder Kaichinkham of Muallum Village, which was followed by welcome address by Mr Tongthang, Chief of Panglian Village.

The independent candidate Ms Zamnu made the key note address citing her past achievements based on “Increased Awareness”, “Sustainable Development” and “Survival”. She also announced the formation of the Election Committee. 

The committee members constituted Mr Kamneithang of M Tanglian Village as Chairman, Mr Tongkhothang Baite, Chief of Panglian as Election Agent/ Chief Campaigner, Mr Lelen Kipgen of Bongbal as Secretary, Mr Thanglal Baite of Panglian as Asst Secretary, Mr Lianzamung of T Khajang and Mr Lhunkai of Haijang as Incharge of Information  & Publicity, Mr S Lianzamang, Chief of S Geltui as Fund Mobilization & Finance Incharge, Mr Paulianthang of Zabellei, Mr Kamkhenthang, Chief of S Munpi and Mr Kamkhanmang as Public Mobilization, Mr Thangkhanlal of Muallum and Mr Suanlal Dopmul of Muallum as Transport Incharge, Ms Ngaikhanchin, Ms Luanmang, and Ms Manngaihom as Women Wing Incharge, Mr Mangcha of Bongbal, Mr Mangkhothang of Sumchinvum, and Mr Pumminthang of Kullian as Youth Wing Incharge.

The advisors include Mr Nengkhenthang, Chief of Zabellei, Mr Khaikhanhau, Chief of M Tanglian, Mr Alun Haolai, Chief of Haijang, Mr Letjang Touthang, Chief of S Mollen, Catechist Peter Kammang, Chief of V Munpi, elder Kaichinkham of Muallum, and Mr S Lianzakap, father of Grace Zamnu.

Rev Khaikhanthang, local pastor, Thangkhal Bible Church (TBC), Tuibuang blessed Ms Grace Zamnu for filing up the election nomination paper as well as the newly set-up members of the Election Committee.

The programme went smooth and ended in a good note. Chief of S. Geltui Mr S Lianzamang gave away vote of thanks while elder Thonghang of Muallum made the closing prayer. Then lunch followed. 

Supporters from near and far participated in the entire process from morning to evening, until Grace Zamnu completed the filing of nomination in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur on Tuesday.

The total number of voters in Muallum Constituency is 3679 including 1808 male voters and 1871 female voters. Six (6) Polling Stations falls under this constituency covering 35 villages. Around 10 persons have taken the nomination form till Tuesday. Wednesday is the last day of filing nomination.

It may be mentioned that, Muallum, a village situated in the southern part of Churachandpur district is some 20-25 kms away from the Churachandpur Police Station. The 23-Muallum ADCC falls under Singngat Assembly Constituency (of MLA).

Manipur is now gearing up for the coming Autonomous District Council Election which is scheduled on June 1, 2015. The word ‘MDC’ (Member of District Council) becomes the burning topic in Manipur now.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

(The Mizoram Post | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today | Satya Desh)

Rambo: The Unsung Hero of Lamka

HE walks the streets of Lamka with two large yellow water cans balanced in each hand. His pace steady, his back straight, his expression calm. There is something both heavy and noble in the way he moves. The weight he carries isn't just water: it’s life, labour, and silent resilience.

His body speaks before he does. Shirtless under the sun, his dark skin is toughened by the outdoors. His chest is broad, his arms thick and muscled, wrapped in faded cloth bands, perhaps to ease the strain, or maybe just to hold something personal close. A red stripe marks his forehead, and a simple necklace rests against his chest. His long pants, rolled up just below his knees, are stained and dirty — a sign of hard work, not neglect. Each muscle seems to remember years of repetition, of lifting, walking, and fetching. This isn’t gym strength. This is survival strength.

His face is sunburned and weathered. A thin layer of sweat covers his skin, but there’s no sign of frustration or fatigue in his eyes, just a quiet acceptance. His eyes are sharp but soft. He has seen hardship, and maybe loneliness but still carries warmth. If you meet his gaze with kindness, you’ll find a smile that rises without force, a smile that says he’s not bitter about his burdens.

He does this every day. He hauls water from public taps or distant sources to the homes and places where he works, places that need it, without complaint, without a fuss. His job is thankless but necessary. And somehow, he finds pride in doing it well.

He said his name is Ramboo, with a shy smile, maybe a little amused at how far that name has travelled from action films to this quiet corner of Manipur. But in his own way, he is every bit the hero, strong, disciplined, and quietly fighting his daily battle.

I could only give him a small amount of money, just enough for a cup of tea. If I could’ve done more in that moment, on that sunny evening of May 4, 2015, I truly wish I had.

I hope to meet him again one day.

He doesn’t ask for anything. But he deserves everything: respect, rest, and recognition. More than anything, he deserves a life that’s a little lighter than the weight he carries every day.

We can all learn an important real-life lesson from his struggles: that strength isn’t loud, and dignity doesn’t need praise.

May his strength be honoured, and may God bless him with health, peace, and a better life.

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

Unprecedented meeting of newspaper employees at Jaipur: IFWJ

The enthusiasm among the newspaper employees of Rajasthan for the Majithia Wage Awards is seen to be believed. Yesterday i.e. on 3rd May more than four hundred employees of the newspapers assembled in a hall of Jaipur and resolved to fight with rock like unity for their legitimate rights. Consequent upon the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India on 28th April 2015 to all state governments for appointing the Labour Inspectors to find out as to how many newspapers have implemented the Majithia Wage Boards recommendations till date, IFWJ Secretary General and Supreme Court advocate Parmanand Pandey and the Senior Advocate Collin Gonsalves have decided to undertake the country wide tour to remove the doubts of the employees and galvanize them to lock the bulls of industry by their horns.

 

IFWJ's Secretary General has been flooded with invitations from hundreds of employees of different newspapers across the country to visit to their publication centres. Employees are asking to guide them as to how to handle the misinformation and shenanigans of the newspaper employers, which they will employ to fudge the report.

 

On May 1 Shri Pandey, and Senior Advocate Shri Colin Gonsalves and the undersigned addressed the meeting of the newspaper employees of NOIDA and exhorted them to show the exemplary courage and tell the labour inspectors that they have been coerced to sign on the papers of the employers, which says that they are not interested in the wage board awards but are satisfied with the present wage structure. Shri Pandey and Gonsalves asked the employees not to be deterred with threats or inducements of the employers. Labour Inspectors must also be warned for not coming under any pressure of the employers because they have to directly report to the Supreme Court.

 

The old timers of the newspaper industry in Jaipur say that they have not witnessed any meeting of this scale of the newspaper employees in the past. It was unprecedented by all means. The crowd was spilling over the hall and ever body heard both Advocates with rapt attention for nearly three hours. IFWJ vice-president Satya Pareek, its state unit president J.N. Jaiman remained present in the meeting all through. Shri Upendra Singh Rathore also came from Jaisalmer to lend his support to employees. Shri Amit Mishra, Sanjay Saini, senior journalists V.K. Pathak, Pradeep Gaur, Devendra Garg, Rakesh Sharma, Rakesh Verma, Vijay Morya and others ensured that the message must go across to one and all. Newspaper proprietors got trembled with roaring success of the meeting. The meeting was held in two sessions. In the first session both advocates spoke at length and then the question-answer session followed.

 

It is regrettable indeed that the proprietors have gone on the spree of repression after the employees demanded for the implementation of the Majithia Wage Awards. Two newspapers of Rajasthan i.e. Rajasthan Patrika and Dainik Bhaskar, which claim to have the largest circulation in the state or proving to the worst exploiters. The despicable conduct of lalas of both newspapers has touched its nadir. Employees are transferred, suspended and harassed in every conceivable manner. Both of them are brazenly violating the labour laws and the shameless government and its officials are watching the sordid drama with perverted pleasure. The state government has totally failed to rein in the intoxicated and power drunk employers. The proprietors of Rajasthan Patrika and Dainik Bhaskar have become the law and unto themselves and are busy in land grabbing, extortion and blackmailing. Shri Pandey and Shri Gonsalves condemned this attitude of the government which is dancing to the tunes of the newspapers barons.

 

Most of the employees of Dainik Bhaskar and Rajasthan Patrika have filed their petitions in the Supreme Court through Shri Parmanand Pandey. Advocate Pandey said the employees that they should rise above the egoist bickering for benefit of employees. The Journalist Trade Unions have unfortunately got frozen into time warp and that is why they have been marginalized and lost all contacts with new generation of journalists. Shri Pandey asked journalists to unionize for ensuring the protection of their rights. The Press Club of Jaipur which should have been the hub and the centre of agitational activities has virtually become a cesspool of corruption and politicking.

 

Shri Pandey and Shri Gonsalves have assured the employees that they would extend all possible help to ensure their victory in the Supreme Court. Those employees who have been victimized by the employers will get full justice and the proprietors will have to take them back on duty with full back wages and all consequential benefits. The undersigned promised them in preparing the fitment of wage scales.

 

IFWJ will soon send a circular to all its state units to prevail upon the Labour Officials not to tinker with the actual fact finding reports of the Labour Inspectors, otherwise they would have face the cost and consequences of their own making.

 

Ram P. Yadav

Secretary IFWJ

KSO CCpur held Locus Rock Fete 2015

Lamka, May 2, 2015: The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Churachandpur organised a multi talent extravagant eve titled “Locus Rock Fete-2015” here in Multi-Purpose Hall, Peace Ground Tuibuang on Friday night (May 1).

Mr Langkhanpau Guite, Chairman Autonomous District Council Churachandpur (ADCC), Mr Demmang Haokip, Vice-chairman ADCC, and Mr Ngamhao Touthang, Member ADCC graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and Functional President respectively.

Mr Nehthang Mate, Member ADCC, Mr Paolal Haokip, Member ADCC, Mr Khaipao Haokip, Member ADCC, Mr Thangmang Haokip, Member ADCC, Mr Emboi Serto, President ATSUM and Mr Marihang Ngilmai, General Secretary ATSUM also attended the function as Special Guest.

Top artistes like Zomi Idol 2015 Miss Chingngaihlian, HSA Platinum Star Miss Christina Shakum, female rock star Miss Helamboi Baite, evergreen singer Mr Benny Khongsai, 1^st Kuki Idol Mr Lenchung Haokip, famous Zomi singer Mr Muan Hangzo, famous Papu II (Zou) singer Mr James Arjun and Miss Bliss Lhingboi Zou enthralled the huge crowd with their soulful songs.

Grace Academy, Vision Academy, HM English School, Salt Brook School has also presented special item.

KSO CCpur president Mr T Lalkhohao Haokip addressed the gathering while its vice-president Mr T Lalcha Haokip gave away the vote of thanks. The programme was co-compered by Miss Lhingneithem Haokip and Mr L Minlal Gangte, Joint Secy, KSO CCpur. The rock fete ended in good note mesmerizing the audience.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
The Mizoram Post | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today