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Divine Melodies Under the Moon: The Enchantment of Raas Leela

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Divine Melodies Under the Moon: The Enchantment of Raas Leela As the moon ascends, casting its silvery glow over a tranquil night, a magical scene unfolds beneath the ancient trees. Here, Lord Krishna, the divine enchanter, cradles his Banshi — a flute that weaves melodies so enchanting they seem to echo through the very fabric of the universe. Ethereal Dance of Devotion: Lord Krishna and the Gopis Under the Moonlight by Jimmy Thiyam With each note, the Gopis of Raas Leela are summoned, their hearts ignited with devotion. They twirl and sway in their exquisite Potloi, the vibrant Manipuri attire shimmering like liquid gold under the moonlight. This isn’t merely a dance; it’s a sacred expression of love, a celebration of the divine bond between Krishna and Radha, and a testament to the soul's yearning for union with the divine. In this ethereal moment, the world outside fades away, leaving only the pure essence of existence. The Raas Leela transcends mere performance; it becomes a s...
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Strategising Innovation for removing Invasive Species

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Strategising  Innovation  for removing Invasive Species    There are stories galore on how State agencies, and scientists, are devising innovative strategies in encouraging people to participate in the removal of invasive alien species of fishes and plants from the terrestrial landscapes and the traditional waters around the world. United States Experience See this story from Florida in the United States. A report posted on 19 October earlier this week, says Florida organized a massive Lionfish hunt during the annual Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lionfish Challenge, drawing 533 enthusiastic registered participants. Water Hyacinth Crowding Utra Pat Wetland — Kabo-kang Na Thingjillaba Pat At the conclusion of the competition, which ran from 22 May up to 14 September earlier this year, the participants dived into the sea to remove 36,187 invasive lionfish from Florida's state waters.The divers, logging 1,468 dive trips, broke the record catch of 30,0...
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Location: Imphal West, Manipur, India
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Manipur's Wild West Scenario Is Destroying Social Security

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Manipur's Wild West Scenario Is Destroying Social Security By Salam Rajesh Women of Manipur demand peace, but not at the cost of their survival. Photo: Facebook/Public Manipur today is living under a dark cloud. No one can say clearly who is protecting the people, and where social security has gone, especially for the most vulnerable people living where the valley meets the hills.The violence unleashed by suspected Kuki armed groups is tearing apart the social fabric of different communities in the State. It looks pre-planned and calculated, to divide people and to push a certain political objective. Many fingers are pointing towards the demand for autonomy.Whatever the objective of the militants may be, one question remains troubling. Where do the elected representatives of the Kuki community stand? They are part of a governance system bound by the Constitution of India. In particular, people are asking about the position of the Deputy Chief Minister who represents the Kangpokpi A...
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Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
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Is the Suspension of Operations Pact Failing? Alarming Revelations from the Sinai Camp Raise Questions About Government Oversight and Rising Violence!

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Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army's camp raise serious questions about Government oversight and safety in the region   Is the Suspension of Operations Pact Failing? Alarming Revelations from the Sinai Camp Raise Questions About Government Oversight and Rising Violence! The situation at the Sinai camp, where a significant number of Kuki National Army and Kuki Liberation Army members are unaccounted for, highlights a critical failure in the enforcement of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. This lack of oversight has allowed armed groups to operate with impunity, raising serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the government's peacekeeping efforts. The on-going violence, including recent murders, underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review and potential abolition of the SoO pact, as the current framework appears inadequate to ensure accountability and security in the region. We still remember that when the former Nort...
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Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
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Manipur in the Crossfire: Why Ordinary Lives Are Paying the Price for Geopolitics

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Smoke Over the Hills: The Human Cost of Conflict in Manipur   Title: Manipur in the Crossfire: Why Ordinary Lives Are Paying the Price for Geopolitics Villagers look on as smoke rises from homes reduced to cinders in the hills, capturing the stark reality of ongoing unrest and border vulnerabilities . The situation in Manipur has become a harrowing reality for its residents, who live in constant fear that everyday activities, such as visiting a neighbouring village or gathering firewood, could lead to violence or death. Despite political leaders acknowledging the delicacy of the situation, their reassurances do little to comfort citizens when violence erupts in their communities. Incidents like the tragic killing of three woodcutters in the Khongbal hills (situated in the foothills near the border of the Imphal East district near Nongsum and the Khamenlok area) and the brutal murders of Naga civilians illustrate the alarming vulnerability of ordinary people. Further, entire distric...
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Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
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Manipur's Demographic Instability: Why NRC Must Come Before Census 2026

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Manipur's Demographic Instability: Why NRC Must Come Before Census 2026 Author: Salam Rajesh Manipur Map Introduction: The Heart of the Debate For the past few years, Manipur's population debate has moved to centre stage. It is no longer just about numbers, but about the geopolitical future of the state. With the decadal census already delayed, indigenous communities are raising a critical question: Can we count heads before we know who is living in the state? The demand is clear - implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur with 1951 as the base year, before the census. The Evidence on the Ground: Unaccounted Settlements Concern is not without basis. 1.   Forests Under Encroachment: An exercise by the State Forest Department to assess protected areas, especially reserved forests, revealed a startling fact. Since 1980, dozens of satellite hamlets have sprung up inside reserved forests without permission from the forest department or state administration. Satell...
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Roping in Indigenous Peoples Knowledge and Wisdom in Conservation - Salam Rajesh

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New: Indigenous Knowledge in Conservation by Salam Rajesh   By Salam Rajesh | Senior Journalist based in Imphal, working with communities at Loktak Ramsar site and tribal communities on forest & wetland conservation in Manipur The Fortress Conservation Trap The fortress conservation model is a trap that limits and prevents important, Indigenous-led approaches to environmental stewardship, harming Indigenous people and the environment in one fell swoop. This sharp criticism of state-sponsored conservation model is the product of a study, Experts, not Obstacles: Indigenous Conservation Excellence and the Trap of Conservation at any Cost , an outcome of a Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (Policy Brief No.2, September 2025), produced by the Kennedy Harvard School and the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona. State-Sponsored Protected Areas vs Locals State-sponsored conservation model such as those seen in the implementation of Prote...
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Location: Uripok, Imphal, Manipur, India
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