The 5th Biennial Manipuri Association of Canada (MAC) convention was held on 16th August 2020 with great success and the collaboration of the Manipuri residing in different parts of Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vancouver). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was conducted online with live telecasting on Zoom, Facebook, and Youtube. In this event, celebrated artists from Manipur (Thoudam Ruhinikumar’s Nokphade team, Rosy Heisnam, Mangka, AJ Maisnam, Arbind Soibam, K. Bobin, Kennedy, Vandana Viswas from Toronto, Mahesh Changmayum from Delhi), talented Manipuri artists of different ages from Canadian Manipuri community, and other parts of Indian cities were also participated with excellent performances to make the event cheerful and memorable (Program details are available in the program annexure).
The program was started by presenting an Introduction speech by our hosts and MAC Esteem members Tony Huidrom and Sujata Chabungbam followed by the Welcome address of the program by Joy Chabungbam. In continuation, Rosy Heisnam from Manipur presented a beautiful theme song to open up the convention and to make the program more joyful.
During the program outgoing President MAC, Neel Naorem launched the upgraded version of the MAC website and also presented presidential remarks and achievements.
As part of this program, the newly elected executives were also inducted to take charge of the MAC 2020-2022 term. Everyone in the convention remembered and recognized those who took the lead to conceive the idea of the Manipuri Association of Canada (MAC). Also appreciated to all the members who have contributed directly or indirectly to MAC. Without every single effort of members, MAC may not be able to achieve today’s stage. All the attendees during the convention wished good luck to all the new executive members including future leaders.
Considering all the efforts, the program may not be possible without each and everyone’s single efforts, without the parents who have motivated their children to participate and their continuous support throughout.
A big thank you to all the members who took the responsibilities to make the MAC convention a cheerful and enjoyable one.
Kudos to all for making the MAC program 2020 a memorable one.
Following are the achievements during the term 2018-2020.
Term Report presented by Dolendra Singh Rajkumar (Secretary, MAC 2018-2020 Term) & Edited: Russiachand Heikham (Treasurer, MAC 2018-2020 Term)
- MAC Registration:
It has been a long-time wish of the MAC members and the Manipuri Diaspora here in Canada, MAC has been registered sooner than later. As soon as the term started, under the initiative of President Nilkumar Naorem, the Manipuri Association of Canada became a registered body under the “Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act”. As a non-political and not-for-profit organization established with an objective to protect the general interest of the people of Manipuri origin, living in Canada or elsewhere in the world, and to foster unity and collective growth among members of our community in Canada.
Registration details:
Manipuri Association of Canada
Corporation number = 1113650-0
This is a historical moment for MAC. All credit goes to the hard work of the President, the executive members, ex-office bearers, and the support of the community in general.
- MAC Bank Account:
During the term, MAC has got a designated account number to do all the financial transactions and make them visible all in the same bank statement. This makes ease of Treasurer’s job, transparency, and efficiency effective December 2018.
MAC Bank Account number:
Chequing: 06832-1037209
In case an active member of MAC is interested to know the Income and Expenses, a copy of income and expenses can be requested through the Treasurer MAC. On a need basis, a professional Auditor can be assigned to do an audit (Subject to approval from Executives and Advisors and fees to be borne if applicable).
- MAC Website update:
The early MAC domain has several limitations and the platform of the website was obsolete. Therefore, the hosting service has been changed and upgraded to WordPress with more storage platforms. During the convention, the upgraded website was launched with a new look, more information, and pictures of MAC on different occasions have been preserved and observed. Special thanks to Rojit Sorokhaibam from Toronto for his contributions towards streamlining the new website.
- Ningol Chakouba 2018 and 2019
Manipuris across Canada celebrated “Ningol Chakouba” with great joy and full excitement. People of Manipur celebrated and considered it the biggest festival which showed the bonding relationship of brother and sister. Main celebrations are organized in the three cities of Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal. We all enjoyed our traditional cuisine, dress, and cultural programs. As usual, ‘Pibas’ hosted the event, and gifts were presented to the ‘Ningols’ and sought blessings from Ningols. Overall the event was held with grand success in all the locations across Canada. Some token amounts were contributed for the celebrations in the year 2018 from MAC’s account, though the funding was largely done through contributions by the Pibas.
- Emmalon Tamba workshop & First AID session
Under the initiative of the MAC President, MAC organized a workshop for the children here in Toronto to learn Meiteilon and Meitei script on 7th Oct 2018. It was a great successful one with 13 children participating and gained experience in learning meitei script, language, and knowledge about Manipur. Study materials were distributed to the children before ensuring more usefulness during the session.
A First AID session on life-saving techniques was also conducted for the audience after the workshop. This very important session was delivered by Doctor Tony Huidrom from Toronto. MAC would like to thank Dr. Tony for this immensely beneficial delivery.
- Khongjom day and Cheiraoba celebration
MAC observed Khongjom day on 20th April 2019. Almost all the Manipuri Diaspora families in different provinces of Canada participated and paid floral tribute to the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur war, 1891. We highlighted the importance of observing the event and giving awareness about the subject to our future generation in Canada.
On the same day, we also celebrated the Cheiraoba (Manipuri New Year), 2019. We all enjoyed Cheiraoba especially with many different Manipuri dishes/cuisines prepared by the families in Toronto. Manipuri residing in other parts of Canada also celebrated similarly.
Overall everyone enjoyed the day with kids, friends, and family. The expenses of the events were funded by contributions from the families.
- India day participation
Manipuri Association of Canada also participated in the India Day parade held on 18th August 2019. India Day celebration is organized here in Toronto to celebrate the independence day of India every year. The parade was held around Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto.
- Monetary assistance to the bereaved family through community contribution
During the tenure, fund drives have been initiated to assist families in our community who lost their immediate relatives. This was done to give some financial assistance to the bereaved family, the true idea behind this was to share the sorrow and grief of the sad family in our community. MAC is thankful to all the community people who have contributed generously to this cause several times during the tenure.
- MAC fund drive for COVID 19 help
During the 2nd week of May 2020, MAC initiated one more fundraising campaign to help the Covid 19 affected people back home in Manipur and also here in Canada. Many of our community members donated generously. MAC remains highly grateful to our community for the donations toward this humanitarian crisis. A major portion of the amount collected through this drive had been donated to the CM’s relief fund to help the Covid impacted people in Manipur. The rest of the contributions are distributed to the Manipuri students here in Canada. It was a proud moment for MAC that we were able to do our bit to help humanity at this hour of the COVID pandemic.
The Convention ended with a vote of thanks speech by Rojit Sorokhaibam from Toronto.