40 percent females illiterate : Dr Jamini

IMPHAL, Mar 20 : Almost 40 percent of the female population of Manipur are still illiterate, said Chairman of the Manipur State Commission for Women, Dr Ch Jamini. Dr Jamini was speaking as chief guest in the inaugural function of a two-day seminar on Women Empowerment and Development with Special Reference to Manipur at Manipur College today. She noted that education is the basic foundation for empowerment and development of women.Irrespective of one’s gender, one can know about an individual’s rights and can improve his/her socio-economic conditions only when they become literate, she observed.As per the census report of 2001, female literacy rate of Manipur was 60.5 percent while the male literacy rate was 77.87 percent. Whereas the female literacy rate for India was 54 percent. Coupled with their illiteracy, customs and traditional beliefs inherent in each community and values of women defined by men have been major impediments in the effort to empower women, Dr Jamini asserted. One major contributing to the relatively lesser percentage of female literacy is the preference of sons over daughters in the society.Although, several laws have been enacted for empowerment and protection of women, none of these laws are implemented in letter and spirit.Giving key-note address of the seminar organised by Manipur College under the sponsorship of Indian Council of Social Science Research, North East Regional Centre Shillong and Directorate of University and Higher Education, Government of Manipur, S Benjamin Nattar, Political Science Lecturer of Manipur College, observed that despite some indicators about development of Manipuri women in certain fields, the condition of Manipuri women cannot be termed any better in several other areas. Various issued being endured by women in the State including violence and discrimination would be studied during the two day seminar, he said. The inaugural function of the seminar was graced by former Chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission WA Shishak as guest of honour and Principal of Manipur College Dr Lalit as functional president. WA Shishak was also chairperson of the academic session during which Prof Archana Sharma of Gauhati University, Dr Bijyalakshmi of Manipur University, Dr Priyadarshini, Konika Khuraijam of DM College of Teacher Education, Director of Gender and Child Unit Imphal, Nandini Thokchom, Nalini Nongmeikapam of Thoubal College, retired Science Promotion Officer A Sabita presented papers as resource persons. The afternoon session was moderated by Prof Gangmumei Kamei.

Credit Card facility soon in State

IMPHAL, Feb 7: The State denizens will see ‘plastic money’ soon as the State Bank of India (SBI) is making all out efforts to bring Credit Card facility to its customers. This upcoming development was announced today by Assistant General Manager SBI, Imphal Benu Hazarika while speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the bank held at SBI Old building at MG Avenue. Benu Hazarika said that the public sector bank had launched the facility in Guwahati recently with similar facility to be extended to the State at the earliest. He further said that despite its low interest rate, the rate of availing Home Loans in the State is very low. He however opined that it might be due to people of the State not aware enough regarding the facilities provided by the bank in Home Loans. Benu Hazarika also said that four more ATM machines have already arrived and will be installed at MG Avenue branch shortly in addition to the two existing ATMs. He also expressed confidence that with the installation of these four machines, the customers would be mitigated from the associated inconveniences of having to stand in long queues.To sort out the technical complicacies, if any, Benu maintained that the Imphal branch has purchased new UPSs and a 100 KVA generator. With regard to ‘connectivity’ with other branches within the State and beyond, it depends fully on the service provided by BSNL, Benu added. The Assistant General Manager further said that the branch has also conveyed to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding the ‘mutilated notes’ circulating in the State. The Imphal branch has also a Coin Vending machine from which one can draw out any number of coins, he informed. Benu also said highlighted to the gathering that SBI is providing Real Time Gross Settlement Scheme (RTGSS) in which any SBI customer can transact money to the accounts of other banks with a minimal charge of Rs 25. To provide paperless and hassle free banking to its customers, the bank too is providing Internet Banking (INB) like any other private banks. Business community can enjoy benefits from SBI through Power Pact and Power Gain facilities, he added. The Golden Jubilee celebration function was graced by former Minister Lt Col (Retd) H Bhubon Singh as chief guest and SBISA NE-Circle, CVP Th Rohini-kumar and SBI Develop- ment Banking Division Ma-nager Tonglu as guests of honour. SBI Imphal AGM Benu Hazarika presided over the function. The SBI Imphal which was launched on January 25, 1959 with taking over of manpower and infrastructures from the erstwhile Manipur State Bank Limited now has 20 branches in the State.