IMPHAL, March 30 : The Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union, MUTSU, expressed strong resentment at the government of Manipur for undue delay in the process of land acquisition for the construction of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Makhan, Sadar Hills division of Senapati district, though it was officially inaugurated by chief minister himself way back on the September 9, 2009.
According to a press statement issued by the MUTSU, the vice-chancellor of the IGNTU, Amarkantak, in his reminder letters dated 17th February 2009 and 13th June 2009 had persistently requested the government of Manipur to complete the process at the earliest possible date so that academic session starts in time.
The MUTSU in the memorandum dated 28th January 2010, submitted to the chief minister had also reminded the Manipur government to complete the same process as soon as possible so as to facilitate the start of academic session before April 2010.
However, all pleas have been kept in abeyance, thus the exact status of the said process remains hidden and pending till date.
It further stated that it is noteworthy mentioning that the Manipur University had witnessed an interrupted academic atmosphere for the last three consecutive years (2007, 2008 & 2009) when deprived tribal students vehemently protested against the discriminatory attitude of the government and the university authorities, it resulted finally in the establishment of the present campus of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.
Initially the tribal students got a sigh of relief as they perceived the larger part of their grievance being addressed, the release said.
Yet, sincerity and willingness are seen lacking on the side of the government, it said.
“We wonder how the process of acquisition of this small piece of land had consumed such a pretty long time; this clearly shows the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the government in discharging their duties”, the MUTSU statement said.
The MUTSU, urged the Government of Manipur to complete all the pending processes of land acquisition at the earliest so that commencement of academic activities takes place in the interest of students in particular. It further questioned the Government of Manipur of the whereabouts of the result of the written test of the Combine Preliminary Examination for the recruitment of various posts conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission which was held way back on the 18th September 2008. This act of irresponsibility on the part of the Government had crafted an air of uncertain future among the educated youths of our state. Further delay in the declaring the results will have many aspirants, educated and talented candidates out of the eligibility criteria as they would have crossed the maximum age limit.
The MUTSU statement further added that it will closely watch the response of the government of Manipur to this problem and take help of like minded students’ organizations, NGO’s and civil organizations to stage various demonstrations and agitations until the government acts positively on this pending issue.
While innovators like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have mythologized the ‘college dropout’ route to success, business school today are putting rigid academia on the backburner, in order to help students build a bridge from the blackboard to the boardroom. Here is a great article profiling seven of these student entrepreneurs who hatched their concepts with the guidance and support of their business schools. See a snippet below:
During her schooling, Megan Shea helped her family care for her aging grandparents, including relocating them to an independent living facility. The process was all-consuming, and so when it came time for Shea to pitch a business to develop in class, she dove into making the care-finding process easier for aging adults and their caregiver children. Turns out, Shea hit on an exploding market (annual elder-care market sits at about $192 billion). RetireLife.net was one of fifteen of forty-two businesses selected for development from her business school by her peers. Through the support of her school, friends, and family, Shea is now in business, helping families through tough times.
See all seven profiles at Entrepreneur.
Imphal, Mar 24 : Expressing concern over the lack of pucca fencing and sentry post at Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp Saivom and Molnoi, Chandel district, Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) submitted a memorandum Tuesday to chief minister, O Ibobi.
The memorandum signed by Helen Haokip, president of the organization stated that the planning of the government to construct fencing and sentry post at Saivom and Molnoi in the programme of 2009-2010 under the National Highway Patrolling Scheme (NHPS) is yet to be executed.
It is well aware of the fact that the IRB post at Saivom and Molnoi is at risk due to the lack of pucca and sentry post, said the memorandum.
The Kuki Students' Organization stated in the memorandum that being a local organization, they understand and had well knowledge of the prevailing situation.
The organization further urged the chief minister to look into the matter at the earliest for the convenience of the sepoys and public of the location.
GUWAHATI, March 22 – A delegation of the All Assam Students’ Union called on Union Minister for Road Transport Kamal Nath in New Delhi on Thursday and urged him to expedite the ongoing work on the four-lane project in Assam.
In a statement the AASU said that it drew the attention of the minister to the alarmingly slow progress of the four lane project and further demanded that the project be extended to the entire State. The AASU delegation also appealed to the minister to expedite the construction of two proposed bridges at Dhola-Shadiya and Numaligarh-Gahpur.
MANDYA: Three students out of four from Bangalore drowned in Cauvery river near the famous Gaganchukki falls where they had gone for a sight-seeing trip, 60-km from here in the early hours today, police said.
The deceased, identified as Sanjeev (22), Ravikumar (22), both natives of Sikkim and Jelfu (21) from Manipur, were pursuing their Masters in Business Administration from Dayanand Sagar college, police said.
The fourth member of the group who survived the tragedy, Ronajith, who is also from Sikkim, is said to be absconding, police said.
The mishap occurred when one of them went for a swim in the river and was a caught in whirlpool and the others tried to save him.
Imphal, Mar 6 : The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) is organizing an `academic consultation` on Saturday at Kuki Inn, Imphal.
The tribal students` body sends out its cordial invitation to tribal academics, intellectuals, legal experts, senior citizens and mandated civil societies to participate in the said consultation.
According to ATSUM, between 1947 and 1971, Manipur Hill Minister (and later Chairman of Autonomous District Council) were empowered as final arbitrators with matters like settlement of land disputes, ownership of land, maintenance of land, management of forest, land cultivation and jhuming; recommendation of legislation of the government of Manipur in regard to social and custom of tribals, inheritance of property, marriage and successions. Over and above this, development and social justice activities were also given to the said minister/chairman.
” After 1972, many of these posts, powers and activities of the tribals were curtailed. By 1998-99, tribals are frustrated by this curtailment of their rights and therefore decided not to cooperate with the District Councils and its election.
Without first addressing the issue of the past frustration and non function of the District Councils, the state government is preparing to conduct Election of the District Council after a gap of 20 (twenty) years.” the ATSUM said.
“It is true that due to the non functioning of the Autonomous District Councils, its powers and functions had gone to numerous exploiters that need to be immediately stopped.In this juncture ATSUM feels the need to have and indebt discussion on the issue,” added the ATSUM communique.