IMPHAL, January 16: The Marou Shanao Long celebrated its second rising day with crafts activist Pearl alias Ningshimyao A Shimray as the chief guest and IFP reporter Grace Jajo as the guest of honour.
The occasion was marked by several events like a folk songs session, folk dance presentation, games and sports and contemporary music.
Ningshimyao who is also an ardent traditional researcher spoke about indigenization in contemporary times and the challenges of modernity within traditionalism.
While encouraging the emerging status of women in all aspects especially in religious and social institutions, she also pressed upon the imperative need to consider the participation of women in decision making.
She said, “Many potential women are outside the consultative space of democratic transitions in the villages. We ought to encourage women participation and mentor their progressive scaling in various fields among all age groups.”
We should also be participatory in the governance which demands our active interest and awareness on various rights that are entitled to us, she said.
She stressed on the importance of the traditional knowledge system which exists in the villages, “Modern education have evaded our local knowledge and infused us with a different set of information as education. While this pattern expands our world view it also has a tendency to belittle our inherited knowledge and the significance of our priceless folk songs, folk tales and traditional practices.”
On economic practices she said, “Misconceptions on Jhum have convinced a lot of educated people to interpret this amazing organic three tier environment friendly and sustainable practice as non-economical. It is a dangerous pattern of pseudo intellectuals who are unable to differentiate deforestation and jhum and confusing the people who practices this healthy livelihood.”
A vibrant interaction followed with the villagers on various aspects including traditional handicrafts, textiles and governance.
Peoples’ query on Right to Food and Right to Education dwelled on the paradox of entitlement and reality.
‘The village primary school has only four teachers even though the admission is open upto class V. Repeated request for an additional teacher has not been responded till date yet’ shared a concerned parent.
The headman lamented that the PDS has completely ceased in the last eight months.
He said, “Kerosene and sugar were missing for more than a year even while we got some insufficient meager quantity of rice”
Another villager added, “We are silenced by the nexus of these agents with the department as well as the politicians. Ultimately democracy in this State is all about learning to suffer in silence!”