Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 23:
A one day farmers' training programme was organised by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) at Tonsen Khullen today.
The training programme attended by farmers of Tonsen Khullen, Tonsen Tampak, Mahut Tera and Pangaltabi was graced by UCM president K Langamba, village chief Tonsen Khullen M Ringsing Chong and N Diren as chief guest, president and guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, K Langamba noted that there must be equality in the field of development among all the peoples of Manipur to strengthen integrity in Manipur.
He said that even if the State can't produce all the needs of the people, the State must be able to produce the required quantity of food grains for its population.
At least Manipur must be self-sufficient in food grains, the UCM president asserted.
Ringsing Chong observed that even as Tonsen Khullen is just 65 kms away from development, the light of development and progress is yet to reach the village.
There is not even a primary health centre at the village inhabited by about a thousand people.
Only one school with its two teachers serve the whole village because of such inadequacy many children are denied the right to education, noted the village chief.
Even today, tap water still remains a dream.
Out of 5/6 hand pumps installed there, only one remains functional and it serves the whole population of about 1000, added the chief.
The Headmaster of the primary school observed that the severely understaffed.
Even though some well to do families send their wards to private schools, most of the children are admitted to the school, he disclosed.
In addition to the absence of any High school, a Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan centre has not been opened till date in the village, he lamented.
Out of three rooms of the primary, one is being used by the teachers while the other two serve as classrooms.
The team of media persons who went there observed neither desks nor bench nor blackboard.
The walls of the schools were all broken down.
Today's training programme was sponsored by the Agriculture Department.
Many resource persons also addressed the programme during the technical session.
Agriculture Department distributed 100 kg of soyabean, 100 kg of sagol hawai and 50 kg of mairongbi to the trainees.
Moreover two canned food products were also provided for the trainees by the Women and Child Division of Social Welfare Department.
Four footballs and three volley balls with nets were also distributed during the programme.