Violence is not sign of civilisation : CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 20 2010: Violent activities and looting the people which are being witnessed in the state on a regular basis are not the signs of being a civilized society, said Chief Minister O Ibobi today while paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 66th birth anniversary.

To mark the remembrance of the former Prime Minister, the government organised a function at the south block of the Secretariat building in which the Chief Minister led the officials in offering floral tributes to the photograph of the late leader.

Separate rallies were also taken out in the streets of Imphal city by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) jointly with Macha Leima also observed the day at the Iboyaima Shumangleela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, Cabinet Ministers and an MLA reaffirming the pledge to protect the integrity of state and nation on Sadbhavana Diwas at Old Secretariat

The State government and the MPCC observed the day as Sadbhavana Diwas while MANIREDA with Macha Leima observed it as Renewable Energy Day.

Speaking at the state function, Chief Minister Ibobi recalled the contribution of national and state heroes in achieving India's freedom and urged the people to follow the path taken by Rajiv Gandhi to make the country a strong and a key nation in the globe.

He also reminded the unity in diversity in the state and in the country.

"Time has come we channelize our strength towards building a new and resurgent India for which Rajiv Gandhi had dreamed of.

His aspirations still drive us to rededicate ourselves in rebuilding our nation," Ibobi said.

He also said, for restoring peace in the state, all communities need to live in harmony with one another.

Violence and other anti-social activities like looting the people or harassing them as witnessed in the state are not the signs of a developed society.

Minister, MLAs and government officials from the civil administration and the police also took part in the observance function in which the Chief Minister administered an oath of dedication to the nation.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the day at the Congress Bhavan in Imphal.

A mass rally of Congress workers led by the president of Youth Congress, M Prithivraj marked the occasion and the formal function that followed was attended by Chief Minister, O Ibobi and MPCC president, Gaikhangam.

Congress bigwigs of the SPF government like, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister, Y Erabot, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Th Lokeshwor, PDA Chairman, MLA Kh Loken, MANITRON Chairman Dr.Kh.

Ratankumar, government Chief Whip, T Mangibabu, MLA I Hemochandra, M Hemanta, Y Surchandra were among those who attended the function.

Leaders speaking on the occasion recalled the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and his achievements as the seventh Prime Minister of India.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on 21 May 1991 which was the first use of suicide bombing for the purposes of creating political terror, they recalled.

The peace rally organised by the state youth congress to mark the observance of the day marched on the streets of Imphal starting from the Congress Bhavan.

President of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, MLA Prithivraj led the rally which was also participated by MLa Th Lookeshwor, Dr Kh Ratankumar among others.

The day was also observed by MANIREDA as Renewable Energy Day in association with Macha Leima with a mass rally before the commencement of the formal function at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Around 1500 people from different parts of the state took part in the peace rally.

Delivering the key note address of the observance function, senior scientific officer Y Khelchandra recounted the importance of electricity in this modern scientific world and said that with a view to translate Rajiv Gandhi's dream of India becoming a country with an advanced modern scientific technology, a nodal agency of renewable energy has been created.

Stating that energy is the backbone of a modern civilization, Director of MANIREDA, L Manglem said that 80 percent of the total energy utilized in the globe is extracted from fossil fuel.

As this source of energy is an exhaustible one, there is the need for developing energy from renewable sources.

Keeping this view in mind and to fulfill the dream of Rajiv Gandhi, MANIREDA is taking full initiative in lighting villages and streets with solar energy, he added.