IMPHAL, May 29: “A two day annual convention of the European Manipuri Association (EMA), Annual Social Gathering and General Body Meeting concluded on 27th May 2013”, said a press statement of the association. It said the convention began from the evening of the 25th at the Highball Country Centre at Worcester, near Birmingham.
“Like every year, members and friends of European Manipuri Association from different countries of Europe attended this year’s two days gathering, making it another great congregation of Manipuri Diasporas in Europe”, the statement said.
Continuing EMA’s effort to bring a sense of togetherness and pride of being Manipuri origin a patriotic Manipuri Song “ Ho Ima Poknafam Ima Nang-gumbi Leiroi Ima” sung by EMA members opened the formal morning session of May 26, it said.
Tens and hundreds of messages were also received wishing good luck for the event from members and non members alike.
The Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh also sent a goodwill message for the event and for the Manipuri Diasporas in Europe, it said.
It continued that the message read out by a senior member Gune Mayanglangbam said, “I look forward that the said gathering will be an ideal forum for the Manipuris living , serving and studying abroad to get to know and help each other, and put their heads together to bring about a better Manipur Society in the years to come.”
EMA members thanked the Chief Minister of Manipur for his encouraging message, it said.
The need for a well laid out strategy for EMA to progress further to a next level was also critically discussed. EMA’s Blooming Manipur initiative, its support in the London Olympic 2012 and the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, 2014 in Scotland, Ima Keithel cleaning drive, other environmental and human rights movement issues of Manipur were also discussed and appreciated by the members. Everyone pledged their support to such future endeavours by EMA. The meeting progressed with discussions on various topics with special focus on the importance of larger participation from different ethnic communities of Manipur on EMA platform which was welcomed by members with enormous constructive inputs. Lien Gangte from UK re-emphasised the pressing need for an urgent framework to increase inclusivity in EMA among various ethnic community as he cited the present state of Manipuri society, it said.
As the year falls for election, EMA members unanimously requested the present committee to continue their good work for another 2 more years however, owing to personal circumstances, Finance and Information secretary had to resign and the two were replaced by two new elected members, the statement said.
This year’s EMA social gathering came to an end in the morning of May 27, the statement said.