Evening daily
Imphal Times
Regd.No. MANENG /2013/51092
Amit Shah
to chair NE
chief
ministers
meet in
Shillong
Agency
New Delhi, July 10:
Union Home Minister Amit
Shah will chair a meeting
with the chief ministers of
Northeast st at es in
Shillong on July 17.
Informing this on Friday,
Meghalaya Chief Minister
Conrad K Sangma told
reporters that the Union
home minister will visit the
state for two days.
“He (Shah) will be having
a meeting with the Chief
Ministers of the North
Eas t (w her e) C hief
Secretaries and Directors
General of Police (DGPs)
w ill also be pr esent, ”
Sangma said.
H e als o infor med t hat
S hah w ill als o have a
meeting with the North
Eas t er n S p ac e
Applic ations Centr e
( NES AC) be s ides
inaugurating two-three
projects in Shillong and
East Khasi Hills.
“The Union H om e
Minister will also visit
Sohra where he will be
inaugurating one project
there. At the same time, he
will start a new project of
tree plantation because
there is a massive drive to
ens ure tr ee plantat ion
coverag e incr eas es in
S ohra area,” Sangm a
said.
The chief minister further
informed that the state
government had also put
up the requests made by
stakeholders, including
s oc ial or ga niz at ions
d ema nd ing for
implementation of Inner
Line Permit for meeting
the Union home minister.
“We have p ut in the
request for them and ask
for time. However, we
have not got the response
yet but I am very hopeful
that he will give a positive
response on that so we
are waiting ,” Sangm a
said.
S ta ting t hat imp or t ant
issues of the state will be
discussed during Shah’s
vis it, the C M s a id ,
“Obviously at my level
also, I will be discussing
these mat ters with the
Union Home minister and
we will see what response
we get from there.”
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
A Covid vaccination awareness
campaign was held to the members
of the women wing formulated
under the supervision of Oinam
Romen Singh, the Intending
Candidate of the Singjamei
Assembly Constituency in the
upcoming State General Election
2022 following a Meeting at his
Beyond Politics : Minister Th. Bishwajit
set himself as role model to encourage
people to get COVID-19 vaccination
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
Cabinet Minister Thongam
Bishwajit, who is an elected
representative from Thongju
Assembly constituency left
aside the game of politics and
set himself as a role model in
encouraging not only to the
people of the his
constituency but also to all
the people of the state.
“I know how tough it is to
have bee n affected by
Covid-19, as I had already
been infected, now I am
cured and I don’t want any
persons of the state to face
the same fate as me”,
Thongam Bishwajit, who was
instrumental in the forming
of BJP led government under
C hief M inister N . B iren
Sing h s aid w hile talking
d ur ing an aw arenes s
campaigned for mass covid-
19 vaccination drive held at
the Comm unity Hall of
Khongman Zone 3.
The mass vaccinat ion
programme held yesterday
was organized by Thongju
Kendra voluntary workers
covid-19 committee (TKRC)
and Thongju Kendra Gram
Panchayat level covis-19
task force with support from
local clubs and meira paibes
und er the aus pices of
Of the 450 persons tested using RAT 48 found
positive with Covid-19 in Oksu Village
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
Of the total 450 persons
who were tested for Covid-19
cases, 48 people were found
positive with the Covid -19 in
Oksu Ningthemcha Village of
Imphal East in Lamlai
Assembly constituency.
Report reaching here said that
the test has started conducted
since yesterday under the
supervision of the Chief
Medical officer Imphal East
using Rapid Antigen Test
(RAT). Oksu Ningthemcha
Village has around 350
household.
Talking to Imphal Times, a
source said that on the
request of the Pradhan of the
Gram Panchayat M. Bilashini
and the club members of the
Oksu Ningthemcha Youth
Club , the CMO Imphal East
sent a team and villagers came
Covid Vaccination Awareness Campaign Held
residence today.
The Meeting was held with strict
adherence of the Covid-19
Protocols. The main objective of
the AWARENESS CAMPAIN
with the WOMEN WING is
nothing but to give full awareness
to the whole people of the
Constituency to get fully
vaccinated to protect from Corona
infections. The Women Wing
under the supervision of the
Volume 7, Issue 663, Saturday, July 10, 2021
Dis trict Administrative
Imphal East .
The young and w ell
physique dynamic Minister
and a leader of the BJP
Manipur Pradesh was seen
for the first time speaking to
a mass public (in connection
with Covid -19), but Imphal
Times staff reporters while
paying visits at many places
in Imphal East district or at
his official quarter at
Sanjenthong found him
always sharing on how to
remain protected from Covid-
19 before taking up issues for
discussion subjects not
related with the Covid-19.
The Minister also dispelled
myths and rumours
surrounding Covid vaccine
out voluntarily for testing and
to get vaccinated.
“200 people of all ages
were tested using RAT
yesterday and among them 24
were found positive with
Covid-19”, the source said and
added that today too 250
persons were tested and
among them another 24 people
were tested positive.
What worried the villagers
is that many children below 4
years of age and members of
al family of a house was tested
Intending Candidate, Mr. Oinam
Romen Singh has been doing
various activities such as
Sanitisation Work, giving
Awareness Campaign so on and
so forth. The WOMEN WING has
been taking part in various
activities in the Constituency so
as to make women of the entire
Constituency to get themselves
Sense of Self-worth of their own
in today’s Society and also to have
and highlighted the positive
sides of the vaccination.
Already tested Covid -19
positive earlier Bishwajit has
been many times seen sharing
his experience on how to
remain protected to whoever
people who visited him
before the 2nd wave begins.
He had already jab the
Covid-19 vaccine but said
that without vaccination of
those eligible, gett ing
vaccination of only 1 or two
will not save us all from the
Covid-19 attack.
“Being a politician and
being a Ministers w ith
bundles of works in my back
I have to meet many people,
even though I tried following
the Covid-app ropriate
positive.
So far no government
measures have been taken up
for the Covid-19 positive
villagers, said a local club
member.
An authority from the state
government while talking to
Imphal Times expressed
apprehension that the number
of the positive cases in Oksu
Village could have been more
as the test was conducted
using RAT. Those sample of
the people found negative
the ability to participate in the
social, economic and political
activities under the strict
supervision of the Intending
Candidate, Mr. Oinam Romen
Singh for the time being. Women
take a vital role in the upliftment of
a Society. They are marching
towards development in every
walk of life. The gathering
appreciate the act of Mr. Romen
Singh as he acknowledged
Maliyapham Palcha kumsing 3418
behaviour while talking with
the officials or any other
citizen, I sometimes felt that
I had violated the Covid
appropriate behaviour, so, I
tested for covid-19 whenever
I felt I need to be tested”,
Bishwajit said adding that
testing was done for those
whom I met and for those who
are my near and dear ones.”,
Bishwajit said.
Understanding the role of
the AHSA in boosting up the
Covi-19 vaccination drive
Cab inet Minister Th.
Bishwajit gave mone tary
ass istance to 22 ASHA
Workers of Akampat PHC
and 19 ASHA Workers of
Bas hikhong PH Cas
encouragement.
have also not been sent for
RTPC testing.
“It is possible that whole
of the villagers might be
infected if tested with
RTPCR”, a club members told
Imphal Times.
He appealed the
government authority to take
immediate measures for
survival of the villagers as
this days are cultivation
season where almost all the
people depend for their
livelihood.
Women Empowerment in this era.
Regarding the AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN with the WOMEN
WING, Mr. Romen Singh said that
it is the need of the hour. Without
women’s effort, no socio and
political activities can be taken up
in the Constituency. He further
said that men and women together
should go forward for the Political
and economic development of the
Constituency. The WOMEN
National Fish Farmers’
Day Observed
CM announces 50 percent grant on
loans for local Sareng producers
IT News
Imphal, July 10,
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh
announced that the State
Government would provide
loans with 50 percent grant to
fish farmers who produce local
Sareng and instructed the
Fisheries Department to
introduce a scheme in this
regard soon. N. Biren Singh
stated this while attending the
21st National Fish Farmers’
Day, 2021 organised by
Directorate of Fisheries,
Manipur at its office Complex
at Lamphelpat today.
Stating that Manipur is a State
with its cuisine marked by
abundant consumption of
fish, he stressed on the need
to carry out advanced fish
farming in order to meet its
people’s demand for fresh fish
which are healthy for
consumption. He added that
the State Government, since
its formation, had earlier
identified some sectors which
needed prioritization in which
fisheries was one of them.
With the aim to increase fish
production in the State, the
Government had also
provided financial assistance
to many fish farmers under
certain schemes.
Appreciating the Manipur
State Co-operative Bank Ltd.
for providing loans of around
22 Crore Rupees to fish
farmers till now, he maintained
that the Government had now
made access to loan by farmers
easier in lesser time with its
single clearance window
system and added that this
initiative had convinced
borrowers to timely repay the
loan too. He also added that
the production capacity of
fishes in the State had also
increased from 31,000 MT to
33,000 MT per year now with
the joint efforts of the
Government and the fish
farmers. The production
capacity had been affected to
some extent by the pandemic
which otherwise would have
increased significantly, he
said.
The Chief Minister further
informed that the Government
is putting in best efforts to
produce sufficient quantities
of fingerlings for supply to
fish farmers at a lower rate. He
stressed on the need to make
fish feed locally available in
order to reduce the cost
incurred in fish farming. This
would help in making fish
products available to the
WING will work tirelessly for the
upliftment of the entire area of
Singjamei Assembly
Constituency so that it can be
developed from the grassroot
level, Mr. Romen Singh assured.
Mr. Romen Singh persues the
Women Wing to do justifiable
deeds for the people of the
Constituency especially the
Women sections in the long run
apart from the political activities
Rs.2/-
people at lower prices, he
added. Instructing the
Department Officials to
inquire if the machine for
producing fish feed was
working properly, the Chief
Minister asked them to
procure a new machine if it
was found not working.
Delivering his presidential
speech, Fisheries Minister
Sorokhaibam Rajen stated
that the production capacity
of fish in the State had
increased to 33,000 MT in
recent years under the
innovative ideas and
supervision of Chief Minister
N. Biren Singh.
He informed that the
Government had also
provided land for three years,
to those landless farmers who
want to carry out fish farming,
on lease amount of Rs. 20,000
per acre per year under the
Loktak Livelihood Mission.
This would help in increasing
fish production in the State,
he added. The Minister
further informed that he and
his department officials met
the Union Fisheries Minister
and briefed about certain
necessary projects on his
recent visit to Delhi. He also
announced that one cold
storage each would be
constructed at Imphal West
and Bishnupur District to
prevent wastage of fish.
Giving Key-note Address,
Director, Fisheries Heisnam
Balkrisna Singh said that
National Fish Farmers Day is
celebrated on 10th July every
year in memory of scientists
Dr K. H. Alikunhi and Dr H. L.
Chaudhary for their
successful demonstration of
Hypophysation (technology
of induced breeding) in
Indian Major Carps on 10th
July 1957.
During the function, cash
rewards to ‘Best Fish Farmers
– 2020’ were also distributed.
The Highest Producer in
Group Category was
rewarded with Rs. 1 Lakh cash
amount. First, second and
third highest Producer in
Individual Category was also
rewarded with Rs. 1 Lakh, Rs.
70,000 and Rs. 50,000
respectively. The other awards
included Highest Individual
Fish Producers, Highest Fish
Production Officers in Valley
and Hill Districts and
Consolation prizes among
others. The awardees were
also provided certificate and
coffee table book of Four Years
Citizen Centric Government.
considering Women so important
in this juncture. He appealed the
gathering to be a victory and not
of defeat and conveyed the
support of the Women Wing to
continue to think beyond the
Constituency regarding
vaccination programme
considering each other as one in
building fraternity, bonding
amongst women telling the story
abroad.
Imphal Times Page No. 2

By - Fr. Paul Lelen Haokip
Introduction
This article does not encourage
people to shun from differing. If all
are the same, there would not be
advancement. The differences in
life are useful for progress, an
inexhaustible God’s gift for
humanity. The psychological
ailment of “fear to differ” to
entertain people or be in the good
book of higher-ups is an emerging
condition. This is a mental disease
that has permeated the
bureaucracy, political arena,
religious circles and even
universities. It takes courage to
differ.Have no fear to be different
because each person is unique and
important. If you have not been
rejected, accepted, confronted and
challenged in your life, probably
you have not done anything
worthwhile. All the above
conditions come up when you do
something extraordinary or
perform feats that have not been
completed by anyone. The
tendency to agree with everything,
anything and everyone is also a
pointer that you have nothing
unique in yourself or you have
been a mere follower (not doer).
Human existential reality
All human beings have flaws, they
are imperfect beings and have the
feeling called “jealousy” which is
not evil in itself. If positively
cultivated, it can propel someone
to betterment. There is a fine line
between healthy jealousy and
unhealthy controlling behaviour
(Samra Zafar). It is extremely
pertinent to be aware of that. The
fear of “being defeated” is a fear
that could induce suppression,
aggression, expansion, jealousy,
ultimately inducing more fear in
other spheres of life. One form of
fear creates another form of fear.
Religions, organizations,
institutions, governments could be
also avatars of fear inhibiting
optimum growth of humans
(especially imaginative people).
Usually, what is programmed by the
above establishments are
propagated as normativity, leaving
no room for addition or
FEAR TO DIFFER
subtraction. This is a pernicious
expression of the dominant culture
- creating fear in those who live
queer lives, possess queer minds,
creative ideas, minority groups,
entrepreneurial leadership traits. In
this instance, establishments that
are to enhance humanity have
become systematic inhibitors
(annihilators) of growth.
Mental health check
The World Health Organization
has defined mental health as “a
state of well-being in which the
individual realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to his
or her community.” The ability to
make a societal contribution is one
vivid pointer of sound mental
health. Yes, mental health embraces
our emotional, psychological, and
social well-being. It affects how we
think, feel, and act
(MentalHealth.Gov). The following
four questions are paramount to
check your mental state: (1) Do you
feel intimidated? (2) Do you feel that
you have lost your voice or stand?
(3) Do you feel you are always
living in fear, walking on
eggshells? (4) Do you feel that you
cannot express your opinions,
thoughts and feelings?If you have
a “YES” for any of the above, you
are in an abusive relationship or a
domineering organization. You
need therapy and counselling.
Your mental health needs proper
care, free from fear. You need a
connection to your true self and
the people around you.Abuse is to
do with “power and control” (of
people or institutions). There is a
need to identify those abuses and
address the problems. Otherwise,
human potentials can be
suppressed and achievements are
minimal.
Aggression is the result of fear
Verbal, written, emotional,
institutional, authoritarian
aggression are equivalent to indirect
aggressionsthat are “behind-the-
back” relational aggression. The
stresshere is not in the formof
aggression but on the intention to
harm human relationshipsor group
membership (Archer & Coyne,
2005). The “behind-the-back”
behaviour is an outcome of fear to
involve in face-to-face engagement.
This evades the real perpetrator in
abusive relations. The sufferer feels
the pain, the inflictor pretends not
to know, the real perpetrator is paid
off or remains elusive. Perhaps, this
will encourage the perpetrator to
expand his or her network of fear.
Heroes who dare to differ
Let us revisit some of our past and
presentheroes who differ from the
so-called normativity – M.K.Gandhi
differed with the British way of
governance; Subhash Chandra
Bose differed with the British Army
to ensure ‘us’ freedom; Bhagat
Singh, a socialist revolutionary
differed with the British; Medha
Patkar differs with the idea of big
dams and dares to stand for
Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA);
Kanhaiya Kumar of Bihar dared to
differ with JNU policies, now serves
as a member of Communist Party of
India; Akhil Gogoi of Assam dared
to differ with CAA and now elected
as MLA; Fr Stan Swamy differed
with the appropriation of tribal
lands, incarcerated, now dead;
Babloo Loitongbam of Manipur
differs with the AFSPA, works for
Human Rights Alert; Aung Sang
Suu Kyi differed with military Junta,
repeatedly serving house arrests;
Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de
Vries exposed the criminal
underworld and he has been shot
on an Amsterdam street several
times on the 5 th July 2021, now
battling with his life. These
bravehearts dared and are daring
to opt for transformative
emancipatory paradigms. You will
have brave hearts in your state,
region, village levels.
Conclusion
The price of “daring to differ” is
seen all over the world. But it is
worth it to differ than sacrifice
oneself (one’s identity) in the
unreserved pursuit to gratify people
or institutions. The price to differ is
great – rejection, framing,
incarceration, expulsion,emotional
or physical torture, denial of basic
human rights, death. If you adopt
inclusive principles, you are likely
to be excluded. If you dare stand
for the voiceless, you are likely to
be silenced. On the other hand,
nepotism, majoritarianism, fascism,
militarization, etc., are raising their
Hitlerian flags in different corners
of the world – creating fear and
trying to extinguishthe “courage to
differ”. May Rabindranath Tagore
(1861-1941) who constantly tried to
raise the Indian morale during the
imperialist British rule inspire us
with his illuminating and
anthologized poetry units, “Where
the mind is without fear and the head
is held high … Where the mind is
led forward by Thee, Into ever-
widening thought and action, Into
that heaven of freedom, my Father,
let my country awake”.
(The author is a PhD research
scholar, Department of Sociology
and Social Work, CHRIST
(Deemed to be University),
Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Email:
paulhowkeep20@gmail.com)

Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Learning

participate in class. Participants
access the Virtual Classroom
through their computers instead of
having to “go to class” physically.
Anytime, Any Pace…
The Virtual Classroom is accessible
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Time efficiency is another strength
By- Vijay Garg brought by the online learning
format. Asynchronous
All educators approach this new communication through online
paradigm with varying degrees of conferencing programs allows the
enthusiasm and concern. Are you professional juggling work, family,
optimistic about Online Learning? and study schedules to participate
Are you interested in knowing how in class discussions. There is no
delivering courses online can question about doing the work; just
improve your teaching and offer do it at the times that are more
unprecedented learning convenient. Students can access
opportunities for your students, or their courses at any time of day or
do you want to know what you will night. Further, they have
be up against as you plan and continuous access to lectures,
deliver your classes online? It is course materials, and class
important to consider both the pros discussions. This is particularly
and cons of online learning so you convenient for those who may need
can be better prepared to face the to reread a lecture or take more time
challenge of working in this new to reflect on some material before
environment as well as embrace the moving on.
new opportunities that it has to Synergy
offer. Strengths or Weaknesses? The online format allows a dynamic
You choose which link to follow interaction between the instructor
first, but please look at both – it’s and students and among the
only fair! students themselves. Resources
Strengths of Online Learning and ideas are shared, and
There are many reasons why online continuous synergy will be
programs have become a popular generated through the learning
form of distance learning in higher process. Each individual can
education today. The online contribute to the course discussions
environment offers unprecedented and comments on the work of
opportunities for people who would others. The synergy that exists in
otherwise have limited access to the student-centered Virtual
education, as well as a new Classroom is one of the most
paradigm for educators in which unique and vital traits that the
dynamic courses of the highest online learning format possesses.
quality can be developed. Here is a High Quality Dialog
list of some of the major benefits of Within an online asynchronous
online programs: discussion structure, the learner
Anywhere… may reflect on comments from
The main advantage of others before responding or moving
asynchronous online learning is on to the next item. This structure
that it allows students to participate allows students time to articulate
in high quality learning situations responses with much more depth
when distance and schedule make and forethought than in a traditional
on-ground learning difficult-to- face-to-face discussion situation
impossible. Students can participate where the participant must analyze
in classes from anywhere in the the comment of another on the spot
world, provided they have a and formulate a response or
computer and Internet connection. otherwise lose the chance to
In addition, the online format allows contribute to the discussion.
physically challenged students (and Student Centered
teachers) more freedom to
Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’
can be sent to our e-mail : imphaltimes@gmail.com. For advertisement
kindy contact: - 0385-3590330 (O). For time being readers can reach the
office at Cell Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose.
Within an online discussion, the
individual student responds to the
course material (lectures and course
books, for example) and to
comments from other students.
Students usually respond to those
topics within the broader
conversation that most clearly speak
to their individual concerns. These
situations result in smaller
conversations taking place
simultaneously within the group.
While students should read all of
their classmates’ contributions, they
actively engage in only those parts
of the dialog most relevant to their
own interests. In this way, students
control their own learning
experience and tailor the class
discussions to meet their own
specific needs. Ideally, students
make their own individual
contributions to the course while at
the same time taking away a unique
mix of relevant information.
Level Playing Field
In the online environment, learners
have a certain measure of
anonymity. Discriminating factors
such as age, dress, physical
appearance, disabilities, race, and
gender are largely absent. Instead,
the focus of attention is clearly on
the content of the discussion and
the individual’s ability to respond
and contribute thoughtfully and
intelligently to the material at hand.
Access to Resources
It is easy to include distinguished
guest experts or students from other
institutions in an online class.
Furthermore, today’s students have
access to resources and materials
that may be physically located
anywhere in the world. An
instructor can compile a resource
section online with links to scholarly
articles, institutions, and other
materials relevant to the course
topic for students to access for
research, extension, or in depth
analysis of course content material.
Creative Teaching
The literature of adult education
supports the use of interactive
learning environments as
contributing to self-direction and
critical thinking. Some educators
have made great strides in applying
these concepts to their on ground
teaching. However, many classes
still exist which are based on lectures
and rote memorization of material.
The nature of the semi-autonomous
and self-directed world of the Virtual
Classroom makes innovative and
creative approaches to instruction
even more important. In the online
environment, the facilitator and
student collaborate to create a
dynamic learning experience. The
realization of a shift in technology
creates the hope that those who
move into the new technology will
also leave behind bad habits as they
adopt this new paradigm of
teaching. As educators transform
their courses to take full advantage
of the online format, they must
reflect on their course objectives
and teaching styles. Many of the
qualities that make a successful
online facilitator are also
tremendously effective in the
traditional classroom.
Weaknesses of Online Learning
While online programs have
significant strengths and offer
unprecedented accessibility to
quality education, there are
weaknesses inherent in the use of
this medium that can pose potential
threats to the success of any online
program. These problems fall into
six main categories:
1. Technology
Equity and Accessibility to
Technology
Before any online program can hope
to succeed, it must have students
who are able to access the online
learning environment. Lack of
access, whether it be for economic
or logistic reasons, will exclude
otherwise eligible students from the
course. This is a significant issue in
rural and lower socioeconomic
neighborhoods. Furthermore,
speaking from an administrative
point of view, if students cannot
afford the technology the institution
employs, they are lost as customers.
As far as Internet accessibility is
concerned, it is not universal, and
in some areas of the United States
and other countries, Internet
access poses a significant cost to
the user. Some users pay a fixed
monthly rate for their Internet
connection, while others are
charged for the time they spend
online. If the participants’ time
online is limited by the amount of
Internet access they can afford, then
instruction and participation in the
online program will not be equitable
for all students in the course.
Computer Literacy
Both students and facilitators must
possess a minimum level of
computer knowledge in order to
function successfully in an online
environment. For example, they
must be able to use a variety of
search engines and be comfortable
navigating on the World Wide Web,
as well as be familiar with
Newsgroups, FTP procedures, and
email. If they do not possess these
technology tools, they will not
succeed in an online program; a
student or faculty member who
cannot function on the system will
drag the entire program down.
Limitations of Technology
User friendly and reliable
technology is critical to a successful
online program. However, even the
most sophisticated technology is
not 100% reliable. Unfortunately, it
is not a question of if the equipment
used in an online program will fail,
but when. When everything is
running smoothly, technology is
intended to be low profile and is
used as a tool in the learning
process. However, breakdowns can
occur at any point along the system.
For example, the server which hosts
the program could crash and cut all
participants off from the class; a
participant may access the class
through a networked computer
which could go down; individual
PCs can have numerous problems
which could limit students’ access;
finally, the Internet connection
could fail, or the institution hosting
the connection could become
bogged down with users and either
slow down or fail altogether. In
situations like these, the technology
is neither seamless nor reliable, and
it can detract from the learning
experience.
2. The Students
While an online method of
education can be a highly effective
alternative medium of education for
the mature, self-disciplined student,
it is an inappropriate learning
environment for more dependent
learners. Online asynchronous
education gives students control
over their learning experience and
allows for flexibility of study
schedules for non traditional
students; however, this places a
greater responsibility on the
student. In order to successfully
participate in an online program,
students must be well organized,
self-motivated, and possess a high
degree of time management skills in
order to keep up with the pace of
the course. For these reasons,
online education is not appropriate
for younger students (i.e.
elementary or secondary school
age) and other students who are
dependent learners and have
difficulty assuming responsibilities
required by the online paradigm.
3. The Facilitator
Lack of Essential Online Qualities
Successful on-ground instruction
does not always translate to
successful online instruction. If
facilitators are not properly trained
in online delivery and
methodologies, the success of the
online program will be compromised.
An instructor must be able to
communicate well in writing and in
the language in which the course is
offered. An online program will be
weakened if its facilitators are not
adequately prepared to function in
the Virtual Classroom.
An online instructor must be able
to compensate for lack of physical
presence by creating a supportive
environment in the Virtual
Classroom where all students feel
comfortable participating and
especially where students know that
their instructor is accessible. Failure
to do this can alienate the class both
from each other and from the
instructor. However, even if a virtual
professor is competent enough to
create a comfortable virtual
environment in which the class can
operate, still the lack of physical
presence at an institution can be a
limitation for an online program. For
the faculty as well as the
participants, such things as being
left out of meetings and other events
that require on-site interaction could
present a limiting factor in an online
program.
4. The Administration and Faculty
Some environments are disruptive
to the successful implementation of
an online program. Administrators
and/or faculty members who are
uncomfortable with change and
working with technology, or feel that
online programs cannot offer
quality education, often inhibit the
process of implementation. These
people represent a considerable
weakness in an online program
because they can inhibit its success.
Contd. on Page 3
Imphal Times
PPFA advocates for total implementation of UCC SF recover sophisticated weapons
IT Correspondent
Guwahati, July 10:
Expressing gratifications over
a recent observation of Delhi
High Court in favour of a
Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a
nor theas t India b ase d
nationalist citizen’s forum
u rg ed the Centr e t o
implement the UCC across
t he countr y in total.
P at riot ic P eop le’s F r ont
Ass am ( PP FA) sp ecially
Chief of Naval Staff Visits Western
Naval Command at Mumbai
INS Tabar undertakes a maritime partnership
exercise at sea with Spanish Navy
By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, July 10:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
Admiral Karambir Singh,
vis ited Wes ter n N aval
C omm and, M u mb ai on
Wednesday and Thursday
and held meeting s w it h
officers, and took stock of
various activities carried out
by WNC.
The Admiral was received
b y Vic e Admiral R H ar i
K um ar, Flag O fficer
Commanding- in- Chie f,
Western Naval Command at
the Command Headquarters
in South Mumbai. He was
b riefed ab out var iou s
activities and operational
readiness of the Command.
The CNS also participated in
Contd. from Page 2
Strengths and Weaknesses ......
Sometimes administration
cannot see beyond the bottom
line and look at online
programs only as ways to
increase revenues and are thus
not committed to seeing
online programs as a means of
providing quality education to
people who would otherwise
not be able to access it. In
such a case, an institution that
is not aware of the importance
of proper facilitator training,
essential facilitator
characteristics, and limitations
of class siz e would not
understand the impact that
these elements can have on
the success of an online
program.
5. The Online Environment
Levels of Synergy
Online learning has its most
promising potential in the high
synergy represented by active
dialog among the participants,
one of the most important
sources of learning in a Virtual
Classroom. However, in larger
classes (20 or more students),
the synergy level starts to shift
on the learning continuum
until it eventually becomes
independent study to
accommodate the large class.
At this point, dialog is limited
as well as interaction among
participants and the facilitator.
The medium is not being used
to its greatest potential.
What Should Not Be Taught
Online
Even with recently generated
excitement and enthusiasm for
online programs, it is
important to recognize that
some subjects should not be
taught online because the
r eq u es t ed the
app ointed Union law
newly
minister Kiren Rijju to toil
over the matter.
Mentionable is that the high
court favouring a UCC in the
country asked the Union
government in New Delhi to
take necessary steps for its
total implementation. It
observed that in the modern
society of India, which is
gradually becoming
homogenous, the traditional
IAS Rajkumar Distributed Oxygen
t he Monsoon M anthan
series of training and war
games in Maritime Warfare
Centre, Defence Spokesman
Commander Mehul Karnik
electronic medium does not
permit the best method on
instruction. Examples include:
hands-on subjects such as
public speaking, surgery,
dental hygiene, and sports
where physical movement and
practice contribute to the
achievement of the learning
objectives. These subjects are
probably best taught in a face-
to-face traditional learning
environment. Hybrid courses
may represent a temporary
solution to this problem, thus
making that portion of the
course more accessible to a
greater number of people who
would otherwise have
difficulty getting to campus.
However, solutions of that
sort still underline the fact that
online teaching cannot satisfy
all educational needs and
goals. Just because it may be
technologically possible to
simulate a physical learning
experience, this does not
necessarily mean that it is the
best way to teach it.
6. The Curriculum
The curriculum of any online
program must be carefully
considered and developed in
order to be successful. Many
times, in an institution’s haste
to develop distance education
programs, the importance of
the curriculum and the need
for qualified professionals to
develop it are overlooked.
Curriculum and teaching
methodology that are
successful in on-ground
instruction will not always
translate to a successful
online program where learning
and instructional paradigms
barriers of religion,
community and caste are
slowly dissipating.
The court also viewed that
the Indian youth belonging
to various communities,
tribes, castes or religions,
who solemnise their
marriages, ought not to be
forced to struggle with issues
arising due to conflicts in
variou s pers onal laws ,
especially in relation to their
marriages and divorces.
stated.
The CNS had earlier visited
Western Naval Command in
August 2019. During that
visit, he had gone on board
are quite different. Online
curriculum must reflect the use
of dialog among students (in
the form of written
communication) and group
interaction and participation.
Traditional classroom lectures
have no place in a successful
online program. Education of
the highest quality can and
will occur in an online program
provided that the curriculum
has been developed or
converted to meet the needs
of the online medium.
Today is a very exciting time
for technology and education.
Online programs offer
technology-based
instructional environments
that expand learning
opportunities and can provide
top quality education through
a variety of formats and
modalities. With the special
needs of adult learners who
need or want to continue their
education, online programs
offer a convenient solution to
conflicts with work, family,
and study schedules.
Institutions of higher
education have found that
online programs are essential
in providing acces s to
education for the populations
they wish to serve. In order
for an online program to be
successful, the curriculum,
the facilitator, the
technology, and the students
must be carefully considered
and balanced in order to take
full advantage of the
strengths of this format and
at the same time avoid pitfalls
that could result from its
weaknesses.
Page No. 3
“We whole heart edly
s up por t the high cour t’s
after encounter with cadres of
reflection that there should
be a Code which is common
to all in our country,” stated
NSCN-K (YA) in Mon district
a PPFA statement adding IT News
that once implemented fully, Kohima, July 10:
the UCC will essentially
pr ovid e one law for t he Security Forces in a joint
entire country, applicable to operation involving a
all religious communities in firefight against banned outfit
their personal matters such NSCN-K(YA) at Sangsa
as m ar r iag e, d ivorce, Village, Mon District of
inheritance, adoption etc. Nagaland recovered two
sophisticated weapons, one
HK Assault Rifle and one
Lathode Launcher alongwith
ammunition.
The well-coordinated
operation ensured that there
was no collateral damage to
any civilians or property.
The recovered arms and
ammunition have been handed
over to Tizit Police Station.
the submarine INS Kalveri,
visited the new dry dock at
Naval Dockyard, and had
Concentrator and PPE kits to Front
vis ited u nits at N aval
station Karanja in Uran in
Raigad district.
Line Workers in Chandel and
Mari ti m e Pa rt ners hip
Exercise with Spanish Navy
In anot her d evelopm ent ,
Tengnoupal District
INS Tabar while en route to
p or t cit y B re s t, F rance,
u nd e rt ook a m arit im e
partnership exercise at sea
w ith t he airc r aft of the
Spanish Navy on July 08,
near Cape Trafalgar soon
after crossing the Straits of
Gibraltar. A Cessna Citation
Maritime Patrol Aircraft and
a S e a K ing (S H - 3D )
helicopter operating from
R ota N aval B ase of the
Spanish Navy participated
in the exercise.
A wide range of operations
like Air Defence, Air Picture
IT News
Moreh, July 10:
Oxygen Concentrator and
PPE kits , Rajkumar said
Red Cross Society do also
thank to the Manipuris in
C omp ilat ion, ver t ical the Oxygen Concentrator Taiwan for helping the PPE kits
replenishment, and cross
d eck op e ra tion
exercised by the ship. The
was
Deputy Commissioner of
Chandel, Mayanglangbam
Rajkumar IAS has distributed
will be provided to those
who were suffering from
Covid 19 in a charge of
from Taiwan. Dr. HB Kobor
Anal asserted to the people of
Chandel and Tengnoupal
exer cis e w a s mutu ally Oxygen Concentrator and PPE Rupees 500 only in 10 days District that , If any covid
b eneficia l in enhancing kits to the Front Line Workers uses. The PPE kits were patients need Oxygen
inte ropera bility and of Indian Red Cross Society donated by the Manipuris Concentrator can contact the
cons olidat ing comb ine d who were working at Chandel in Taiwan for those front Indian Red Cross Society
operations against maritime and Tengnoupal District. l in e w o r k e r s w h o a r e Chandel and Tengnoupal
threats. During the handing over of working in field level. Indian District Branch.
DIPR/Advt. Bill- July 10
Imphal Times
Assam Rifles promotes Covid
Appropriate Behaviour in Noney countries
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
Khoupum Battalion under
the aegis of IGAR(South)
p ro m ot ed C O V ID - 1 9
ap propriate behaviour at
Lamdangmei Village, Noney
on today.
FEGOCTA Congratulates Union
Minister Dr. R. K. Ranjan
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
FEGOCTA, the apex body of
t he Gover nment C olleg e
t eacher s in M anip ur,
congratulates the MP, Dr.
R ajkuma r R anjan on his
appointment as the Union
M inister of S t at e in the
Ministry of Education and
External Affairs, Government
of India.
It is matter of pride for the
p eop le of M anipu r and
North East India that Dr.
R anjan has be en g iven
important responsibilities in
the field of education and
foreign policy. FEGOCTA as
an academic and intellectual
group would provide inputs
Copa America soccer: Argentina to clash with Brazil in final tonight
From Agency
July 10
In the Copa America soccer,
Lionel Messi has the
chance to win his first
major tournament with
Argentina when they meet
Brazil in the final in Rio
tonight. Messi has won 10
La Liga titles in Spain and
four Champions Leagues
during a trophy-laden
Edited by Rinku Khumukcham, Owned and Published by Iboyaima Khuman at Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Imphal and Printed by him at M/s Imphal Times Printers, Elangbam Leikai Imphal West, Contact No. 2452159, Resident Editor- Jeet Akoijam
15 EU
Due to the increasing cases
of C OVID-19 across the
country, the significance of
social distancing, proper
s anit is at ion, maintaining
hygiene and prompt actions
t o b e t ak en d u r ing
emergencies were explained
to the villagers.
in t he making
implementation of national
and
higher education policies.
FEGOCTA sincerely hopes
that there will be positive
transformation in education
sector particularly in North
East India and Manipur. Dr
Ranjan’s long career and
experiences in the field of
higher education will be a
g re at help in his new
res pons ibility and futu re
endeavours. Education and
foreign policy are the critical
areas in the globalised era
for the N ort h E as t Ind ia
which is facing challenges
in e du cat ion s ector and
foreign relations. The region
is almost surrounded by the
five neighbouring countries
career at Barcelona. But, his
only success with the
senior Argentina team is at
the 2008 Olympics in China.
Argentina have not won a
top-level tournament since
the 1993 Copa America.
A contest between Neymar
and Lionel Messi is how
many fans perceive the
Copa America final between
Brazil and Argentina.
The players themselves,
The event culminated with
distribution of sanitizers
and masks to the villagers.
T he village c hief highly
ap p r e cia t ed t h e e ffo r ts
made by Assam Rifles and
also requested to continue
s u ch as s is t a nce in t he
future.
of Bangladesh, Myanmar,
China, Bhutan and Nepal.
T he re s hould b e s er iou s
efforts to resolve old issues
and improve relations with
the neighbouring countries
as well as ASEAN countries.
F EG O CTA als o
congratulates Sarbananda
Sonowal and Kiren Rijiju on
their appointments as the
Union Cabinet Ministers. It
is expected that inputs and
s ugg es tions fr om the
governments and people of
the North East India will be
taken more seriously. It is
hoped that some qualitative
changes will take place in
t he life of t he p eople,
politics and governance in
the region.
though, see the bigger
challenge on Saturday at
Maracana Stadium will be
between one of the
toughest defensive lines to
break in world soccer and
the protection around one
of the best players in
history.
With a dash of pepper off
the pitch to spice up the
rivalry.
Neymar’s Brazil lineup has
conceded only two goals in
six matches at the Copa
America. Veteran Thiago
Silva, Marquinhos and Éder
Militão are taking shifts as
starters without putting the
Selecao under too much —
if any — risk. Defensive
midfielders Casemiro and
Fred are relentless. Right-
back Danilo and left-back
Renan Lodi are keener to
defend than go running up
front.
These players initially
criticized the South
American soccer
confederation for shifting
the continental tournament
recognise
India’s
Covishield
vaccine for
travellers
World Health
Organisation (WHO)
chief scientist Soumya
Swaminathan has said
that 15 countries in
the European Union
(EU) now recognise
Covishield vaccine for
travellers. It has been
produced by the Serum
Institute of India (SII)
and developed by
AstraZeneca and
Oxford University.
Swaminathan’s
rem arks come after
Belgium recognised
the Covishield vaccine
yesterday.
Charge d’affaires of
Belgium Embassy
Arnaud Lion said that
recognition of
Covishield by his
country will have a
positive impact for
everyone getting the
vaccine shot in India
and abroad.
Switzerland, Iceland
and some EU
countries had earlier
accepted Covishield
for travel entry.
Estonia had confirmed
that it will recognise
all the vaccines
authorised by the
Government of India
for travel by Indians.
Sports
to Brazil in emergency
mode. Before the final
against Messi’s Argentina,
they’ve changed their
narrative to winning at all
costs. And keeping a clean
sheet.
“The zone where Messi
plays is where I play, we
face each other a lot during
matches,” Casemiro told a
news conference on
Thursday. “I can’t mark any
player by myself, you need
teammates. And you don’t
mark only one player.
“It starts with Neymar,
Richarlison and it ends in
the goalkeeper — a team
plays with 11, defends with
11 and attacks with 11.”
Meanwhile, Argentina has
found a formula to try
protect Messi, who now at
age 34 plays much closer to
the final third of the pitch.
Midfielders Rodrigo de Paul
and Giovani Lo Celso,
notably creative players,
are selflessly adding to a
barrier around Messi.
Although they still manage
Farmers’ support group Freshiesfresh
completes 4 years of service
IT News
Imphal, July 10:
Freshiesfresh, a support
group of the farmers
community in the state today
completes 4 years. After the
lockdown began in 2020 the
Freshiesfresh continue its
service using online service.
“On the completion of 4 years
of online and 2 years offline
service of our Agriculture/
Horticuture retail outlet we
would like to extend our
gratitude to farmers of the
State mainly those who have
been planting for us and also
those who have supported us
with their products. In this
occasion we also extend our
heartfelt gratitude to all those
consumers who have
supported this unique project
through our online services
www.freshiesfresh.com which
turns 4 years old today and
also retail walk in at
freshiesfresh which turns 2
years old today”, CEO Shanta
in a press statement said.
It added that Agri Business in
Manipur has a tough path with
the COVID -19 pandemic
brining in new challanges for
Under PMGKAY, the Centre
allocates over 198 lakh tonnes of
food grains for the next 5 months
Agency
New Delhi, July 10:
The Centre is running the
longest ever exercise of
distributing free food grains to
people during this COVID
pandemic time. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi had
announced Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to
ameliorate the hardships being
faced by the poor due to
economic disruption caused
by Coronavirus.
Under the Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana,
free food grains are being
distributed to around 80 crore
beneficiaries covered under
to give good passes to
aggressive wingers Lautaro
Martinez and Nico
Gonzalez.
Messi has scored four
goals and given five assists
during this edition of Copa
America. Before the
tournament, he said it was
his dream to win his first
major title with Argentina,
which hasn’t won major
trophies in 28 years. He is
playing Barcelona-style for
his national team, scoring
from free kicks, dazzling
adversaries with frequent
runs despite his age and
giving plenty of passes.
“Messi is one step ahead of
all of us,” De Paul said
before the penalty shootout
win against Colombia in the
semifinals. “One is here to
grow, to help. We are all on
the same path. What
matters is to win and
represent Argentina well.”
The strengths of Brazil and
Argentina also belie some
of their weaknesses.
The Selecao trusts so much
our farmers during last two
years we have been able to
market link various crops from
HOOMI, RINGUI,
S E R A R A K H O N G,
LUNGHAR, Leimakhong,
PHEZRWAL, Churachandpur,
Kangvai, WANGJING,
HEIROK, LANGATHEL,
BISHNUPUR, KHOIJUMAN,
Keibul Lamjao, CHANDEL,
KHENGJOI, etc with a volume
vegetables worth 2.5 crores
being connected to various
consumers and interlinked
market in the State.
“We are also grateful to
Farmers Club and
organizations of Phezrwal,
Imphal west, Bishnupur,
Thoubal , Church leaders and
village chiefs of Hoomi,
Serarakhong , ringui village as
National Food Security Act,
NFSA. Five kilograms per
person per month food grains
will be provided from May to
November this year. The
NFS A beneficiar ies
belonging to b oth
Antyodaya Anna Yojana and
Priority Hous eholders
cat egories will get the
allocation, over and above
their regular monthly NFSA
entitlement. Last year, the
government had also
provided the benefits to the
people during the COVID-19
pandemic. Under the
Scheme, a total of 305 lakh
tonnes of food grains had
been lifted between April to
in its defense that its
strikers are under-
performing at Copa
America. Richarlison and
Roberto Firmino scored
only one goal each for
Brazil. Gabriel Jesus, who is
suspended from the final,
didn’t find the back of the
net.
Argentina’s effort to
protect Messi has also cost
the team physically in the
second half of most
matches — that is precisely
when Brazil scores more
goals.
The Copa America final is
the only game of the
tournament which opens
the possibility of extra-time
before penalties. Argentina
played its semifinal one day
after Brazil advanced.
Juicy comments before the
final could also affect the
mood for the game. Brazil’s
Richarlison said his team
will trash talk the
Argentinians during the
match.
“We can manage, it isn’t
Page No. 4
well as joint efforst with
Chakhao producers company
which have undertaken
community farming and
expanded our capability to go
ahead with aggressive
marketing and reach out to
various cities of the country.
In this 4 years journey
Nahakpam Food & Beverages
Freshiesfresh through its online
and off line facilities we have
completed sale of cash crops
such as Black Rice, Ginger,
Turmeric, King Chilly etc with a
total volume of 1.5 crore which
is apart from the vegetables
marketing”, the CEO said.
In the coming years we plan
to increase our export
capability with the help of
various farming organizations
as well as we are bringing our
community farmers in the
organic production map of the
country with the invitation of
Faircert to do the certification
process for our community
farms which will enable our
farmers to gain better market
in National level. Next two
years we plan to expand our
retail chain as well as occupy
a market volume of 4-5 crore
annually.
November last year by the
States and Union Territories.
The Cons umer Affairs
Ministry said that for
PMGKAY-3 a total of over 78
lakh tonnes of food grains
have been lift ed by the
States and Union Territories
for two months for May and
June this year. A total of over
198 lakh tonnes of food
grains have been allocated
to States and UTs for next
five months from July to
November under Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana – 4. Out of this,
around four lakh tons of food
grains have been lifted by
States and UTs so far.
just talking. We will talk
and show it on the pitch,”
the striker said. “We will
provoke them, it will
happen.”
It wasn’t very different in
their previous clash in the
South American tournament
in 2019, when Brazil beat
Argentina 2-0 in the
semifinals with goals by
Gabriel Jesus and Roberto
Firmino. Neymar didn’t play
in that tournament because
of injury.
Argentinian goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez also
provoked Colombia players
during the penalty shootout
that put his team in the final.
Martinez made three saves.
Brazilian President Jair
Bolsonaro kicked off the
final rivalry in an online
meeting with his
Argentinian counterpart
Alberto Fernandez.
“I will say what the result
will be. It will be 5-0,” said
Bolsonaro, who is not
expected to attend.
Fernandez just laughed.