2th Zolengthe Anniversary cum 1st Zolengthe Multi-Academic Awards 2019

The 12th Zolengthe Anniversary cum 1st Zolengthe Multi-Academic Awards 2019 was held on the 21st December 2019 at Zougal Memorial Hall, Zoveng, Lamka, Churachandpur, Manipur.  A total of 50 Awards was given to people with outstanding performances in the various fields such as Lifetime Achievement in various categories, arts and crafts, music, writings and book publications, acting and movie makings, etc.

Hon'ble MLA Shri Ginsuanhau Zou, Chairman MANIREDA graced the function as the Chief guest. Hon'ble ADCC Chairman Shri T. Paukhanlian,  Shri Pumtulthang Lianzaw, ADCC Member; Smt Grace Zamneiching, ADCC member and Shri  Hausuanthang, Member ADCC attended as the Guest of Honour, Shri Chinlunthang Zou, President, United Zou Organisation, GHQ as the Chief Host and Smt Mannuamching, IAS, DC Pherzawl as the special guest.

12th Zolengthe Anniversary cum Multi Academic Awards 2019 - Part 1

https://youtu.be/hDigzS0wE3I

12th Zolengthe Anniversary cum Multi Academic Awards 2019 - Part 2

https://youtu.be/k3UKRU4bVBI

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Hon’ble MLA and Chairman MANIREDA Pu Ginsuanhau, Hon’ble MDC Chairman Pu T. Paukhanlian, Hon’ble MDC Pu Pumtulthang and Pi Grace Zamnu, Respected President of the United Zou Organisation, Pu Chinlunthang, Distinguished Special Invitees DC CCpur, DC Pherzawl and SP Churachandpur, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a great honour for me to deliver, on behalf of Team Zolengthe, a keynote speech at this very important function, the 12^th Anniversary of Zolengthe and the 1^st Zolengthe Multi-Academic Award 2019. I would like to first welcome each and everyone present here and congratulate Team Zolengthe and Zou Artist Union for the excellent arrangements for this program. I hope we all enjoy the program which is coming up one after the other.

I also would like to thank the members of Zolengthe who voluntarily contributed for organising this grand event. It is your program and you all are the star tonight. God Bless the Zolengthians.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce those my fellow members, who are the backbone of Zolengthe.

43 WhatsApp Group Admins:	Facebook Group Admins:
1.     Pu Owen Mang Munluo 2.     Pu Rayal Marcus Suantak 3.     Pu Tatam Zou 4.     Nei Samte 5.     Lalnunfeli 6.     Angie Ngailawm 7.     Muan Mantuang 8.     Lucy Simte 9.     Joicy Milun 10.  Mawi Simte 11.  Nana Mary 12.  Emty 13.  Rosy Kym 14.  Mercury Munluo 15.  Khual 16.  Tuaso 17.  Khuala 18.  Chingson 19.  Michael 20.  Peps 21.  Khaiminthang 22.  Ngailun Zou 23.  Boithang Manlun	1.     Thangboi Tungnung 2.     Robert Lalboi Mantuang 3.     Lincoln Zou 4.     Suanlyan Tungnung 5.     Owen Mang Munluo 6.     Blessingpa Samte Total: 29

 A brief History of Zolengthe

As we all know, there has always been a communication gap among the Zou community due to the absence of a daily newspaper. The concept of microblogging and social networking has been seeded in my mind when I start learning Java language, it was in 2000. I left no stone unturned to searching for such opportunities on the internet. At that time, surfing the internet for 1 hour cost you Rs 50.

While working in a private company – web-based the business sector, I founded a microblogging mobile news called ZOLENGTHE, which was powered by SMSgupshp.com on 27 October 2007. It was initially named as “The Harbinger, Connecting the Zo people”. I renamed as 'ZOLENGTHE - Connecting the Zo people' on 27 November 2007. It was initially used as communicating channel within Delhi and NCR only. On 27 December 2007, as an experiment, the first mobile SMS/news beyond Delhi and NCR was sent to Lia Teresa Zou who was in Mumbai at that time, since then, it was popularly known all over India. Zolengthe microblogging brings light to the Zo hills and valleys. It is a pioneer in bringing the idea of spreading news through Mobile SMS.

On the same year, a website to connect the Zo people - Zolengthe.net was launched and it became one of the most popular websites of the Zo people all over the world. Hunting for better social networking on the internet world, I started opening my individual Facebook account on December 1, 2007, which was followed by creating a group with the name Zolengthe, it was not active for almost 11 months since there were no friends of mine who have a Facebook account at that time. Most of the Facebook users who I come across are from the Mizo community who are staying in the US. The Facebook group of ZOLENGTHE started playing an active role by the year 2009 and the activeness of Zolengthe.net diminished day after day and at last, it ceased to function from 2010,

The first ZOLENGTHE group was created on WhatsApp in 2011 for only chosen members among my friend circle. It was enlarged in 15.02.2015 for mass news circulation. Now it is actively feeding news to its readers through 43 WhatsApp groups with more than 11300 members and it is still expanding by public demand. On the other hand, Zolengthe Facebook group is also actively playing an important role with mother 43000 members.

Zolengthe has a Bitter as well as Sweet memories, we have fought a copyright violation case with Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd at Delhi High Court. We spent almost 3 lakhs for hiring one of the best lawyers in Delhi and we won it. I would like to thank Pu K. Zou, Pu Lincoln, Pu Suonlyan Tungnung, Pu Chinlunthang, Pu Lamsuanthang and Blessingpa Samte, who stood with me and giving me moral support and advice during that moment.

The last, but not the least…. I would like to thank all the dignitaries who accepted our invitation and participating today. Special thanks to Pi Amrita Sinha, IPS CCpur for the security arrangement. Thanks to the distinguished guests, Team Zolengthe, Zou Artiste Union for extending all possible support and the participants. God bless Zolengthe and the members who sponsor this great event. Thank you all.