IMPHAL, April 30: The First Foundation Day of Indigenous Minorities Organisation, Manipur cum Cultural Exchange Programme was held at Tribal Research Institution, (TRI) Imphal on Wednesday.
In his key note address, Rengenson Thanga Chiru, General Secretary IMOM said that the Indigenous Minorities Organisation, Manipur ( IMOM) was established on Tuesday April 30 last year under the theme “Hingminnaba, Chaokhatminnaba, Thaak Khaidana Ning Tamminnaba” with the objective of taking various steps for the minorities in particular and other state issues in general.
In his speech, UCM President Y Nabachandra wishes the association on their first anniversary and stated that the main objective of the organisation is to develop the custom, trade etc of minorities.
“While the state has, in total, 40 communities with different identities, cultures and tradition, we have to make these communities strong and put them together like flowers in a garden. All the communities have to understand how politicians are causing animosities between different communities and must stop following them. We have to understand the poison which is spreading among the big communities and small communities” Nabachandra stressed
Meanwhile, President AMUCO Y Mani Khuman said in his speech that there is no way to be proud of being a Manipuri because Manipuri people are thinking only about me or him when it comes to development.
Speaking as a guest of honour, Chandel ADC member MK Noah Chothe said that minority communities in hill areas have problems of surviving between the big minorities and small minorities.
While stating that our (minority communities) culture and identities are old and different from others, he urges the association to organise annual awareness programmes or training at different areas of the minorities.
“We have to approach our Chief Minister to provide some seatts for the minorities district wise.”
Lastly, he added that different minority communities must develop their distinct images and then be well educated or enter the field of sports etc. As an example, Mary Kom also belongs to a minority community and we must follow her footsteps.
While as a part of the cultural exchanges programme, different cultural troupes of the state showed their cultural dance to all the representatives of various communities and to the special invitees.