First inter-college debate between Nagaland and Manipur held at Don Bosco College, Maram
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Tongpang Ozukum, third from left, attending an inter-state debate competition at Maram in Manipur on Sat. Oct. 20.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 20 (EMN): The first ever Manipur-Nagaland inter-college debate with the theme "Voices of brotherhood—a debating festival" was held at Fr. Jose Memorial Auditorium, Don Bosco College, Maram (DBCM) on Saturday. Students from the two states debated on the topic: "Monopoly over the local market by the illegal immigrants is waning away the entrepreneurial spirit of local youths."
Joysree Heisnam of DM College (Arts) walked away with the first prize in the debate competition organised by the Senapati District Debating Society (SDBS), while Sophy A Shimray of MU (Arts) won the second prize, and Anamika Heisankhongjam of DM College (Arts) stood in the third place.
Minister for Public Work Department (PWD), Tongpang Ozukum, the chief guest of the event, said, that "it is an undeniable fact that as two states—Manipur and Nagaland —have our own distinct identity and unique history which nobody can deny. We all have our inherent rights which no one can take away from us."
"Artificial boundaries may be drawn within the community or between communities, but we are what we are," said Ozukum, adding that people from both the states must respect each others' history and honour each others' inherent rights.
Stressing on the need for peace and harmony between the two states, he pointed out that to uplift any society there should be peaceful atmosphere. "As such, in order to be at par with other developed states in India, Manipur and Nagaland have to usher peace in our respective states and also between the two sister-states," asserted the minister.
Stating that Manipur and Nagaland will always be neighbours, he said people of the states have many things to learn from each other and urged them to be "tolerant, respectful and trusted neighbours.”
Ozukum said this inter-college debate has brought students from the two states together, giving a chance to know each other more and become closer as friends, and not live as strangers. Such programme, he maintained, would also help in transforming the society, besides giving the students an opportunity to exhibit their talents. He went on to say that the event would go a long way towards making a positive impact not only on the participating students but also on the people of the two states in general.
Stating that the power of real debate is in the language and intellectual honesty of the participants, he advised the students to exhibit their skills and talents in the debate using soft words but harden their argument.
The minister encouraged the audience to organise more of such programmes in “every field” and urged them to carry the “voice of brotherhood” and become the messengers of brotherhood for Manipur and Nagaland.
Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Sebastian, Karottupuram, principal DBC Maram said the basic idea of the debate was to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship and encourage the youth to take up such endeavours. Stating that the present society has lots of issues, problems and fights, he advocated the spirit of healthy and innovative debate of solving problems instead of resorting to muscle and gun power.
Naga Students’ Federation general secretary, Imtiyapang said the theme of the debate is very apt to the present context, saying that the biggest threat and challenge faced by the Northeastern states today is the influx of illegal immigrants.
Citing examples of Assam and Sikkim states, he expressed concern that if the issue is not tackled, the day is not far when the Nagas will be dominated by the immigrants. “It is us who invite these people to our homes and towns,” he said, adding that social reformation through encouragement, dignity of labour and trust for one another is the need of the hour to fight this big threat.
Imtiyapang also appreciated the organisers of the programme for providing a platform for young minds from both the states to share ideas, common problems and goals.
