Meira Paibi of Manipur receives Lifetime Achievement Award of Times of India Social Impact Awards

Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI, January 28: Eighty three-year-old Thokchom Ramani Leima with four other women members namely Ak Janaki Leima, L Memchoubi Devi, Y Leirik Leima and M. Purnimashi Leima of Meira Paibi, the fearless group of women from Manipur today received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the second Times of India Social Impact Awards from the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

The award ceremony was organized by the Times of India Group in association with J P Morgan at the Convention Hall of The Ashok, Chanakyapuri here. The award was shared with the Naga Mothers Association of Nagaland. The two groups have battled social evils like alcoholism and drug abuse, and spearheaded peace efforts in the insurgency-ridden region.

Lifetime Achievement Award was the special award of the ceremony which was presented by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee. Other awards were presented by the beneficiaries.

Speaking at the gathering, Thokchom Ramani appreciated the organizer for recognizing their yeoman service rendered towards the people of Manipur, She narrated that Manipur was suffering due to enforcement of the black laws in the state in the name of insurgency and the women were the most sufferers in the situation. Sharmila had been fasting for more than 12 years demanding for removal of black laws in the State. She drew the special attention of the President of India for resolving the problems in the North Eastern Region.
The Meira Paibi — literally, women with flaming torches — is the largest grassroots, civilian movement fighting state atrocities and human rights violations in Manipur. For decades, the women have faced the state’s armed might and aggression with nothing more than their will and unity.

The movement by Meitei women began in the 1970s as a drive against alcoholism and drug addiction. The women would walk in groups at night; impose fines on drunks, and burn stocks of alcohol. Liquor was eventually banned in the state. They are fighting against drug abuse, crimes against women, and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

In 1980, the entire state was brought under the AFSPA to counter insurgency. As innocent young men were often arrested, tortured and killed, the women took to the streets demanding repeal of the Act. Night after night, they patrolled the streets to prevent search operations by security forces. Women became the wall protecting society against violence and killings.

Though Meitei society is patriarchal, the women play a central role. The old Manipur kingdom fought many wars and men went away to fight for months. Women did household duties and even trading in Imphal`s markets.

Awards in 17 categories like education, health, environment, livelihoods, advocacy and empowerment selected from over 1500 entries from all over the country were presented in the function.

Selection of the awards was made by an eminent jury comprising Unique Identification Authority of India chairperson Nandan Nilekani; Magsaysay awardee and National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy; former Cabinet Secretary Naresh Chandra; Magsaysay awardee and former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh; Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed; former chairperson of Thermax Limited and Rajya Sabha MP Anu Aga; Centre for Science and Education director-general Sunita Narain and HDFC Bank chairperson Deepak Parekh spent an afternoon debating and discussing, before selecting the winners. The jury also nominated a Global Contribution to India award winner and a Lifetime Achievement award winner.