Mizo Zirlai Pawl (lit. Mizo students' Association) is a Mizo multinational student organization and apex students body in Mizoram state. Established on 27 October 1935 in Shillong by Mizo earlier educated students. Originally as the Lushai Students Association (LSA), which was later replaced with the "Mizo Zirlai Pawl" (Mizo Students Association) on 1 September 1946. As Mizoram State government notified MZP raising day 27 October was observed as "Zirlaite Ni" (Students' Day) from 2008 in Mizoram. It was registered as SR No. 35 of 1969–70 under Indian Societies Registration Act. Its general headquarters is in the state capital of Mizoram, Aizawl. And it has 12 headquarters inside and outside of Mizoram state,[1] such as Churachandpur (in Manipur), Behliangchhip (in Tripura), and in Mizoram state - Serchhip, Biate, Champhai, Darlawn, Kolasib, Mamit, Zawlnuam, Saitual, Lunglei and Khawzawl. It has 50 Sub-Headquarters and many branches.
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:[1]
Most of College Students Union in Mizoram, Women Politechnic, Aizawl and Mizoram University Students Council; Chairman/Vice President and General Secretary is the Ex-Officio Member in General Headquarters.
In different parts of India, Cities and Institution based Mizo Students Association is also affiliated to Mizo Zirlai Pawl; like, Mizo Students Union Pune (MSUP), Delhi Mizo Zirlai Pawl (DMZP) and many more.
History
The Lushai Students Association previously founded in 1926 at Shillong and which had almost collapsed was revived in October 1935. Its main objectives were to look after the welfare of the Lushai Students, to prepare them to become leaders of future, and to preserve the Lushai traditional and cultural values. At the first general elections held on 24 October 1939, Buchhawn was elected as its president, Lalhmuaka as its general secretary, Hrawva as its treasurer and Saptea as its student secretary. The general meeting at Aizawl on 1 September 1946 had changed its name into Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and shifted its base from Shillong to Aizawl.[4]
The association was established on 27 October 1935.[1]
Brief Chronicle of MZP
1926
Lushai Students Association was formed in Calcutta, Gauhati and Shillong. Unfortunately, the organisation collapsed and ceased to exist.
1935
Lushai Students Association was again newly established in Shillong. R. Buchhawna B.A in-charged President, Lalhmuaka as General Secretary and Hrawva B.A as Treasurer.
1938
Published its newspaper 'LSA CHANCHINBU' for the first time.
1939
World War II affected the association. It could not function properly and its newspaper couldn't be published either.
1945
When World War II ended, it was reformed and the constitutions were amended.
1946
Lushai Students Association changed its name into Mizo Zirlai Pawl, in short MZP shifted its base from Shillong to Aizawl. The Magazine LSA Newsletter also changed to MZP Chanchinbu.
1959
After the shock of Mautam (famine) MZP was reformed again. At that time it had offices in Mizo District Council Office and in Govt. Mizo High School. MZP demanded the Special Scholarship for Mizo Students to the Assam Government. For the first time in Mizoram and to promote mizo literature and songs, MZP organised 'Hla Kutpui' (Song Festival) in Aizawl. Formed the committee of Mizo Vernicular.
1966
Mizo National Front uprising and Mizo Independent Movement influenced most of MZP leaders. Many leaders joined the movement. Therefore, the organisation became weak.
1970s
MZP became one of the strongest and biggest organisation in Mizoram. Around 1000 branches in Mizoram and outside Mizoram state, in Mizoram most high school and village run the organisation.
1973
MZP revived and re-organised Mizo Traditional festival and 'Chapchar Kut'. This festival is one of the most valued festival till today by the Mizo society which is still celebrated today since that time.
1978
MZP Conference held in Kolasib decided, the extension for the term of MZP Leaders from one year to two years.
1979
MZP support the MNF-India peace accord. it submitted the memorandum to the Govt. of India regarding peace in Mizoram.
1981
Protest the selection of non-mizo in state quota of Technical Course. In that movement most of MZP Leaders were arrested and were imprisoned. Protest and demand to abolish Chakma District Council.
1982
MZP took an action for peace in Mizoram. The Union Territory Government blame MZP as anti-national and BANNED the organisation. That issued shocked the MZP and it became weakened. But, the organisation was run secretly by a few leaders.
1985
The new government withdrew the ban of MZP. Northeast Students Coordination Committee (NESCC) organised North East Cultural Festival in Aizawl based MZP. But, MZP could not function properly. During the ban of the organisation, various students associations were formed in Mizoram for different issues and purposes.
1993
14 August, seven students association meeting decided to demolish their own organisation and amalgamated to MZP and reformed it again. In September special assembly amended the constitution and elected the new leaders. The Constitution added the Affiliation rules for Mizo Tribe-based students organisation and Federal Council System. The NECC also changed the name to NESO.
1993–1995
Emphasized the theme of (Mizo hnam inpumkhatna) 'Mizo Unification'.
1994
MZP against the issue to abolish the ILP.
1995
Proclaimed the Chakma Foreigner Quite Order. Most of Chakma foreigner deleted from electoral roll.
1996
Organised the issue of Chakma Foreigners. Long march from Aizawl to Chawngte.
1995–1998
Proposed and used the theme of (ram leh hnam humhalh) 'Mizo tribe preservation year'.
1997
For the first time, MZP General Headquarters fall into 'Adviser Rule'. Constitution amendment and extended the term of elected office bearer to two years. The president can't elected more than one term.
2002
Organised ZOFEST in Churachandpur for the unification among Zo-hnahthlak of Zofa.
2007
Demanded to the President of India to apologize to the people of Mizo for their bombing Mizoram.
2008
The Govt. of Mizoram notified MZP rising day is to be observed as 'Zirlaite Ni' (Students' Day). Anniversary of Mizoram bombing day by the Indian Government during MNF Independent movement was celebrate as "Zoram Ni".
MZP main office building, 'MZP PISAPUI' was inaugurated by Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in Aizawl.
Aims and objectives
MZP Flag
The motto is Ṭanrual hi chakna (lit. Unity is strength) and the theme (thuvawn) is Mizo students in service of Mizo Nation (Mizo zirlaite kan ram leh hnam tan). Its main aim is '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:[1]
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[5]
MZP General Headquarters Elected Office Bearer and Secretaries 2013–2015 tearmMZP Assembly 2014 pandal Zofate Run' at Farkawn, Mizoram
The association is administered by the General Headquarters, which constitutes six elected office bearers elected by an electoral college after every two years, and who in turn appoint not more than fifty executive committee members for a term of 1 year. Ten appointed secretaries are selected among the executive committee members who take charge of various posts to advice and assist the elected office bearer. And then, they run the office and activities actively.
The executive committee appoints the adviser and NESO Council member for one year. Various subcommittees and clubs are also formed in the general headquarters.
The following are the elected office bearers for the term 2019–2021-
At present Mr. Ricky Lalbiakmawia (finance secretary) represents MZP in the NESO committee.
MZP Assembly is the top authority in the association, and Federal Council Sitting is the second highest authority to rule the association.
