The most unique aspect that we could follow during our visit is that young children are exposed to a disciplined way of life, where they value not only traditional culture, and value systems but also become good citizens and allegiance to nation building
Biswadeep Gupta
Last Sunday we accompanied ‘a good samaritan’ to a relief camp in Imphal to spend some time with children and share some moments with them to instill a feeling of camaraderie.
As Manipur has faced ethnic conflict since May 3 of this year and now more than fifty thousand people are internally displaced according to government estimates, the future looks uncertain for them. Though government and civil organisations are doing their best for these people to engage them in some form of productive activities, it is the children who are suffering the most.
The relief camp at the Trade and Expo Centre where around five hundred inmates are being settled mainly from the Kangpokpi district of Manipur has around one hundred fifty children. Meitei Leepun, a socio-cultural Meitei organisation is involved in taking care of the relief camp where every Sunday they conduct a children’s programme called ‘Naowa Thouram’ in Meitei.
According to Premjit, one of the executive members of Meitei Leepun who is entrusted with taking care of internally displaced people informed that the organisation is trying to inculcate the traditional culture of Meiteis and Manipur in these children and give them the confidence to face the challenges of life.
So each Sunday they organise some activities so that the children do not feel left alone and many good people contribute to host their breakfast which last Sunday one gentleman contributed but does not want to be named. He spoke to the children and said that it is important to be successful in life but equally necessary to work for their community and the nation.
It is hoped that more such good samaritans come forward to contribute to these initiatives.
Recently Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal also conducted a skill training workshop on candle and agarbatti making for twenty-six women folks from the same relief camp.
The most unique aspect that we could follow during our visit is that young children are exposed to a disciplined way of life, where they value not only traditional culture, and value systems but also become good citizens and allegiance to nation building.
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