IMPHAL, June 28: A book titled “The rise of the middle class in Manipur” along with its symposium was today released at the conference hall of the Anthropology department, Manipur University.
The book is based on essays from prof Ghanashyam Shah, prof Gangmumei Kamei, Prof Lal Dena, Prof Kshetri Bimola, prof N Joykumar Singh, Prof N Lokendra Singh, Dr MC Arun Kumar and Dr N Jiten.
The book has been published by MP Mishra of M/S Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi with Prof Gangmumei Kamei as the editor.
Manipur University, vice chancellor Professor HNK Sharma who attended the release function as the chief guest while releasing the book said the book will encourage the students of Political Science and will act as a refresher for the students as well as the researchers of the issue.
The book will certainly act as an eye opener for the students as well as for anyone on the issue. The subject social science is very much needed or the future generation, he said.
Prof Gangmumei Kamei providing an insight on the book said the book is about modern history and the social changes that Manipur has faced in the modern history.
Further elaborating on the importance of the book in today’s society, he said the middle class is the most important section of a society.
The emergence of the tribal middle class families and the politics of both tribal and non-tribal began post-colonial rule in the state.
This book details the ‘who, where, when and what’ of the middle class families in the Manipuri Society.
He said the book is a theoretically based on the eight essays.
Head of Department, Political Science, Manipur University, K Ibo Singh said the book is a collection of essays with a tilt towards the Marxist definition of a middle class.
Taking clues from the book he said a middle class means those who are educated and doesn’t belong to any political group both the ruling or otherwise. People who are rich but not educated should not be included in the middle class.
The introduction of western education and introduction of Christianity in the tribal inhabited areas during the British rule led to the emergence of middle class among the tribals.
Several other speakers lauded Prof Gangmumei Kamei and his team for their efforts in bringing out the book of essays.