Mizo Zirlai Pawl
Mizo Zirlai Pawl (lit. Mizo students' Association) is a Mizo multinational student organization. Its general headquarters is in Aizawl, and it has headquarters in most other Mizo inhabited areas,[1] such as Churachandpur, Behliangchhip (in Tripura), and sub-headquarters in Serchhip, Biate, Champhai, Ratu, Kolasib, Mamit, Zawlnuam, Saitual, Lunglei and Khawzawl.
Scope
The following Mizo (used as an umbrella term for all peoples who speak one of the Mizo languages) student organizations are affiliated to it:[2]
- Hmar Students' Association (HSA)
- Lai Students' Association (LSA)
- Mizoram Bawm Students' Association (MBSA)
- Pang zirlai Pawl (PZP)
- Mara Students' Organization (MSO)
- Ranglong Students' Union (RSU)
- Thado-Kuki Students' Union (TKSU)
- Siamsin Pawlpi (SSPP)
It is itself a constituent unit of North-East Students' Organisation (NESO)
History
The Lushai Students Association previously founded in 1926 at Shillong and which had almost collapsed was revived in October 1935. Its main objective were to look after the welfare of the Lushai Students, to prepare them to be the leader in future, and to preserve the Lushai traditional and cultural values. In first general election held on 24 October 1939 was elected Buchhawn as its President, Lalhmuaka its General Secretary, Hrawva as Treasurer and Saptea as Student Secretary. The General Meeting at Aizawl on 1 September 1946 had changed its name into Mizo Zirlai Pawl, in short MZP and shifted its base from Shillong to Aizawl.
Meanwhile, the..... In 1940, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl had submitted a memorandum on the subject to the Governor of Assam, during his visit to Aizawl. A year later Association delegated Zairema, later a Reverend of the Lushai Hills Welsh Presbyterian Church and Lalrinthanga to Shillong to pursue its demand.[3]
The association was established in October 27, 1935.[4]
Aims and objectives
Its motto is Ṭanrual hi chakna (lit. Union is strength). As it states in its website[5] its main aims include 'to prepare all Zohnahthlâk people to be valuable citizens for the Mizo nation and Zoram' and 'to help the government in the development of Zoram and Mizo nation'. The following are some of the main aims and objectives:[6]
- to safeguard the rights and unity of all Mizo students
- to prepare Mizo people to become helpful citizens of Zoram
- to do its best to unite all Mizo people and create an independent Mizo state out of all the territories historically occupied by Mizo peoples[7]
- to prevent and attack corruption in Mizoram
- to conserve traditional Mizo values.
Influence
It is one of the most influential organisations in Mizo history,[8] and may be the most politically active NGO in Mizoram.[9]