Imphal, 25 March 2018 ( Evening News ) : Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren has inaugurated Marjing Polo Complex today. The complex was constructed with an objective to promote Polo , tourism in the state and to preseve pony. Speaking at the inaugural function, Biren stated that the Repeal-act bill of Parliamentary Secretary had already been passed and that visiting the nation’s capital regarding the matter is utterly futile. The Chief Minister maintained that the Complex will be tourist destination which will thereby facilitate the people of the state. He said Cable cars will also be put into service from Langol Ching to Marjing Hill and  Marjing Hill to Kangla Fort to provide transport facilities to the tourists . Biren said, a sum of 2 Crore rupees has also been reserved for the construction of the gateways to the Complex at Khabam Lamkhai. He also maintained that the new constructions will be in the PPP Model and as such appealed to the people of the state to promote tourism in the state by treating the tourists with hospitality. Chairman of Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited, Dr. Sapam Ranjan; Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board, L. Radhakishore; MLA of Lamlai, Ksh. Biren and officials of the tourism department attended the inaugural event of the Complex constructed under Department of Tourism at Ibudhou Marjing Khubam, Heingang. After the inaugural event, Chief Minister also inspected the construction site at top of Marjing hill where the statue of the Pony would be erected. He expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the construction works and immediately called on the concerned contractor to accelerate the work. Biren also directed the officials of the tourism department who accompanied him in the visit to complete the work at the earliest or else the contractor will be replaced. Marjing Polo Complex was constructed under the sponsorship of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India with an estimated cost of 123 Lakh Rupees. The Chief Minister also  assured that the construction of the Polo Ground will also commence shortly at the hillock of Marjing.

Imphal, 23 March 2018 ( Evening News ) : National Institute of Electronic and Information Technology(NIELIT), Akampat, Imphal organised a One-Day Job Fair with an aim to provide job opportunities to students specialising in different subjects in the state today. The programme initiated by NIELIT in association with Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India was inaugurated by Industries Minister, Thongam Biswajit . Altogether 20 companies, including JIO Communications along with 4 other companies from outside the state and 16 companies of the state, participated in the fair. Large number of students, specialising in various subjects and currently undertaking vocational trainings attended the programme since early morning. Some Students gave interview to just company they are interested in while some others gave interviews for 3 to 4 companies. The companies did not recruiting the students immediately even if the students were fit for the job as they have not completed their studies. Speaking to Impact News, Project Engineer of  NIELIT , S. Jugeshwor stated that the fair was organised  in order to provide job opportunities to the youth of the state. Several students who tried their luck at the fair told Impact news that they gave their best, however the final decision lies with the respective companies.

Imphal, 22 March 2018 ( Evening News ) : Joint Administrative Council of All Manipur Trade Unions Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation (AMGEO) has officially launched indefinite cease work strike in all government offices in connection with their demand for implementation of Seven Central Pay commission, today, following their announcement for th strike yesterday. A team led by Secretary General of AMTUC and  AMGEO, Laitonjam B.K. halted the employees to carry their works and asked them to move out of their office at DC Complex, Imphal East today. On the other hand, some Government offices looked deserted with few staff on duty today. Speaking on the sidelines, Laitonjam told Impact News that the campaign do not stop employees from coming to office, however, they are appealed to cease work. He maintained that their demand for the implementation of Seven Pay commission has been going on for years, however, the Government has ignored the issue. He said the cease work strike will not be withdrawn until and unless Government takes actions to fulfil their demands. He warned of total shut down of all the Government offices and various intense agitations, if positive responses are not given by the specified dates given to the Government.

Imphal, 20 March 2018 ( Evening News ):  Health Director, doctors of World Health Organisation,and Communication officers of UNICEF India, appealed to the people of the State to take part in Measles & Rubella Vaccination Campaign to be launched in the State on March 26 to prevent Measles which is a major childhood killer disease and rubella which causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) that is responsible for irreversible birth defects to children from 9 months to 15 years of age. The appealed was made at the Media Sensitisation on Measles Rubella Campaign Manipur organised by State Health Society at Hotel Classic, North AOC today. The doctors of WHO, Communication officer of UNICEF, India and State Immunisation spoke at length about the diseases and the campaign in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Director of Directorate of Health Services, National Health Mission, Dr. Rajo said the aim of the campaign is to eradicate Measles and to control Rubella by 2020 in the country. He said the largest worldwide campaign aims to vaccinate over 40 crore children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years across the world. The Director said Children will be given a shot of Measles-Rubella MR vaccine during the campaign. Following the Campaign, MR vaccine will become a part of routine immunisation and will replace measles vaccine, currently given to 9 to 12 month and 16 to 24 months old infants. Addressing media persons, Surveillance Medical Officer of  World Health Organisation, Dr, Pranay Dutta stated that measles is a major Childhood Killer disease and Rubella also known as German measles causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) that is responsible for irreversible birth defects which can even kill the child. Pranay mentioned that over 50 thousand out of 1 lakh 34 thousand children killed by Measles, the fatal major air-borne in the world are from India while 40 thousand out of 1 lakh children infected by CRS in the world are in India. He said many children affected by CRS were born with heart and brain problems in Manipur as well and that many have also died. Pranay said the campaign of the Central Government can immunise 65 per cent of the Children in the Country. He said the campaign in the State aims at immunising 95 per cent of the Children and urged the parents to get their children vaccinated.

Taking part in the Sensitisation programme, State Immunization Officer, Dr. Nandakishwor stated that infant mortality rate has increased from 9 per cent to 11 per cent in the state. He said cases of Measles and Rubella are found in many areas of Manipur. He said, traditional advices not to medicate Measles and Rubella is a myth and asserted that if not treated on time, it can lead to death. He said if pregnant women suffer from Rubella, the unborn child is at the risk of heart and brain related diseases leading to health deterioration and dead of the unborn child. Nandakishwor said if infants between 9 month to 12 month are vaccinated, Measles-Rubella is preventable at 85 percent and it is 99 percent preventable if infants above 1 year are vaccinated against the diseases. He said, the vaccination campaign against these diseases will be conducted from the 26th of March up to the 30th of April at various hospital, primary health sub centres, health centres, schools and anganwadi centres across the state. Communication Officer of UNICEF India from Assam, Tasheen Alam asserted that medias have major responsibility for the success of the campaign. He appealed to all media organisations in the state to cooperate in successfully executing the campaign and if ever, any controversy or confusion arises among the people, he requested the media houses to report accurately in consultation with authorities concerned. Paper acknowledgements will be given to each and every child vaccinated with Measles-Rubella under the campaign. Follow up doses of the vaccines can also be given to children, however, strict restrictions are given to children suffering from cold and fever, who are currently admitted to the hospital due to other diseases and children who have history of severe allergies to the vaccine.

Imphal, 18 March 2018 ( Evening News ) : Cheiraoba, one of the biggest festivals of the Meitei community is celebrated across the state today. Believed to have been started during the reign of King Maliya Fambalcha, people welcome the new year by offering seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables to god and preparing special dishes on the day. Every family prepares special dishes and offer them to the local deities at their gates praying for happiness and prosperity. Neighbours also exchange the special dishes prepared for the day. Married women present gifts to their parents and brothers on the occasion. The younger generation also seek the blessings of the elders in the family. After the feast, people climb hills in the afternoon as a tradition. President Ram Nath Kovind, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla, and Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren had extended their greetings to the people on the occasion and wished that the festival brings peace, prosperity and love among the communities of the state.