Imphal, December 31 2009: Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) detailed on the problems currently faced by the State in a booklet issued in connection with its 8th foundation day to be celebrated on January 3.The 16-page booklet issued by its president LC Santosh in also provided possible solutions to these problems.

Maintaining that Manipuri society is currently surrounded by various problems, DESAM mentioned population problem and foreigner influx as the first and foremost trouble being faced by the State.

The students body expressed worry that due to uninterrupted influx of people from other States, population of Manipur has increased and it in turn affects the economy of the State.

The statement while saying that Globalisation may be a boon to developed Nations, it asserted, the global phenomena would prove to be a great blow to small and poor States like Manipur as Trans Asian Railway and Asian Highway would be running through the State.

Mentioning about the economy of the State, DESAM said that although the living standard of the people of the State has increased comparing to the period of 1970s, the number of 'capability poor' people too have increased.

So, the Manipuri society is currently facing the problem of 'Social Anomie', the statement cautioned.

Maintaining that degradation of political system is one of the biggest challenges of the State, DESAM said that elections have now become a game of money, power and force.

The students body also expressed concern over the degradation of discipline among the people of the State, which according to DESAM is the sign of abjection of Social System.

Detailing on culture, DESAM said that culture of another community is slowly but constantly taking over the own culture of the State.

The students body also said that physical strength, mental toughness, courage and discipline are slowly losing from the people of the State.

So, there is lack of good people in every profession who can responsibly uplift the society, DESAM opined.

Above all, DESAM said, most people of the State are addicted to one or other intoxicants.

It further said that the condition is more serious than the Opium War.

Detailing on danger of HIV/AIDS, DESAM cautioned that the State would end in the mouth of the epidemic if necessary measures are not taken up in time at the earliest.

DESAM also said that Manipuris are losing its own identity as people prefer to adopt dressing, language, and script of other communities.

People are gradually forgetting the traditions left behind by the forefathers.

The booklet also mentioned deforestation, construction of buildings in cultivable lands and industrialization as major issues as it would bring environmental degradation.

The State may turn into a desert if the current trend continues, DESAM cautioned.

The booklet also mentioned wakening of civil society, absence/lack of good leaders and degradation of education system as big problems in the State.

DESAM also said that 'brain-drain' has also become a big challenge in the State as many of the educationists and academicians have gone outside the State.

Suggesting solutions to the above cited problems, DESAM said that there is need of 'self realisation' of the people of the State through good education.

Brazilian philosopher and educationist Paulo Freire's 'Critical Consciousness' concept must be brought to the minds of the people of the State, the booklet suggested.

The mother of all problems in the State is lack of people who possess the thought of 'Critical Consciousness', the students body opined.

To enlighten this concept, there is need of enhancement of education system, said DESAM adding that formal education, informal education and non-formal education must come under the 'education system' of the State.

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