Imphal, December 19: Singing the classic Manipuri film song 'Khangna Khangna Khanghoudeko Houkhare Matamdo', in unison, young students of Tarong Primary School in Ukhrul district have reminded the inalienable bonding between the hill and the valley brethren of Manipur.

Coming from the remote Tarong village under Kasom Khullen block located some 88 kms from Imphal, not all of them could converse in Manipuri fluently, yet they sang the song with emotion during the farewell function of their study tour to Imphal held at AMSU Headquarters here today.

Under the sponsorship of World Vision, India, a strong team of 80 delegates including 66 students of Tarong Primary School, their teachers, village pastor and Khullakpa arrived at Imphal yesterday on a two-day Children's Club Study Tour.

The farewell function was held at AMSU headquarters where they were provided fooding and lodging during their stay at the State capital during which they were also taken to various places of historical and tourist interests.

AMSU president Birendra Chingakham, AMSU advisor Kh Ratan, Catholic pastor SR Jonah, Baptist Church pastor H Mataimi, AMSU general secretary MS Helenlupho, teacher Shimila and Khullakpa of Tarong village MS Paul were among those who graced the dais and spoke at the occasion.

In his address, SR Jonah said ' though we heard the saying that people living in both the hill and valley of Manipur are brothers, we could not believe as the lifestyle of the two are very different.

Moreover, the problems being faced by the hill people is not understood by the valley people.

But after we arrived here bringing these children who have never seen Imphal in their lives and seeing the services rendered to us by AMSU we have started believing that we are brothers'.

Highlighting some of the problems being faced by the people of Tarong village, Jonah recalled that after having laid some water pipes in the village in 1972, the Government of Manipur has not taken up any further steps for providing safe drinking water to the village.

Despite the village falling under the Constituency of former Despite the village falling under the Constituency of former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing, the village is yet to be electrified till date and besides the only existing primary school which has classed from I to IV, there is no other school, he informed.

H Mataimi observed that instead of shouting the slogan of unity and integrity among the hill and the valley people, it would be better to facilitate communication and look after each others needs.

The eagerness of the students who got up from their seats to look around when told that we have arrived at Imphal should not be allowed to happen again.

Instead, efforts should be made to ensure that the children from the hill know the children from the valley and vice-versa, he suggested.

AMSU president Birendra Chingakham assured that children coming from any part of the hill districts of Manipur would be provided shelter and food at the guest house being set up at AMSU headquarters.

School children from Kasom Khullen who have come for a three-day study tourn to Imphal have also been provided accommodation at AMSU headquarters some days back, he informed.

Exercise books and other stationary items were also distributed among the young visitors before they were sent off to Ukhrul again.

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