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• Part 1 –

By A Romen Kumar Singh 01/07/2023

“You can not teach democracy to the tribal people; you have to learn democratic ways from them. They are the most democratic people from earth. What my people require is not adequate safeguards. They require protection. We do not ask for any special protection. We want to be treated like every Indian” . . .

Jaipal Singh representing tribal said while debating on the preamble to the constitution before the Constitution Assembly.

This might have set the tune for the framers of the Indian Constitution towards the tribal’s mite in the Constitutional Scheme, but definitely the tribal’s constitution, i.e. the Sixth Schedule which is described by Justice M.Hidayatulla as a “mini constitution”.

Status of tribals as first settlers in the country

A Bench of Three Judges of the Supreme Court as reported in SAMATHA V. State of Andhra Pradesh, (1997)8 SCC 191 at page 277 – Para 136 held that tribals are stated to be the first settlers in the country but were gradually pushed back into the forests and hills by subsequent settlers who later came to be known as the plainsmen or people of or from the plains. The forests and hills provided a natural barrier and isolated the tribals from the people living in the plains. On account of their isolation, they remained illiterate, uneducated, unsophisticated, poor and destitute, and developed their own society where they allowed themselves to be governed by their own primitive and customary laws and rituals.

Brief historical background

By a notification under Section 52A(2) of the Government of India Act, 1915-19, the Governor-General in Council declared the following territories in the then province of Assam as backward tracts: (1) The Garo Hills District; (2) The British portions of Khasi & Jaintia Hills District other than the Shillong. Municipality and cantonment; (3) The Mikir Hills; (4) The North Cachar Hills District; (5) The Naga Hills District; (6) The Lushai Hills District; (7) The Sadiya Fronteir Tract; (8) The Balipara Fronteir Tract; (9) The Lakhimpur Fronteir Tract.

However, the British Government desired to limit exclusion of these areas as much as possible and ultimately referred the matter for further examination by the Indian Statutory Commission, 1930, popularly known as Simon Commission. The Simon Commission in its report mentioned that during 1930’s these backward tribal areas extended up to almost 1,20,000 sq. miles with a populace of about 11 million, and were stretched mainly in Bihar, Orissa, Punjab, Burma, Bengal and Assam.

Object of government policy (Primitive or indigenous)

The object of Government policy in relation to these areas inhabited by backward, tribal and aboriginal people was visualised by the Simon Commission. Until then the object had been primarily to give these primitive. Inhabitants Security of land tenure, freedom of pursuit of their traditional means of livelihood, and a reasonable exercise of their ancestral customs have been the primordial necessity of the object. No self-determination or rapid political advancement was considered necessary but an experienced and sympathetic handling and protection from economic subjugation by their neighbours was felt more important for these people.

Perpetual isolation from main stream of progress and development would not be a long term measure.

This Commission also realised that the perpetual isolation from the main stream of progress and development would not be a long-term beneficial measure and that it would be ultimately necessary to make these people educated and self-reliant and drawn to the main stream of development through gradual assimilation with the mainfolk. The Commission, on one hand, considered it too huge a task to be left to the Missionaries and individuals, since for a long term policy of uninterrupted pursuance, coordination of activities an adequate fund would be required, while on the other hand, a typically backward area was considered to be non-productive or non-revenue-earning and deficit area for which no provincial legislature was likely to possess either the will or the means to develop the area without any return. At the same time, it was felt by the commission that it would not be a realistic arrangement if these areas were placed under such a centralised administration that there would be a risk of its separation from the provinces of which the areas were an integral part.

Recommendation of commission

In this backdrop, the commission ultimately recommended that the responsibility of administration of the backward tracts or areas should be entrusted to the Central Government but the Central Government should use the non-political officers of the Governors as agents for the administration of these areas and that depending on the degree of backwardness, it could be prescribed under the appropriate rules how far Governor would act in consultation with his Ministers in charge of his duties as an agent of the Central Government.

Recommendation of the commission not adopted

However, the Simon Commission’s recommendation for centralised administration for all the backward areas were not adopted in the Constitutional reforms of 1935. On the other hand, the Government of India Act, 1935 created three types of special areas. Under the Act, 1935, these backward areas were classified as excluded arreas and partially excluded areas.

The newly created excluded areas, to the extent of about 18,000 square miles in Assam and 10,000 square miles in the provinces of Madras, Bengal, North-West Frontier, Punjab and Assam were placed under the personal rule of the Governor’s in their discretion. The needy created partially excluded areas were placed under the responsibility of a Minister specifically in charge of such areas while the Governor was assigned with certain special responsibility in the administration of these areas only in certain matters in respect of which he had the power to act in his individual judgement and to overrule the Minister’s advice.

No act of the federal or provincial legislature would apply

The Government of India Act, 1935 further provided that no Act of the Federal of Provincial Legislature would apply to any of these areas, but the Governors had the authority to apply any such Act with or without modification as they would consider necessary. In addition to these excluded and partially excluded areas, there were certain “tribal areas” which were defined in Section 311(1) of the Government of India Act, 1935, as “areas along the frontiers of India or in Baluchistan, which are not part of British India or Burma or of any Indian State or of any foreign State”.

The status of these areas was very peculiar, as in terms of the definition they did not form part of the British India; nor the British Parliament or the Legislatures in British India had any direct legislative powers in respect of these areas. Whatever powers were exercisable in respect of these areas, the same in fact originated from some, “treaty, grant, usage, sufferance or otherwise”, and to validate the effect of such treaty etc. the Government of India Act, 1935 contained a specific provision, enabling the Governor-General to act in his discretion in respect of administration of these areas and keeping the same outside the Ministerial responsibilities.

Need for attention of the constituent assembly to these areas. In a statement on 16.5.1946 the Cabinet Mission reiterated the need for special attention of the Constituent Assembly to these excluded and partially excluded areas and tribal areas while drafting the new constitution of India.

An Advisory Committee was planned on Fundamental Rights and Minorities in such manner that it should contain due representation of all the interests likely to be affected, and should advise the Constituent Assembly on framing an appropriate scheme for the administration of tribal and excluded areas.

The Advisory Committee in its meeting on 27.2.1947 set up three sub-committees – one to consider the tribal areas and excluded and partially excluded areas in Assam, another to consider the tribal areas in the North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan, and a third Sub-Committee to consider the position of excluded and partially excluded areas in the Provinces other than Assam. The Sub-Committee on tribal and excluded and partially excluded areas submitted their report on 28.7.1947, while the other Sub-Committee on the excluded and partially excluded areas in the provinces other than Assam submitted its interim report on 18.8.1947 and final report in September, 1947.

By James Khangenbam, 29/06/2023 Imphal:

Steve Fabes is a doctor by profession. He started out in 2010 with his cycle to travel six continents. He is in his sixth Continent Asia now. He thought it might take five or six years of his life in completing his mission and he is realizing it day by day. By the time of filing this story he has already accomplish his mission. Belinda is the name he gave to his cycle.
My cycle is a tour cycle built strong to last for long time. It is a Dutch company.  I carry along a tent, sleeping bag, cooking materials, clothes, medicines, books and tools to repair my bicycle narrated Steve.

Way to Manipur

“It was a nice ride from Myanmar to Manipur. The roads were lovely.
To encourage kids to use bicycle which I enjoyed doing was good. I spent a magnificent time in Imphal meeting with lovely kids at Maria Montessori School Koirengei where I spoke to students from 6th standard to 12th Standard in two shifts and told them my story with photo and video I make during my tour. Also answer to small queries children asked me from their inquisitive mind. Pedal attack team had helped me a lot during my four days stay in Imphal they have shown me couple of places and they are very enthusiastic cyclists. My happiest moment in Imphal is spent along with them and they are marvelous”, expressed Steve Fabes.

Why cycle around the world

“I had a job I really enjoyed, I had a salary. I have my family and friends around, I have a very comfortable life, why would I leave all that to go and live on 10 dollars a day counting by the road. To find more difficult life, it was not an easy decision but in the end I decided to go for it because I really wanted an adventure, new challenge.

I kind of feel fit and healthy by travelling around the world and to learn about the world as well. These are the few things that inspired me to leave. I do not want to get any regrets as well. I have this idea of travelling around the world and I just have to get through came in my mind”, continued SteveFabes.

“ What is good about travelling by bicycle is you get lots closure to the nature, you feel part of the landscape. The other thing I love about bicycle travel is it moves slowly so you got to meet people. If you want to learn about other country it is the best way to travel as people see me. People ask me question, sometimes they offer me hospitality, and sometimes they offer me food. It is very good way to travel, for me it is best to travel. I love challenge and sense of adventure. I do not see a car for three or four days. I have crossed mountain which is 5200 meter above sea level. I came across many spectacular places to ride.

I use to write my dairy on a daily basis. After my journey when I reach home I will write a book on my travel, people and places I came across. I will resume my work but would prefer a part time as I would spend most of the time in writing the book” says a confidently spoken Steve.

Life is full of joy

“To me an adventure is something that pushes you to overcome difficulty, it is a new thing you try.

The toughest thing is kind of mental challenge not meeting familiar people for long time while I cycle for years.

In school I was not an athlete. In cycling around the world you do not have to have extra skill you need to persevere.

In the middle of my journey I ran out of money after three years when I was in Mexico. I use to write for magazine during my tour to earn.

Now there is crowd funding for my tour”, informed Steve.

What makes a day?

“Morning is the time when you have lots of time to think but I do not need any distracting so I rise early and start riding. Most difficult time in a day is post lunch when you feel tired. I listen some music during this time. In the evening I try to find a place to camp somewhere to sleep”, expressed Steve.

Why I have been doing that

Steve happens to cycle across the salt plate in Bolivia in full moon along with his friend Nicky. It is the world largest salt plates stretching 100 miles which could be seen from space. His love for adventure was reciprocated and growing in the ride.

“On 15 Jan, 2010 I cycle off and suddenly it appeared impossible. I stop by a park for four hours. Thoughts came in my mind as what was I doing, wondering what I was going to tell people, I have told everyone I am cycling for five years.  I realize I had no choice.

I just got back on my back and started cycling. I decided I would just take one day at a time I would not try to think about five or six years that was terrifying. I just break it down into small times and think about where I am now and the next place and by doing that I figure I get around the world.

I started from London cycle across Europe in cold winter and east side of Africa cross to south of America, Northern Alaska and could not cycle further north. Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and so on. By the time I reach Manipur, I have crossed 52 different countries and covered a distance which is one and half times around the world. I have recorded 65,000 kilometer ride on my cycle. Next year I am cycling back home for a cup of tea”, smiled through Steve.
 

By James Khangenbam, 29/06/2023 Imphal :

“The dance form calms down our daily thinking, our daily consciousness. When we calm down our daily consciousness our body and mind became one. Mind, body and spirit transformation takes place. It could be in silence you can do with preferred music too”, says Agu Tara the facilitator of Butoh Dance when she was conducting workshop in Manipur
“I listen to the resonance of the tree and I sink into the resonance and I become the tree and I forget that I am a human. If you listen to the resonance you will dance all time and your source of movement is by listening to the resonance.

The Butoh workshop in Manipur at SACH was all about learning technique to enter into the door. Learning to feel subtle energy. Hugging a tree to feel the intensity of the heat, texture and smell. Same goes with rock. We were given experiential knowledge not textual. If I want to feel the resonance of the tree we stay with the tree, stand and feel the wind blow. Smell, touches the water, even human to human. Human have sound, smell, heat, intensity. There are innumerable materials you just have to open yourself to listen into that resonance it is a practice to open up”, says Thiyam Chaoba a participant who is a film maker and a meditation practitioner.

Agu Tara – the 35 year old facilitator of Butoh dance was trained in the art form at Subbody Butoh Foundation, Dharamsala, H.P. She has been practicing for the last three years and hosted the 1st International Butoh festival in New Delhi. She came down to Manipur through Surjit Nongmeikakpam, a reknowned contemporary dancer and introduced the Japanese originated dance form in Manipur.

Butoh is said to have originated after the Second World War in Japan. Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno are the known legends. It appeared as a reaction against the contemporary dance scene in Japan, which Hijikata felt was based on imitating the West & restricted to self –expression only. Also, witnessing & resonating strongly with the before- after war conditions in Japan & losing his sister, (who served as a prostitute in the war) is believed to give birth to Butoh.  Kazuo Ohno also fought in the war and lost many of his soldier friends. Both of them are legends; they introduced Butoh to the world.

At first, Butoh came about as revolution of the body. Hijikata researched constantly in the darkness of his body; hidden tendencies, hidden memories of childhood and resonated with weakened bodily conditions like that of leprosy existing around him.  He meditated for long and discovered that his dead sister was living inside him. This gave birth to weakened body butoh. Butoh differs from other movement art forms because it focuses on the weakness of the body rather than the strength.  

He danced her repeatedly. He also wrote two choreographic butoh scores ‘Quiet House’ and ‘Sick Dancing Princess.’  In ‘ Quiet House’ he danced his dead sister, however, he still felt bound by his independent trauma, by Self; and to go beyond this bind he wrote ‘Sick Dancing Princess’ but was not able to share his dance. He died young at the age of 57.

Over the years, Butoh has been interpreted and practiced differently all across the world.  Butoh is not self-expression. It is Dance of Life. It is ‘Art of Shisha’ ; where ‘Shisha’ are the spirits of the dead in Japanese.

‘Shisha transform their shapes quietly yet infinitely. It is not rare that they borrow the shapes of things on the earth with unexpected nonchalance.’

Therefore, a butoh dancer takes the form of spirit and opens infinite transformation, can become anything and everything very easily and nonchalantly.

By James Khangenbam, 28/06/23

From her childhood Kripali always aspired to be different from her peers. Career in Civil Services, Medical, Engineering was what most people aspired for while few opt Armed Forces.An adventurous mind and attitude to excel attracted her to the National Cadets Corps during her High School and College. She was molded into an individual capable of taking on the rigors of military life during her NCC days.

A bright, young and energetic woman with extreme dedication towards achievement can hold the top most positions with confidence in any profession; not leaving the armed forces is what Kripali always believed. Her dream came into reality when she was selected for the post of Assistant Commandant in the Indian Coast Guard.  She is the first women from the North East to hold the rank of an Assistant Commandant in the Indian Coast Guard. She joined the service on July 2010. Kripali got through the service after a direct interview for graduates conducted twice annually.

She is the daughter of Yambem Brajamohon Singh ( Retd. Headmaster, Govt. Ideal Blind School, Takyel)  and Thongam Geeta Devi ( Teacher, Govt. Ideal Blind School, Takyel) of Naoremthong Khumanthem Leikai near SAI Road, Imphal West.

The men and women in “WHITES” (Uniform) was a motivating factor for Kripali to join the service. The respect and the lifestyle they lead captured her thoughts and desire. She was confident to go through any probationary task to prove her suitability. Despite few questions from her parents and loved ones, she had already made up her mind and was ready to undertake the gruesome training.  

Today, she had proved her worth and going about her job as a women officer she wore a silent smile filled with pride which makes her feel that she is also a part of the big and happy family which she had dreamt of as a girl to join the service.
Indian Coast Guard is a branch of Indian Armed Forces that implements the maritime laws of India. According to her this service offer full of opportunities to prove male and ability of lady officers through perseverance, dedication and exciting activities along with welcome prospect of visiting different places in the country and abroad combine with excellent pay package with ample benefits.
 
Her Hobby – Painting, Playing Basketball and Netball, Trekking

Message to the aspiring lady officers

“When you know you can be par with men, when your environment is filled with corruption, when the country is rampant with child abuse and rape cases each day. It is high time that we come out from the cocoon of chaos and be part of the family of ‘WHITES’ (Uniform) to emancipate from the thought of subordination and this service to make your dreams come true”.
Her Message to all – “Hard work never kills anyone, thrive for the best and touch the sky”
 

Fifteen years back Ibomcha use to read Taiwan catalogue and magazine on Bamboo. One time president of All Manipur Entrepreneur Association Rishikumar gifted him the catalogue which was enriching. He kept on thinking of making Bamboo furniture but could not materialize. He recollected all his efforts and finally ventured into making Bamboo furniture.

By James Khangenbam, Imphal 28/06/2023

His bamboo products are seamless. In a chair he uses eight nuts in the bottom area and 4 nuts in the upper part. It could be exported in any part of the world as it is built for easy transportation and could be assembled with the nuts when the furniture reaches the destined place of export. In the round table furniture he uses three nuts down and three nuts at the upper part. The furniture are quite strong and many have bought from him since the last many years. 

Bamboo furniture

Chair, Table, Portable Mirror Stand, Tray, Mementoes, in a seamless set up. All of them are folding and could be dismantled. A Round table and three chair set took one week to complete.

He is working on his latest design a chess board with colour pattern originally from the   Bamboo texture arranged in 64 squares with an eight by eight grid.
He is searching for craftsman who can Bamboo design the 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns

Why Bamboo furniture

According to Khwairakpam Ibocha bamboo surface has shining property unlike woods. He is trying to make furniture like doors and window. He has successfully fixed two bamboo surfaces together to thicken the board as doors needs to be thick. If his work shed is more mechanized it will be more productive. It is half manual and half machine as of now.

In Countries like Thailand and China Bamboo work sheds are mechanize so they have same size and uniform products. Cost of a Bamboo Board imported from China and marketed in Kolkata cost Rs250 per square feet.
He is making bamboo hard boards with 2 inch: 2 inch thick bamboo boards joined together surface to surface. Thus a 4 inches thick bamboo board is ready to materialize in a grand and strong furniture.

He uses a Fevicol company glue Pur ‘to join the surfaces together.  Pur saves time. Earlier a normal Fevicol glue took five hours to stick two bamboo pieces together. In 20 degree Celsius temperature it stick in 60 min, 40 degree Celsius took half an hour. If fixed in 60 degree Celsius temp it can be done in 10 minutes.

Now I can stick two surfaces in 45 minutes with the new gum of Fevicol Company says Ibomcha who was working in his work shed when Manipur Times interacted him.

Bamboo treatment

Bamboo are harvested in mera’ season and dip in water for a month and dried in sun. This is indigenous method and time consuming.

Chemical treatment is modern as found in various newsletter. He uses boric acid and borex in the ratio of one times of boric acid and one and half borex. In 200 litres of water 500 ml Boric acid is added and 750 mg of Borex in 200 liters of water. After the two samples are mixed He dips the bamboo for three hours.

He innovated a method by making water mixture in a mobil drum and he uses steam bath method by boiling the mixture and treating with the steam. This is how he treats his Bamboo. It proves good as it takes away the water content in steam bath.  Thus the bamboo do not get shrink from the water content for a longer time.

So far Ibocha has officially trained 20 people under the sponsorship of Commerce and Industries Department Government of Manipur. The government sanctioned Rupees one lakh and ninety thousand for the training.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has stressed on the need for the Centre and States to come together for promotion of games and sports in the country, by sharing ideas and strategies on developing the sector. 

By James Khangenbam 26 April 2023 Imphal:

Conference of Youth Affairs and Sports ministers of India in Imphal 2023

Anurag Singh Thakur was addressing the inaugural session of a conference (Chintan Shivir) of Ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports of different States and Union Territories at the City Convention Centre on 24^th April. 

Stating that this year’s conference is the third Chintan Shivir of YAS Ministers, he said that youths are the largest stakeholder of the country and have a very important role in Nation building. He further stressed the necessity of organizing such conferences in every State to develop the sports sector from the grassroots level.

Anurag Singh Thakur said that Manipur has contributed a lot in the field of sports, despite its small population compared to other larger States. Acknowledging the contribution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Manipur for opening the first National Sports University. An approximate amount of Rs 900 crore will be spent for developing the university, he added.

He spoke on the popularity of indigenous games of Manipur, adding that the Central Government had also adopted many indigenous games in the Khelo India Programme. He further mentioned the importance of promoting traditional games at the international level.

Anurag Singh Thakur also spoke on the achievements of sportspersons of the State, mentioning the names of sports personalities who had brought laurels for the country at National and international sporting events. He mentioned the contribution of different States in different disciplines of sports, adding that women players had brought much achievement for the country.

Youth Affairs and Sports ministers of India

At the beginning of the programme, a short video message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was telecast, in which the Prime Minister spoke on the contribution of North East States, especially Manipur in the field of sports and the importance of the conference.

The Chintan Shivir would have sessions on various topics including Yuva Portal, Restructuring the National Youth Festival, Overview of Khelo India and other schemes of Government of India, Innovation in Sport Sector, Issue and Challenges in Sports Governance and Improving engagement among stakeholders in sports sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, Manipur N Biren Singh extended a warm welcome to all the participants of the National Conference of Ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports of States and Union Territories, adding that the State is honoured to host such an event. 

He also stated that a football academy would be set up in the State in collaboration between Argentina Football Academy and the State Government. He observed that holding such a conference in Imphal also recognizes and highlights the significant contributions made by Manipuri sportspersons and youth towards Nation building.

Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh Banwarilal Purohit, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Nisith Pramanik, YAS Minister of different States and Union Territories, Secretary (Sports) and Secretary (Youth Affairs), Chief Secretary, Manipur and senior officials of Government of India and various State Governments also attended the inaugural programme.