Young Mizo Association Explained

Young Mizo Association
Abbreviation:YMA
Formerly:Young Lushai Association
Type:Voluntary association
Status:Active Indian society
Purpose:Heritage conservation
Conservation of nature
Charitable services
Headquarters:Aizawl, Mizoram
Region Served:Northeast India
Fields:Social work
Community service
Membership:Any Mizo puberty and above
Language:Mizo
General Gecretary:Malsawmliana
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Lalhmachhuana
Website:Homepage

The Young Mizo Association (YMA) is the largest and most comprehensive non-profit, secular, nongovernmental organisation of the Mizo people. It was established on 15 June 1935, originally as the Young Lushai Association (YLA), which was later renamed as the "Young Mizo Association" in 1947.[1] [2] It was initiated by the Welsh Christian missionaries who understood the need of cultural conservation of the Mizo tribe, who were under pressure of political and social modernisations. In 1977, it was registered under Indian Societies Registration Act.

The association is administered by a central committee (Central YMA), headquartered at Aizawl, and under which there are 5 sub-headquarters, 49 groups and 805 branches,[3] which covers all of Mizoram and some parts of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura.[4]

History

By 1935, Christianity had taken over most of the traditional Mizo lifestyle, formal education system had been introduced, British rule was about to be revoked and local administration was to be subjected to Indian politics. The basic tribal administrative system Zawlbuk was dissolving. The traditional social security, custom and training ground for young men was coming to an end, thereby necessitating a substitute of the tribal institution urgently. As serendipity would have it, a thunderstorm on the Monday evening of 3 June 1935, right after worship service, drove the Welsh missionaries and the Mizo church leaders to the nearby residence of Miss Kattie Hughes (known to Mizos as Pi Zaii), at Aijal (now Aizawl), wherein they made an impromptu proposal over a cup of tea for establishing an association that would unite all the Mizo people.[5] [6] As a Christian gathering, the initial proposed name was Young Mizo Christian Association, to rhyme with Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), which on scrutiny they noticed had a restrictive and religious fundamentalist connotation. Then Rev David Edward (Zorema Pa) came up with "Young Lushai Association" akin to their familiar Young Wales Association in Wales. The name was unanimously accepted. It was also agreed that the association would be formally inaugurated on the coming 15 June.[7]

The exact number and identity of the people attended were not recorded, but the following people were listed:[8]

  1. Rev David Edward (Zorama Pa)
  1. Upa D. Ṭhianga
  1. Rev Lewis Evans (Pu Niara)
  1. Upa Chawngzika
  1. Miss Kattie Hughes
  1. Pu Muka
  1. Rev Chhuahkhama
  1. Pu Vankhuma
  1. Pu L. Kailuia
  1. Pu L.H. Liana
  1. Upa Ch. Pasena

YLA was unveiled on 5 June 1935 at the grand public meeting at Nepali School, Sikulpuikawn, with a candle lighting ceremony and election of the officials.[9] The first officers were:

Branches were soon created in every village, and all Mizo of age were soon registered members. The advent of Indian Independence incited new political and ethnic identity revivals in Mizoram (Lushai Hills, as it was called). For democratic administrative system, a political party was need. As the only and most endorsed organisation, YLA itself was suggested in 1945 to be the first political party. But the central committee objected to it, and this prompted the creation of an entirely political party, the Mizo Union. Then the terminology "Mizo" began to have new revolutionary meaning, it had much more inclusive and panoramic implications than "Lushai", which in any case was the Welsh's misnomer for "Lusei", a major clan of the Mizo tribe. Consequently, the central YLA committee resolved to change YLA to "Young Mizo Association" (YMA) on 7 October 1947.[10] [11]

YMA was registered as SR No. 4 of 1977 under Indian Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) on 14 May 1977 to the Government of Mizoram.

Aims and objectives

YMA has three fundamental mottos:[12]

The ten commitments

YMA imposes its members of

  1. Self-discipline and righteousness
  2. Good management of family
  3. Just and truthfulness
  4. Tolerance
  5. Politeness
  6. Chivalry and usefulness
  7. Social commitment
  8. Respect for religion
  9. Preservation of culture
  10. Abstinence from liquor and drugs

YMA fosters an ethnic belonging that transcends national borders, both inter and intra.[13]

Emblem and colour

The emblem, as described in the constitution of Young Mizo Association, is a flamed torch with which the abbreviation YMA is written, which is in turn held by a hand inside a circle. The torch has three flames that signifies the three mottos of the association. The ten sparks radiating from the flames represent the ten commitments. A ribbon at the base bears an inscription "YMA" at the centre, with "ESTD"' written on the left side and "1935" on the right.

The official colour is a tricoloured horizontal stripe of equal sizes. The three colours represent the earliest man-made colours of the Mizo ancestors. First, red on top, denotes the brightness of the association. Second, white in the middle, shows sanctity. And the black bottom symbolizes a concern for the poor, the despair and the hapless.[14]

Publications

Young Mizo Association publishes a monthly magazine YMA Chanchinbu in Mizo since October 1973. It has a circulation of 10,000 copies. It also has a quarterly YMA News published in English.[15]

Awards and recognition

Officers

The YMA officers are elected by the general body every two years. The 74th General Conference held at Biate on 26 October 2023 elected the following offices for 2023-2025:[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2010-06-15 . Mizoram observes 75th anniversary of YMA . 2023-10-29 . Hindustan Times . en.
  2. News: 2014-06-15 . YMA Day celebrated in Mizoram . Business Standard . 2023-10-29.
  3. Web site: Khojol. Henry L.. 2020-04-20. Reading bonus for bibliophiles: Mizoram beckons bookworms. 2021-06-16. www.telegraphindia.com.
  4. Web site: Vinod . Nibandh . 2023-06-15 . What is YMA Day, and Why is it Celebrated in Mizoram? . 2023-10-29 . News18 . en.
  5. Web site: Mohsin . Haroon . 2022-08-26 . YMA Day . 2023-11-14 . National Today . en-US.
  6. Web site: Newsd . 2023-06-13 . YMA Day 2023 (India): Everything You Need To Know! . 2023-11-14 . Newsd.in . en.
  7. Book: Zorema J. Indirect Rule In Mizoram 1890-1954. 109–110 . 2007 . Mittal Publications. New Delhi. 9788183242295.
  8. Web site: YMA . Profile of YMA . 2013-06-02 . centralyma.org.in . Central Young Mizo Association.
  9. Web site: Khiangte . Jonathan . 2021-06-06 . YMA, Kumpinu doletna leh Ram leh Hnam hmangaihna puakchhuak (Dinhmun hniam zawk te hian sawi theih an nei lo em ni?” - Gayatri Spivak, 1985) . 2023-11-14 . Vanglaini . en.
  10. Web site: Walzer M. Civil Society, State and the Tribal Society: A case study on Young Mizo Association, Mizoram. dalitandtribe.wordpress.com . 16 February 2010. 2013-06-02.
  11. Web site: Chhana. YMA Day chibai. lus. A YMA Day greetings . mi(sual).com . 15 June 2011. 2013-06-02.
  12. Web site: 2021-06-07 . YMA Day – June 15th . 2023-11-14 . RitiRiwaz . en-US.
  13. Book: Puia, Roluah . Nationalism in the Vernacular: State, Tribes, and Politics of Peace in Northeast India . 2023-06-30 . Cambridge University Press . 978-1-009-34606-1 . 1 . 10.1017/9781009346061.
  14. Web site: Thanhnuna RL. YMA NIHPHUNG LEH HRUAITUTE MAWHPHURHNA . lus . Nature of YMA and duties of the leaders. ymaaw.weebly.com . Chandmari West Branch YMA. 5 June 2013. 2013-06-02.
  15. Web site: Young Mizo Association: Mizoram . 2023-11-14 . mizoram.nic.in . National Informatics Centre, Mizoram State Centre.
  16. Web site: Vanglaini. YMA-in national award dawng dawn . lus . YMA to receive national award. vanglaini.org . 14 June 2013. 2013-06-16.
  17. Web site: Zothlifim. YMA-in chawimawina dawng . lus . YMA receive award. zothlifim.com . 15 June 2013. 2013-06-16.
  18. Web site: India Noon . List of National Awards for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse 2013 . 24 June 2013 . indianoon.com . 2013-07-03.
  19. Web site: isikkim. Young Mizo Association gets national award from President. 27 June 2013. isikkim.com . 2013-07-03.
  20. Web site: Vanglaini - Tualchhung Central YMA president thar Lalhmachhuana . 2023-10-29 . Vanglaini . en.