Changing Manipur - which direction ?
- Imphal Times Editorial :: March 10 2019 -

Times are a changing- but the sort of changes happening in our state is nothing to write home about- or rather everything that should be made public.

It has become a breeding ground for unscrupulous elements where the name of the game is “instant wealth”.

Gone are the days when enterprising people, by dint of their sheer tenacity and unwavering pursuit made fame and fortune.

The “get rich quick” mantra being increasingly subscribed to by the younger generation has begun to bear fruit- rapes, murders, extortions, thieves and burglary, drug trafficking and corruption- the list growing longer by thee day.

The race to amass wealth- even at the cost of giving up one’s peace of mind and the hearth and home have taken precedence over the concept of a peaceful and fruitful easy life.

Conscience and morality have been shoved off to the furthest corner of one’s mind- shedding the last remnants of humility to enter the temple of mammon.

The result is a society where might is right and truth is relative.

Honesty and sincerity is at a premium and the ideology of high thinking – simple living having been replaced by the reckless aim to attain power and influence.

Humility and respectfulness has begun to be looked down upon and is being equated with weakness- a trait to be avoided.

Truths are being sold and brought at a price and the collective mentality has started to revert back to the Stone Age where survival of the fittest holds true.

Making things worst are the growing number of indolent youths accustomed to luxury and exhibitionism influenced in no small measure by the western cultures but failing to capture the essence of the dignity of work and the regard for fellow humans that underlines the basic principles of these western societies.

Abusing the powers entrusted to them and turning their official domain into their personal fiefdom is the order of the day for bureaucrats and politicians while the common people are left in the lurch with a feeling of betrayal and alienation in their minds.

This has created a chasm that is growing wider with each passing day leading to a feeling of suspicion and getting cynical of the steps the Government is taking up for the professed good of the public.

This social turmoil paves the way for a breed of human parasites living off the sweat of another’s labour- intimidation and fear being their weapon of choice and not thinking twice about taking lives if their whims are not catered to.

Shouts of negligence and deprivation trying to drown out the screams of the unfortunate public destined to lead a life of uncertainty and fear.

Tolerance is no longer a virtue and wealth is the benchmark of a person’s worth- never mind the means one used to acquire it.

Public memory has inexplicably shrunk to let matters pass- if only to wash their hands off the trouble of facing the bitter reality or to rectify it.

Rationality has succumbed to power and ethics is an alien notion.

A bleak future is in the offing- it is for us to stand up and stand fast- for the life we lead the way we want to.

It is in us to walk with our heads held high and taste the sweat and the fruit of our own labour.

At the end of the day what really matters is an unburdened mind and a good sound sleep.