Sports promote perseverance, unity and discipline: Manipur Governor at NCC event

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Imphal, May 29 (IANS) Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday highlighted the importance of sports and cultural activities, saying that sports teach the values of perseverance, cooperation, and the graceful acceptance of both victory and defeat.

The Governor, along with his wife Jyoti Bhalla, graced the grand finale of the NCC Ekta Cup 2026 at the Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong in Imphal. Addressing the gathering, he said that cultural programmes remind people of the richness of India’s diversity and help strengthen the values of respect, harmony, and unity.

Bhalla expressed happiness at being part of the concluding function of the first-ever NCC Ekta Cup organised in Manipur. He observed that the tournament had showcased not only sporting excellence and healthy competition but also discipline, teamwork, friendship and the spirit of national integration.

The Governor stated that the word “Ekta” signifies unity and remarked that the tournament had truly reflected its noble meaning by bringing together young cadets and students from diverse backgrounds.

Bhalla, who earlier served as Union Home Secretary, highlighted the role of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in shaping disciplined, confident and patriotic citizens. He said that initiatives such as the NCC Ekta Cup contribute significantly towards preparing the youth to succeed in life and serve society and the nation with commitment and dedication.

The Under-17 Boys’ Football Tournament was organised by the NCC Group Headquarters, Imphal, under the NCC Northeast Region Headquarters in Shillong.

The event began with spectacular cultural and musical performances presented by local artists Manka Mayanglambam and John Oinam, respectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, who holds the Forest, Environment and Climate Change portfolio, senior NCC officers, cadets and students attended the event. The final match was played between NCC and RFA, with NCC registering a 1-0 victory.

–IANS

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Tribal women in Jharkhand empower themselves by producing herbal gulal

Simdega (Jharkhand), March 8 (IANS) In the tribal-dominated district of Simdega, Jharkhand, rural women have carved a path to empowerment by producing herbal gulal using natural methods. Once confined to their homes, these women are now setting an inspiring example by blending tradition with entrepreneurship.

Women from Chandni Aajeevika Swayam Sahayata Group in Thethaitanagar block, Vikas Aajeevika Swayam Sahayata Group in Pakartanr, and women groups from Bano block are leading this change by preparing herbal gulal using locally sourced ingredients.

These groups were formed as part of the Aajeevika – Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) under the central government in June 2011.

With investment support from the World Bank, the Aajeevika mission aims to establish effective and efficient institutional platforms for the rural poor. This initiative focuses on increasing household income by enhancing sustainable livelihoods and improving access to financial services.

The process involves collecting dried Palash flowers to create red gulal, spinach for green gulal, beetroot for pink, and turmeric and marigold flowers for yellow. This herbal gulal, made using arrowroot for smoothness, is not only vibrant but also skin-friendly and free from harmful chemicals.

The transformation began when these women, struggling with backwardness and social challenges, received support from the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS). Encouraged by this backing, they formed self-help groups and turned to herbal gulal production. Their determination and hard work have since rewritten their stories of success.

Speaking to IANS, Romola Dungdung, a local employee involved in the initiative, said, “We thought of making natural and organic gulal using forest leaves and flowers. We’ve been doing this for the past three years and have created three colours — orange from Palash flowers, yellow from marigolds, and green from leaves.”

As Holi approaches, the women have been busy gathering Palash flowers from nearby forests while cultivating spinach and marigold flowers for the project. With their collective efforts, they have produced approximately 200 kg of herbal gulal, packaged under the ‘Palaash’ brand.

During Diwali, these women also prepare flower garlands for sale, expanding their entrepreneurial ventures. From being confined to their homes, they are now emerging as successful businesswomen through their dedication and courage.

Sushma Pradhan, a member of the Chandni Aajeevika Swayam Sahayata Group, told IANS, “We grind different types of flowers and leaves to create this fragrant herbal gulal. We pack it ourselves and sell it in the market. In one season, we produce around 80 kg of gulal, earning a profit of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000.”

The success of this initiative has provided financial independence to these women, enabling them to support their families and improve their living conditions.

Vinod Prasad, a government employee and social worker, praised their efforts, stating, “The administration is also helping these women by providing market access for their Palaash-branded gulal. This initiative has empowered women who were struggling earlier. They make things according to the festivals, when it’s Diwali, they make things related to Diwali and when it’s Holi, they make gulal. Their collective hard work has become an inspiration for other women across the region.”

The remarkable transformation of these women is a testament to their resilience and dedication, turning a small idea into a symbol of empowerment and change in Simdega’s tribal communities.

–IANS

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Send Cong leaders to Pak for Operation Sindoor’s evidence: Shobha Karandlaje

Bengaluru, May 17 (IANS) Coming down heavily on Congress leaders who have demanded evidence of Operation Sindoor’s success, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should send his party leaders on a “tour” to Pakistan.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Tiranga yatra organised in the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency in Bengaluru on Saturday, she said state Congress leaders who doubt the claim of 100 terrorists being killed in Operation Sindoor should go to Pakistan and find out themselves.

“They should be made to stay in Pakistan for at least a year,” she remarked.

“Our soldiers have fought against Pakistan. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has said his party would fully support the Centre in carrying out strikes on Pakistan. However, state Congress leaders are making contradictory statements. The Congress high command must clarify its stance,” she urged.

“We don’t know whether these statements from state Congress leaders are being made under directions from the high command,” she added.

“Our armed forces have eliminated terrorists in Pakistan, and the government there has even compensated the families of the slain terrorists. Yet, Congress leaders are insulting our soldiers. They demanded proof of surgical strikes earlier, and now they are asking for evidence of Operation Sindoor. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should restrain his party members from making such statements. Otherwise, let him send them on a tour to Pakistan,” Union Minister Karandlaje said.

Referring to a controversial remark by Karnataka Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, she said, “Khan claimed he would become a suicide bomber. Let him not do that – instead, he should take a trip to Pakistan.”

She also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, “The former Congress chief speaks against the nation. If you want to do politics, do it during elections. But the Congress is indulging in politics even during times of national crisis.”

Union Minister Karandlaje further said that Congress leaders making “irrational statements” about Operation Sindoor would earn “the curse of women.”

“The Congress is playing politics over deaths,” she alleged.

She said the BJP has not organised the Tiranga Yatra, but “People are volunteering to make it a success. The Congress needs to understand this.”

The Tiranga Yatra was carried out from Thanisandra to Hunasemaranahalli in the Byatarayanapura locality of Bengaluru.

She was responding to the statement of Congress MLA Kothanur Manjunath, raising doubts over military action and saying it did not serve any purpose and failed to deliver justice to the Pahalgam victims.

“Nothing was done. It was just a show off, they sent three to four flights overhead and returned. Will that compensate for the 26 people killed in Pahalgam? Is this how we compensate those women? Is this how we console them and show respect?” Manjunath said.

However, after facing backlash, Manjunath retracted the statement.

–IANS

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RPF, NDRF and IRIDM join hands on saving lives during Golden Hour

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) With an emphasis on saving lives during the Golden Hour, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday among the Railway Protection Force (RPF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management (IRIDM), Bengaluru here.

The partnership establishes a clear institutional framework for integrated relief operations and capacity building tailored to railway accident scenarios.

“Every drill and protocol is aimed at cutting critical minutes for faster access, triage, and evacuation from coaches. RPF will build sharper, coach- and track-oriented capabilities — especially confined-space rescue — so the very first actions at the site are the right ones,” according to the Ministry of Railways.

IRIDM will align entry sequencing, stabilisation, cutting plans, patient packaging, and handover. Common radio etiquette, shared checklists, and joint scene-coordination drills ensure agencies operate as one integrated unit during rescue and relief operations.

Sonali Mishra, Director General, Railway Protection Force, stated that there should be effective collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders, and SOPs must be framed in this regard.

In his address, R. Rajagopal, Member (Traction and Rolling Stock), Railway Board, asserted that apart from man-made distress, focus should also be on natural disasters like cyclones, downpours, and heat waves.

He appreciated the initiatives of Jagjivan Ram RPF Academy (JRRPFA) and IRIDM in capacity building related to rescue and relief operations, with a special focus on the Golden Hour.

Piyush Anand, DG NDRF, emphasised that all agencies involved in mitigating the effects of disasters should work as a team. Other agencies of Railways should also be involved in capacity-building efforts.

According to the ministry, this collaboration operationalises a scalable, repeatable ecosystem to enhance national railway disaster readiness—delivering faster, safer, and more coordinated relief to passengers and staff when every minute counts.

—IANS

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