Mizoram CM calls for emotional integration
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Aizawl, November 03 2011:
The Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla has called for emotional integration despite wide diversity.
He also asked the children of the country to contact one another and have good interaction through the internet---Email and Facebook besides telecommunication.
The Mizoram chief minister was saying this while delivering a speech during the inaugural programme of National Learn to Live Together Camp, 2011 at the Tribal Art Centre in Aizawl.
The National Learn to Live Together Camp has been jointly organised by Indian Council for Child Welfare and Mizoram State Council for Child Welfare Board.
Addressing the gathering of youths from various States of the country, Lal Thanhawla wished the participants a happy stay while they are in Mizoram and carry back the sweet memories of the State and the people when they return homes.
Mizoram Social Welfare Minister, PC Lalthanliana also asked the children to interact freely with children of other States.
He also asked them to communicate him if they have problem.
President of Indian Council for Child Welfare Gita Siddhartha said, the Indian Council for Child Welfare was formed in 1952 to foster unity and integration among the children of the country.
Altogether 116 children from 18 States including 42 leaders are participating in the National Learn to Live Together Camp which will be concluded on November 6.The inaugural function was presided over by the Vice President of Mizoram State Council for Child Welfare Mr.Thanseia.
Festival controversy: Various social organizations and political parties in Meghalaya today vowed to protest against the Government's sponsored Shillong Autumn Festival organised by Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF), which would culminate on a day considered sacred by the Christians, the Sunday of November 6 .
Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Khun Hynniewtrep Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBTF) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Meghalaya which met at Khasi National Dorbar Hall at Mawkhar in Shillong said that they were deeply hurt by the remarks passed by MTDF members terming the church leaders who had protested the holding of the Shillong Autumn Festival as "anti-secularism", 'fanatics' and "Talibans" .
Speaking to the media after the meeting, working president of FKJGP, Joe Marwein said the various churches and the NGOs and political parties like the NCP and KHNAM would like to see that the Sun sets apart with due respect and reverence and mega-festival like the Shillong Autumn Festival should not be held on a Sunday.
"We used to call for various agitation programmes and bandhs against the State Government on various issues, but not on Sundays.
We have exempted our agitational programmes on the Sundays because we want respect that day and the sentiments of the Christians", Marwein said.
He also said that recently the militant group of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) announced a bandh on a Sunday and withdrew it following an appeal made by the church leaders.
Marwein also said the social organizations would write to the State Government to register their protest against holding the Shillong Autumn Festival on a Sunday.
Earlier, the NCP was the first to protest against holding the festival on a Sunday followed by North East India Christian Council, as the Christian population would be fully engaged in worship services and also to observe the World Sunday School.
Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) is determined to hold the festival even on a Sunday to project the rich and colourful cultures of the North Eastern Region at the Shillong Autumn Festival�2011 and grand finale of the festival would be held at the scenic Orchid Lake Resort near against the backdrops of Umiam Lake surrounded by hills and blue sky.
The organizers termed the culmination of the festival as a "Family Get-together" held on a Sunday, as a large chunk of the population which does not have weekly off like Government employees could also get the opportunity to participate in the festival.
The festival includes Adventure Sport, Fashion show and music to enable the visitors what they have never see before the Acro Flights by Ace Paraglider pilots from France.