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Under the Prime Minister's Jan Man Scheme, the Union government has sanctioned ₹9 crore for development and welfare initiatives benefiting the Maram Naga tribe of Manipur. The funds will support infrastructure projects, social welfare and cultural preservation for this relatively small indigenous community.
Background on the Maram Nagas
The Maram Nagas are a Tibeto-Burmese Naga ethnic group inhabiting Senapati and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur. They speak the Maram language and predominantly practise wet-rice agriculture. According to India's 2011 census, their population is about 40,000. The community is organised into roughly forty villages. Agriculture is the main occupation, and traditional festivals such as Punghi (or Ponghi) in July and Kanghi in December celebrate the agricultural cycle. The Maram people use the Roman script for their language and have a rich oral tradition of folk songs and legends.
Details of the development programme
- Funding allocation: An annual grant of ₹9 crore has been earmarked for projects under the Jan Man Scheme. These include housing through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), healthcare via Ayushman Bharat, construction of Anganwadi centres, community halls and water storage facilities.
- Cultural preservation: Part of the funding is dedicated to restoring traditional Morung (youth dormitories) and supporting festivals, crafts and customary practices of the Maram people.
- Community empowerment: The scheme aims to promote self-reliance and empower tribal communities. Projects will be implemented in consultation with local leaders, emphasising education, sanitation and sustainable livelihoods.
Cultural context
Maram society is structured around clans and village chiefs. The people practise wet-rice cultivation on terraced hills and some limited shifting cultivation. Women play a significant role in agriculture and household management. Festivals such as Punghi and Kanghi celebrate sowing and harvest seasons, while Mangkang is a unique women's festival held in April.
Sources: NorthEast Now · International Council of Naga Affairs · MyGov