Q/ Many were surprised when you were chosen as chief minister five years ago. You had just joined the BJP after a long stint with the Congress.
A/ That is true. I did not expect that. In the late evening of March 8, 2017, I got a call from Amit Shah. He told me that the parliamentary board had chosen me as chief minister. I almost jumped in joy. That day I took an oath that I will not let them down. I worked 24x7 the past five years and you now are seeing the change. What the Congress could not do in 15 years, I have done in five.
Q/ But you were also a senior Congress minister for close to 15 years.
A/ Yes, but I had no voice. That is why I left.
Q/ Development has not reached every part of Manipur, especially the hills.
A/ Once I receive official reports about this—that there is a gap—I will try my best in the remaining three months [before the elections].
Q/ You have said that the Modi government has helped you in every way. Could you elaborate?
A/ First, take the case of the highways. The Centre gave me ₹4,000 crore to build highways (Imphal to Moreh and Imphal to Dimapur). For water, I received ₹3,400 crore. So, I was able to get potable water for the poor. Before I assumed power, Manipur had only 5 per cent tap water supply. Today, it is more than 60 per cent.
Q/ You seem to have handled the pandemic well. But, like in Bengal, cases could go up around election time.
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Hat-Trick Or Has-Beens?
India look to win their third straight Test series in Australia, but ageing superstars and recent humiliation at home have cast a shadow on their hopes
Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk
PEOPLE WITH CONSTIPATION have an increased risk of major cardiac events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, especially if they also have high blood pressure, finds an international study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing
SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS can harm the heart and accelerate ageing, even if you are young and get the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise, according to a US study published in the journal PLOS One.
Efficiency and innovation
As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills
Level up
Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries
Mind matters
Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability
Cutting edge
Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.
The smallest cut
Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon
Signalling a revolution
Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin
