
Gangte Social Meet held in Delhi
Bruce K. Thangkhal
New Delhi, October 3, 2010: The Gangte Welfare Association Youth Wing Delhi held its XVIth Freshers’ cum Social Meet on October at RK Puram MTNL Community Hall in South Delhi. Over 500 people from the capital flocked together. The hall suddenly turned into a full-packed crowd.
Guest View
“Today, Gangte, one of the recognised tribes in Manipur state, is a buzz-word for those aspiring for civil service exams. Known for its least populace, but the number of civil servants from Gangte tribe is quite amazing. They occupied the top slot of ‘success story’ in IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc among the ‘ZO’ origins – Chin, Kuki, Mizo and Zomi – in comparison to population wise,” told an outsider Muan to this reporter.
Welcome speech
Gangte Welfare Association Youth Wing Delhi president Ellen Lunnieng in her speech welcomes the chief guest, guest of honour, and other delegates. The president also extended her warm greetings to each and everyone for attending the function. “Freshers Meet is being organised to make a good relationship, brotherhood and unity,” the president said. “We the leaders are ready to help our members at any time.”
Token of gratitude
On behalf of the association as a token of love and gratitude, Ellen Lunnieng presented the traditional shawl to Shri B. K. Gangte, IFS, conservator of forest, Government of Uttarakhand and Shri Lalkithang, deputy secretary, Lok Sabha who graced the function as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Prayer for freshers
The Youth Wing secretary William conducted the introduction round of freshers. The new comers introduced themselves before the crowded eyes. After that, Gangte Christian Fellowship Delhi secretary Pastor Wilson cited “Commit they way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.” Pastor Wilson prayed for heaven’s blessing for the new faces.
Words for all
Speaking on behalf of the senior students, Miss Nunmawi gave a piece of advice to the freshers saying, “One must have good personality. Don’t think of negative attitudes. To compete with others one must have a competitive mindset. Let our prayers be the key for the day in the mornings and the lock at nights.”
In his exhortation speech, Dr. M. L. Gangte said, “Students must grasp the quality of education. Remember, as you sow you shall reap the harvest. You should take clues from those successful persons of our community. Today you should follow the footprints of our brethren who are now serving as IAS, IPS, IFS, etc. A clever person learns from other’s mistake. Learn from others.”
Encouraging the youngsters Dr. Gangte also shared some of his experiences that while he was an MBBS student he could not joined the common mess due to his bad health. He said he used to prepare his own food throughout the year though bulky assignments and hefty projects overshadowed him. “Be ambitious towards your goal and constantly try for it. Only then you can achieve your aim,” said Dr. Gangte.
Guest of Honour: an impression for students
Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour Lalkithang said, “Imagine yourself as a hunter in the forest. Success depends on you not on the target – big or small- that will transform your dream into reality.” The guest of honour, after competing MA (Sociology) from Delhi School of Economics in 2000, he topped the Research Officer exam in all India and also topped the Executive Officer Exam in ST category in 2003. He opted the latter and elevated to Deputy Secretary recently.
The Chief Guest : an exemplary for students
The chief guest Shri B. K. Gangte, IFS deliberately asked the students, “Why are you in Delhi? There should be appropriate reason to answer this. You, young students must study in a selfish way. No one can study for you and you cannot study for others. Always stay in your room, not in your friend’s so that you will have more time for reading.” He added, “Those who sincerely study hard will success at the end. One should pursue their aims with self-efforts and labours.”
Like the guest of honour, the chief guest also has a similar story. B. K. Gangte passed XII standard from Churachandpur College (Now the college is simply considered as a college for only ‘admissions’ and ‘examinations’). Graduated from Bhagalpur College of Engineering in Bachelor of Engineering, B. K. Gangte soon cracked the Indian Engineering Service exam and while he was in service he cracked Indian Forest Service exam and resigned from the former and joined the latter.
The entertainers
Special numbers from Miss Mary Jone and Mr. David Ngamminlien were very much a part of the day. They are absolutely the eyebrow-raisers of the crowd with their melodious songs. The heavy metal band like Apusei & Co and Lunsiem & Co rocked the entire hall with their high pitch lightning sounds and thundering drums. The young lady – Pinky – known as the ‘Shakira of Gangte’ shakes her legs on the stage, perplexing the eyes and ears of the crowd with her amazing skills.
Quiz and others
An open quiz competition was conducted with instant prizes given after the answer.Who is the first Bachelor of Arts among the Gangte [Lamzasoi, 1936]? Name the first village of Gangte in Manipur [Siampat]? So on the questions goes. A debate on ‘Education depends on the place’ heated the hall for awhile, in which the movers and opposers battled for supremacy. A traditional display of various tribal costumes was another curtain raiser of the day. It was the time every one rushes the stage. This idea was born out of two young ladies, Lucy and Diki. A meritorious award was also given to the members.
Election result
Among the 24 candidates including 15 male and nine female, Mr. Lunsiem, Mr. Pumlemsang, Mr. Mangkholun, Mr. Thangkhopau, Mr. Henry Hemminthang, Miss Thienhoih and Miss Lucy were the newly elected leaders of the youth wing.
Mr and Miss Fresher Contest
Over 50 freshers took part in the grand contest. Genminlien, a first year student of BA (Geog) in Bhagat Singh College bagged the coveted title Mr. Fresher whereas Miss Fresher crown goes to Vakbawi, a first year student of BA (Psychology) of Jesus and Mary College.
Best Traditional Attires
Among the audience, Mr. Muongboi Ronald, Miss Naro and master Lamlalhawl (son of Pr Wilson) bagged the best traditional attire awards in male, female and child category.
Delegates
Boveio, secretary general, Naga Students Union Delhi, Samuel Hmar, external coordinator, Hmar Students Association Delhi and other delegates also attended the function.
Dr T.S. Gangte Gold Medal
In memory of Dr. T. S. Gangte this award was instituted in Manipur University in 2007. The University accepted the proposed award. In 2008 January 8, Manipur University stated that Dr. T. S. Gangte Memorial Gold Medal will be awarded to the topper of the M.Sc. Anthropology examination in Social and Cultural Anthropology with effect from January, 2008. However, the University did not give the medal on its 30th Foundation Day Cum Medal Presentation Ceremony held at its campus on 5 June 2010. In protest against Manipur University’s decision, Gangte Welfare Association Youth Wing Delhi held a protest rally in the national capital on June 12, 2010. Dr. T. S. Gangte Memorial Gold Medal is now set to be awarded during Manipur University Convocation on October 13. Ms. Laisharam Sumati Devi is the topper for this award.
“Hopefully, the award will be given on Manipur University Convocation,” said Gin Gangte speaking over telephone from Manipur last night.
Tawmngaihna: The moral code
GWAD chairman S. Benjamin spoke on moral code ‘Tawmngaihna (selfless service)’. “We should develop a sense of responsibility in our society. Traditionally the Gangtes practised ‘tawmngaihna’ which became the foundation of social responsibility in the society,” Benjamin said. He had completed Bachelor of Divinity (BD) from Serampore. He is a Section Officer in the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.
“I really enjoy the day. The president and the members are very friendly. The programme was very good and fantastic though I don’t understand the dialect,” says Anirban, a student activist from IGNOU.
The day-long event ended with boundless funfare and joy. The association humbly requested the audience to attend the dinner. Everyone then patched up in queue.