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There was a time the go easy Manipuri truck drivers got their
pent wet when crossing the hilly terrain of Nagaland on their
Imphal bound journey during the evening. It was not the Manipuri
truck drivers alone but also the bravest stray dogs dare not
to venture on the roads of Kohima if the clock ticked 5 in the
evening. Everyone in this town would prefer only to remain at
home while reassuring their door was safely locked especially
when the winter season set in. There was panicky only panicky
all around as the darkness engulfed over the enchanting Capital
Town of the State. This was just the story in Kohima a few years
before. However unexpected things always happened and today the
beautiful township wore a different look especially in the evening,
as it is observed that people strolled along the streets and
exchanging Merry X-mass greetings one another till late in the
evening in a tension free mood. People were seen humming the
famed Christmas song 'Jingle bell jingle bell' in a joyous and
festive spirit and shopkeepers remain their shop open till 7
P.M. This has indeed turned out to be a priceless gift from
Santa Clause the popular Christmas father on the eve of the auspicious
Christmas to the people of this beautiful land who are predominantly
Christians. The traffic police who always use to return home
early during the previous days, had to remain static on their
respective points directing the busy traffic till late in the
evening. Kohima town, which is home to a large population of
government servants and numbers of business communities have
come of age as far as commercial and other socio-economic avenues
are concerned.
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| Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima |
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Many private apartments and buildings seemed to
have been converted into mini markets or shopping arcade to accommodate
many aspiring businessmen. The look of the market and its structural
lay-out thus expanded in an impressive way. All the passenger
buses plying in an around the town are all ablaze with blue color
to claim uniformity and becoming more systematic. An impressive
response have been reciprocated from the side of these buses
owners in the recent move as they let their vehicle plying till
late so as to make the new system more feasible. Without their
services, it would be a problem for ordinary businessman and
customers to come to the new rule and convincing about walking
the gradient of the hilly roads in the night, which was once
a hot bed for many anti social elements. Voluntary Organisations
and law enforcing agencies in the State, too hand in hand extending
maximum efforts to avoid any untoward incident, which may cause
mayhem to the general public and shopkeepers while returning
to their respective homes. Many such volunteers found to be prying
with hawk eyes to deal with any awkward situation if arises.
On the part of the Nagaland Police, they are evidently sparing
no efforts in executing their duties with a massive vigil in
and around the town. This has provided the general public with
a sense of security and amply shows that the old time is gaining
ground in Nagaland and time changed for the better.
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| The Landscape of Kohima War Cemetery. Backdrop is the "Boro Bosti", the second biggest village in whole of the Asia |
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For al these reasons, the Christmas in this year seemed to have
a special meaning and such joys came about a mixed feelings in
the mind of all. On the top of all these, the Prime Minister
of India who had visited Nagaland just a couple of months ahead
of the Christmas made this festive season more lively and materialistic
as there are numbers of economic packages let flourishing in
the state akin to that father who is not afraid to invest any
amount to his obedient son. The hundred of cores Rupees dropped
by the Center made Nagaland the centre of envy to her other sister
States. 'This is just only the beginning. Center will give more
grants' said by one Mr.Kevi a businessman in Kohima. Besides,
the proposal of launching a Sainik School and few professional
Institutions in Nagaland came about like a sweet song for the
public. The majestic Nagaland Police Head Quarters building perched
atop a hill in Kohima becoming the pride of every Naga and perhaps
the biggest Police Head quarters in the whole of North Eastern
States.
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| A European couple paying tribute to their relatives at Kohima War Cemetery |
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The beautiful red stars that glowed above every house in Kohima,
as a sign of welcoming to the Prince of Peace seemed to have
increased its number this year as compared to the fewer stars
last years. The twinkling stars shines throughout the nights
on the high acclivity of the hills in the stillness of the night
would inspire even the one who had never written a poem in life
to reach for a pen just in an attempt to bring down the inexplicable
feelings on the paper. It is enthralled and an adorable night
indeed. However such red stars are the utter dismay to the
uniformed personnel in Manipur and erecting a star in any of
the valley home to welcome the Son of the God could invite trouble
as being branded to be the nexus of underground.
Such messages heralded far and wide in Nagaland and even the
innermost town like Tuensang and Mokokchung too open their market
till late hours. Dimapur the commercial hub of the State was
once a fertile ground of many anti-social elements and news of
crimes and other acts of robberies were reported during the festive
season but such cases are quiet seldom this year. People who
had an appetite for marketing could loiter around the town and
visiting the shops till 9 P.M. It is all wonderful development
taking place.
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| The great Epitaph of Kohima War Cemetery dedicated to the heroes of war |
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However in Manipur the festive season doesnt seem to bring
any good news for the people. Things seemed to remain as it is.
There were reports of tolling many precious human lives in and
around and the advent of festive season marked with the brutal
murder of Baby Elizabeth. The public demanded to bring the culprit
to justice, but this goes unheard. The 16 suspects rounded
up for interrogation have been freed on bail, which was evidently
a ploy to mollify the widespread public anger. This is followed
by lot of cock and bull stories of Mr. Ibobi on revealing the
identity of the murderer, which was used as a tactic to buy the
time and let go the chapter with the wind only. This way the
Chief Minister has become another treacherous figure.
In the business front, there is not pleasant smile visible on
the faces of the businessmen. The market was literally turned
out to be quiet lean and thin. December otherwise the season
for the businessmen had nothing much special to offer this year
for many shopkeepers on the stretches of Paona Bazar seemed to
have trundle out from their respective shops and basking in the
Sun, which would have been otherwise busy man-hour during the
hay days. The State Govt. employees too had their tale of woes.
Over the years there is no improvement in all the fronts and
'DEVELOPMENT' came about to a standstill.
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| Epitaph in memory of AZ Phizo and the graveyard |
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It is beset with wonder as to whether our MLAs have paid any
heed to such public grievances. They never cared of it. While
many of their counterparts are striving for development in their
respective States, they are out here frantically busy in the
"Musical chair" game only to clinch the power so as to perform
what they please. Some of them gone for a 'Taekwondo bout' in
an unknown hotel room elsewhere in Kolkata in an attempt to retain
the power and remain glued to their chair of power. And they
are our public leaders. At home there is nothing plausible on
the part of the opposition bench in the politics. They are old
actors so to say Purana khilari, and this time the director asked
them to change a different character only otherwise they are
the same men. They have no time to think for the progress of
the society and public reduced to a mute spectators for their
rights and so called franchise have legally been sold with
crispy 500 Rs. Currency to the hypocrite politicians at the time
of the Election. It is akin to the Jamindar Raaj existed in the
obscure parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India where the poor
farmers were forced to work in the field only to feed the masters.
The farmers never revolted and succumbed to what they are. It
is all hope against hope in Manipur and there is no any ray of
light visible in the far horizon either.
However it is always said by the wise men that one should be
optimistic. Yes, that is all what is been left out in the empty
basket now. The year 2003 has already set its feet to go down
the history like a defeated King. He had presented a lot of unwanted
things to the people of Manipur and this refuses to accord a
ceremonial farewell to him by the people. We will have to welcome
the New Year 2004 with a changing mindset from the corrupt souls
to the worthiest son and daughters of this soil, which is possible
only when we change ourselves. Until Manipuris whosoever claim
to worth their salt make it habitual to stand together against
the menace, peace and development will continue to be bought
at an exorbitant price and you know well that the price will
escalate for every passing day.
In the hell the hottest place is reserved for those who
remain neutral - The Bible
R.K. Shivachandra is a social worker based in Imphal, Manipur.
He contributes regularly to e-pao.net and can be reached at [email protected].
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