IMPHAL, September 23: Several organizations and individuals came together to celebrate the upcoming reaffirmation of UN`™s 193 member countries commitment to 17 international development goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at Nupee Lal Memorial Complex today.
As the UN General Assembly adopted the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development” with the objective of saving the people and the planet on September 25, the civil society in welcoming this monumental moment celebrates across the globe. In India, 15 cities including Imphal celebrated the commitment today.
The celebration held under the theme `Light the Way- Manipur`™ was meant to spread the awareness and the significance of these goals which will determine the priorities of the governments for the next one and half decade.
RK Imo Singh, MLA of Sagolband A/C and S Saratkumar Sharma, Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights graced the function as chief guest and guest of honor respectively.
All the participants partook in lighting of the candle to symbolize the hope of prosperity and development.
The celebration was adorned with Violin Recital by Kabigailiu, Joana Gangmei, M. Anshakla, W. Lillian, Yumnam Jinet and R.K. Deepika, of Indigenous and Contemporary Music Studies Institute (ICMSI); Guitar Duet by Khawaish and Parash of ICMSI and a Musical Concert by Bulu Maishnam and Jack.
Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, Human Rights Alert in his keynote address said, `SDGs are about our lives. It targets ending poverty and hunger, improving health and ensuring quality education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting our oceans and forests etc. by the year 2030`™
He said, “™We want the people of Manipur to know the significance of the SDGs and also realize them. Civil society representatives from Manipur are already in New York to be part of this historic process in the UN Head Quarters. In Imphal too we are putting together a cultural afternoon to welcome the SDGs and to urge our leaders to Light theWay`™`™.
R.K. Nolinikanta shared about the significance of the celebration and the need to monitor the 17 goals in the next 15 years. `The accountability of these dreams will mark the upliftment in our lives and on this planet`™ he said.
The event was organized by Human Rights Alert, Big Sisters`™ League in partnership with Community Network for Empowerment (CONE), Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM), Extrajudicial Execution Victims Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) Indigenous Perspective (IP), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Sustainable Livelihood Forum Manipur (SLFM), United Voluntary Youth Council (UVYC) various other civil society groups and individuals.