It was interesting to note that Manipur royalty traces is lineage till 33 AD
--maybe the oldest in the world!!
****Disproportionate wealth of public and government servants overnight are
simply witness to the fact that corruption is so rampant among an
overwhelmingly majority sections of the society. In spite of sincere efforts of
some revolutionary organizations to fight corruption the menace seems to have
grown insurmountable today.
If one is to find out one single greatest challenge for the people of Manipur
it is nothing but corruption in public life. "
Umesh
Rajen & Ajanta Barua <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Analytical study on the ills of Manipur
By Thangboi Haokip
Introduction: With the end of British rule, Manipur, a formerly princely
state along with other princely states of the sub-continent was made to join
Indian Union. The country with its teeming population crossing 1000 million
mark, and its thriving democratic institution emerges today as a growing world
economic power, wielding immense political and economic influence in the
current global scenario. With the dawn of civilization, which penetrated into
the deep jungles of NE India, the indigenous communities Naga, Kuki, Meitei
of Manipur, largely carried away in thoughts and action by the rapidly changing
socio, political and economic scenario of the Indian Sub Continent, faces some
major test when they woke up from their slumber.
Though small in population and geographical size because of its beautiful
topography, mild climatic condition, and sport loving spirit of the people,
Manipur had recently earned recognition worldwide. Realizing who we are, where
we are, which direction the future generation is heading to, Manipur has
witnessed a sudden appearance of a host of Revolutionary movements apparently
for the sake of a more secured future. Unfortunately, in less than two or three
decades, with just a simple introspection, one could see a host of problems at
our disposal which have started doing a systematic damage or irreparable loss
to the people of this tiny state.
As per recent records this tiny state called Manipur recorded the lowest
economic growth rate (5.9%) in the 11th Five Year plan period among the NE
states. It is indeed an alarming sign. We have come to a system in which the
poor are left to fight for their own survival whereas selected few seem to reap
the benefit of 5 years economic plans. The simple fact that mass discontentment
swept the length and breadth of our state in the form of bandhs and economic
blockades, is an indicator of the presence of one chronic disorder in the
governance of the state. The number of economic Blockades and Bandhs enforced
in 2004 -2006 as per record given by one Takhellambam Promosini Devi which
appeared in the Sangai Express on 5th January 2007 under the caption "Will
Bandhs and blockades be our main achievements of each year" are 361, 80
respectively.
It is necessary to examine why and how an economically poor state like
Manipur should be put to such an awkward position. In a way it indicates a rise
in the level of people's political consciousness as proper use of democratic
forms of agitation are effective in getting things done faster. Yet, due to
vested interest groups the common welfare of the citizens are often ignored.
Honest and responsible uses of our democratic rights are in great demand today.
At the same time an honest, sincere and true statesmanship approach of SPF
Ministry can easily reduce discontentment of the people at least by 50%. SPF
Ministry had little option when faced with Specific issues such as ANSAM's 54
days Economic blockades.
When the state was faced with threats on its territorial integration other
issues raised by a host of organizations should have naturally been in the cold
storage as to give SPF Ministry a breathing space. Yet there are other issues
that call for undeserved attention of the Government. To cite a few why
granting of Revenue status to Sadar Hills District has been delayed for 3
decades. Why was SPF Ministry so thoughtless in rejecting Ceasefire pact
between Kuki Outfits and Defence wing of the Government? Government's half
hearted approach in healing the wounds inflicted upon one people group when
faced with threats from valley based militants is being left in the lurch. How
many had fled their home and heart for safer places.
Look at the plight of the people of Parbung, Chandel and Henglep areas etc.
The decades old policy of peaceful co existence of the KIM has been rewarded
contrarily. Nevertheless the intelligentsia and thinkers of the society,
including the so called elected representatives of the affected areas preferred
to remain evasive when faced with such threats confronting the society. Indeed
such approach seems safer to them. I would like to make a humble attempt to
expose what are the real threats of Manipur, and its possible solutions based
on my Christian value systems. The three threats are: insurgency, corruption
and disintegration.
Insurgency and corruption: In the name of nationalism schemes meant for poor
and the needy are easily diverted. Shri O Ibobi Singh hon'ble CM of Manipur was
rather vocal when he openly cried against such practices. Even, a centrally
sponsored schemes, such as BT Flyover was not spared. Infrastructures like BT
Flyover can do a lot to improve the scenic beauty of Imphal city and
development of Manipur. Because of such unhealthy practices being so rampant a
system has set in under which development funds are being swindled to benefit
selected few. The situation have come to such a level that people who really
like to contribute his bit for the welfare of the society prefer to remain
rather evasive just to avoid being criticized or targeted. In fact such views
need a reversal to save Manipur.
The numbers of corrupt practitioners have grown good in the insurgent ranks so
much that the reputations of true revolutionary workers are being tarnished.
Hence a serious turn about has to be resorted to in order to reverse this
trend. Disproportionate wealth of public and government servants overnight are
simply witness to the fact that corruption is so rampant among an
overwhelmingly majority sections of the society. In spite of sincere efforts of
some revolutionary organizations to fight corruption the menace seems to have
grown insurmountable today. If one is to find out one single greatest challenge
for the people of Manipur it is nothing but corruption in public life.
Disintegration: Movements advocating merger of portions of land to neighbouring
state seems to have gained the upper hand. The free and frank discussion of the
same in national political parties- past and present, and open declaration of
Naga leaders in their election manifestoes supporting the Naga integration, and
success of movements for allowing appearance of class X students under BSEM
exam recently without any oppositions seems to have determined the type of
political dialogue to be taken at the negotiating table in new Delhi. In one
way the level of tolerance exhibited by the Meetei community on such vexed
political issues involving transfer of certain districts of Manipur to
Nagaland can be construed as a sign of wisdom and political maturity on their
part. As price of a commodity in a given market is decided by the law of supply
and demand called elasticity of supply and demand, the interaction between
forces for and against, the move is likely to decide the same
subject.
We need peace and harmony in Manipur. Peaceful co-existence is the crying need
for North East India. Because we have a number of things in common just because
the 7 sister states are connected with mainland India by a strip of land
measuring some 100/50 Kms; and put together we have 23 MPs in Indian
Parliament. By joining of hands NE can only be heard in the Parliament. For
ensuring peaceful co-existence in NE in general New Delhi need to look deeper
into the grievances of one particular major tribe- the Kukis who scatter over
NE India without any political autonomy.
Rajen Barua, Houston _______________________________________________
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Umesh Sharma
5121 Lackawanna ST
College Park,
(Washington D.C. Metro Region)
MD 20740
1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
website: www.gse.harvard.edu/iep
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