General Articles

Over speeding & rash driving killing thousands of people on Indian roads

Lakshmana Venkat KuchiIs it surprising that India “kills” many of her children and adolescents in avoidable road accidents ? It is true and absolutely shocking that India has been steadily “killing” its children, adolescents, and a..

Emergence of Manipur in historical perspective

Gangmumei KameiTreaty of Yandabu and Maharaja Gambhir SinghThe treaty of Yandabu recognized the independence of Manipur and her king Gambhir Singh who reconquered his kingdom from the Burmese. Manipur regained her territory and independence by force of ar..

What is AI ? Definition, uses, and types

Coursera Staff Contd from previous issueto a destination, or translating text from one language to another. Some of the most common examples of AI in use today include: ChatGPT: Uses large language models (LLMs) to generate text in response to questions o..

Emergence of Manipur in historical perspective

Gangmumei KameiManipur is a cradle of human civilization and creativity of which her people are really proud of. This ancient kingdom emerged out of the valley of Manipur that is situated amidst the mountainous ranges of the eastern Himalayas which divide..

BRIC-IBSD : Exploring the Microbial Bioresources of NER

Dr W Mohendro Singh, Senior Administrative Officer, IBSD, ImphalInstitute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) the only institute in North Eastern Region (NER) in the ambit of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) under the De..

What is AI ? Definition, uses, and types

Coursera Staff Contd from last SaturdayYet, despite the many philosophical disagreements over whether “true” intelligent machines actually exist, when most people use the term AI today, they’re referring to a suite of machine learning-powered technolog..

Puri Temple kitchen – A sneak peek

S BalakrishnanRecently, on a pilgrimage to Shri Jagannatha Temple in Puri, we had the opportunity to sneak peek into the sacred kitchen of the temple and learn about its unique features:  The food that is prepared in the kitchen and offered to the br..

Pre-conditional talk needs differentiation of negotiation from appeasement

YenningOctober 15 will always remain a special day. No other date has more profound impact on the political and socio-economic trajectory of Manipur. October 15 is perhaps the most significant day in the history of Manipur. Its significance is unlikely to..

Ibudhou Mongba Hanba & Hanuman Ji

Free ThinkerFor centuries Manipur has been a melting pot for multifarious cultures, costumes, customs, cants, communities and so on and so forth. So, we are so confused and confounded and sometimes we have become quarrelsome and violent. Quite often inter..

A jewel of Manipur : Promoting tourism at Thanga Chaoba Hilltop

Heisnam Devan SinghContd from previous issueWhile the beauty and potential for tourism in the region are evident, one must question why the Government of Manipur has yet to fully embrace and develop these sites as major tourist attractions. Despite the en..

District reversal-Restructure for State integrity

Birendra LaishramIn the year 1961, the State of Manipur existed as a single district, structured into ten distinct subdivisions: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishenpur, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Mao & Sadar Hills, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Churachandpur and Tengnoupal..

Nongpok Thong Hangba–The prophecy of opening of eastern corridor

Haorokcham AnilDisintegration of the erstwhile USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) into fifteen (15) independent countries in 1991 was one the most remarkable events leading to the end of the Cold War, a sigh of global relief. However, from the Ind..

A jewel of Manipur : Promoting tourism at Thanga Chaoba Hilltop

Heisnam Devan SinghIn the heart of North East India lies the mesmerizing State of Manipur, often referred to as the “Land of Jewel”. This picturesque region is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich culture, and unique biodiversity. Among it..

What is AI ? Definition, uses, and types

Coursera Staff Contd from previous issueWhat is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that historically required human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, ..

BJP’s victory : A testament to development and unity

Dr Wahengbam Rorrkychand SinghThe Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) triumph in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) marks a historic milestone, reaffirming the party’s role as a bearer of hope for millions across India. These victories under..

Fragrances to wear this Festive Season

Shahnaz Husain Festival and wedding season is here and it is time to prepare for endless celebrations, family gatherings, and social events that stretch from early-morning rituals to late-night parties. It is the time of year when families, friends a..

Manipur Nagas should state what they want

Ngaranmi ShimrayThe reaction of Manipur Nagas (Southern Nagas) on important issues seem to be very slow. For instance, the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has urged the Government of India recently at the end of September 2024 to restore the FMR (F..

What is AI ? Definition, uses, and types Coursera Staff

Contd from previous issueIn this article, you’ll learn more about artificial intelligence, what it actually does, and different types of it. In the end, you’ll also learn about some of its benefits and dangers and explore flexible courses that..

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) : Are our farms and economy ready ?

Yaruikhan Ningshen Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a widespread animal disease caused by an aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae that affects cloven-hoofed farm animals (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat and pig) and a variety of wildlife species. Althou..

Learning English communication in the age of Artificial Intelligence

Oinam Nabakishore Singh (IAS Retd)My own early education in Manipur was in my own vernacular, Manipuri or Meiteilon medium. Resul-tantly, my English commu- nication skill till now, in late seventies, despite fairly good exposure to English medium educatio..

Attacking the villages of Scheduled Castes

Birendra LaishramSince the onset of the Kuki armed offensive against the Meitei, attacks on Scheduled Castes have persisted, with insufficient protection from armed forces, violating Constitutional protections for these communities. Numerous Meitei minori..

Diminishing trend of home garden practices in Manipur

Sylvania Moirangthem and Dr RS LoushambamHome gardens represent a well-established local approach extensively utilised by communities with limited resources and institutional backing. These gardens play a significant role in numerous developing nations' a..

Culture-saving literature with reference to L Somi Roy's works

N Tonikabe Devi (Research Scholar)Manipur is a land of diverse traditions and cultural patterns, with its rich cultural heritage reflected in its dance, folklore, ballads, and more. In the literary field, authors have contributed various literary works to..

Time to conserve the genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur

Thounaojam Monica Devi, Neekee ThangjamContd from precvious issue High extant genetic diversities and the enormous quantity of seed produced by out-crossed parent trees support adaptive responses to climate. These genetic diversities ensure forest trees s..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueSometimes the server of 'Meta', the company that operates WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook etc. gets stalled, and sometimes Google's performance slows down. Cyber attacks and hacking have shocked the world. It is true that..

Time to conserve the genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur

Thounaojam Monica Devi, Neekee ThangjamContd from precvious issue jhum or shifting cultivation, conversion of forests for non-forestry purposes like infrastructure development etc., and warming due to global climate change. SFR (2021) reported roughly 500..

Was there a need for SoO pact with Kuki-Zo armed groups ?

Oinam Nabakishore Singh, IAS(Retd.)Why did the Kuki-Zo community members form about thirty armed groups in Manipur since late 1980s ? Were they set up with the objective to create a separate territory from the Union of India outside India or to set up a s..

Environment and wildlife ethics for co-existence

Dr N Munal MeiteiEnvironmental ethics is the philosophy that studies the ethical relationship between human beings and the environment. Environmental ethics has given a new dimension to the conservation of natural resources. Human beings are a part of the..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueThis company is said to play an important role in investigating cyber attacks around the world. But the latest incident has raised questions on the credibility of CrowdStrike company as well as Microsoft. Similarly, in ..

Celebrating machine learning with the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics

Dr Pangambam Sendash Singh As the world eagerly anticipates the annual announcement of the Nobel Prizes, there’s a palpable excitement that accompanies this celebration of human achievement. The Nobel Prize, established by Alfred Nobel in 1895, serv..

Manipur’s society : At a glance

Marjing MayanglambamI believe that regular constructive critique and feedbacks from the public is a healthy means towards developing that society. Silently spectating the ups and downs of a society’s progress is not what a responsible citizen must d..

World Sight Day 2024: A call for action on eye health

Dr Noornika KhuraijamAs we observe World Sight Day 2024, it is crucial to reflect on the importance of eye health and the global challenges that continue to hinder access to essential eye care services. With the theme “Love Your Eyes”, this ye..

Time to conserve the genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur

Thounaojam Monica Devi, Neekee ThangjamBiodiversity hotspots are the regions considered to exhibit a high level of endemism of the native species. Since Manipur maintains a large number of endemic species, it is one of few states in North East India where..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from last SaturdayA software update recently caused such a huge digital disaster. This company is considered an expert in cyber security. It is claimed that corporate networks and cloud networks of large companies, airlines, emergency ser..

RSS centenary celebration begins

Free ThinkerIn 1925, at Nagpur, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh popularly known as RSS on Vijayadashami day .i.e., the Dussehra which celebrates the assassination of Sri Ravana in Sri Lanka by Sri Ram for abduction of hi..

Memories of a National Memorial

S BalakrishnanThe Sunday of 11th February 1979 was not a lazy Sunday for the usually sleepy little town of Port Blair which otherwise got active only when the weekly Calcutta flight touched down or ships from mainland ports of Calcutta and Madras berthed ..

Hand washing: A step towards a healthier world

Prabhat KishoreWorld Handwashing Day is a global day to promote hand washing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.Since 2008, this day is celebrated every year on October 15 all over the world and people a..

Hypocrisy and Nari Shakti

Kajal ChatterjeeThough all festivals are supposed to bring joy to all sections of the society, the fact remains that "celebrations" like Durga Puja provide a "nice" platform for the rich and upper-middle classes to flaunt their  wealth in the form of..

Yuval Harari exposes power and AI nexus

Ranjan YumnamYuval Noah Harari is not your usual run-of-the-mill writer. After the runaway success of his book, Sapiens : A Brief History of Humankind, he has become one of the best-known public intellectuals. Critics dismiss him as a peddler of snake oil..

World Mental Health Day 2024 It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace

Dr Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueThis means fostering a culture of openness, where mental health conversations are normalized, and where seeking support is viewed as a sign of strength rather than a weakness.One way to break down this stigma is ..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueThe latest digital tsunami occurred when a company implemented a legitimate and possibly tried and tested technique like a software update. But imagine what happens when a hostile country, hacker or terrorist group deli..

Ratan Tata : Great human being, super businessman, first Indian globalist

R Jagannathan (Courtesy Swarajya)In the passing of Ratan Naval Tata (86) on 9 October, India lost an extraordinary businessman, human being, and patriot. He revived the group’s fortunes at a difficult time and proved to be a more-than-worthy inherit..

Keep your skin glowing during the festival season

Shahnaz HusainThe festive season has already begun and optimism is in the air.  Festival season is a magical time filled with music, dance, lights, unforgettable memories and most importantly, reconnecting with family and friends and getting the part..

World Mental Health Day 2024 It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace

Dr Gangmumei KameiOn World Mental Health Day 2024, the focus turns to an increasingly urgent issue: mental health in the workplace. The theme of this year, “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” highlights the critical need..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueThis is a recent example of a software glitch, but this can also happen due to a computer virus attack or a cyber attack by an enemy country. It is possible that the situation may worsen due to the satellites through wh..

World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2024 Mental Health at Work

Dr Nelson LoitongbamTucked away in the second or third pages of the newspapers, the headings read like “26 years old CA dies in sleep in Pune”, “32 years old CEO of a Software start-up collapses on the stage and declared dead in Bangalor..

World Mental Health Day 2024

Dr (Prof) N Heramani HOD, Dr Chaoba AP, Dr Meesha SR, Dr Nomita CPWorld Mental Health Day was established on October 10, 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health.Since then, it has been observed every year with the aim of raising awareness in the gl..

Growing fears of technological disaster

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueThere is also a possibility that some faulty system operating within it might do such a thing and the world would remain cheated. Today, the way hospitals are being run all over the world through the network of computer..

The first use of weaponised drones in a civil conflict in India

Rajkumar Panthoiren On the 1st September this year, a rather strange history was scripted, leaving behind a trail of dead and injured civilians and evoking National shock at the audacity. It will go down in history as the first weaponised drone attack dep..

Manipur: A jewel under siege–Understanding the crisis and seeking solutions

Dipak KurmiFor the past 17 months, Manipur has remained in the National spotlight, a State grappling with a deep-rooted crisis that erupted into widespread violence following a Manipur High Court order on March 27, 2023.While the Court order was the immed..