- T. Kaithang
SEMINAR And WORKSHOP ON STABLE LAND BASED FARMING FOR THE HILL PEOPLE OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
My friends from the Delhi Paite Indongta (DPI for short) and Zomi Economic Planning And Development Agency(ZEPADA for short) have allowed me this rare privilege of taking the Introductory and Welcome address on this historic Seminar & Workshop on Stable Land-based Farming for the Hill People of the North East(India). As I do so, it will be only fitting if you allow me to go back a bit on how this momentous project took shape.
When the newly elected batch of Governing Body of DPI met in Delhi for a full consultation on 15th August 2007, we decided to start projects for interventions in medical as well as economic development awareness creation. In the meeting with Mr. G.K.Pillai, Commerce Secretary, on 11th December, 2007, we timidly discussed our plans to hold a seminar in Delhi. His immediate response was, “Why in Delhi, why not in Lamka where you can reach out to more people?”. This prompted us to plunge into our project for this Seminar and Workshop. All through our preparation for this seminar and workshop, Mr. G.K.Pillai, has been there to guide us, help us, and encourage us. And the proof of all what we claim is his personal presence today despite his many important and pressing engagements not only in India, but all over the globe. We salute and welcome you Sir, Pu Pillai. There is no explanation for such amazing care and concern you have for us.
We were hoping that Mrs. Veena Sreeram Rao, Secretary, Ministry for Development of North-Eastern Region, would be joining us today. Unfortunately, she has not been able to make it due to other commitments.
This two day event was preceded by a lot of ground work. The leadership of ZEPADA, a grassroots organization based in Lamka (CCPur) enthusiastically came forward to take care of the ground level work. Thus, we saw survey teams from Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Spices Board and APEDA arriving since middle of March and surveying and assessing the soil and other enabling/deterring conditions for growing or cultivating plants or herbs. The presentations that we are about to see and hear are based on what they have actually witnessed on the ground.
Our utmost desire is to see that the benefits of this “happening” should be reaped by the main stakeholders – the farmers. Thus, participants have been invited from the interior hilly sub-divisions. You see here farmers coming from far-off places under Parbung sub-divisions, Thanlon sub-divisions, Henglep sub-divisions, Singngat sub-divisions, Churachandpur sub-division, and not forgetting special participants from Sialkal range of neighbouring Mizoram state. May I request them to stand up so that we may welcome them?
No seminar or workshop can succeed unless we have skilled and experienced resource persons. Thus, we have in our midst the experts from Spices Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, APEDA, and National Horticulture Mission. Dear Sirs, you probably will never quite realize how excited we are by your presence because we see in you the beginning of a beautiful and fruitful relationship. We welcome you from our hearts.
The neighbouring state of Mizoram has of late started making appearances in the national and international flower market. This is one of the many reasons we look to Mizoram. We are truly fortunate to have very special team of resource persons from the Directorate of Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram, who have very kindly agreed to share their expertise with our rural folks in the field of floriculture. We, therefore welcome Mrs. Margaret Lalthanzami, Horticulture Development Officer, and Mr. Remruatpuia, Extension Officer, who are itching to share what they know provided we know what to ask for when we are there in the Workshop tomorrow. Let us welcome them.
The seminar and workshop with the farmers has been enriched by the personal presence of respected Chairman of Spices Board, Mr. V.J.Kurian, IAS; the Chairman of Tea Board Mr. Basudeb Banerjee, IAS, who is accompanied by Mr. C.Saikia, Executive Director for North east; the Chairman of Coffee Board Mr. G.V.Krishna Rau who kindly wrote to us his regret for not being here today- is represented by Dr.Jayarama, Director(Research); the Chairman of APEDA Mr. Asit Kumar Tripathi IAS; the Deputy Commissioner of Horticulture Dr. Sahadeva Singh.
We are encouraged by the presence of Mr. Raj Singh, Director in the Commerce Ministry, who patiently interacted with us all along; Mr.R.Chandrasekhar, Director(Development), Mr.B.M.Nizamuddin, Dy.Director, Mr.S.Nallakannu and Mr.B.J.Brahma, Astt.Director of Spices Board; Mr.G.Boriah, Director of Tea Development, Mr. A.K.Sarma and Mr. B.K.Goswami of Tea Board; Dr. A.B.Ramprasad, Jt.Director and Mr. Langthasa, Dy.Director of Coffee Board; Mr.Tarun Bajaj, Dy.Gen.Manager, and Mr. B.Barua, Regional Manager of APEDA. , and Mr. P.C.Panda, Sr.Zonal Manager of NERAMAC.
We also have pleasure to introduce Mr. Kamkhenthang Guite, Jt.Director, and Mr. H.Chinzason, Section Officer, from the Ministry of DoNER.
The host for this “happening” as already known is ZEPADA, an organization in which all of the governing body voluntarily work as one. In fact, this hall and the spacious and well managed facility in the form of Rayburn College is the institution the conductor of today built up to serve the community. He is ably supported by a team of dedicated members who work day and night to see that the seminar takes place. Let us give a big hand to the ZEPADA team.
It would be a blunder of Himalayan proportion if we forget the comforting participation and involvement of the State Government. We miss Mr. Jarnail Singh, the Chief Secretary, who had to be away today. However we are assured by the presence of Mr. D.S.Poonia, Mr. P.C.Lawmkunga, Mr. L.Gonmei, Mr. P.Vaiphei and Mr. Vumlunmang, and others from the Government of Manipur, that there will be the much needed governmental support as and when initiatives are taken up post –Seminar and Workshop.
Finally, just in case the name of the organizer, Delhi Paite Indongta, is viewed as exclusive by a few people because the word Paite stands for a tribe. To help assuage such feelings, if any, allow me to bring out two incidents. In the mid sixties, I had a classmate here in Don Bosco High School, who bore the name Nathu Singh, a name given in gratitude in memory of the person who reportedly saved his father, an army man, from a tricky situation. The name appeared highly inappropriate because the boy was(and is) as Mizo as, say, the present Chief Minister of Mizoram. As he progressed he began to face problems in such things as getting tribal scholarship, etc. purely because everyone thought a person with such a name could not be a Mizo. He has since changed his name to a more acceptable Mizo name like Zorammuana.
In 2003-2004, I was touring in Mizoram as regional manager in SBI. In a branch, I met a young staff, having such complexion as would easily be taken as a person hailing from Cachar or Hailakandi district of Assam. I spoke to him in my own passable Hindi. He then told me in Mizo that his name was (and is) Malsawma. When he would come to deliver dak in my office occasionally, he would emphasized to my office staff that he is a true Mizo, and not some “vai” from Cachar or Hailakandi.
What do these two mean? Only that names can be misleading or appearances also can be equally misleading and that names do not determine everything. We in DPI, and supported by ZEPADA, would like to impress everyone that we are bigger than our name. Hence this seminar and workshop which includes as many tribes in the district we possibly can register.
All participants have with them a bag containing a pen, a spiral bound note book containing translated versions of the presentations and also some blank sheets for writing down notes. Please note down the points you would like to discuss or clarify in the workshop. Please try to be in the group where your interest is going to be taken up.
Groups for the workshop will be divided as follows:
Group I: Plantations (tea, coffee, etc.)
Group II: Spices (Chillies, Ginger, Turmeric, etc.)
Group III: Horticulture (Fruits, Vegetables)
Group IV: Floriculture (about flowers like anthurium, rose, etc.)
As I close this long-winded speech, may I appeal to all farmers to
a). Live in harmony with the environment: To quote a small passage from the book of Hosea 2:18:
“In that day, I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and
the birds of the air, And with the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land,
So that all may lie down in safety”
Let us be kind to animals and plants and trees. The damage to our environment is appalling. You can’t bring back animals that we killed, trees that we have cut are lost, water and fish that we have spoiled have gone. There is a village called Chincholi Morachi near Pune where the peacocks living there are protected by the villagers. Now the village is beginning to get tourists to see the peacocks. Save trees, water in the streams and rivers, and animals so that our children can see tourists coming in.
b). There are changes and developments taking place. The government of India is adopting “Look east” policy. Border Trade points are being opened up, the last initiative being the Kaladan river transport between India and Myanmar. This is passing through neighbouring Mizoram. Let us reap benefits from these developments around us, not only the swirl of dust from passing motors.
c). As Pu Pillai advised us in his speech, “Restore Lamka to its former glory”. Let us work to build up. We have had enough of destroying happening around us.
d). The hills of Darjeeling are green with tea plantations or some other crops. Let us also use our greatest resource-the land that we have.
e). There are food shortages and food riots in many places in the world. We sure need to grow more food.
May I cite a quotation from Mr. P.C.Chidambaram, Honourable Minister for Finance. He said,
“The richest man is the man who commands ideas – who translates ideas into wealth.” Let us try to develop ideas that will translate into wealth for the communities.
May this seminar and workshop lead us to achieve these goals and many more blessings of the land.
SEMINAR And WORKSHOP ON STABLE LAND BASED FARMING FOR THE HILL PEOPLE OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
My friends from the Delhi Paite Indongta (DPI for short) and Zomi Economic Planning And Development Agency(ZEPADA for short) have allowed me this rare privilege of taking the Introductory and Welcome address on this historic Seminar & Workshop on Stable Land-based Farming for the Hill People of the North East(India). As I do so, it will be only fitting if you allow me to go back a bit on how this momentous project took shape.
When the newly elected batch of Governing Body of DPI met in Delhi for a full consultation on 15th August 2007, we decided to start projects for interventions in medical as well as economic development awareness creation. In the meeting with Mr. G.K.Pillai, Commerce Secretary, on 11th December, 2007, we timidly discussed our plans to hold a seminar in Delhi. His immediate response was, “Why in Delhi, why not in Lamka where you can reach out to more people?”. This prompted us to plunge into our project for this Seminar and Workshop. All through our preparation for this seminar and workshop, Mr. G.K.Pillai, has been there to guide us, help us, and encourage us. And the proof of all what we claim is his personal presence today despite his many important and pressing engagements not only in India, but all over the globe. We salute and welcome you Sir, Pu Pillai. There is no explanation for such amazing care and concern you have for us.
We were hoping that Mrs. Veena Sreeram Rao, Secretary, Ministry for Development of North-Eastern Region, would be joining us today. Unfortunately, she has not been able to make it due to other commitments.
This two day event was preceded by a lot of ground work. The leadership of ZEPADA, a grassroots organization based in Lamka (CCPur) enthusiastically came forward to take care of the ground level work. Thus, we saw survey teams from Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Spices Board and APEDA arriving since middle of March and surveying and assessing the soil and other enabling/deterring conditions for growing or cultivating plants or herbs. The presentations that we are about to see and hear are based on what they have actually witnessed on the ground.
Our utmost desire is to see that the benefits of this “happening” should be reaped by the main stakeholders – the farmers. Thus, participants have been invited from the interior hilly sub-divisions. You see here farmers coming from far-off places under Parbung sub-divisions, Thanlon sub-divisions, Henglep sub-divisions, Singngat sub-divisions, Churachandpur sub-division, and not forgetting special participants from Sialkal range of neighbouring Mizoram state. May I request them to stand up so that we may welcome them?
No seminar or workshop can succeed unless we have skilled and experienced resource persons. Thus, we have in our midst the experts from Spices Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, APEDA, and National Horticulture Mission. Dear Sirs, you probably will never quite realize how excited we are by your presence because we see in you the beginning of a beautiful and fruitful relationship. We welcome you from our hearts.
The neighbouring state of Mizoram has of late started making appearances in the national and international flower market. This is one of the many reasons we look to Mizoram. We are truly fortunate to have very special team of resource persons from the Directorate of Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram, who have very kindly agreed to share their expertise with our rural folks in the field of floriculture. We, therefore welcome Mrs. Margaret Lalthanzami, Horticulture Development Officer, and Mr. Remruatpuia, Extension Officer, who are itching to share what they know provided we know what to ask for when we are there in the Workshop tomorrow. Let us welcome them.
The seminar and workshop with the farmers has been enriched by the personal presence of respected Chairman of Spices Board, Mr. V.J.Kurian, IAS; the Chairman of Tea Board Mr. Basudeb Banerjee, IAS, who is accompanied by Mr. C.Saikia, Executive Director for North east; the Chairman of Coffee Board Mr. G.V.Krishna Rau who kindly wrote to us his regret for not being here today- is represented by Dr.Jayarama, Director(Research); the Chairman of APEDA Mr. Asit Kumar Tripathi IAS; the Deputy Commissioner of Horticulture Dr. Sahadeva Singh.
We are encouraged by the presence of Mr. Raj Singh, Director in the Commerce Ministry, who patiently interacted with us all along; Mr.R.Chandrasekhar, Director(Development), Mr.B.M.Nizamuddin, Dy.Director, Mr.S.Nallakannu and Mr.B.J.Brahma, Astt.Director of Spices Board; Mr.G.Boriah, Director of Tea Development, Mr. A.K.Sarma and Mr. B.K.Goswami of Tea Board; Dr. A.B.Ramprasad, Jt.Director and Mr. Langthasa, Dy.Director of Coffee Board; Mr.Tarun Bajaj, Dy.Gen.Manager, and Mr. B.Barua, Regional Manager of APEDA. , and Mr. P.C.Panda, Sr.Zonal Manager of NERAMAC.
We also have pleasure to introduce Mr. Kamkhenthang Guite, Jt.Director, and Mr. H.Chinzason, Section Officer, from the Ministry of DoNER.
The host for this “happening” as already known is ZEPADA, an organization in which all of the governing body voluntarily work as one. In fact, this hall and the spacious and well managed facility in the form of Rayburn College is the institution the conductor of today built up to serve the community. He is ably supported by a team of dedicated members who work day and night to see that the seminar takes place. Let us give a big hand to the ZEPADA team.
It would be a blunder of Himalayan proportion if we forget the comforting participation and involvement of the State Government. We miss Mr. Jarnail Singh, the Chief Secretary, who had to be away today. However we are assured by the presence of Mr. D.S.Poonia, Mr. P.C.Lawmkunga, Mr. L.Gonmei, Mr. P.Vaiphei and Mr. Vumlunmang, and others from the Government of Manipur, that there will be the much needed governmental support as and when initiatives are taken up post –Seminar and Workshop.
Finally, just in case the name of the organizer, Delhi Paite Indongta, is viewed as exclusive by a few people because the word Paite stands for a tribe. To help assuage such feelings, if any, allow me to bring out two incidents. In the mid sixties, I had a classmate here in Don Bosco High School, who bore the name Nathu Singh, a name given in gratitude in memory of the person who reportedly saved his father, an army man, from a tricky situation. The name appeared highly inappropriate because the boy was(and is) as Mizo as, say, the present Chief Minister of Mizoram. As he progressed he began to face problems in such things as getting tribal scholarship, etc. purely because everyone thought a person with such a name could not be a Mizo. He has since changed his name to a more acceptable Mizo name like Zorammuana.
In 2003-2004, I was touring in Mizoram as regional manager in SBI. In a branch, I met a young staff, having such complexion as would easily be taken as a person hailing from Cachar or Hailakandi district of Assam. I spoke to him in my own passable Hindi. He then told me in Mizo that his name was (and is) Malsawma. When he would come to deliver dak in my office occasionally, he would emphasized to my office staff that he is a true Mizo, and not some “vai” from Cachar or Hailakandi.
What do these two mean? Only that names can be misleading or appearances also can be equally misleading and that names do not determine everything. We in DPI, and supported by ZEPADA, would like to impress everyone that we are bigger than our name. Hence this seminar and workshop which includes as many tribes in the district we possibly can register.
All participants have with them a bag containing a pen, a spiral bound note book containing translated versions of the presentations and also some blank sheets for writing down notes. Please note down the points you would like to discuss or clarify in the workshop. Please try to be in the group where your interest is going to be taken up.
Groups for the workshop will be divided as follows:
Group I: Plantations (tea, coffee, etc.)
Group II: Spices (Chillies, Ginger, Turmeric, etc.)
Group III: Horticulture (Fruits, Vegetables)
Group IV: Floriculture (about flowers like anthurium, rose, etc.)
As I close this long-winded speech, may I appeal to all farmers to
a). Live in harmony with the environment: To quote a small passage from the book of Hosea 2:18:
“In that day, I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and
the birds of the air, And with the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land,
So that all may lie down in safety”
Let us be kind to animals and plants and trees. The damage to our environment is appalling. You can’t bring back animals that we killed, trees that we have cut are lost, water and fish that we have spoiled have gone. There is a village called Chincholi Morachi near Pune where the peacocks living there are protected by the villagers. Now the village is beginning to get tourists to see the peacocks. Save trees, water in the streams and rivers, and animals so that our children can see tourists coming in.
b). There are changes and developments taking place. The government of India is adopting “Look east” policy. Border Trade points are being opened up, the last initiative being the Kaladan river transport between India and Myanmar. This is passing through neighbouring Mizoram. Let us reap benefits from these developments around us, not only the swirl of dust from passing motors.
c). As Pu Pillai advised us in his speech, “Restore Lamka to its former glory”. Let us work to build up. We have had enough of destroying happening around us.
d). The hills of Darjeeling are green with tea plantations or some other crops. Let us also use our greatest resource-the land that we have.
e). There are food shortages and food riots in many places in the world. We sure need to grow more food.
May I cite a quotation from Mr. P.C.Chidambaram, Honourable Minister for Finance. He said,
“The richest man is the man who commands ideas – who translates ideas into wealth.” Let us try to develop ideas that will translate into wealth for the communities.
May this seminar and workshop lead us to achieve these goals and many more blessings of the land.
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