Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19:
Reaffirming its commitment in preserving identity, history and geo-political aspect of Manipur through the education system, the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (Desam) has asked heads of CBSE-affiliated educational institutions in the state to ensure inclusion of Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) prescribed social science text books from the current academic session without fail.
Strongly cautioning these institutions to honour its 'genuine' proposal, the student body asserted it would not tolerate any form of defiance on the matter under any circumstances while informing that inspections would be conducted from May 21 onwards to assess whether these CBSE schools have included the said curriculum.
Speculating that there might be criticism to the DESAM insistence, a release of the student organisation issued by its publicity and propaganda secretary opined that only those individuals who have little respect for the culture and tradition of of the native land or ignorant of inevitability to restore the rich heritage of manipur would harbour concept against future vision of DESAM.
Moreover, the proposal is in consonance with the common syllabus pursuit initiated by various student and voluntary organisations as well as taking into account indispensability of imbibing into the young minds (students) facets of regional environment.
Stating that any CBSE-run school reluctant to honour the dESAM proposal for introducing State Board prescribed social science text book would be making negative contribution to the Manipuri society, the release insisted that by opposing the said objective future generation of Manipur would be deprived of learning and understanding native history, geopolitical and economic aspects.
Opining that social science text books with local context would be of enormous help in tapping human and economic resources, DESAM said failure to acknowledge its vision would lead to gradual rot and accelerating decay of Manipuri society.
Reminding all concerned that manipur has a history of more than 2000 years in the south east Asian region, DESAM also quoted experts listing Manipur as richly blessed with natural resources in the region.
While pointing out vast differences in history of india and Manipur, DESAM iterated that need of the hour is to mould the students with thorough knowledge on existing natural resources and native environment that could be converted into a source for self sustenance with proper understanding and policy/plan.
It reminded that DESAM's pursuit to protect its own identity and history is very much in sync with the United Nations on Jan 1 declaring observation of 'International Decade for the world's Indigenous and ethnic people'.




