Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05 2009:
Along with presenting the Best State Volunteer Award, 2009 to Lhingjaneng Gangte, International Volunteer Day was observed in Manipur as in other part of the world today.
Honouring of 70-year old Lhingjaneng Gangte of New Lambulane, who is the president of All Manipur Tribal Women Forum, with the prestigious Best State Volunteer award, 2009 was announced during an observance function organised under the aegis of All Manipur NGOs Forum, Imphal at the conference hall of Manipur Voluntary Health Association (MVHA), Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal.
However, Lhingjaneng was not present to receive the award personally.
Offering floral tributes to the departed volunteers, discussion on important global issues like human rights, climate change, etc were other highlights of the observance function attended by MLA M Hemanta Singh as chief guest, Chairperson of Manipur State Social Welfare Board RK Bedita Devi as president and National awardee Tomba Meetei and advisor of All Manipur NGOs Forum N Saratchandra as guests of honour.
Delivering the key note address, president of All Manipur NGOs Forum Y Surchandra Singh explained that December 5 every year is being observed as International Volunteer Day since 1986 following a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to recognise the services of the volunteers who dedicated themselves to the cause of others.
In his address as chief guest of the function, MLA Hemanta observed that there should not be any conflict between the NGOs and the Government and the activities of the two should be comple mentary to each other.
Stressing on the role of the NGOs, he further noted that it is the NGO sector not the Government sector that rule the world today.