Monday, December 21, 2015

The Wizard


He wanted to get the top job,
Plays the part in the biggest scandal,
Oblivious of how brilliant they are,
Thought he'd fly like a real one,
As he signed the document.

But days gone by and people wondered,
How on earth he held a constituency,
In a state that he secured with a defence force
Through beedy eyes they looked in awe,
When they woke up to the sound of bad music.

Rainbow – Stargazer Lyrics

High noon, oh I'd sell my soul for water
Nine years worth of breakin' my back
There's no sun in the shadow of the wizard
See how he glides, why he's lighter than air
Oh I see his face!

Where is your star?
Is it far, is it far, is it far?
When do we leave?
I believe, yes, I believe

In the heat and the rain
With whips and chains
To see him fly
So many die
We build a tower of stone
With our flesh and bone
Just to see him fly
But don't know why
Now where do we go?

Hot wind, moving fast across the desert
We feel that our time has arrived
The world spins, while we put his dream together
A tower of stone to take him straight to the sky
Oh I see his face!

Where is your star?
Is it far, is it far, is it far?
When do we leave?
Hey, I believe, I believe

In the heat and the rain
With whips and chains
Just to see him fly
Too many die
We build a tower of stone
With our flesh and bone
To see him fly
But we don't know why
Ooh, now where do we go

All eyes see the figure of the wizard
As he climbs to the top of the world
No sound, as he falls instead of rising
Time standing still, then there's blood on the sand
Oh I see his face!

Where was your star?
Was it far, was it far
When did we leave?
We believed, we believed, we believed

In heat and rain
With the whips and chains
To see him fly
So many died
We built a tower of stone
With our flesh and bone
To see him fly

But why
In all the rain
With all the chains
Did so many die
Just to see him fly

Look at my flesh and bone
Now, look, look, look, look,
Look at his tower of stone
I see a rainbow rising
Look there, on the horizon
And I'm coming home, I'm coming home, I'm coming home

Time is standing still
He gave back my will
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Going home
I'm going home

My eyes are bleeding
And my heart is leaving here
But it's not home
But it's not home
Ooh

Take me back
He gave me back my will
Ooh ooh ooh ooh

Going home
I'm going home

My eyes are bleeding
And my heart is leaving here
But it's not home
But it's not home
Ooh

Take me back, take me back
Back to my home ooh, ooh, ooh
Songwriters: WOLF, LENNY / STAG, DANNY / FRANK, JOHN BURT / STEIER, RICK J.
Stargazer lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

20 players, 2 in the Morgue


Not long back I remember seeing a banner that says something like '20/22 players, 2 in the morgue'. And when some sections of the people insisted on joining the tamchon tourney, and when muvanlai and the sspp fc were slated to meet in the finals my vision became clearer and clearer. That only 20 players would be fielded at the beginning of the match and the banner displayed for the media to take notice of.
the sspp fc belongs to the paite speaking tribe while the muvanlai fc consists mainly of the thadou speaking people.
In this regard mention may be made of the fact that among the nine young men who lost their lives in the turmoil in the wake of the passage of the 3 anti-tribal bills on August 31, 2015 in the Manipur Assembly, Paulianmang (23) a Paite speaking boy, is a fervent football player. Similarly Khaijamang (11) an eleven year old boy speaking thadou too is no doubt, a lover of football.
I imagined that these are the boys who the youngsters who put up the banner had in mind while drafting it. My imaginative mine went to the extent of wondering whether the semi-final matches were fixed. Under normal circumstances an 11 year old boy is not expected to be in the first lineup of a football match, let alone sit in the bench. When Messi played with the senior side of fc barcelona against espanyol on october 16, 2004, he was about 17 years old. But imagination and a little bit of fact may work to show the world that the Manipur tribals have a deep grievance against the state Government.
Tears began to well up the inside of my ENT. What if both teams send 10 players each into the pitch at the start of the match and the crowd holding out a banner saying, "22 players, 2 in the morgue" !! The priority should be to telecast the banner to the world and not the match necessarily. The winner be it sspp or muvanlai, hardly matters. I didn't make any suggestions. Coz I trusted the boys more than I trust myself.
If materialized/implemented the match might even set the trend for a new kind of game in the world of football, say like 'the 3 bills game'.




Overstaying Foreign Nationals

Top of Form
DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA (INNER MANIPUR): I rise to participate in the discussion and consideration of the Illegal Immigration and Overstaying Foreign Nationals (Identification and Deportation) Bill, 2009 introduced by our hon. Colleague Shri Baijayant Panda.
          Sir, we can look at this particular Bill in two parts – one is about illegal immigrants with no proper documents for travel and other things, and another one is overstaying foreign nationals who perhaps have the travel documents to come into our country. This particular Bill rather has given us a chance to discuss some very important illegal and migration issues. I being a man from one of the North Eastern States, I wish to say the following things.
          In this era of globalization and liberalization, to speak about one’s identity and culture may sound conservative and retrogressive. It is not merely a matter of identity and culture, it also is a question of political and economic survival of the natives. Even in a global village or a cosmopolitan environment, everyone must have the right to preserve and promote his or her identity and culture, but exactly not at the cost of others. As a matter of fact, huge influx of illegal immigrants affects not only the culture and identity of the natives, but also greatly affects the economics and politics of the country.
          There is no dearth of problems in the border States of the country – be it Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, Orissa, for that matter in all coastal areas, and particularly in Bengal and North Eastern States. Our focus is always on terrorism, insurgency, under-development and, of course, corruption.
          Let us see the situation in the North Eastern Region from where I come. Apart from the above-mentioned major issues of insurgency and the under-development, there is another problem looming large in the entire Region, that is, the problem of demographic infiltration across the border. In fact, illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar have been a major issue in States like Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. Floods of migrants have come and settled in various parts of these States.
Tripuris in Tripura are now a minority community in their homeland because of the ever-increasing influx of population from Bangladesh.  Earlier, Tripuris were the majority community in Tripura. But now they are reduced to a minority community in their own homeland. Moreover, their cultural identity has been greatly influenced by the aliens and foreign intruders.
          Please take the example of Assam. Foreigners’ issue has been a vexed issue in the State for the last many years. Assam Gana Parishad is the product of the anti-foreigners movement of Assam students. Despite the Assam Accord and the Immigration Law, the problem of foreigners in Assam still continues. Thousands of migrants are still pouring into this State from Bangladesh. The most difficult duty of the State Government is to identify the foreigners and deport them. These migrants do speak the same language. They have the same religion. They can very easily mix with the natives. Thus their population increases alarmingly and there is a big change in the demographics.
          Manipuris in the State of Manipur are under a constant threat from the waves of foreigners coming in from Myanmar. Floods of people from the neighbouring countries have entered Manipur and settled there. Such influx is going on every now and then because the border is porous. Still the intrusion is continuing. Here also the major problem is that the intruders have similar physical appearance and speak the same language. They have their arable lands on either side of the borders. Their children are married to one another. They go farming from this side to that side. So, this is a real human problem. They also speak, very interestingly, Kuki, Mejo, the same dialects. This is one problem. Consequently, a dramatic metamorphosis takes place and the identity of their culture is threatened. One day, the position of natives of Manipur may become like that of Tripuris in the State of Tripura. In order to check infiltration from the neighbouring countries, proper border fencing must be done.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Meinyaji, please wait.
          Since the time allotted for consideration of this Bill is over, if the House agrees, we can extend the time till the completion of discussion on the Bill.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: We agree.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay. Meinyaji, please continue.
DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA : In order to check infiltration from the neighbouring countries, proper border fencing and regular full guard is necessary. It is learnt that some fencing work has been started at the Indo-Myanmar border. I know border fencing at the Indo-Bangladesh border is taken up in full swing. It is very good. Fencing our border will definitely check illegal migration in the North-East. Fencing plus strict and proper security patrolling will certainly solve the menace of illegal migration.
          We do understand many things about other border States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Orissa and others. But I strongly feel that proper border fencing and vigilant border patrolling by our security personnel will definitely and drastically curb the problem of illegal migration across the border.
          As I have said in the beginning, we can take up this particular Bill in two parts, one exclusively for illegal immigrants and another exclusively for overstaying foreign nationals.
          With these words, I thank you for having allowed me to participate in the debate.


          I have been listening with rapt attention to the views expressed by Mr. Baijayant Panda and other Members. The Bill is to provide for identification of illegal immigrants and those foreign nationals who are overstaying in the country or have gone missing after the expiry of their visas, and for their deportation to the countries of their origin.
          Sir, by this Bill, the hon. Member seeks to establish a National Commission and State Commissions for identification and deportation of illegal immigrants and foreign nationals. The functions of the Commission, according to the mover are, to identify illegal immigrants or foreign nationals and determine their nationality, to prescribe the guidelines for State Commissions for identifying the illegal immigrants or foreign nationals and their nationality, to hear any complaint or appeal against the findings of any State Commission, to recommend to appropriate Government for deportation of illegal immigrants and foreign nationals, to facilitate speedy hearing of cases against illegal immigrants, and to take such measures as may be necessary for this purpose.
          It is a fact that there are innumerable illegal immigrants in our country, as stated by the hon. Member, as is there in the Statement of Objects and Reasons. It is also a fact that the presence of the illegal immigrants creates a variety of problems in our country. They are mostly coming from neighbouring countries and the figures will show that the influx is mainly from Bangladesh.
          Considering the large influx of illegal immigration from Bangladesh through the long porous border and further, in view of the geographical proximity, family ties and ethnic similarities, coupled with better economic opportunities in India, a special procedure has been laid under the existing Act for identification and deportation of Bangladeshi immigrants.
          This provides for verification of claims of alleged illegal Bangladeshis to be persons of India, from the concerned State, within a period of 30 days and if it is not done, then deportation is effected through BSF, using ‘push back’ mode. These instructions are being reviewed and modified under delegated powers.
          As far as illegal immigration from other countries is concerned, the State Government, after nationality verification is done by the Ministry of External Affairs, issues appropriate travel documents, and thereafter, deports the person. I would like to mention that we have adequate and appropriate legislation by way of Foreigners Act, 1946 to deal with such illegal immigrants and other related issues.
          The 1946 Act defines ‘foreigners’ as persons who are not citizens of India. It gives wide powers to the Government of India to make orders relating to every aspect of illegal immigration and overstay of foreigners. The Foreigners Act, 1946 provides for detection, identification and deportation of illegal immigrants and foreigners overstaying in India. The authority under the Act of 1946 Act is given to the District Magistrate and Commissioner or Superintendent of Police.
          Besides, it also stipulates certain obligations on the masters of vessels, pilots of aircrafts, owners of hotels, and premises frequented by foreigners to furnish information about foreign nationals. The effectiveness of the procedure laid down in the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order of 1964 passed under the said Act is also worth mentioning. I reiterate the fact that illegal immigration is a serious issue which needs to be addressed very effectively; and it is to be tackled in a pragmatic manner. But I must also state that the existing Acts, rules, orders made thereunder, especially the Foreigners Act, 1946 are adequate to deal with the problem of detection, identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.
          The Private Member’s Bill proposes to set up a National and State Commissions, without providing for ground level mechanism for detection and identification of illegal immigrants. If the exercise is to be carried out by the District Police, there will be no change from the existing arrangement. Currently, the SP of the District has been made responsible for detection, identification and deportation of such persons.
18.00 hrs.
Adding additional layer of State Commission through Civil Court process will only delay the final identification and thereafter deportation.
















Monday, December 7, 2015

Tension Brewing


THE ASSURANCE
Against an assurance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India on November 8, 2015 which is liable to be interpreted in ways that favour either the majority community or the minority community, the process of talks was started between the Government of Manipur and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against (i) The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; (ii) The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015; and (iii) The Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 controversially passed in the Manipur Assembly on Monday, the 31st August, 2015. The Bills, officially meant to bring about an inner line permit system in Manipur to prevent non manipur people from possessing land or setting up business establishment in the state, were seen by the tribals especially those from Churachandpur district as an attempt to dispossess them of their ancestral land.
The Bills drafted without much pre-legislative consultation, were introduced on the previous working day, i.e., August 28, 2015 (Friday).
As a fall out of the Bills and the ensuing violence, houses of the tribal legislators were burned down and 9 young men shot dead.
Tension was brewing as families of the dead refused to claim the dead bodies which are laying in make shift morgue in Churachandpur district hospital. It's about 98 days already.
V. Paukhansiam, a veteran musician and composer of country/patriotic songs, thanked God for the time he had positively prophesied in ages for, according to him, for political union of all tribal brothers, had come.
Haokip, who hails from Churachandpur district, had rightly pointed out, in a facebook comment, the inherent problem of the 40 is to 20 ratio between the valley and the hills respectively, in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Even the cabinet is dominated by the dominant community. Statistics has it that the tribals consist of atleast 50% of the state population.
Sadly so many tribals are residing in the valley area, all of which come under one valley constituency or another. The issue has not been taken up. Untill lately the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi (MTFD) had reportedly approached the Election Commission.

BURIAL OF DEAD BODIES: THE AGENDA 

Lately the JAC had decided that (i) burial would be conducted; and (ii) conducted in some suburb of the south district headquarters of Churachandpur town. Should one go by the agreement, that could be the last chapter in the first phase of the movement triggered by the passage of the controversial bills and the ensuing violence.

The MHA which wanted the dead be buried since day one vaguely assured simply that in matters relating to the three anti-tribal Bills, 'all stakeholders including the Manipur Government, the hill and valley people and other interested parties' would be consulted before arriving at any decision. 

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DIVIDE

When the JAC suddenly agreed to bury the martyrs within the month of November and when some of the thadou speaking people were supportive of the decision, the age old psychological divide between some of the thadous speaking people and paites came to a boiling point once over again. 

Even the tears of emotion had hardly dried up yet.

Among the dead an 11 year boy named Khaijamang Touthang was from the Thadou speaking community. Most other victims are from the Paite speaking community

SIGNIFICANT SOLIDARITY

On the night of the 17th November, 2015, representatives from Jhankhand and Meghalaya and Zomi Re-unification Organization (ZORO) joined the coffin relay rally in Jantar Mantar held every day from 4 pm to 8 pm. The ZORO representative coming from Mizoram, thanked the representatives from Jharkhand and Meghalaya. 

It may be recalled that the Manipur Government had manipulated the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act (MLR&LR), 1960 by making inroads for the valley people into the tribal lands by issue of gazette notifications from time to time.  89 villages from Churandpur district; 92 villages from Jiribam subdivision; 14 villages from Sadar hills of Mao subdivision; Makhao Tampak of Churachandpur subdivision; and 809 hectares of land from Tamenglong district of the hill areas had already been annexed illegally in the valley area under the MLR&LR Act, 1960. That has been heavy in the hearts of the hill people especially people from Churachandpur district. Rectification of the manipulation of the act provisions may or may not take place. That would be at the mercy of the people in power.

I would be happy to see the chiefs back in their lands. But whether they would be interested in returning or not is a big question. And if they are in possession again of the plots of land they/their ancestors once sold, will there be a safeguard against the land slipping back into possession of the valley people? Is anyone interested in empowering the existing district councils with legislative and executive power? Why the lands got converted into valley at the first place? Are the existing laws safe enough for tribals of Manipur? So many questions are staring one in the face. Someone  need to gather the courage to find pieces to all the puzzles. If one is committed to the future and the future of his children.

Brothers in Mizoram have grand designs. Of uniting all ethnic tribes in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Brothers in Manipur could have capitalized the situation for the cause. When they sacrificed so much for tribal unity.

THE HEART OF THE PUBLIC SERVANT

Common surname makes me a nephew of Phungzathang Tonsing, the Health Minister of the Congress ruled Government of Manipur. Likewise Vungzagin Valte, the Parliamentary Secretary, was a neighbour. I wish the best for the two politicians who committed their lives for the cause of the people. And of late, they have become the butt of joke. As servants of the public, they would be fine by the forging of unity under the banner of the 3 bills, even at the cost of the people's goodwill to them? If at all people can have a better destiny through cursing you, you would be having no problem whatsoever. Even Tonsing and Valte should be fine. They are good at heart.
Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world. All Manipuri tribals are His disciples. As the Marathis emulate Shivaji, it's imperative that even Manipuri tribals emulate Jesus Christ, their hero and role model.

OPPORTUNITY SQUANDERED

As the controversy had turned all sitting tribal MLAs into devils, and as  BJP MP from Uttarakhand, Tarun Vijay had raised the issue on December 3, 2015 with Jaya Bachan (UP), Aviary Rai Khanna (Punjab), Majeed Memon (Maharashtra), D Raja (Tamil Nadu), PL Punia (UP), MD Nadimul Haque (WB), Satyanarayan Jatiya (MP) and Tapan Kumar Sen (WB) seeking to associate themselves with the issue, Pu Thangso Baite, the Congress representative from outer manipur parliamentary constituency, has a chance to make it big in politics. Instead of grabbing the opportunity at making history, Baite chose the go with the status quo and refused to raise any voice in the BJP dominated Lok Sabha.  He said that none of the innpis (households of the Thadous, Paites or any innpi) had approached him.

In fact it was him who supported the case for having inner line permit system in Manipur when Dr. Thokchom Meinya, the representative of inner manipur parliamentary constituency (also from the congress party) advocated the case in lok sabha.

It was not clear if Baite had the consent of the innpis for the same.    

Come December 9, the MTFD has a plan to organize a march to Parliament in culmination of the coffin rally regularly held at Jantar Mantar, from 4 to 8 pm. Whether that would change history of the tribals or of some individuals will depend on how the case is handled. In fact the MTFD is a motley crue of young, innocent and disconnected individuals, who doesn't seem to have political ambitions, but work purely with emotional backing.                     


Thursday, November 12, 2015

WAIT FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS (OUT OF THE 5 DAYS) TO PASS

I. THE CHARTER OF DEMAND IS NOT BAD ALTOGETHER
As a member of some whatsapp groups, I witnessed the broad wishes of the groups for-
1. implementation of the provisions of the 6th schedule of the constitution of India in the hill districts of the state; and
2. insertion of specific clauses in the 3 Bills (The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Amendment Bill, 2015; and The Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015, passed by the Manipur Assembly on 31.8.2015 in the interest of the tribals.

As I go through the comprehensive Charter of Demands as brought out by the Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC), I like just it for specific reasons like-
Deletion of deceptive phrase:-
The disgusting phrase of 'who have contributed to the collective social, cultural and economic life of Manipur' is sought to be deleted.
Shifting of the cut-off year from 1951 to 1981:-
The proposal for shifting the cut-off year for citizenship of 1951 (as originally intended) by 30 years later to 1981 as proposed by the JAC is a welcome step. Some of my group members broadly want insertion of specific clauses in the Bills to safeguard the interests of the tribals. The demand of JAC, if accepted, would greatly lighten the mood of the Manipur tribals.
 Except for some who crossed the porous and dubious borders and settled in Manipur post 1981, for who the sheet of doubt regarding the possibility of putting the bill (if amended as demanded), into implementation is practically gone. Unlike in the post independence period, by the year 1981 Government offices had already been updated and reliable record might have already been maintained.
MLR &LR Act:-
One matter which hurts me whenever elders and scholars relate the issue of land, is the fact that the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960 (MLR&LR Act) has since been surreptitiously extended into the hill areas as a result of which certain villages in Churachandpur, Mao-Sub division of Jiribam, Sadar Hills of and Tamenglong districts have already been included within the purview of the Act.
So many villages in Imphal Ease, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts might have already been under occupation by the non-tribals.
The Charter of Demands want that the Principal Act of 1960 be restored and all gazette notifications issued there under cancelled. God bless the JAC convenors! We, the people are two steps behind!
Money Bills:-
Besides the Charter has boldly highlighted how the Hill Areas Committee is bypassed by the Government by deliberately classifying contentious bills as money bills. Thums up to JAC!

II QUERIES GALORE
Even as I rejoice over the ingenious work of the JAC, certain queries crop up in my mind looking for answers.
(i) What if there is no response from the Government side in five days?
(ii) In the event of the year 1981 or 1951 whatever, being adopted as the cut off year for citizenship, how would the Government arrange to deport migrants?
(iii) Does the Government have plans to set up border posts along the Indo-Myanmar border areas?

III SPECIFIC DEMANDS (IMPERATIVE)
Apart from the above it is imperative to put the following specific demands:-
(i) Annulment of the First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against the arsonists and due compensation for the houses of the legislators burned down in the wake of the passage of the 3 Bills on 31.08.2015.
(ii) Re-construction of Zonal Education Office, Employment Office and Sub-Divisional Office of Churachandpur and preservation of each and every Government document in the speediest manner.

IV. ASPIRATIONS EMERGED FROM SOCIAL NETWORKING
Besides there are also aspirations amidst the users of whatsapp and facebook to-
(a) get the underground cadres covered under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed by the local undergrounds withe the Indian Government absorbed in the existing Indian paramilitary forces;
(b) declare 31st August as Tribal Uprising Day and holiday observed every year;
(c) relocate the police station in Churachandpur somewhere else for burial of the martyrs and conversion and development of the existing plot as Martyr's Park. This might be done after fulfillment of all other else.

V. REPEAL OF THE MANIPUR (HILL AREAS) DISTRICT COUNCILS ACT, 1971
It's been the aspiration of each and every tribal of Manipur to have the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution implemented in the hill districts of the state. Some people in the legal fraternity suggest that the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971, in its present form, be completely repealed and a fresh Bill drafted providing for legislative, judicial and administrative power.
Besides personally I believe that the District Councils having control over the police will give a complimentary solution to the problems of the tribals.
The Government also need to have a re-look at the representation of people from the scheduled tribes community in the work force of Manipur Assembly Secretariat and the distribution of such staff across the various tribal communities;

VI. ELECTRONIC CAMPAIGNS
As of now all efforts at the centre and state levels have not yielded positive results. As such a campaign through electronic media seems to be the only option left to keep the flames burning.
Since the Charter of Demands issued by the JAC on November 9, 2015 specified 5 days time for the Government to make a move, it might be wise to let that period pass before such a campaign is initiated.
If and when the specified 5 days expires without any sign of the Government showing honesty, it might be expedient to launch campaigns through electronic media by sending pictures and video clips to the various media houses and offices of executive heads of countries and organizations including the United Nations Organization (UNO)

Monday, October 26, 2015

Disobediance of Authorities

Sunday Sermon on 4.10.2015
EBCC Delhi

Obedience to Authorities

The pastor stressed the fact that the zomis should remember their numerical inferiority while going ahead with their indeavours in things like politics. Zomis are tribes and harbouring hopes of becoming a great nation, which they are not yet.

Amid the turmoil in Manipur with repercussions elsewhere throughout the country and even in New York in the wake of the passage of the 3 Land Bills in Manipur Assembly on the 31st August, 2015 and the ensuing violence and bloodshed, the pastor recalled the Divine Right Theory of Kings as written in the Romans 13:1-7.

Hence the Parliamentarians and legislators are servants of God.

The Sadducees who had command over the temples during the Roman rule of Israel, accepted the colonial rule and caused the ire of the zealots like the Pharisees.

Thus the Holy Bible has recommended submission to the governing authorities who are established/ordained by God. By that logic, rebellion is not between human beings but rebellion against God which attracts judgement.

However, two instances of disobedience of the authorities are recorded in the Bible:

(i)         Healing of the lame beggar by Peter and John by saying "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (KJV) They were told to shut up about the miracle. But Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges !"

(ii)        Daniel, one of the three administrators under king Darius of Babylon, distinguished himself over his colleagues. Eventually the king appointed Daniel to rule over the entire 120 satraps which made other two administrators jealous of Daniel. They convinced the King to issue an edict that all prayers should be made to the king and no other gods. Daniel on hearing the news, went home, opened his windows towards Jerusalem. Three time a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.

Daniel ended up in lion's den where miraculously, he was not bitten.  


Coming Sunday 11.10.2015, a discussion on 'Patriotism and the Church' is planned in place of the Bible Study normally held at 9.30 am in the basement of the Church

Friday, October 16, 2015

Nepal Mission Field

The details of report for the month of September, 2015 from the Nepal Mission Field is given below:

24th Field Conference 2015 completed without any problem  After EBC Nepal Missions Field was entitled to hold a conference, the 24 Field Conference was held at Birtamode  on 29 & 30 September, 2015. Rev. K. Kamchinkhup, Director of Ministries, EBC served spiritual food based on the theme of "A Christian Family Acceptable to God". All the sermons were appropriate for the local condition and enjoyable. Hymns were sang instead of the traditional ones which served to test the viability of applying the under production Nepali version of the normal song books.
During the Business Hour, the conference resolved on the following:

1.            A budget of Rs. 30 lakh (Nepali) was passed which includes pay and allowances of the regular workers and is planned to be generated from the Church members.
 2.           Two Upas/elders , Elder Yogendra Bazgai and Shyam Rai were ordained.
3.            Co-opting and declaration of 6 New Fellowships under NEBC
4.            Plan for establishment of at least 2 field stations in West Nepal during the year 2016. 
5.            Speedy completion of the Church and quarters building under construction and taking steps to own Church building by those not yet having one.
6.            Granting of permission to elect upa/elder to 5 villages during the year 2016.
7.            Pastor Tikaram Thapa and family was felicitated by the conference with a memento for having sponsored 3 native missionaries.
8.            Scrutiny and adoption of Audit reports. Auditors are assigned from Field Offices to various villages which is also re-checked in the Field office itself before laying before the conference.
9.            In spite of the conference being planned only for delegates, the final head count came to 113
With God's kindness and the unstinted prayers from the Churches of EBCC, the conference was completed even as there was so much of consternation and unrest in Manipur and Nepal. Special thanks to God and the praying fellow Churches.

II. Christians always thriumph in prayer Nepal has promulgated a new constitution on September 20, 2015. Various theories are floated in this connection. One such theory believes that backed by the Indian Hindus, some elements in the Nepali society tried to make the country a Hindu nation. The obvious target being the Christians, the need for a lot of prayer was felt by the Mission Field.
1.            Nepal has a Federal Democratic Secular state  Opposing the existence of a secular state, the orthodox Hindus conducted campaigns . But the more they tried the more they failed. Because the campaigns only served to show the fact that a large mass of the populace was not Hindus. Each and every community asserted their respective beliefs. A plebiscite showed a two-thirds majority aspiring a secular state. We owe a depth of gratitude to the Lord for giving us religious freedom. 
 2.           Threats to Christians  One night before the promulgation of the Nepali Constitution, the Hindu Morch Nepal placed 4 bombs in the Churches, 2 of which went off. Fortunately  there was no death or injury.  The Morcha spread the word that the locals Christians should return to the Hindu fold and missionaries should go back and that refusal would invite large scale violence and death. They warned that the Churches be burned down. The Church members held fervent prayers and believers at various places also interceded the almighty God. As a result such violence as apprehended, did not occur. Instead the police arrested three of the leaders of activists who placed bombs in the Churches.
 3.           Increase in number of Believers  Contrary to the apprehension of a Hindu backlash against the imposition of religious freedom, a high class family from pathari NEBC commit themselves to God and burned their magic ornaments on October 2, 2015. Similarly on October 3, 2015 a family committed themselves to God.

 III. Workers Performance: In the midst of trouble and turmoil at home and abroad, God continued to manifest itself in miracles. The performance of the workers performance during the current month may be stated as follows:-

 A. Concerning the people :- (1). Village reached = 41, (2). House Visit =148, (3). People reached= 138; (4). Counseling = 53; (5). New tithes= 13 ; (6). Pray for sick= 67, (7). Faith promise = 13; (8). Cottage meeting = 86; and (10) Administration of Baptism=13
Names of New Baptized : 1) Mr. Madhan Chaudhuri (56) of Budhabare; 2) Mrs. Nabani Chaudhuri (50) of Budhabare;  3) Mr. Bikash Chaudhuri (20) of Budhabare;  4) Ms. Srijharna Thamal (23) of Budhabare;  5) Ms. Rose Mary Thamal (16) of Budhabare;  6) Mr. Iman Limbu (21) of Budhabare;  7) Ms. Samir Limbu (18) of Budhabare;  8) Mr. Lanbahadur Karki (68) of Pathari;  9) Mr. Prakash siwa of pathari; 10) Mr. Amber Bahadur; 11) Rai (61) of Gipetar;  11) Mrs. Dilkumari Rai (59) of Gopetar;  12) Mrs. Sonu Rai (32) of Gopetar;  and 13) Mr. Sujan Rai (12) of Gopetar.
(11). Lord's Supper= 6, (12). Newly Married= 2 ; (13).Child dedication = 1; (14). Funeral = 1 ; (15). Area visit = 8 ; and (16) New Converts= 32  
Names of New Converts:  1) Mr. Rambahadur Thebe (51) of Kathmandu;  2) Mrs. Urmila Thebe (45) of Kathmandu;  3) Ms. Roshna Thebe (18) of Kathmandu;  4) Ms. Romisha Thebe (16) of Kathmandu;  5) Ms. Chhojan Thebe (19) of Kathmandu;  6) Ms. Martha Tamang (19) of Kathmandu;  7) Mr. Deva Bahadur maharjan (24) of Harishiddi;  8) Ms. Surjana (27) of Harishiddi;  9) Mr. Gyanbahadur Maharjan of Harishiddi;  10) Ms. Mani Maya Maharjan of harishiddi;  11) Mr. Kuskumar Rai of Imswa;  12) Ms. Suran rai of Imswa;  13) Ms. Sundesh Rai of Imswa;  14) Mr. Iman Limbu of Budhabare;  15) Mr. Kumar Adhikary (41) of Pathari;  16) Mrs. Puja Adhikary (33) of pathari;  17) Mr. Bikash Rai (12) of Bhoise;  18) Mr. Dinesh Rai (15) of Bhoise;  19) Mr. Shusir Rai (24)of Faklung;  20) Mrs. Chandrakumari Rai (25) of Faklung;  21) Ms. Subita Rai (10) of Faklung;  22) Ms. Rammaya Rai (15) of Faklung; 23) Mrs. Padamkumari Rai (51) of Faklung;  24) Mr. Deubhan Rai (50) of Bungrung; 25) Mr. Shandosh Seling of Tanglepa;  26) Mr. Aitaraj Kalikate (49) of Damak; 27) Mrs. Dilmaya Kalikote (46) of Damak; 28) Mr. Kumar adhikari (41) of Pathari; 29) Mrs. Puja Adhikari (33) of pathari;  30) Mr. Abhishek Adhikari (15) of Pathari;  31) Ms. Anisha adhikari (12) of Pathari; and 32) Ms. Sara Swati Adhikari (15) of Pathari.

B. Distribution of Christian Literature: - O.T. = 12 copies; N.T. =74 copies ; Tracts= 700 in number; Comics = 30 books;  and Booklets= 51


The Mission Field looks forward to bring out a Nepali Song Book with Tonic Solfa. The work is still in progress with more than 50% of the songs already written. Revision is going on. It is planned to be completed in the month of October  and proof sent in November 2015. The field welcomes offers from individuals and Churches to pay for the printing expense. 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Hilarious Deductive Interpretation

This is what I term as hilarious, decuctive interpretation by the media. May be I'm right, may be not. Heaven only knows. God bless my people !

New Delhi, Dated 2nd September, 2015
To,
The Hon’ble Prime Minister,          
 
Government of India


Subject: Request for immediate intervention on the atrocities perpetrated on the tribal people in Manipur.
 


Hon’ble Sir,

The Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi like to bring the following facts for your kind perusal and necessary action.

1.  That, on 31 August, 2015, the Manipur Assembly passed three bills following sustained protests in the Manipur valley districts demanding the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system for the State. The three bills, taken together, will directly undermine the existing safeguards for the tribal ‘hill areas’ regarding land-ownership and population influx as the primary threat for the tribal people comes not from outside the state but the valley Meitei people itself. The tribal people have made their opposition to the Meitei demands clear. But, the tribal people were never consulted by the ‘Joint Committee’ which have been spearheading the demands, nor the Manipur Government which accepts them. The tribal MLAs in the Assembly, fearing for their lives, dare not oppose the Bills when the Bills were introduced and passed in the Assembly.
 

2. That, the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), comprising of all tribal MLAs, which was set up under Article 371C of the Constitution to protect tribal interests and whose concurrence is mandatory for all legislation affecting tribal areas, was summarily brushed aside.
 

3. That, this instance has sparked off a strong opposition from all the tribal people of Manipur across the state. It flared up emotion into violent reaction against their representative tribal MLAs. The state government, instead of explaining the contents of the amendment and pacifying the agitators used its naked forces to suppress the tribals causing widespread atrocities, untold miseries, and uncontrolled human rights violation across the hills.
 

4. That, the brutal reaction of the state forces against the peaceful mass agitation has caused the loss of precious lives of eight people and several number of the agitators were left with serious injury. In a clear case of daylight repression the state forces used real bullets to disperse the protesters. Your Honour might have seen various reports in the national media and social media networks testifying to the brutality of the state forces in dealing with the situation.
 

5. That, the incident of passing the Bill and its brutal suppression of the tribal agitators, State Government has shown its real intention to grab the lands of the tribal people which has been so far protected by the Constitution of India. It also shows a clear case of the present Ibobi government’s incompetency to govern the state.

We, the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi, therefore demand from the Government of India:

i). To immediately impose President’s Rule in Manipur

ii). To punish those state security forces involved in the brutal killing of the agitators.

iii). To immediately withdraw the Manipur Police commandos from all tribal areas and if need be, deploy central forces.
 

iv). Restoration of all villages transferred to valley district to their original hill districts.

v). To expeditiously act on the demands for ‘separate administration’ for the tribal areas of Manipur. This is a proof, if any more are needed, that the hill tribals and the plain Meiteis cannot live together under one administration.
 


Yours Sincerely,

On behalf of the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi

The Hindu Editorial dated 3.9.2015 stated:-

The crisis in Manipur stems from the demand to stop ‘outsiders’ from buying land in the State, in a context where the local population, predominantly the Meiteis, harbours fears of being marginalised. The valley constitutes only 10 per cent of the State’s geographical area and Meiteis constitute about 50 per cent of the population there. The long-standing demand has been to introduce a system similar to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in other northeastern States, or some similar stipulation, to stop in-migration. But for this to be effective, the State needs to identify the ‘outsiders’ first. But that is a complex issue anywhere in the northeastern region as the borders are largely porous and the Government of India has not done enough to check the passage of people across them. One reason this was not done was to protect the state’s own interest: for a long time now, a section of the immigrants have been engaged to counter local insurgent groups. But as the demand for an ILP escalated, a cut-off year of 1951 was determined in the new Bills passed on Monday in order to identify outsiders. However, one of them, the Protection of Manipur People’s Bill, and two amendments, have been opposed by the tribal organisations, which claim control of the Manipur Hill districts. These are chiefly groups of Kukis, Mizos and Chins. They feel insecure as many of them who came to Manipur after 1951 or whose lineage may not meet the list of criteria set out in the Bills, could now be legally identified as ‘outsiders.’ Many of them also believe a rumour that the two amendments would be valid in the Manipur Hills districts, which is untrue.

The issues might not have escalated had the State government consulted the Hill Areas Committee before passing the Bills in order to clear any misunderstanding. Neither the organisation that had led the pro-ILP movement nor any of the tribal organisations was approached for any kind of dialogue. The pro-ILP movement was mostly confined to the Valley districts, while the people in the Hills isolated themselves, assuming and arguing that they were protected from outsiders under existing laws. As the tensions grew in the absence of dialogue, political groups added fuel to the fire to try and topple the Congress-led government and invite President’s Rule. Hence, it is not any genuine fear of becoming marginalised but realpolitik that is playing out in the hills of Manipur. But from any perspective, this is a dangerous portent for all the northeastern States. The Centre and the State need to come forward quickly to engage the people and figure out a solution to the crisis in order that it won’t go out of control.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

job in lok sabha secretariat

I left Army Headquarters to join as assistant on 30.10.1998 in AN-I Branch of Lok Sabha Secratariat. On the 24th November, 1998, I was posted in the Departmentally related Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. From there I was moved on to the Question Branch during the Month of September, 2002. There I got promoted as Senior Executive Assistant and subsequently as Executive Officer 

Monday, July 6, 2015

leave account

Table of Leave in the credit of officers/staff of Group-C
Name and designation
CL in credit as on
CH in credit as on
2RH's used on
BD Dhyani US
4 on 7.7.2015
NA

Rajpal Singh EO
5 as on 7.7.2015
NA

Mili Dinesh SEA
7 as on 7.7.2015
6 as on 7.7.2015

Lal Engzauve SEA
2 as on 7.7.2015
9 as on 7.7.2015

Madhu Kanaujia SEA
6 as on 7.7.2015
8 as on 7.7.2015

Vineeta Sachdeva SEA
6 as on 7.7.2015
4 as on 7.7.2015

Vijay Kumar SEA
6 as on 7.7.2015
3 as on 7.7.2015
1.1.2015
DS Rawat SEA
4 as on 7.7.2015
5 as on 7.7.2015

Saurabh Prakash EA
1 as on 7.7.2015
1 as on 25.6.2015

Sunil Sr Clerk
6 as on 7.7.2015
9 as on 7.7.2015

Sanjay Kumar Sr Clerk
5 as on 7.7.2015
2 as on 7.7.2015

Aarti Sr Clerk
6 as on 7.7.2015
8 as on 7.7.2015

AR Ansari Sr Clerk
6 as on 7.7.2015
13 as on 7.7.2015

Sohit Kr Sharma Jr Clerk
4.5 as on 7.7.2015
2 as on 7.7.2015

Rinku Attdt Gr II
5 as on 7.7.2015
4 as on 7.7.2015

Sagar Singh Jr Clerk
7 as on 7.7.2015
2 as on 7.7.2015