*(All Manipur Muslim Girls Students’ Union celebrates its 10th Foundation Day)*

Preserving one’s own Culture and Identity should not harm other Communities’, says Gaikhangam*

*(All Manipur Muslim Girls Students’ Union celebrates its 10th Foundation Day)*

TMB Report

IMPHAL: Former Deputy Chief Minister and Member of All India Congress Working Committee, Gaikhangam on Thursday said that the interest of other communities should not be harmed or compromised while preserving and protecting one’s own culture and identity, and respecting each other sentiments will bring a healthy society.

“I wish to see a mutual love between the people of the Hills and valley and between different other communities and strengthen the cohesive bonding between the people of Manipur. I hope in rebuilding the past cultures of love between different communities in future,” he said while delivering a speech at the 10th Foundation Day Celebration of All Manipur Muslim Girls Students’ Union (AMMGSU) held at Imphal Hotel, Sangai Hall.

Appreciating the Students’ Union, Gaikhangam stated that AMMGSU is the only students’ organization meant only for girls, which has its uniqueness, he said, and encouraged the Union to work continuously in order to uplift the girls from Muslim community. “Association is a passport to grow, coming together is the beginning, keeping together is a progress and working together is an achievement,” he said.

Comparing the conservative practices of Muslim and Zeliangrong Community due to cultural and religious matters, he said the conservative nature is suppressing the status of women from exposure to the outside world. He urged the students to bring change for peace, progress and development. There has been many change in the Muslim society, he said and added that if the community moves at the current pace, Muslim girls students could overtake the rest of the society in many field after 20 years.

He further said that women have to play a great role within a family in order to bring a better society. If the root of a particular thing is not clean, the branches will not be cleaned either, he added.

On the issue of reservation, Gaikhangam said, “Congress government had implemented four percent reservation for the Muslim communities in Manipur, and it is the duty of the present government to increase it to 10 percent.”

He further urged the people to search, stand and work for the truth in order to build inter-communal harmony.

As a part of the function, different categories of awards were distributed. The Best Educational Partner Award, 2018 was presented to Fancier Abhiram Higher Secondary School, Thoubal; and the State Health Excellence Award was given to Public hospital and Research Institute, Imphal.  Best Editor Award for Print Media, and Electronic Media were presented to the Editor of The Sangai Express, Khogendra Khomdram; and the Chief Editor ISTV News, Brozendro Ningomba respectively.

State Education Excellence Award was given to COMET School, Changangei; and the 18th position holder of Higher Secondary Examination, 2018, conducted by COHSEM, Korimayum Firdoz was also felicitated at the function.

The function was attended by Konthoujam Govindas, MLA, Bishnupur A/C, as the President and Janab AR Khan, Retd. IAS, Advisor AMMGSU, as Guest of Honour. Students, professors, CSO leaders, intellectuals and others also attended the celebration.