M. Asnikumar Singh, Chairman, Manipur Development Society (MDS), Govt of Manipur who is also State Spokesperson of BJP Manipur Unit dedicated a mobile tower of Airtel Network on Monday at Thanga Pukhram Ching located between Salam Leikai and Heisnam Leikai of Thanga, Loktak Lake, Bishenpur Distt, Manipur in the presence of N. Dinesh Singh Upa- Adhakshya, Bishenpur ZP, Oinam Romen Singh Pradhan, Thanga-I, all the Ward members of Thanga Salam Leikai and a good number of senior citizens, womenfolk , students of Thanga area.

He said “ People of Thanga area have been facing inconveniences due to lack of proper network in the area, especially students who face huge problems while attending their online classes during this time of a pandemic. In the present context, using mobile/ internet is essential for our daily lives as well as academic purposes, working from home, the availing benefit of govt welfare schemes. Asnikumar echoed and said ‘our visionary and dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very far-sighted and he has been pushing for ‘Digital India’ to improve the quality of life for millions of Indian, to compete with rest of the world in all-round development with improvements in the digital sector. In the coming years, digital technology is bound to play a highly significant role in transforming the rural landscape and economy of India. He mentioned that the tower, which I dedicated to the people of Thanga will ensure better connectivity/ alleviate network problems for the people of the area. He also made an earnest appeal to the young population of Thanga to use social media for productive purposes.

During his speech, he highlighted the importance of Loktak pat and its associated wetlands in Manipur. He said, “Manipuri civilisation started from Loktakpat, it is the cradle of Manipur’s cultural diversity. Now the health of the lake is deteriorating day by day due to wrong policies of the past governments and lack of proper planning and initiative by concerned stakeholders. Loktak pat is the lifeline of lacs of the population of Manipur valley, particularly the population of Thanga. But due to the changing environment and the ecological cycle of this lake, the economic life of the population of Thanga is adversely affected , which is very alarming. The so-called half-cooked controversial Loktak lake protection act needs to be reviewed with due consent of the dwellers of the lake and this lake can be safe only when the dwellers of the lake are involved in any measure from planning stage to implementation to conserve this lake . 

Our people’s CM N. Biren Singh has the vision to protect and improve the condition of this famous lake. He has already initiated a proposal for multinational funding for the purpose with an idea that Loktak can be an eco-tourism hot spot of south-east Asia under his dynamic leadership without disturbing the ecology of this famous lake as well as benefiting the dwellers of the lake in the process through employment opportunities which could be generated by a boom in tourism in the area. He appealed to the people of Thanga to judge what’s right, what’s wrong. Choose a leader as their representative who could highlight the issues and concerns of loktak lake and its dwellers at the highest level who have far-sighted and clear cut vision for an iconic Loktak and an ideal Thanga.

He extended his heartfelt thanks to CM N. Biren Singh (Incharge IT) and Chief Secretary (Incharge IT), Dr Rajesh Kumar. He said, “Without their support, the installation of this tower wouldn’t be possible”. He extended his sincere thanks to Airtel Authority for their quick response and tireless efforts to install this tower. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Thanga Salam and Heisnam Leikai, volunteers of SYPO Club Thanga Salam and his well-wishers for their cooperation while carrying out the installation process of this tower.

Later, in the afternoon, he, as the President of Bishnupur District Canoeing and Kayaking Association,  chaired a joint meeting of association members, guardians/parents, Canoeing, Kayaking and Rowing athletes of Bishnupur District at Takmu boathouse, Loktak Lake.

During the meeting, Asnikumar thoroughly interacted and discussed on the upcoming National championships of these disciplines, for conducting selection trial camps for Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking at Takmu Water Sports Complex, Bishnupur.

Regardless of circumstances, he assured to extend all possible support and take initiatives to help the young athletes so that they will be able to participate in upcoming national and international championships.

He informed that he has been personally supporting these young athletes at his best possible level since more than 2(two) decades and no circumstance has stopped him before. He said that the bond he shares with these young boys and girls of water sports is something which keeps getting stronger with every passing year. Most of them belong to financially troubled fishermen and farming community and these young boys and girls find an escape from the daily troubles of life in the world of water sports.

The gathering also thoroughly discussed on ways to alleviate various issues and obstacles facing these young athletes like the lack of infrastructure, equipment, minimum financial support etc. He made a wholehearted appeal to the guardians of these athletes to extend maximum possible support ( moral, physical and financial) to their young children/ athletes so that they can fulfil their God-given athletic potential and make a life for themselves by excelling in these disciplines in the coming years.