Acting Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commissions Khaidem Mani underlined the importance of Election Manifesto of the political parties and the need to monitor the malpractices during the elections
TFM Desk
People’s Campaign for Resurgent Manipur (PCRM) on Monday celebrated the 10th anniversary of its launch with the theme: “Meeyamgi Leingak, Miyamgi Thoudang: Eikhoi Houjik Kari Tougaani?”
The function was presided over by Dr RK Nimai (Retd. IAS) and attended by Acting Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commissions Khaidem Mani as the chief guest and IRAP editor Pradip Phanjoubam and HRA Director Babloo Loitongbam as the Guests of Honour.
In his speech, Khaidem Manipur stressed on the need to move for electoral reform, especially the present system of “first past the post”. “We the citizens are responsible for the sad state of affairs in the state,” he said. In democracy, election is a crucial issue of exercising human rights, he added. He further underlined the importance of Election Manifesto of the political parties and the need to monitor the malpractices during the elections.
Pradip Phanjoubam reminded the gathering that there is a need to shape critical thinking and a healthy public sphere. He said, “It is time we act now, and there is no option but to act.”
Babloo Loitongbam highlighted the need to co-ordinate amongst civil society groups in order to make institutions accountable.
In his presidential speech, RK Nimai said that “what is to be done” is a tough question. System may be good but it’s the people who would make it function. There is a lack of ethical value, not only in Manipur but also in the country, he said.
He regretted the lack of intellectual engagement in an informed manner. He said there is a tendency to abuse people rather than engaging with people’s views. “We also have a tendency to justify mistakes rather than acknowledging it and seeking to correct the same,” he said, emphasizing the need to monitor the financial aspect in elections.
Earlier, Dr Bimol Akoijam, Member, Committee of Conveners, PCRM narrated the activities of PCRM during the last ten years and also informed that PCRM shall produce a Policy Document listing issues of public importance for wider circulation and public deliberation. This shall be followed by a “Citizens’ Charter” listing public issues and policy matters which must be addressed by the legislators in the coming five years.
The celebration began with Prof Shanta Laishram, Member, Committee of Conveners, PCRM welcoming the invitees. James Mayengbam, Member, Committee of Conveners, PCRM conducted the function as the master of ceremonies.
It may be recalled that founded on October 18, 2011, PCRM is a group of citizens of and from Manipur who are concerned with the prevailing state of affairs in our state and thereby seeking a change towards a new and better Manipur wherein the people—as collective and individuals—can live with dignity and well-being.
The campaign seeks to fight against the private and vested interests that seek to undermine the basic fabric of a collective life in Manipur and bring about a new political culture wherein public morality and issues of public importance play significant role in our society and polity.
As its aims and objectives of the campaign, PCRM seeks to fight against the private and vested interests that seek to undermine the basic fabric of a collective life in Manipur and bring about a new political culture wherein public morality and issues of public importance play significant role in our society and polity
Correspondingly, the Campaign seeks to cultivate a culture of dialogue and debates in order to generate informed opinions and choices on public issues and make the political class, public institutions and leaders accountable to the citizens as individuals and as a collective. In pursuance of the above aims, the Campaign seeks to encourage and cultivate the involvement of private citizens in the affairs of the collective, and engage and monitor the functioning of public offices and institutions as well as the ways in which public officials and elected representatives of the people respond to or address the issues of public importance.
WHO INITIATED THIS CAMPAIGN? This Campaign has been initiated by a group of citizens—mainly, professionals, students, youths — of and from Manipur who are concerned with the prevailing state of affairs in our beloved state and thereby seeking a change towards a new and better Manipur wherein the people—as collective and individuals—can live with dignity and well-being. However, those who have initiated the Campaign are only the facilitators and co-participants of a process for a resurgent Manipur. The Campaign is fundamentally all about self initiative and involvement of each and every citizen of Manipur to bring about a change in the affairs of our beloved state. Thus, it is, and has to be, a Campaign of the citizens, for the citizens and by the citizens.