Seminar on Identity as Agent of Social Integration Organized by KSO General Headquarters Venue: Kuki Inn, Imphal. Time: 11:oo a.m. 25 September 2014 Inaugural Session Chief Guest: Pu M. Okendro, Hon’ble Minister (Education), Govt. of Manipur Guest of Honour: Pu Francis Ngajokpa, Hon’ble Minister, Govt. of Manipur Functional President: Pu Ngamthang Haokip, Hon’ble Minister, Govt. of Manipur Compere: Mr. Thangminlen Singsit & Miss Zinnia Doungel 10:2o - Assembly of participants 10:55 - Arrival of VIPs 11:oo - Lighting of ceremonial lamp by Chief Guest 11:o3 - Presentation to VIPs 11:1o - Welcome Address by President of KSO General Headquarters 11:15 - Presentation of song on social integration 11:25 - Speech from Functional President 11:30 - Speech from Guest of Honour 11:35 - Speech from Chief Guest Seminar Session Moderator: Thomas Khongsai, Asst. Professor, Modern College, Imphal Speakers: Prof. N. Mangi Singh, Head of Political Science Department, Manipur University Dr. T. Lunkim, Administrative Secretary, Kuki Christian Church 12:oo Presentation on Seminar Paper, “The historical perspective and nature of social integration in olden day Manipur” by Dr. T. Lunkim o1:oo Interaction o1:3o Presentation on Seminar Paper, “The scope and prospect for social integration in multi-cultural Manipur” by Prof. N. Mangi Singh o2:2o Interaction ABOUT THE SEMINAR IN BRIEF Manipur was comparatively a peaceful land until recently. The indescribable beauty of the land with its exotic flora and fauna; its undulating plains and fertile valley surrounded by verdant green hills; and its agreeable climate had led Jawaharlal Nehru to coin the sobriquet, “Switzerland of India.” Besides its physiographic beauty, the myriad of culture that co-existed together in harmony has made Manipur a heaven on earth. But now that beauty and harmony we so much treasured have almost become things of the past. Today when we look the social environment around us we are face to face with a ghastly picture of social disintegration. The fabric of social integration in Manipur is on the verge of being torn apart. Before we know it we are heading towards the precipice of social destruction. The reasons as we know of are mutual distrust, rivalry for preservation of identity, disparity in economic condition or standard of living, and the sense of alienation now prevalent among the three main ethnic groups viz. Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas, who had lived together peacefully for eons of time. As we consider this, the future of social conditions in the state does not bode well for every one. The unity and integrity of the state is now at stake. The three main stakeholders in the social & political scenario of the state, the Meiteis, the Nagas and the Kukis have their own separate agendas. The adage, “Everyone for himself” is now the order of the day. In order to protect and promote their own identity and culture each group has put social integration in the backburner so as to further their own interests. Each group is not willing to see the larger picture of how to promote their own culture and identity by not compromising social integration. Peace, unity, integrity and progress are the quintessential aspects of social integration. Without social integration there cannot be peace and growth. It is a common fact that our culture and our traditions are our identity and our ethnicity. We are who we are because of our culture and traditions. It is the duty of each man to protect and safeguard our ethnicity. It is when our culture is threatened that the evils of social disintegration start to haunt us. But it is imperative that we should uphold our culture and traditions and also strive for social integration at the same time in the interest of peace, unity, progress and growth. As such the gist of the matter is the need to identify the causes that led to these social discords and also the need to explore remedial measures to make amends of the harms that we have inflicted upon ourselves as citizens. The essence of our program is how we can become the agents of social integration and also safeguard our established identities at the same time, so that we can yet live together in harmony as we have done before.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:15:37 +0000
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