General Articles

Free Movement Regime (FMR) : A historical and contemporary impression

Hareshwar Goshwami, Writer & Political ActivistThe Indo-Myanmar border, extending approxi- mately 1,643 km through the rugged hills and valleys of the North East, represents not only a political boundary but also a deeply socio-cultural one, traversin..

Vande Mataram : The eternal mantra of National consciousness

Binanda KhundrapamThe National song Vande Mataram played a significant role in Bharat’s independence movement and was first published in Chatterjee’s Bengali novel Anandamath in 1875. The word Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit phrase whose meaning a..

Vande Mataram : One Song, One Soul, One India

Dr Sachchidanand JoshiContd from previous issueIn our culture, the Mother is not theological but terrestrial. She is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the language we speak.The first two stanzas — officially adopted—describe rivers, fiel..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issue* Type of Accommodation: Single occupancy rooms or suites cost more than shared rooms.* Level of Care: Basic care (food, lodging, minor assistance) is less expensive than assisted living or advanced care requiring conti..

Polluted wombs and silent sufferings: How the environment is stealing our fertility

Dr Th Manimala DeviIn today’s fast-paced India, we often talk about health in terms of balanced diets, fitness routines, or mental well-being. Infertility, rarely discussed, however, is a quieter crisis unfolding in homes and hearths across the coun..

Dr Salim Ali, the Birdman of India

Dr N Munal Meitei“I suppose I have done my bit, it’s now up to you young people” Dr Salim AliNovember 12, is the birthday of Dr Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali known as the ‘Birdman of India’. He was born in 1896 at Mumbai and was..

Vande Mataram : One Song, One Soul, One India

Dr Sachchidanand JoshiContd from previous issueIt was in this moment of quiet rebellion that on Sunday, 7th November 1875—Akshay Navami—at his residence near Calcutta, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee took up his pen. In what his contemporaries calle..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Contd from previous issue* On-site or on-call nurses and doctors.* Regular health check-ups and medication management.* Physiotherapy and wellness programs (e.g., yoga, meditation). Additional Amenities (Especially in Premium Homes):* Recreational and Soc..

Role of traditional knowledge systems in cultural continuity among the Zelianrongs

Dr Budha KameiIntroductionThe Rongmei people, one of the indigenous groups inhabit the eastern most corner of India. Like other tribal communities they also have their own rich culture and tradition. Traditional knowledge systems (TKS) include the indigen..

Navigating a new dawn: How waterways are redefining connectivity in the NE

Sarbananda SonowalFor decades, the Northeast has stood at the crossroads of geography and imagination — a region blessed with nature’s bounty, yet limited by sparse connectivity. Rugged terrain, dense forests, and fragile roads have long shape..

Vande Mataram : One Song, One Soul, One India

Dr Sachchidanand Joshi“Mother, I bow to thee!Rich with thy hurrying streams,Bright with thy orchard gleams,Cool with the winds of delight,Dark fields waving, Mother of might,Mother free.Glory of moonlight dreamsOver thy branches and lordly streamsCl..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Vijay Garg Contd from last Saturday* Search for Community and Security: Many seniors seek an environment where companionship is readily available, mitigating loneliness and depression. These homes also provide a secure, senior-friendly environment with em..

Churchill’s moment : Manipur’s Opium challenge

Chongboi HaokipTrue leadership inspires lasting change, definitely when driven by integrity and the courage to stand by one’s convictions. I sincerely believe we can do it together against this opium crisis in Manipur. I view Manipur as one and grie..

Trying to read the Governor’s mind

Free ThinkerOne of the toughest jobs is to read the mind of a seasoned Bureaucrat, that too, cut and dried on Raisina Hills. What is more intrinsic about him is that he was groomed by the Modi-Shah duo. A person who worked directly under the strongest twi..

Introduction of AI education from the primary level : A transformative initiative

Dr Priyanka SaurabhThis Government of India initiative embodies the spirit of the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisions education not just as a means to employment but as a means to build citizens equipped with life skills, technical und..

The quest for change and prosperity

Samson KamsonAbstractThis article traces a reflective journey through both secular and spiritual perspectives in seeking genuine change and lasting prosperity. It affirms that while systems and reforms are essential, enduring transformation can only arise..

Soaring air fares in Imphal and Govt response with “Fare Se Fursat” scheme

Rahul KhangembamAir travel has become prohibitively expensive for Meiteis. The current situation highlights serious issues with air travel for passengers traveling to and from Imphal. During the festive season, fare hike was expected, which is common but..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueDrivers of the TrendSeveral factors are fueling the growing demand for paid old-age homes. * Changing Family Structures : The rise of nuclear families, increased professional mobility, and children relocating overseas o..

Amusing but a lesson in public administration

Jarnail SinghThe present system of project implementation and purchase of equipment in Government and its agencies is through engagement of contractors through tenders. The quality of projects implemented depend on the quality of contractors. Similarly th..

Hair care during pregnancy

Shahnaz HusainPregnancy is the time when the body of a woman goes through a lot of changes physically and on the hormone level. For instance, the gestation period when the body is invested in nurturing the foetus all the nutrition is supplemented or rathe..

Vande Mataram : The first proclamation of cultural Nationalism

Amit ShahIn the long and inspiring journey of our Nation’s history, there have been many defining moments when songs and art became the soul of movements, shaping collective emotion into action. Be it the war songs of Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajR..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Vijay Garg Contd from previous issueUnlike charitable homes, these private facilities operate on a commercial model, offering varying levels of service to meet diverse needs, from completely independent living to assisted living and specialized memory car..

With whom did you build ?

Sqn Ldr Vidula V Abhyankar (Retd)“What you are building never matters as much as who you are building it with.” Tony FadellIn his book Build, Tony Fadell provides insights through his personal anecdotes about the most impactful products and pe..

Persistence of caste prejudice among the educated class

Dr Priyanka SaurabhCaste has been an institution within the Indian social structure, influencing a person's life from birth to death. The framers of the Constitution envisioned an India where individual identity would be based on their abilities, morality..

The rise of paid old-Age homes : A new paradigm for seniors

Vijay Garg The concept of senior living is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond traditional expectations as modern life presents new challenges to multi-generational households. Paid, or private, old-age homes (often referred to as retir..

Who will guard the speakers ? Soft targets and the crisis of public reason

Homen ThangjamMy office, lined with books, has always been a sanctuary for reasoned debate. Stepping into the public square—through symposia, seminars. op-eds, television panels, or social media—once felt like a natural extension of that duty..

A brewing crisis: Millions of women still lack access to family planning

Shobha ShuklaThe landscape of sexual and reproductive health and rights is shifting: millions of women want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern method of contraception.Modern contraceptives are essential and life-saving, and yet an estimated 224..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueAward of K.C.S.I (1934)Viceroy Lord Irwin accompanied by Lady Irwin and his daughter Miss Anneewood visitedManipur. He was given a great reception by the Maharaja of Manipur. Lord Irwin was an intelligent British st..

Mahalaya : The eternal

Kajal Chatterjee Contd from previous issue"Who is it that says I am not there that morning?/ You will call me by a new name/ I will be there to join in every game/You will encircle me with renewed ties/  And I will come and go as usual --- the eterna..

When the sky becomes a cage : Manipur’s people are paying not for free market but State-enabled monopoly of suffering

Nil KonsamFor more than 30 months, the Meitei people of Manipur have been cut off from the rest of India by road. The long-standing disruption has turned what was once a day’s journey to Guwahati or Silchar into an impossibility. The only way out of..

Marum Konbi The Meetei game that encodes time, strategy, and ancestral wisdom

Ayekpam Shyamkumar Every game, tradition, rhyme, or lullaby of the Meeteis carries a purpose—an underlying meaning that transcends entertainment. Marum Konbi, meaning “egg incubation,” is one such traditional outdoor strategy game. Playe..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueRaja Churachand Singh was a child of destiny. After his selection as the Raja, the Political Agent provided enough funds for the maintenance of the Raja and his family of two mothers and eight children. The maternal..

Mahalaya : The eternal

Kajal Chatterjee Contd from previous issue-Again nobody can vouch for the existence of the soul high above, but there lies no doubt that such a thought indeed applies a balm to the heart as if the ancestors are appreciating our respect and in turn blessin..

When Words Wound The Biren-Bimol verbal war and the poverty of political discourse in Manipur

Dr Raj Singh(Backdrop: After three years of failure, Manipur’s politicians seem to have gone out of their wits to save their own backs. The war-fatigued and reconciliation-hungry people still see no leader who can guide them to peace. The relief-sta..

Veganism is for Health and Environment

Dr N Munal Meitei“When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. Veganism is not a sacrifice, it’s an awakening”Our environment provides us everything. But human is pushing our planet to its limits and we’re paying the price. If we don..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueThough the Manipur State Durbar did not permit Christian missionary work, the individual Christian families lived in the urban areas. The first Meitei Christian convert was A Porom Singh, a student of William Pettig..

Mahalaya : The eternal

Kajal Chatterjee Contd from previous issue--- just no change, all things simply remaining the same!But for the mourner, nature or life undergoes a sea change as far as appreciation is concerned. The river which had previously inspired awe or delight in mi..

Karang electrification : Novel experiences

Jarnail SinghThe February 1990 general elections to Manipur Legislative Assembly produced a coalition Government headed by RK Ranbir Singh of Manipur Peoples’ Party. Even after the elections, I continued to hold charges of Power and Planning Departm..

Hari Uthan and marriage in AI Age

Free ThinkerIt  is  really surprising to learn the fact that scholars, thinkers, doctors, engineers , professionals, and even scientists are actually waiting for the auspicious marriage season, religiously specified. In other words they marry wh..

Vithalbhai Patel, another illustrious Patel

S BalakrishnanUntil I came across an old Indian postal stamp in my collection I was not aware of Vithalbhai Patel (What a shame!) Was he related to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ? This was my very first thought. Yes, indeed. The search confirmed Vithalbhai as..

Manipur’s Opium economy : A test of duty and conscience

Chongboi Haokip, MCIHort“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)Many may wonder if I am soft w..

Manipur : Living sans elected bodies

Mangal KhundongbamIndia’s Constitution is not merely a book of laws, tt is a promise that every person will have a say in how they are governed.Democracy means power belongs to the people.Since February 2025, Manipur has been surviving in the absenc..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueWilliam Pettigrew was disappointed but Maxwell came to his rescue that he might work among the Tangkhul Nagas of north eastern hills of Manipur. Pettigrew established his mission at Ukhrul. He acted both as a missio..

Mahalaya : The eternal

Kajal Chatterjee Contd from previous issueWhile travelling in a night train few days after the death of his young son Shamindranath, Tagore noted how the moon continues to shower its beam on the world and how the nature remained absolutely unaffected desp..

Of horses, humans and hollow work Why Manipur’s work culture produces fatigue, not progress

Dr Raj SinghWhen Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, declared that citizens should “work like a horse” and discard “work-life balance” as a Western luxury, it reignited a global debate on the meaning of produc..

Kids Makeup

Shahnaz HusainIs your little one often digging through your makeup bag or reaching for your lipstick ? You’re not alone. Chances are, your child is being exposed online, on social media, YouTube videos to endless cosmetic products that promote beaut..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueThe women folk of the State were shocked at the punishment of the six Rajkumars. The market women came out spontaneously and organized a big demonstration. They marched to the Residency and protested against the Pol..

Mahalaya : The eternal

Kajal Chatterjee Contd from previous issueThe only thing that he has left behind is nothing but trails of memories.The noted Algerian writer Mouloud Benzadi pens  "When the pretty birds have flown/ And you feel hurt and alone/Be strong and carry on /..

The Iron Man’s Vision What Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary means today

Dr Wahengbam Rorrky ChandNational Unity Day marks Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary each October 31st. This celebration honors India’s ‘Iron Man’ and his monumental contributions to the Nation. The day, also known as Ras..

Colonial policy and practice in Manipur

Gangmumei KameiContd from previous issueA great mistake was the absence of any clear cut specific provision for the administration of hill areas under the Rules of management of State of Manipur which was introduced in 1907. This mistake was pointed out b..