Source: The Sangai Express
London, October 19 2008:
A team led by MP Dr Thokchom Meinya recently made a four-day tour of the United Kingdom.
The team consisted of MLA Yengkhom Surchandra, Dr Khumallambam Sarojini, Thokchom Sorojini and emenient social activist Naoroibam Ratan Meetei.
The team was hosted by Manipuris residing in UK, led by Naoroibam Nilomoni Singh, an advocate from Sylhet, presently residing in London, James Vaiphei and Dr Bishwajeet Elangbam.
During the visit, the team met George Galloway, MP of Bethnal green and Bow, London, visited the British Library, the Pearl Hyde Primary High School, Coventry City Council, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS trust.
The team were given a very enlightening understanding how the school has successfully integrated one third of the school pupils who are from the minority ethnic groups.
Dr Meinya himself was very much encouraged and surprised by how the children from the many different ethnicities interacted freely.
Modalities of how student and teacher exchange between the schools of UK and Manipur were discussed as well.
Later the team were shown around the school campus and shown how the attempt to create more learning opportunities outside the classrooms.
The team visited Coventry city council and met Conservative Councillor Clifford Ridge and discussed about how Coventry city have developed in the last two decades.
The councillor discussed on how they have work to improve healthcare services, green space strategy, keep the city clean by emphasising on recycling, cultural change, education and control enforcement.
The councillor was appalled on the lack or absence of a sanitary system in Imphal.
He was quite concerned of how a Government can look after the health of its citizens, when the lack of proper sanitation system be the source of many diseases.
He believed that the determination, passion and vision of citizens and the representatives have made possible where Coventry is today, and believe any state or country needs the same values to move forward.
The team visited the Emergency department of University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and interacted with the staff.
Dr Meinya shared his appreciation of the concept of the distraction therapy room in the children's department and feels that the government hospital was like a 5 star hotel.
On the last day of the visit, Dr Kh sarojini , director arts and culture department presented books and CDs to the S Neill , Curtaor for Asian Book selection British Libray.
The team were shown of the collections that the library had related to Manipur and discuss about future collaboration in the future.