Friday, October 31, 2008

Detergent fight against HIV


Imphal, Oct 31 : On the eve of Ningol Chakouba, the biggest Meitei festival dedicated to pampering married daughters, an anti-drugs association in Manipur gave HIV-positive women a detergent powder that will wash away at least some of their woes.

“The sale proceeds of the detergent will go to women and children affected by drugs and HIV,” Ph. Abe Chanu, publicity secretary of the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association, said today.

Called Ningol Excel Blue, the detergent powder was launched by education minister L. Jayentakumar Singh at a low-key function at the anti-drug association’s office today.

Since 2005, the non-governmental organisation has been celebrating Ningol Chakouba with at least 140 women, primarily those living with HIV or drug abuse.

“The detergent is a ray of hope for women like me. We are grateful to the association for producing it,” said R.K. Reena Devi, a 32-year-old HIV-positive woman.
Reena Devi got the virus from her drug addict husband who died in December 2006.

“My monthly income now is a little over Rs 1,000. Within that amount I have to send my daughter to school and buy my medicines. I hope the detergent will add to my income,” she said.

Workers at the detergent’s factory also include HIV-positive women. “Twenty-two widows infected by HIV and five volunteers of our association are involved in manufacturing the powder. Of course, they get wages,” Kh. Meghachandra, a key functionary of the association, said.

Even the detergent packet screamed of the anti-drugs association’s motto.

“Let us join hands to save the society from drugs, HIV and AIDS,” a printed message said.

But will the venture find a market?

“Why not? Ningol Excel Blue can compete with other products. We are contacting jail authorities, hostels and NGOs running destitute homes to buy our product. Most of them have shown interest. We do not see any problem,” the publicity secretary of the association said.

The education minister himself bought 200 packets of the detergent at the end of the event.

KUT: The Kuki-Chin-Mizo Post Harvest Celebrations



All set for Kut celebration in Chandel

The unique post harvest festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo community Chavang Kut will be celebrated by the Chandel district Kut committee on Novemebr 1 at the Standard English High School, Sugnu with fanfare.

Stating this, Ngamkholal Baite, chairman of the Chandel district Kut committee during a press conference held this morning at Sugnu mentioned that this year’s celebration in Chandel district will be held under the theme ‘Peace, unity and harmony’ and the celebration will be joined by various communities residing in Chandel district.

Cultural items including cultural dances from various ethnic Kuki sub-tribes of Chandel district and musical programmes will be held at the inaugural session of the festival which will be attended by state works minister K Ranjit as chief guest. The function will be presided by MLA, E Dwijamani of Hiyanglam AC. Besides, four MLAs including Bijoy Koijam, M Hemanta Singh, Th Lokeshore and U Deven Singh will also attend the inaugural session as guests of honour.
The deputy commisioner, Chandel, N Ashokumar, IAS, will inaugurate the evening session as the chief guest. The session will be presided by Darsino Aimol, SDO, Chakpikarong.


The chairman of the committee further said that there will be a Miss Kut contest for Chandel district in the evening with cash prizes of Rs. 10,000 for Miss Kut, Rs. 7000 for first runners up and Rs. 5000 for second runners up along with prizes for other titles.The chairman further appealed to all Kuki communities from Chandel living far and near, and mainly women, to participate in the festival. All girls from different communities of Chandel are allowed to participate in the Miss Kut contest, he added.

He also mentioned that prior to the celebration of Kut festival at Standrad English High School, Sugnu Tribal there will be a Kut-eve Gospel meeting tomorrow which will be attended by the Gospel parties from Mizoram state.
KNO sends out Kut greetings

Making the first move on issuing Kut greetings, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) today sent out its warmest greetings to the ethnic Kuki groups but expressed concerns on lavishing the celebration when the jhum-fields of farmers have been devastated by rodents.Similar to Jewish way of celebration, the Kuki people in the past had the tradition of celebrating seven Kut, of late Chavang Kut, Mim Kut and Chapchar Kut have been recognised as one of the important festival in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram among others, Lenin H Kuki said dwelling on the bond between Kut and the ethnic group.


The information and publicity secretary of KNO also acknowledged and appreciated the contribution of Kutters in the US, UK, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore et-al in showcasing the rich culture of the Kukis to the outside world, besides appealing them to continue organising the event.

Assam blasts: Intelligence agencies in shock


New Delhi, Oct 30 : After the Assam blasts, the most worrying factor is that these blasts seem to have caught the state and intelligence agencies completely by surprise.

Even though the state was on high alert over Durga Puja and Diwali, the Chief Minister said no one was prepared for attacks on such a scale.

The Union Home Secretary has said it could be a local group with outside help.

What this could mean is the ULFA, one of Assam’s oldest militant group, organised the attacks with the help of the Bangladeshi group, HuJi or Harkat ul Jihadi Islami.

But the ULFA has issued denial, condemning the blast. It says it wants a peaceful solution to Assam problem.

Security experts say there is enough reason why it couldn’t be only ULFA.

For one, ULFA has no such capability to carry out such powerful blasts and that too on a large-scale and in rapid succession.