Yengkhom Gunchenba, current MSAD president while delivering his remarks, observed that MSAD celebrating its 50th anniversary is by no means an easy achievement. He pointed out that an organisation that has survived over the last five decades cannot be treated as an ordinary organisation but a formidable entity cherished by all.
TFM Report by Keisham Donny
The Manipur Students’ Association (MSAD) on Sunday released its 50th anniversary souvenir magazine in a simple function held at The Readers’ Bookstore, Heijigang Keithel, Canchipur near Manipur University.
The souvenir magazine release function was co-chaired by former executive members of MSAD Dhiren A. Sadokpam (Vice-President MSAD 1991-92), Ningthoukhongjam Satyajeet (General Secretary 1992-93), Ranjeeta Sadokpam (Rejuvenation Committee and Interim Working Group Member 2007, and Damudor Arambam, former active member and advisor, who is also the convenor of the souvenir production team.
Yengkhom Gunchenba, current MSAD president while delivering his remarks, observed that MSAD celebrating its 50th anniversary is by no means an easy achievement. He expressed deep gratitude to all who had helped in the growth of MSAD and also to those who have generously contributed their share in the production of this souvenir. He also pointed out that an organisation that has survived over the last five decades cannot be treated as an ordinary organisation but a formidable entity cherished by all.
Dhiren A. Sadokpam, current Editor-in-Chief of The Frontier Manipur while recalling and sharing his experience on the occasion remarked that his “understanding of the political-economy and issues confronted by the Northeast region had been sharpened after serving MSAD as a volunteer, office bearer and also as the advisor while living in Delhi”. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those who founded, shaped and nurtured MSAD as an organisation leaving an inerasable stamp in their own professional and personal lives.
Ningthoukhongjam Satyajeet, who is currently a senior journalist with the United News of India (UNI) said that his experience with MSAD has reinforced his belief in honesty, accountability and collective living. He said, “It is through the experience of working and volunteering for MSAD, most students hailing from Manipur rediscover their own diverse cultures and ethnic differences while vouching for traditional harmony and integrity. The activities of MSAD managed to infuse all of us to love and respect for our homeland”.
Ranjeeta Sadokpam, currently with the Human Rights Alert, Manipur also recalled the difficult times MSAD members had while trying to perform to the best of their abilities during her student days in Delhi. While sharing her experience, she also urged current members of MSAD “to be sensitive to gender issues for a truthful representation of societies we belong to”.
Damudor Arambam, the convenor of the souvenir production team, also briefly narrated on how the souvenir magazine was conceptualized, edited and finally produced with the kind help of former members and volunteers despite scant time and resources.
A press release issued by Vandana Mutum, Organisation Secretary on the occasion also said that the hardcopy of the souvenir magazine is now available for the public in Manipur at Readers’ Bookstore, Heijigang Keithel, Canchipur near Manipur University.