IMPHAL, April 1: The President Pranab Mukherjee will be touching down in the state capital on April 15 and attend the diamond jubilee celebration of Adimjati Siksha Ashram at Chingmeirong. The President will also unveil a monolith on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the ashram. This was stated by the State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam to media persons accompanying him during an inspection of the ashram today.
The Dy CM was also accompanied by T Manga Vaiphei, Chairman of the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation ; Victor Keishing, Parliamentary Secretary Tribal Affairs & Hills, and Information Technology and Additional Chief Secretary Ameishing Luikham.
He also said that the Presidential visit will be the beginning of an attempt for transformation in the state.
Elaborating further on the President’s proposed visit, he said that the state government was informed by the President’s Office in response to an invite for the President to attend the jubilee celebration.
Since there is only 15 days before the proposed visit, he had come to inspect the ashram today, the Dy Chief Minister who is also the state Home Minister told the media persons.
He said since the state was informed on a short notice of the propose visit, preparations for the Presidential visit would need to be sped up. The state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh will also be inspecting the ashram soon, ahead of the proposed April 15 Presidential visit, he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who also joined the state Dy CM in the later part of the media briefing said President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to inaugurate a 50 bedded Tribal Boys’ hostel and another 50 bedded Tribal Working Women’s hostel at the Ashram.
On being asked to comment on the recent drug seizure issue in the state by the media, the 93 year old MP from the state said drugs need to be uprooted from the state.
Leaders and elders of the communities residing in the state and family elders should encourage the youths of their respective communities against drug abuse and help fight against it, he said.