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Japanese Grandmaster trains Karate Do players in Imphal

May 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Imphal (Manipur), May 13 (ANI): Shihan Yoshiaki Ajari, an 8th Dan Japanese Grandmaster, is imparting training to over 130 Karate Do players at the main indoor stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Manipur”s Imphal city.

Players from across India have come here to attend the eight-day camp that began on May 9.
The Wadokai Karate Do Federation of India, in association with Wadokai Karate Do Association of Manipur, has organised this camp under the patronage of the North Eastern Council.

Ajari is also the founder of Japanese Karate-Do Federation Wodakai, in United States of America.

“Karate is my life. I do it 50 hours in a week. Yes, I have been invited to Manipur to impart training. These players are very good. Training makes a lot of difference. I am doing Karate for 60 years there was a time, when even I was weak,” said Ajari.

A local player here said that he was delighted to be in the camp and learn from the master.

“There is no other grandmaster of that level in India. If someone had to take the coaching, he had to go Japan. It was very expensive for the common man. It is so useful for us that master has come here to train us,” said Thanil, a Karate Do player.

Karate Do that originated from Japan is a form of traditional Budo (martial way of life). It is commonly thought of as a way to defend oneself from attack. (ANI)

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Indian Cultural Centre in Nepal in drinks row

May 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, May 13 (IANS) The newly opened Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) here, an Indian initiative to strengthen the subcontinent’s cultural ties abroad, has hit the headlines in Nepal for a different reason: a row over alcoholic beverages.

‘Dispute between Bal Mandir and ICC,’ the Nagarik daily said in a report Thursday.

Bal Mandir, an organisation for children, was founded nearly 40 years ago under the patronage of then queen of Nepal, Ratna, step-mother of deposed king Gyanendra.

The sprawling Bal Mandir complex, a former Rana palace, currently houses the Bal Mandir office, its home for abandoned and disabled young children, and the Nepal Association of Fine Arts, which was founded in 1965 by King Birendra.

Since last year, it also became the venue of the ICC. Started in Nepal in 2007, it is part of the 25 centres run by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the ministry of external affairs.

About seven months ago, the ICC was shifted to Bal Mandir from the premises of the Indian embassy after extensive construction began inside as part of the Indian government’s drive to gather diplomatic residences under one roof for greater security and cost-cutting measures.

‘Liquor began to flow inside the ICC in the course of its programmes,’ Bal Mandir director Rajeshwor Niraula told the Nepali daily.

‘Liquor was also sold openly outside the ICC auditorium, a bad example for children.’

ICC had hosted a musical performance by a local band, Kutumba. During the show, a liquor stall was erected outside the auditorium for the audience to buy and consume alcoholic drinks.

Besides whisky, gin and wine were sold. Though Bal Mandir objected, the organisers ignored the NGO.

‘It is not right to advertise or sell liquor or cigarettes inside Bal Mandir,’ Niraula said. ‘This had never happened before. We had to lodge an objection.’

Subsequently, the authorities lodged a formal complaint with the Indian embassy.

Geeti Sen, wife of film director Muzaffar Ali, who made such acclaimed films as ‘Umrao Jaan’, currently heads ICC Nepal. Earlier, it was headed by officials from the Indian foreign service cadre.

The 69-year-old art historian said she did not know that liquor and cigarettes were not allowed inside Bal Mandir premises. ‘It was done to enhance the musical soiree,’ she told the daily.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks, film director, Formal Complaint, greater security, indian embassy, Indian Government, Indian Initiative, King Birendra, king gyanendra, Local Band, Mandir, ministry of external affairs, musical performance, Nepal Association, patronage, Ratna, seven months, step mother, subcontinent

Oz woman puts struggling poet husband up for sale on eBay!

April 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Melbourne, April 24 (ANI): It has emerged that an Ivanhoe woman has put her struggling poet husband “up for sale” on eBay.

Sonya Semmens decided to offer up the chance to become patron for her husband, Cameron, 35, to give him much-needed financial support after son Spencer’s birth.

For 25,000 dollars, the buyer will get one year’s patronage of Semmens, a book of poetry dedicated to him or her, a complete set of Semmens’ catalogue of works and acknowledgement of their support at performances.

“Cameron Semmens, Ivanhoe performance poet who has dedicated his life to the wit and wisdom of well-crafted words, and brought meaningful entertainment and thoughtful inspiration to thousands of Australians for more than 20 years,” the eBay product description read.

“For the right patron, he’s a good investment,” the Herald Sun quoted Sonya as saying.

“Without patronage there would have been no Beethoven, no Michelangelo, no Shakespeare,” she stated.

On Semmens’ website, he sums up the pleasures and sorrows of his art/poetry life, quoting English poet Robert Graves.

“There’s no money in poetry, but then there’s no poetry in money either,” he wrote. (ANI)

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Wheel to stop turning

April 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The Perth Observation Wheel will stop turning early next month after its operators and the City of Perth failed to reach a decision on its future.

The operators wanted to install concrete pilings to make the wheel a more permanent construction – with a five year minimum contract.

The City of Perth says it cannot commit to a longer contract because the Perth waterfront project will start development within months.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi denies the wheel is being closed because its popularity has been low.

“It’s a private business so we don’t have any evidence to show other than the fact we’ve had many emails from businesses in the location suggesting that because of the patronage to the wheel that their businesses have benefited greatly,” she said.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: City Of Perth, Concrete Pilings, lord mayor, Minimum Contract, observation wheel, patronage, Permanent Construction, popularity, private business, Scaffidi, Waterfront Project, wheel

Payphones face the axe

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

More payphones are set to be removed in towns across central west New South Wales.

Telstra says the use of payphones dropped by more than 15 per cent a year since 2007, mainly due to the 22 million mobile phones connected in Australia.

The telecommunications carrier is planning to remove seven of Orange’s 36 phone boxes.

Last week, the Blayney council resolved to fight to keep four payphones in its shire that Telstra has earmarked for closure due to lack of patronage and vandalism.

These include payphones in Dalton and Woodward streets, which the telco says are located within 500 metres of other phones.

Another one earmarked for closure, on the eastern end of Bathurst Road, Telstra says is one of the most vandalised sites in Orange.

Telstra says residents of a newly constructed block of flats on Wentworth Lane have complained about having a phone box right outside.

New South Wales Housing and the Orange City Council have been provided with a list of the payphones under threat.

A report to this week’s Orange City Council meeting says the removal of some payphones may be an opportunity for people living in newer suburbs to lobby for one in their area.

Telstra is also proposing to remove three of the five payphones in the Oberon Shire, located at Hampton, O’Connell and Oberon.

People in the Orange and Oberon areas have until mid-May to make submissions to Telstra.

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‘Special cell’ to protect Musharraf was operating under Zardari’s instructions

August 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Aug. 24 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s office is alone in-charge of all the affairs of former president Pervez Musharraf, including the facilities being provided to him by the government.

An informal cell, which works directly under the instructions of Zardari, has been entrusted with the task to safeguard the interests of Musharraf, The News reports.

According to sources, the cell is being headed by a close associate of the president and chalked out the strategy in the light of the instructions from the high ups.

All this was done according to the broader understanding reached when the retired general was shown the door one year ago, they added.

The sources also revealed that the PML-N knew about the support that Musharraf was getting from his successor but it was keeping quiet in view of the precarious situation in the country.

The top leadership of the PML-N had time to time complained about the patronage the former president was getting form the Presidential Palace.

Meanwhile, former president has stopped giving political statements about the situation in Pakistan and his past role. (ANI)

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China cites technical hitches for not supporting ban on Jaish.

August 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.13 (ANI): China continues to remain reluctant about supporting India’s proposal at the United Nations to place sanctions on the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

ANI has learnt that in the recent meeting between the Special Representatives of the two countries led by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, the Chinese Representative cited “technical” reasons for not supporting the ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

China is the only country in the Security Council which is blocking sanctions on the Jaish and its chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

New Delhi’s argument has been that Azhar benefited from a terror act – the hijacking of IC 814 – and, therefore, there can be no objections on the grounds of evidence.

According to sources, during the 13th round of Special Representatives talks in New Delhi, India handed over more details and documents about Azhar which establish that he is a terrorist.

Beijing’s response, however, was tepid.

India has already submitted detailed documents on the Jaish-e-Mohammad’s terrorist activities to the United Nations, which in turn has been circulated to other nations, including China.

Beijing, however, has been denial mode about receiving the document.

The Maulana Masood Azhar led Jaish-e-Mohammed is a Pakistan based terrorist organization which has orchestrated series of attacks against India.

Once sanctions on an individual or the origination are imposed under UN resolution 1267 which is also known as Al qaeeda and Taliban sanctions, it empowers India to demand action from Pakistan.

After being released from the Indian jail, Masood has been seen in various Pakistani cities addressing huge congregations and is reportedly living undercover within the patronage of the ISI.

Security experts believe that Pakistan is using its close tactical and strategic relations with China to block India’s attempts in the UNSC to ban the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Earlier, the United Kingdom had shown reluctance to support the ban on the Jaish, but once India submitted details about the group, it agreed to come onboard and support the ban. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

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Manipuri traditional dance form Goura Leela staged in Imphal

July 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Imphal, July 12 (ANI): Goura Leela, a traditional performing art form was recently staged in Imphal.

The objective of this gala show, performed over four days, was to promote and conserve the unique dance from going into the oblivion.

Goura Leela, a traditional performing art of Manipur is based on the events that took place in the life of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and who lived in Nadia region of West Bengal, singing the praises of God and propagating Bhakti Yoga (devotion based worship).

Today, many Hindus in Bengal and Manipur revere him as a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.

And the entire Goura Leela is based on the life and works of Gaurnaga Mahaprabhu.

Organised under the aegis of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Manipur chapter, the programme also aimed at infusing the ethos cultural understanding and love among the present day youth.

Many enthusiastic audiences from far-flung places came to witness the performance, which in the recent past had lost popular patronage.

“Children of our society nowadays, the freedom and happiness was taken away by the present atmosphere. So I feel in my mind immediately that … now is the right time to promote this Goura Leela, Sankirtan culture,” said Ajit Das, President, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Manipur chapter, Imphal.

One of traditional performing arts of Manipur, Goura Leela is believed to have originated during the reign of King Churachand during the 18th century.

The play can be categorised as an opera and is much influenced by Natya Sankritan (devotion through dance and singing hymns). (ANI)

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US announces separate 400 million dollar counter-insurgency aid for Pakistan

May 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, May 27 (ANI): The United States has set up a separate aid of about 400 million dollars to help Pakistan counter extremism effectively.

The annual fund named the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Capabilities Fund (PCCF) would primarily provide sophisticated weapons and counter insurgency training to the Pakistan military.

The fund would be in addition to the war supplement that has already been approved by the Senate.

The PCCF will allow the US Central Command officials to work directly with the Pakistani military to help build its counter-insurgency capability, The Dawn reports.

A Pakistan Embassy spokesman said that this additional fund would be of great help in the ongoing military operations in Swat and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Recently, the US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates had urged the congressional panel to provide an additional package to Islamabad to help build up its counter terrorism capabilities.

“We are asking for this unique authority for the unique and urgent circumstances we face in Pakistan. It is a vital element of President Obama’s new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy,” Gates had said.

However, the State Department and the Pentagon both had different opinions over the aid being provided to Pakistan.

Several Senators and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the State Department’s legislative affairs insisted that the fund must be put under strict vigil and in the patronage of the State Department.

They claimed that counter-insurgency is ’80 per cent political and only 20 per cent military’ so all the efforts to tackle such issues must be controlled by civilians.

“This provision lays down an important marker that providing security assistance to other countries is a matter of foreign policy and should remain a core responsibility of the Secretary of State,” Congressman Berman had said.

The PCCF would allow Central Command chief General David Petraeus to press for additional Pakistani acceptance of US training, US officials said. (ANI)

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Bhopal hosts puppet festival

May 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bhopal, May 17 (ANI): Hundreds of people visited a three-day puppet festival here in which entertaining skits were performed by various artistes.

Organised at the popular Rabindar Bhavan between May 12 to 14, the festival was a hit among the young and old alike.

Children, in particular, enjoyed the event the most, as they had gala time at the festival dancing and rejoicing attractive performances of puppets.

“I liked the elephant puppet and the monkey dance at the show. I liked the first puppet act of the show,” said Kriti, a young girl visitor at the puppet festival.

Also, the festival brought together different puppet theatre groups from across the country to display their puppetry skills.

“I am from the Kolkata Puppet Theatre group. I am very happy to be here. We have got good reception. We are going to perform ‘Black Deer’ puppet show today,” said Shika Dutta of Kolkata Puppet Theatre Group.

Shikha also stated that events like these with ample patronage would help the puppetry and puppet artistes gain more scope to exhibit their skills. It would also earn them more popularity among the younger generation, the kids in particular.

Various puppets group from West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh participated in this gala and colourful festival.

Puppetry is a traditional art form, whose popularity is fast declining, as the modern-day entertainment options like television, movies and Internet are fast displacing it particularly in the urban areas. By R. C. Sahu (ANI)

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7th century Buddhist structures in Kashmir face destruction

May 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 4 (ANI): Reports indicate that the seventh century Buddhist structures at Parihaspora in Pattan, Kashmir, India, are neglected and face imminent destruction.

According to a report carried in kashmirwatch.com, despite being the an area of great archeological importance housing ancient seventh century Buddhist structures including a temple of Kanishka’s and Lalitaditya’s eras, the Gawadran area in Parihaspora Pattan in north Kashmir Baramulla district is under the sickle these days.

Locals allege their repeated pleas to the concerned agencies have failed to move them.

Quoting a delegation of local residents, KNS news agency said people allege the complicity and patronage of the Tehsildar Pattan and blame Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Pattan as being responsible for some irreparable damage being done to the archeological site and its structures.

Even though the structures at Gawadran Parihaspora are protected monuments under the Ancient Monuments Act, yet the extraction of soil from the area continues without any respite.

They say a local landlord, who has procured some 40 kanals of land around the archeological site for setting up some business there, is using mechanical excavators for soil extraction.

The extraction process has been going on here without any respite for past many years and now the situation is such that the monuments might cave in any time, the delegation said.

The officials in the Archives department say they had reported the matter at Police Post Mirgund as well as at Police Station Pattan but the SHO there is not ready to entertain an FIR in this regard, reported KNS.

Confirming the archeological importance of the area vis-a-vis its history dating back to Kanishka’s time, KNS quoted an official as saying that there is evidence suggesting that in the seventh century, Kanishka has organized a Buddhist conference at Parihaspora.

According to experts, there are proofs suggesting presence of some really important archeological artifacts in the area which needs further exploration.

However, if the extraction of soil and subsequent constructions continue, there is little doubt that the world might lose this important historic site forever, warned an official.

He said as per the Ancient Monuments Act, there can be no extraction or construction activity even in the vicinity of any protested place.

Whatever is happening at Parihaspora is completely illegal and violation of law and it couldn’t happen without the active connivance of police, the official, who didn’t want to be named, confessed. (ANI)

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Self-help group in Tamil Nadu making women self-reliant

March 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Krishnakiri (Tamil Nadu), Mar 23 (ANI): A self-help group has been training rural women in sari designing in Tamil Nadu to make them self-reliant.

Under patronage of the Tamil Nadu Government and the Central Government, a non- government organization ‘Hosur Development Foundation’ is running the self-help group for the socio-economic development of women and their empowerment.

A group of 140 women are working in this self-help group for making designs on the saris.

“We are making designs on saris and tailoring it. The Central and the State Government have provided their assistance to us. Earlier, we faced quite a lot of difficulties, but now we are earning 2000 rupees per month. We are hoping to earn more,” said Seetha, member of the self-help group.

With the help of government subsidies the women are successfully engaged in the jobs.We are providing the State and the Central Government subsidies for the members.

They can use it for their economic growth, cultural development and economic status,” said Arumugam, Assistant Project Officer, self-help group, Krishnakiri District.

Besides providing employment, the women in the self-help group are being motivated to run their own business.

Various welfare schemes introduced by the UPA Government are thus gaining popularity with the people living below the poverty line in the rural India. By Jai Kumar (ANI)

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Malaysian Indian Congress president Vellu set to retain post

March 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Mar 16 (ANI): Incumbent Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu is all set to retain the party’s top post for a record 11th consecutive term, as his only challenger, former MIC vice-president M.

Muthupalaniappan is not expected to get the minimum 50 nominations required from the party’s branches.

Under the party constitution, a presidential aspirant needs 300 nominations, with each nomination needing a proposer and five seconders, to be eligible to contest. All proposers and seconders must be branch chairmen.

The MIC president will be picked by the 22 committee members of each of the 3,700 branches nationwide. The party has fixed March 22 for the nominations and polling on April 12.

If Muthupalaniappan fails to get 50 nominations, Vellu will be named president on March 22 — the same date when he officially became the party supremo, 28 years ago in 1981.

In January, Muthupalaniappan was expelled by the disciplinary committee for acting against the interests of the party but was reinstated following an appeal to the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body.

According to the New Strait Times, Muthupalaniappan had claimed that there were concerted efforts by some party leaders to ensure he did not get enough nominations to contest.

“I am facing an uphill task. Even obtaining nomination forms is a huge task, what more asking branch leaders to sign it,” he said.

Political observers said “politics of patronage” was the reason why Samy Vellu’s grip on power had remained unchallenged for decades.

A CWC member said the thousands of branches, which held their annual general meetings last month, had unanimously supported Samy Vellu for the president’s post.

With Samy Vellu expected to retain the top post, the fight would focus on the deputy president’s post. (ANI)

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Bruni joins Hadassah Medical Org to raise funds for AIDS research

March 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Jerusalem, Mar 10 (ANI): French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has joined the efforts of the Hadassah Medical Organization and Hadassah-France to help raise money for AIDS research.

The fund will also be in aid of treatment of HIV/AIDS patients at Jerusalem’s Hadassah-University Medical Centre, and an outreach program in African countries.

Bruni was the guest of honour at a Paris gala dinner for Hadassah-France (now marking its 25th anniversary) to raise money for AIDS prevention, education and treatment.

The former model and actress, who is goodwill ambassador of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, visited the new paediatric oncology department at Hadassah’s hospital in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem last June.

The gala was held under the patronage of President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also attended the event, showing the growing importance of the international community’s role in fundraising.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in the global fight against AIDS,” the Jerusalem Post quoted Nancy Falchuk, national president of the Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America, as saying.

“Her partnership in the gala is indicative of a wider fundraising campaign for Hadassah’s hospitals in Israel and the promotion of ensuring medical care for all,” she added. (ANI)

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National Snow Rugby Championship begins in Kashmir

March 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gulmarg, Mar 8 (ANI): India’s first National Snow Rugby Championship was kick-started in Gulmarg, Kashmir, on Saturday.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department and the state’s rugby association are co-hosting the event.

Teams from Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the host state, along with the team from the armed forces are competing for top honours at the three-day event.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Tourism Director Farooq Shah said the championship would boost the state’s tourism.

“Initially, when the teams used to play on ice they were afraid and they used to wonder what it will be like. But as the teams are getting used to the concept of snow rugby their perception has changed. It will be a big boost for the tourism of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Shah.

The players said the playing conditions were very exciting.

“The conditions are very good as you can see that snow is falling and playing conditions are also very different. There is no snowfall like this anywhere in India so Gulmarg is the best place for snow rugby. I hope that our team has a good tournament,” said Adesh, the captain of Delhi team.

Experiencing heavy snowfall during the winter, Gulmarg remains covered with snow for about six months offering excellent conditions for winter sports, including snow rugby.

Snow rugby was included in last year’s national Winter Games as a demonstrative event.

The government is also trying to cash on the growing popularity of snow rugby by promoting it in order to attract snow sports loving tourists to the valley. Local rugby tournaments are being organized in Gulmarg with increasing frequency.

Rugby existed in India since 1872, played mainly Mumbai, Kolkata, under the patronage of the Bombay Gymkhana and Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. (ANI)

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Polo championship marks revival of sports in Manipur

March 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Imphal, Mar 5 (ANI): Manipur played host to a state level equestrian championship.

The sixth Director General Assam Rifles Cup, state Equestrian Championship commenced on Tuesday at the Historical Manipur Polo Ground. The championship will continue till Friday.

Manipur Equestrian Association organised the Championship under the sponsorship of Inspector General Assam Rifles (South).

Eight private polo clubs of the state including one from the Manipur Police Sports Club participated in the championship.

Polo enthusiasts in Manipur are trying to keep the sport alive despite government negligence in promoting the indigenous equestrian game.

The players are however unhappy to bear the high expenses of maintaining the horses. In absence of any government patronage it burns a hole in their pocket.

“In this situation of Manipur, Assam rifles is sponsoring Director General Cup and if several other armies organise such events regularly, it will be good for us. There is no one to organise such sports. We (horse riders) are very much discouraged. So I want them to organise it very often for which I will thank them,” said Premjit Singh, a player of Thangmei Band Youth Polo Club.

Although the stadium was not crowded to full, there were polo lovers to watch the championship.

The Manipur Polo Association is glad to receive the sponsorship from the Assam Rifles for nurturing the sport.

“We have been excellent in horse riding horsemanship. We have our own brigade of Manipur ponies. We wanted to nurture and develop these equestrian events. As we don’t have financial support, we took help of Assam rifles,” said S. Joykumar Singh, President, Manipur Equestrian Association.

This modern game of polo, though popularized by the British, is said to have originated from Manipur.

The sport has been known as Sagol Kangjei since time immemorial.

The game is wrapped in mythology and continues to occupy a significant place in the cultural life of the Manipuris. By L C K Singh (ANI)

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