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08/10/2008: "Upholding Naga tradition with Western outfits morungexpress Zakir Hussain"

Upholding Naga tradition with Western outfits morungexpress Zakir Hussain

Seen on stage is Mungtsü, one of the 5 talented Yimchunger designers, along with the tiny tots, the models for their designer wear, during a programme at Old Showuba village. (Morung Photos/Zakir Hussain)
Dimapur | August 10 : Old Showuba Village under Kuhuboto block of Dimapur district is home to 5 (five) extremely talented designers – Mungtsü, Aso, Kamso, Amongla and Lily. None of them have any formal fashion degree/diploma whatsoever. But they have not let this hamper their creativity which is visible through the various outfits that the five have designed.
The five youths including a male, Mungtsü, belong to the Yimchunger Naga tribe. After completing their formal education in different fields, the group took to designing western wear with a unique Naga traditional touch – especially of the Yimchunger tribe. Despite having presented a number of their designed clothes only in local fashion shows, the accolades they have received after the shows have pushed them to continue with their designing streak and drive them towards more creativity.
While talking to The Morung Express on the sidelines of the Metümneo festival celebrations held at Diphupar village recently, Mungtsü said the idea behind the endeavour is to promote and present Yimchunger traditional outfits through western clothes. He maintained that the idea is to uphold and preserve the age-old tradition which is fast declining in the present generation who prefer western garments rather than traditional outfits.
The group disclosed that festivals and students’ conferences serve as the best platform where they can exhibit their designs to the people. Apart from such events, the group on invitation has also visited Tuensang district to showcase their collections. Though the work is very tiring, the group mostly depends on manual work rather than machines to give an authentic touch to the outfits that requires patience and primarily creative skills. Stating about various items used in the designing of outfits, they said ‘mekhelas’ and ‘shawls’ are the major features of their design, besides traditional stones and necklaces. The group spends about Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,000 per ‘mekhela’ and ‘shawl’ while purchasing them to recreate their designs. They mainly use red and black shades in their outfits. During the advent of programmes, the group spends most of the time together exploring new ideas to design their outfits.
Expressing hope that this endeavour would encourage other tribes too, the group said they are happy to see their initiative brightly upholding the traditions of the tribe in a fast changing world. The group also firmly believes that ‘tradition is the identity of an individual.’
Apart from making ‘mekhelas’ and ‘shawls’, they also design dresses. Their products however are not for sale at the moment but are available only on rental. They feel that they would not get the right amount that they deserve while making those dresses due to the high production costs.
Disappointingly, the group does not have any permanent showroom in the village where they can exhibit their designed outfits. Meanwhile, Mungtsü also said that as of yet they have made no such decision to open a showroom to sell their outfits adding, “We lack sponsorship.” The group most importantly believes that one should not forget the traditional values and must not get carried away by western culture.
Factional clashes takes toll on Hongkong Market morungexpress
Dimapur, August 9 (Agencies): With continuing clashes between secessionist groups and fresh taxes, both legal and illegal, plus the added weight of taxes and extortions, business establishments in this commercial hub of Northeastern India are being squeezed dry. The closely packed Hongkong Market, which earlier used to attract shoppers and traders, not only from all over Nagaland, but also from Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, now wear a desolate look while customers are scared to venture out.
Hongkong Market alone used to attract over 15 percent of all shoppers from Nagaland. But now, shopkeepers in Hongkong Market told IANS that sales have fallen 30-40 percent due to the volatile situation in the state, particularly in Dimapur. With business prospects looking bleak, some Tibetan traders have already left town. There used to be over 100 Tibetan families living and doing business in Dimapur, but now the number has come down to about 60. S. Dorjee, President, Tibetan Association Hongkong Market, agreed that some families have left Dimapur. However, he said the reason was “heavy market competition and slowing down of business” rather than the security situation, extortion or intimidation. “People feel Hongkong Market belongs to Tibetans, but we are actually a minority here. There is now stiff market competition here and business has become bleak. So, some traders have left for greener pastures”, he said.
But shopkeepers who do not wish to be identified say three to four underground secessionist groups are collecting “taxes” from business establishments in Dimapur, though collections in the form of donations to various unions or associations have gone down due to strict checks by the district administration and student bodies. The overall security situation has deteriorated due to fighting between various secessionist groups. The official death toll in clashes between various National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) factions in the last six months has crossed 70. This includes one Nagaland Armed Police constable and seven civilians. The unofficial toll is far higher. The result is an atmosphere of fear in which people shop only when they must, not a situation conducive to the development of a market.
A time for Introspection and Retrospection Sevotso Seyie Morung
We, the Nagas as any other social human race, also want peace and unity to prevail in our land, as it is the key to the well being of both an individual and the society at large. Thus, it is a well known fact that without peace and unity, human existence will be at stake and there can neither be social harmony nor tranquility. And in such a scenario, human resource development cannot take place to its potentiality of yielding to progress and prosperity of an individual and the society. This perilous situation is inevitability and a reality that confronts our Naga Society of today. Hence, having sensed the short falls and the impending consequences against our society’s survival, we, the Nagas have been praying vigorously for the elusive peace and unity for so long. But unfortunately and regrettably, peace and unity has been eluding us and has become only a mirage. Therefore, the sooner the better for us to introspect and retrospect as to why peace and unity have been eluding us and our land inspite of the vigorous attempts and proclamations by the State Government, various civil based NGOs/Societies and the general public. It is imperative that we introspect and retrospect, find out from where we have gone wrong and with due sincerity and urgency, take up corrective measures lest we and our future generations be doomed.
It is a fact that peace and unity cannot come from a foreign land not from above, but it has to come from within one’s habitation and society alone. Therefore, there surely be some lacunae on our part somewhere in our pursuance of true peace and unity in our land. In this connection, if I may say so, it seems that while pursuing for peace and unity, pretension overtakes conscience, falsehood overtakes truth, envy overtakes honesty and above all, money power overtakes humanism, as is evident in that all efforts are proving futile and the more we pursue and proclaim for peace and unity, the greater the gravity of violence and killings being witnessed. Infact, all of us are seemed to have fallen short in our quest.
In Nagaland, the general public is marred and being manipulated beyond comprehension in the midst of the external and internal aggressive forces causing turmoil in everyday life. The repeated calls to all the factions of National workers for reconciliation, peace & unity has fallen on deaf ears wherein unabated lust and shedding of blood continues unaccounted, as the State Government has succumbed to pressures and become a powerless spectator.
As Christian, we Nagas as a whole have been crying and praying at the top of our voices for peace and unity, yet Almighty God too seemed least bothered to answer our prayers, as maybe our prayers lack faith and repentance. Therefore, perhaps, our way of living, thinking and deeds might not be in accordance with and contrary to His liking. We, probably might have fully gone against Almighty’s will and wishes in every aspect of our life. As a consequence, perhaps, unleasing of violence, various crimes and inhuman acts, kidnapping and killings etc or in other words, the present turmoil, trials and tribulations in our society could be the wrath and anger of Almighty God that has befallen upon us. Who knows, the Nagas might have become a rusted race in the eye of Almighty God and therefore, were being left to live in wilderness and at the mercy of evil.
Therefore, the present untold human miseries and turmoil’s that confront us should be everybody’s responsibility. We ought to visualize and seek the truth of where we have gone wrong and thereby, take up corrective measures and initiatives based on truth, principle and sincerity. Here without hesitation, I should say that the greater onus and responsibility lies with the State Government, the civil based NGO’s/Societies, the intellectual group and the church as these bodies possess a greater role and power to display.
I this regard, it should be point out that:
a) The factions are lacking forgiveness and universal brotherhood.
b) The Civil based NGO’s/Societies lacks courage and sincerity.
c) The intellectual group lacks guts and initiative.
d) Above all, the State Government lacks power and neutrality which is the most regrettable and conspicuous blunder. Therefore, the need of the hour is to awake our good senses, shows concern and thereby, look forward to jointly correct and re-build our society with our heart and soul based on truth, lest peace and unity will completely elude us, wherein a day might come where our society might be fragmented into pieces beyond repair, where we might be left far off behind in this race towards civilization, modernity, progress and prosperity.
Assam sound maximum security alert Agencies
Guwahati, August 10 (Agencies): Indian authorities in northeastern Assam state on Sunday sounded a maximum security alert with reports that a local separatist group was planning violent strikes by outsourcing hired foreign mercenaries ahead of Independence day, officials said. A police spokesman said there were intelligence inputs that the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was planning to outsource terror by taking the help of terrorists to carry out violent strikes in Assam.
"It may be possible that the ULFA could hire mercenaries or take the help of Jehadi elements, including Bangladesh based the HUJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami), to carry out terror strikes in Assam ahead of Aug 15," Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Inspector General of Assam Police (Law and Order), said. The police official said the idea to outsource terror was necessitated with local cadres of the ULFA allegedly refusing to carry out bombings in crowded places.
"We have definite reports that local ULFA cadres were not at all willing to inflict casualties on civilians and hence the ULFA leadership could use hired bombers or take the help of Jehadi elements to strike at crowded places or vital installations in the state," Mahanta said. The official said the porous border that Assam shares with Bangladesh was a possible entry point for Jehadi forces to penetrate into the state and carry out strikes.
"We have sounded a maximum alert to foil such attempts and have also asked the public to be on guard and report any such movement of suspicious people or objects to the police for necessary action," the police official said. The official said the ULFA, fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, was desperately trying to make its presence felt by carrying out some violent strikes after the outfit faced heavy reverses with two of its potent striking units declaring a unilateral ceasefire in June. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in the northeast since India's independence in 1947.

Koch Rajbongshis seek AASU help on ST issue Correspondent Assam Tribune
KALAIGAON, Aug 10 – The All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Yuba Chatra Sanmilani has urged AASU to offer unconditional support to the six ethnic groups’ demand for ST status and for finding a permanent solution to deport illegal migrants from Assam.

According to Makesh Deka, secretary of All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Yuba Chatra Sanmilani, AASU alone can never be successful in the matter of deporting illegal migrants from Assam unless other ethnic groups of the State offer their support.

According to him, the present agitational programme of the AASU, following the verdict of the Gauhati High Court, is nothing new but an effort to gain mileage. He further said that AASU had never been serious enough for finding a permanent solution to the foreigners issue, but had taken the emotions of the Assamese people for granted for their own survival.

A press release described the actions of AASU as conspiracies to sideline the genuine demands of the six ethnic groups of Assam.

The Sanmilani urged AASU to make their stand clear on the definition of ‘Assamese’ first.
HUJI may strike Asom, alert sounded Sentinel(PTI)
GUWAHATI, Aug 9: Amidst intelligence inputs about jehadi elements led by Bangladesh-based Harkat-Ul-Jehadi Islami (HUJI) striking a pact with the ULFA in the run-up to Independence Day, security alerts have been sounded in Asom and trains running at night have been suspended.
Official sources said, the Centre has also been alerting the State Government about the HUJI likely to strike Asom, and the police has also sent alert notices to its forces to thwart such attacks.
Police stations were put on maximum alert, intensive counter-insurgency operations launched and patrolling stepped up in vulnerable areas, vital installations, religious places and I-Day parade grounds.
The HUJI had conspired to strike possibly with other jehadi groups abroad to create terror in India and despatched a group of bomb experts to execute their plan by triggering improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and car bombs in Guwahati, the sources said.
Stating the recent recovery of explosives from different parts of the State pointed to a HUJI scheme, the sources said, the recent serial blasts in Bangaluru and Ahmedabad as well as the arrest of 15 HUJI members and sympathizers raised the threat perception.
The HUJI activists from time to time use the Indo-Bangladesh border at Karimganj in Asom to enter before fanning out to other parts of the country, the sources said.
Desperate to establish its existence in the face of its elite strike force 28 Battalion's A and C companies declaring unilateral ceasefire considerably weakening it, the sources said, the banned outfit could make attempts to explode bombs in connivance with the HUJI.
HUJI may strike Asom, alert sounded Sentinel(PTI)
GUWAHATI, Aug 9: Amidst intelligence inputs about jehadi elements led by Bangladesh-based Harkat-Ul-Jehadi Islami (HUJI) striking a pact with the ULFA in the run-up to Independence Day, security alerts have been sounded in Asom and trains running at night have been suspended.
Official sources said, the Centre has also been alerting the State Government about the HUJI likely to strike Asom, and the police has also sent alert notices to its forces to thwart such attacks.
Police stations were put on maximum alert, intensive counter-insurgency operations launched and patrolling stepped up in vulnerable areas, vital installations, religious places and I-Day parade grounds.
The HUJI had conspired to strike possibly with other jehadi groups abroad to create terror in India and despatched a group of bomb experts to execute their plan by triggering improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and car bombs in Guwahati, the sources said.
Stating the recent recovery of explosives from different parts of the State pointed to a HUJI scheme, the sources said, the recent serial blasts in Bangaluru and Ahmedabad as well as the arrest of 15 HUJI members and sympathizers raised the threat perception.
The HUJI activists from time to time use the Indo-Bangladesh border at Karimganj in Asom to enter before fanning out to other parts of the country, the sources said.
Desperate to establish its existence in the face of its elite strike force 28 Battalion's A and C companies declaring unilateral ceasefire considerably weakening it, the sources said, the banned outfit could make attempts to explode bombs in connivance with the HUJI.
Burmese activists and supporters remember '8.8.88' protests Solomon Mizzima


New Delhi - Burmese activists and international supporters across the globe on Friday held commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the popular '8.8.88' uprising, which its military rulers brutally crushed, killing at least 3000 protestors.

While in many parts of the world Burmese activists and their supporters held protests, some held commemorative functions, as well as photo exhibitions on last years September protests and impacts of Cyclone Nargis that hit Burma in early May.

Activists urged international community to escalate pressure on the Burmese junta, which ruled the country since 1962 and demanded the release of political prisoners including pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The twentieth anniversary of the August 8, 1988 democracy protests, were observed with demonstrations by activists in several countries including Malaysia, India, Korea, Japan, Thailand and United States.

New Delhi, India Nearly 200 Burmese nationals in New Delhi held a brief protest in commemoration of the August 8, 1988 mass uprising.

"We are upholding the spirit of '8888' and we demand democracy in our country," said, Yan Paing Soe, a youth member of the National League for Democracy – Liberated Area, the group that organized the protest.

In another event, Burmese democracy activists along with Indian supporters held conference in remembrance of the Burmese democracy struggle that largely came to be known since August 8, 1988.

Besides, a New York based Global Justice Center, in collaboration with Burmese 88 generation students, International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO), US Campaign for Burma and supporters also held a commemorative talk in New Delhi.

Tokyo, Japan In Tokyo, more than 1,000 Burmese nationals from several exiled political parties marched around the city for over an hour walking and held a brief demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy.

Myat Thu, an activist involved in organizing the program said, "We held a brief demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy and demanded for the release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to begin dialogue and to immediately convene the peoples parliament."

Demonstrators also shouted slogans that call on Burma's military rulers 'to stop killing and abusing the Burmese people' and urged the international community to intervene and pressure for changes in the country.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia In Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur, over 100 Burmese activists demonstrated in front of the Burmese Embassy in commemoration of the '8888' uprising.

"We marched to the Burmese Embassy and held a brief 30 minutes protest," said Ye Min Htun, an activist who involved in organizing the protest.

He said, the activists were only allowed to hold protest for half an hour as the security situation in Kuala Lumpur is unfavorable.

But the Burmese activist said, they were able to show the people of the struggle for democracy in Burma through a photo exhibition on the August 8, 1988 mass uprising.

Seoul, Korea In Seoul, members of exiled National League for Democracy – Liberated Area led a protest in front of the Burmese Embassy and were able to give a press conference to the local media.

"We are able explain about what happens in 1988 August 8 protest and tell the people of the situation now in Burma after twenty years of the protests and we call on the people to help Burmese people to achieve democracy and justice in Burma," said Zaw Moe Aung ,spokesman of the NLD-LA in Korea.

Mae Sod, Thailand In the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sod, a place where United States' first lady Laura Bush had visited on the previous day to meet with Burmese refugees, pro-democracy activists held a commemorative function of the 20th anniversary of August 8, 1988 mass demonstration in Burma.

"We need to move forward by upholding the spirit of 1988 in our struggle for freedom from the brutal military dictators," said Min Naing, foreign affairs representative of the All Burmese Students Federation Union (ABSFU).

Activists also held arts and photos exhibition on the '8888' protest and September 2007 protests at the Programme attended by over 300 activists and migrant workers.

In a separate event, in Mea Tao Clinic, prayer services were held for those people killed by the military junta since the 1988 uprising and through out the twenty years of struggle.

"We want to create more awareness among the clinic staffs and the patients on the situation of our country both of the past and the present," said Aye Lwin, an office in-charge of the clinic.

Singapore In Singapore, with restrictions imposed by the government, Burmese people were unable to hold a demonstration but held prayer services for the people those are killed during the protests in 1988 and in 2007 September.

"The event was held at the City hall and there are many people joining us," said an activist, who did not want to be named.