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The picturesque landscape of Manipur belies a simmering tension between different ethnic communities in the state. This ongoing clash between the Meiteis and Kukis, marked by violence, mistrust, and socio-political tensions, demands a nuanced understanding. Beneath the surface, a complex web of internecine conflict and a deadly trifecta of militancy, narcotics, and illegal infiltration paints a troubling picture that poses significant threats to India’s national security.

The historical underpinnings of engineered fractures between the Meiteis, Nagas, and Kukis could be traced to British colonial policies that sowed the seeds of division. Manipur’s annexation by the British in 1891 and the planting of the Kuki tribe deepened tensions, leading to territorial disputes and power struggles. At the heart of the conflict lies a struggle for land and natural resources, with the indigenous Meiteis and Nagas safeguarding their land and heritage, and Kukis asserting rights to the hill territories. The Nagas claim that the Kuki have no land in Manipur at all and the name of their community was first heard when the British “planted” them on the Naga hills between 1830 and 1840.

Hoineilhing Sitlhou, a teacher at Hyderabad University, is of the view that in Kuki traditions, the Village Chief is the proprietor of the land, and “the chiefdom is distributed to the villages for cultivation and for making homesteads.” While the concept of ancestral land, ownership, and inheritance did not exist in Kuki ethos, today Kukis own land in the Imphal Valley and parts of India.

The Indo-Myanmar border has emerged as a focal point of concern. Manipur and Mizoram have seen a massive influx of immigrants from Myanmar, particularly after military coups in 1962, 1988, and 2021. By June 2023, around 40,000 Myanmar nationals crossed into Mizoram. In Manipur, 2,187 illegal immigrants were identified within two days by a committee led by Tribal Affairs and Hill Development Minister Letpao Haokip. Illegal infiltration has raised alarms and created a feeling of insecurity.

The unchecked influx of undocumented immigrants poses a serious threat, potentially sparking power struggles between foreign anti-national groups and the indigenous populace. Infiltration of Myanmar Kuki-Chins has previously ignited the Naga vs. Kuki conflict (1992 – 1999), Kuki vs. Paite (1997–1998) in Manipur, and the Kuki vs. Karbi clash (2003 – 2004) in Assam.

Manipur’s 398-km-long porous border with Myanmar facilitates illicit activities, including movement of individuals, arms, and narco-terrorist. Kuki militants, especially the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), under a Suspension of Operations, SoO, with the Indian government, are deeply involved in this illicit trade. In fact, ZRA leader, Thanglian Pau, was an elected Member of the Parliament of Myanmar in 1990 and General Secretary of the Zomi National Congress, ZNC. He was expelled from ZNC for being an informant of the Burmese military. He now lives in Churachandpur, holds an Indian passport, and has changed his name to Thanglian Pau Guite. In Churachandpur, the ZRA functions as a parallel government, collecting taxes and ostensibly ‘protecting’ travellers from  other armed groups.

The ZRA exploits extensive poppy plantations for funding, exacerbating violence and instability in Manipur.  Seizures of narcotics, valued at INR 4602 crores in the international market from March 2017 to June 2023, underscore the severity of the issue. Investigations following opium seizure valued at 40 crores in Delhi on August 20, 2023, revealed an interstate drug cartel linked to Churachandpur, the Manipur-based suppliers procure the raw material from hilly areas around the international borders of Manipur and Myanmar. This nexus between militants and narcotics poses substantial threats to India’s national security and undermines socio-economic development.

Complicating matters is the influx of asylum-seekers fleeing Myanmar’s unrest. India’s non-signatory status to the UNHCR’s Refugee Convention 1951 leaves these vulnerable individuals susceptible to exploitation by militants. Compelled into poppy cultivation as a cheap labor force, they serve the dual role of providing a workforce for drug production and prolonging instability.

The opium poppy cultivation in Manipur serves as a major driver of the conflict, rather than solely an economic pursuit. A senior Indian government official, tasked with combating drug trafficking in the Northeast, affirmed the Zomi Revolutionary Army’s active involvement in opium cultivation. This nexus between the Kuki militants and narcotics poses another formidable challenge. During a massive drive to combat poppy farming in March 2023, ADGP Clay Khongsai cautioned that the opium trade bolsters their financial resources, enabling subversive activities and perpetuating the cycle of violence.

As poppy cultivation expands, environmental degradation increases. Ram Wangkheirakpam, an environmental activist, warns, “Large-scale Poppy plantation is a major threat to soils, waters, forests, wetlands, and rivers that make up our ecosystems and biodiverse nature. Adding to this is the unfolding effects of climate change. We must immediately act to reclaim and rehabilitate these deforested lands so as to ensure that its associated violence is curtailed as well as give back life to these forests,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Out of 15,497 acres of poppy cultivation, 13,122 were in Kuki-Chin areas as per the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB). In 2010, Sarangthem and Dr. Kumar reported that natural forests covered 1.68 million hectares, accounting for 77% of Manipur’s land area. By 2021, the state lost 46.3 thousand hectares of vital primary forest, with Churachandpur bearing the greatest impact at 64.4 thousand hectares. This points to a gradual expansion of the Golden Triangle in ZRA-dominated Myanmar-Manipur border, which is emerging as an opium cultivation hill that makes the drug trade easier.

The primary cause of the Meitei-Kuki conflict and the Kuki’s demand for a Separate Administration is projected as a reaction against the Manipur High Court verdict (W.P. No. 229 of 2023, dated April 19, 2023) on the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status, identity politics, and contestation over land and resources. However, a comprehensive understanding requires factoring in infiltration, narcotics proliferation, and militant influence. This complex interplay threatens India’s national security, making it imperative to address the root causes of violence in Manipur.

Addressing this complex issue demands a holistic approach encompassing socio-political dialogue, immediate NRC implementation, and stringent law enforcement. Stability in Manipur hinges on collaborative partnerships between the state, central authorities and local communities.

The article is contributed by Dr. Billie T. Guarino & Dr. Rajshree Keisham

Dr. Billie Thoidingjam Guarino, a Saint Anselm College professor and 2022 COARC-INYA Scholar’s Fellow, has 15 years of experience, including teaching at JMI, the University of Delhi, and roles with UNFPA Myanmar and SIAS (ICOE, Yangon). Her research covers resistance movements in India and Myanmar, #MeToo in South Asia, insurgency, gendered violence, and social movements in northeastern India, as well as inclusive pedagogy, minority literature, feminist security studies, migration, and conflicts in South & Southeast Asia.

Dr. Rajshree Keisham, a Ph.D. in Sociology specializing in Gender Studies and Socio Anthropology. She focuses on social issues, particularly gender dynamics and cultural anthropology. As a former UNESCO researcher, she’s illuminated challenges faced by children across cultures, informing policy recommendations. She’s a fervent advocate for social justice and empowering marginalized communities, inspiring positive social change

NEW DELHI – The Indian Forest Service Association, the organization of civil servants engaged in forest conservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable development, is thrilled to announce the inception of the Eco Warriors Award conceptualized by Indian Masterminds, a platform dedicated to Indian Bureaucrats highlighting their best practices and accomplishments. The Award function will be held in New Delhi on Saturday, September 23, 2023. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in India, is set to become an annual feature, celebrating the relentless efforts of the Indian Forest Service officers in the realms of Forest, Wildlife, and Environmental conservation.

Indian Forest Service officers, often referred to as the nation’s unsung heroes, work diligently in the remote recesses of our forests, combating climate change, shielding our rich biodiversity, and ensuring the sanctity of our natural landscapes against challenges like deforestation and poaching. The Eco Warriors Award aims to put the spotlight on these champions, offering them the national recognition they so rightly deserve.

“We believe that it’s high time our green warriors, who work tirelessly to make India livable, receive the acknowledgment and appreciation they deserve. These officers often operate under challenging conditions. Their stories of courage and commitment need to be told,” said an office bearer of the Association.

The awards ceremony promises to be an enlightening experience, featuring a conclave with panel discussions on pivotal topics like:

1. Increasing the forest cover
2. The intersection of technology and environment
3. Promoting responsible tourism
4. Engaging the youth in conservation efforts
5. How Social Media can be leveraged for conservation

A special celebrity session will be organized to highlight the importance of environmental consciousness in today’s age.

Gracing the occasion as Chief Guests will be Shri Bhupendra Yadav, Honourable Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change while Ms. Leena Nandan, Secretary MoEF&CC will be the Guest of Honour. .

The Award is organized by www.Indianmasterminds.com, and media powerhouses, The Indian Express and ABP News, are the official media partners, ensuring extensive coverage of the event across print, television, and digital platforms. 

Indian MasterMinds

Indian Masterminds is a digital platform dedicated to promote good governance and to celebrate achievements of Indian Bureaucrats

This groundbreaking initiative is not just an awards ceremony, but a movement, a call to action, urging every Indian to recognize, respect, and support the guardians of our environment. As the first event of its kind in India, the Eco Warriors Award is set to mark a significant milestone in the annals of environmental conservation in the country.

Indian Forest Service Association

The Indian Forest Service Association is a prominent body that actively advocates for the conservation of India’s forests and biodiversity. They play a crucial role in promoting and safeguarding the interests of the Indian Forest Service officers and furthering the cause of sustainable forest management and conservation in India.

For more information on Eco Warriors Awards, please reach out to indianmasterminds.com or on

(+91) 9971100623

Passion Vista is dedicated to presenting the outstanding achievements of eminent people from across the globe whose inspiring journeys have made them legends in their respective fields. We recognise and celebrate the massive professional trajectories, stressing the difficulties they encountered and the tenacity and enthusiasm that propelled them to their current positions of prominence. In this year’s special edition of ‘Hall of Fame 2023’, we present the passion journeys of such dreamers, trailblazers and leaders who strive to make a positive impact on a global level.

Searching for something that felt absent from her life, Nathalie Botros spent significant time and effort but still fell short of identifying what it was. Wasting a lot of time searching in all the wrong places, she eventually realised that what she had been looking for was happiness; and that no external factors like a partner, job, material possessions, or even the body could bring her lasting joy if she weren’t already happy within herself. “This changed my life, and I made it my mission to spreading this message to others.” 

Her mission is to spread joy and happiness, and she achieves this through various channels. Her “VIP Coaching” program runs for three months, where women receive tailored support to find happiness in all areas of their lives. She also offers two online courses: “Love your Body, Now!” focuses on helping women find happiness irrespective of their body issues. “Be Single & Happy, Now!” supports single women in discovering happiness regardless of their relationship status. Additionally, her book ‘If You Are What You Eat, Should I Eat A Skinny Girl?’ helps women find a happy and healthy lifestyle.

To be seen and heard has been Nathalie’s biggest challenge. She exclaims, “When you start your business, despite having a clear message and products, how does one succeed without clients, social media followers, or media exposure? While luck may play a role, hard work, patience, and fearlessness are essential for success.” Even though she faced struggles initially, her motto, “What do you have to lose? Say yes, be happy!” kept her going. After failing a few times initially, she took it as a lesson instead of being discouraged and modified her approach and then she persisted until she achieved success.

Her passion for spreading joy led her to create ‘Smile it Forward’. Nathalie aims to bring a smile to at least one person’s face every day and encourage them to do the same, whether it’s someone they know or a stranger. It can be achieved by complimenting, lending a hand, or simply spending time with them. The reward of seeing that smile is priceless, as it brings immense happiness!

The desire to help others overcome obstacles, reach their objectives, and find happiness fuels her passion and becomes her inspiration. Nathalie claims that “making a positive difference in people’s lives is a source of great passion for me. My aim is to teach individuals how to cultivate happiness from within themselves every day, despite external factors, so they can progress and live their best lives. Each time I see a new smile, it is a win for me.” Nathalie Botros has not only worked towards the happiness and fulfilment of others but also has several awards and accomplishments to back the same. She has been named the “Top Coach in New York for 2023” and “The Top Women to Watch in New York” by Soeleish Magazine. She also has been on the cover of “Soeleish, New York”, “Best Holistic Life” and “Healthy Life” Magazines. She shares that her biggest personal achievement is transforming her mission and passion into her company: The Bon-Vivant Girl.

When asked about leadership, Nathalie Botros explained leadership to her means inspiring, guiding, and influencing others towards a shared objective. It requires setting a clear vision and direction, motivating and empowering team members, and making decisions that align with organizational values and goals. To facilitate finding joy, she often shares her happiness tips on social media. She remains thrilled to announce that by Fall 2023, these tips in the form of ‘Happiness Cards’ will be made available and can be made one’s trusty companions on their quest to find their inner peace and smile. To know more about Nathalie, check www.passionvista.com or to nominate email, [email protected]

Passion Vista is dedicated to presenting the outstanding achievements of eminent people from across the globe whose inspiring journeys have made them legends in their respective fields. We recognise and celebrate the massive professional trajectories, stressing the difficulties they encountered and the tenacity and enthusiasm that propelled them to their current positions of prominence. In this year’s special edition of ‘Hall of Fame’ we present the passion journeys of such dreamers, trailblazers and leaders who strive to make a positive impact on a global level. 

Sharing the personal stories of military members and their families for more than 30 years has been a true calling for Amy Forsythe. She’s a creative person who lives to tell other people’s stories and has turned her passion for creating stories that connect with people into an opportunity in the digital media space. Her book is titled ‘Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines Since 9/11’, and she has been able to share the stories in her book with public speaking engagements and a successful newsletter to connect non-profit organisations with people who are in need of assistance. 

“Risking is always better than regretting” is a quote that has fueled Amy’s passion for global travel, pushing her creative limits and challenging the status quo. “When we reflect on crossroads in our lives, sometimes people regret the things they would have, should have or could have done to achieve a different outcome. I’ve always tried to make decisions based on the fear of regretting taking risks with my career and relationships.” As a military combat photographer, she served five tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, where she was exposed to significant risk to life and limb but found that she thrived in dangerous situations and living on the edge. She explains that she was being pushed to face fears of death and severe injury daily, but it gave her a renewed sense of reward, gratitude and appreciation for all the goodness in life. 

A picture can tell a thousand words, and just having a camera in her hand, Amy knew that she could make a difference by documenting some of these historical events. Showing the world the courage it takes to serve in uniform has been her passion and honour for over 30 years, and that’s the highlight of her career. Creating stories that inspire and motivate others fuels her passion. She beckons the opportunity to make a documentary or write another book filled with bold images and graphics someday. She is eternally curious and always keeps scouting for interesting topics and fresh ways of telling stories!

Amy says that her goals are always changing and evolving, but she remains so energised by seeing the next generation of leaders who will take her spot and make progress even further. She shares, “I’ve always tried to follow the brave women who went before me. Now, it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation of women leaders who will ultimately go further and faster than me. My inspiration comes from seeing an incredible transformation and progress for women in military service and we’re also witnessing an explosion of confident and capable women working in emergency response services and law enforcement roles.

Several awards and accolades have been awarded to Amy Forsythe. She was recently inducted into the Women’s Museum of California Hall of Fame in the category of ‘Historian.’ Her greatest professional achievements have been covering important historical events that have shaped the lives of military members for generations to come. She was nominated as a finalist in Success Magazine 2022 Women of Influence 2022 among some of the most accomplished women in the world, like supermodel Ashley Graham, award-winning TV producer Shonda Rhimes and professional tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.

One of the most important leadership traits that she has embraced is gratitude. Having a grateful heart and leading others with optimism and hope has been the most impactful lessons that Amy learned along the way. Lastly, she explains that everything in this life is up for grabs, and it’s up to each of us to harness our own maximum potential by realizing there are infinite possibilities in life. To know more about Amy, check www.passionvista.com or to nominate email, [email protected]

Passion Vista is dedicated to presenting the outstanding achievements of eminent people from across the globe whose inspiring journeys have made them legends in their respective fields. We recognise and celebrate their professional trajectories, stressing the difficulties they encountered and the tenacity and enthusiasm that propelled them to their current positions of prominence. In this year’s special edition of ‘Hall of Fame, ’ we present the passion journeys of such dreamers, trailblazers and leaders who strive to make a positive impact on a global level. 

As a mark of pride for her small-town roots in India, Dr Khushali Trivedi has not only emerged as a leading Physical Therapist in women’s healthcare in the US but also established Vedikh Care, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty and promoting healthcare equality around the world.  

In her own words, “As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of my humble beginnings which played an important role in shaping who I am today. I hope that my story can inspire others who may also come from similar backgrounds and show them that anything is possible with hard work and determination.”

Coming from a small town Kadi in Gujarat, where avenues of opportunities were limited, Khushali’s parents worked tirelessly to provide her with opportunities to create a difference, while her elder brother ensured that she had everything she needed to be an independent woman.

Her passion for women’s health started early on in life when she saw firsthand the struggles that women face when it comes to accessing basic healthcare. It led her to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy where she focused her research on topics such as pelvic pain, postpartum depression and postpartum lumbopelvic pain. 

As she pursued an education and career in physical therapy, Khushali became increasingly aware of the many gaps in care for women. One of the biggest challenges she faced is the ongoing struggle for healthcare equality. Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, there are still countless women who lack access to basic healthcare and suffer needlessly as a result. There are many systemic issues that prevent them from accessing the care they need, including financial barriers, social stigmas, and cultural biases. 

“Today my passion is fueled by the knowledge that there is still so much work to be done. I am committed to doing everything I can to promote change and create a better future for women’s health.”

To further her goal, Khushali co-founded Vedikh Care in January 2022. She believes that every woman should have access to basic healthcare including menstrual hygiene products and works tirelessly to end period poverty and promote healthcare equality. The organization provides education and resources to women in need, as well as advocacy efforts to promote policy changes that will benefit women’s health. 

“I co-founded Vedikh Care with my husband whose passion for providing holistic and affordable healthcare solutions has inspired me to work towards our shared goal. He has been my rock throughout my personal and professional journey, providing unwavering support and encouragement. The support I received from my family is something that I wish every girl around the globe could have. My ultimate desire is to see a world where women are empowered, supported, and able to live their lives to the fullest.”

It is some such women who inspire Khushali towards her dreams. “My biggest inspiration has been the countless women I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career. These women have faced incredible challenges and obstacles, but they have also shown incredible strength, resilience and determination.”

Dr Khushali Trivedi unwavering dedication has seen bestowed with innumerous honours: 

1. 2022: Write to Change the World award, Texas Woman’s University, USA.
2. 2023: Student Research Presentation award, Texas Woman’s University, USA.
3. 2023: Identified as an exemplary Scholar, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, USA. 
4. 2023: Research work presentation, American Physical Therapy Association Conference, USA. 

Additionally, she has served as a committee member for the American Physical Therapy Association Pelvic Health Academy, Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee, and has reviewed articles/manuscripts for the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy and Cureus Journal of Medical Science. She has also been invited to present her research at various professional conferences. To know more about Dr Khushali,  www.passionvista.com or to nominate email, [email protected]