Irabot Foundation Manipur has called for collective efforts towards achieving self-sustenance in Manipur.
The foundation made the clarion call during its 26th foundation day celebration held on Thursday on the theme ‘responsible consumption and production (sustainable development goal no. 12)’ at Manipur Dramatic Union Hall, Yaiskul.
Delivering the keynote address, Secretary General of the foundation Kh Gopen Luwang recounted that Manipuri forefathers were able to store year’s foodgrain in the granary and preserve foods like bamboo shoot, dried fish for their sustenance. Besides, everyone has the habit of growing one’s own food, he said.
However, people of the State are now depending on imported food products. Consumption of imported products, injected with pesticides and chemical preservatives are posing various health hazards, he added.
He appealed to the people to collectively work and extend full cooperation to achieve self-sustenance.
The foundation secretary general went on to recount that it was set up under the leadership and vision of Father of Social Worker, Thounaojam Iboyaima on June 16, 1996. He said that the vision of the foundation is to build the foundation of a self-sustained and egalitarian society.
He further stated that the foundation has been launching various campaigns such as ‘Greening Manipur’, ‘Grow more Food’, ‘Protection and Preservation of Agricultural Land in Manipur’, ‘Know Your Schemes’ among others.
Besides, the foundation puts forward various suggestions for welfare of farmers and students, he said, adding that it has also been pushing for implementing long term agro-forestry management and agricultural market policy.
Vice Chancellor of DM University, professor N. Rajmuhon; Irabot Foundation Manipur president, Thongam Ajit and founder of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Ph. Landhoni among others were also present at the occasion.
