Tribal peace award
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 30 2014:
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today gave away the 1st Tribal Peace and Harmony Award 2013-14 to K Matia, (Late) H Sitlhou and Rev S Kaikho Hokey in a solemn function held at MFDC auditorium, Palace Compound today.
The Chief Minister attended the function jointly organised by Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills and Tribal Research Institute, Imphal.
Speaking at the occasion, Okram Ibobi said that the people of the State must not refuse to acknowledge the fact that people of different communities have been living together harmoniously since time immemorial in Manipur.
Contending that "Unity is our strength", Ibobi said that the bond of unity would always fend off all the external instigation which seeks to spew venom on different communities.
The Chief Minister also urged the people of the State not to trust those handful of vested interest individuals and groups who try to break this bond of unity.
Saying that standoff and untoward incidents had occurred in the past due to misunderstandings, the Chief Minister said that such incidents had only decelerated the pace of development.
The Chief Minister also lauded TRI for instituting the award at this critical juncture.
Deputy Chief Gaikhangam, who attended the function as president, said all the people living in this planet share the same origin although their way of thinking is different just like their looks are different.
To err is human, Gaikhangam said and added that one must have the courage to let off others even if they make mistakes.
The people of the current generation sometimes undermine the sense of forgiveness, he said and added that it was the sole reason why communal tensions arise.
Saying that Manipur does not belong to a particular community, Gaikhangam said that the State is the motherland of Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Meitei Pangal and other communities.
Speaking at the occasion, former Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing said that no other State or country is as great and as beautiful like Manipur.
If the beauty of this State has to be preserved, people must forget the sense of community differences, he observed.