Barrack Obama and our Irawat

R.K. Shivachandra *

For the first time in the history of the United States, an African American was nominated as the presidential candidate for the America’s most reputed political party that is Democratic Party. His nomination also coincided with the 42nd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s speech “I have a dream”. This has brought back the Martin Luther’s memories to the heart of millions around the globe and also described Obama to be incarnation of the King. Even his rival had to listen to him speechless. Obama's speech was a display of pure oratorical genius.

In his speech where he wanted to lead America he said, “We find ourselves at a crossroads in America's history. It's a time where you can go to any town hall or street corner or coffee shop and hear people express the same anxiety about the future; hear them convey the same uncertainty about the direction we're headed as a country. Whether it's the war or Katrina or their health care or their jobs, you hear people say that we've finally arrived at a moment where something must change. Ladies and gentlemen, this is our time. Our time to make a mark on history. Our time to write a new chapter in the American story. Our time to leave our children a country that is freer and kinder, more prosperous and more just than the place we grew up. And then someday, someday, if our kids get the chance to stand where we are and look back at the beginning of the 21st century, they can say that this was the time when America renewed its purpose. They can say that this was the time when America found its way. They can say that this was the time when America learned to dream again”.

Yes... he is definitely the people’s President of America. It is not known how Obama would face the challenges ahead but for the moment Obama shines in the heart of million in the world over.

When the people of the world speak of nationalism and when it comes to paying fitting tributes to the great martyrs of yesteryears, we have also a legend known by the name of ‘Hijam Irawat’ in this tiny part of the world. A towering personality he was, omnipresent in all aspects of life; be it in sports, literature, politics, theatre and lots more. In his time he had created a pervasive legacy only to be remembered by his future generation. He posed a melancholic riddle meant to be answered by the generation of 21st century in Manipur. His dream is much more than that of Martin Luther. His love for his motherland is awesome. He loved his people as much as he loves his freedom. In his brief self criticism made by Irawat himself on 10th October 1949 he reiterated “I never knew that there is a ‘class war’ among my people. If somebody says it exist I don’t agree with it. I did also not know even among the farmers there are selfish sections who oppressed their fellow farmers”. On criticism he confessed “I never knew what is criticism all about. I use to chant criticism is an effective leverage towards bringing development but at the same time my mind never accepted the idea. So I was so afraid to introduce this in Manipur, I overruled it would never work in Manipur”. The two pages self criticism of Irawat evoked great morale values. But today we are frantically trying to trace back the missing link of Irawat’s ideals, his teaching and the ‘love’ for his countrymen. Manipur is in turmoil. Words cannot express it. Let us celebrate this September which wholly belonged to him in a befitting way, march together in unity towards the promise land he shown to us. Let us keep aside the narrow outlook “His and mine” that never helped the situation. Because respecting the leader should not be through the rhetoric speech over the microphone but it should be in deeds too. Stop everything let us sing the song” We shall overcome” for a while.

While Americans drinks the cup of Obama toward a bright future, down here in Manipur we are drinking the ‘cup of woes’ .For the moment we cannot think the American style. Because we are in Manipur. Together we are going Cambodian way of the Khmer Rouge regime way back in 1979.

Sorry… I never wish Manipur becoming a second Cambodia. But somebody also may tell me how one helps Manipur. This is the land we loved most. Manipur is not the America of Obama after all. America has brave sons and daughters who rose at the occasions but not here. Sometimes being brave out here demands a heavy price. I claim myself to be brave in my own way. But brave doesn’t come easy to a common citizen like me. This is something belonged to the AK -47 wielded men in uniform and to those brothers in arms. The power is shared by two mighty forces. Bravery is their business. Commandoes kill people at the drop of hat helping in producing more young widows. Those women are strolling on the streets murmuring in a faint dialogue. Uncertainty hung heavy around them. Where will they go with their dear and loved ones with innocent clear blue eyes sucking mother’s breast. People from every walk of life have emerged out on the streets, formed into groups organizing “Sit in Protest” attempting to pass a message to those ears that never lends. Anyway, Thank goes to those who ruled us under the shadow of the guns for they are the one who are allowing us to see the next morning’s sunshine. As I write this article, tears trickles down, a clear drop of tears that tries to tell me something. A consolation within the four walls of my room. Where we are heading for? This is the question to everybody’s lips now a days. Not a single day passed by without somebody’s killing in the newspapers. In Cambodia only Khmer rouge kills...they are known to be the ‘killing machines’. Here everybody is Pol Pot. The one who sits in the highest chair keeps watching the scene. The rulers in Manipur seemed to prefer Idi Amin style of Uganda who killed countless people to assure his chair. We don’t know why we tend to write a new chapter of Khmer rouge or that of Uganda that together coincide around the same time during 1979s. Killing enemies of different land makes sense but killing their own people is something hard to study.

Who knows Barrack Obama could have been Irawat in his previous birth in Manipur. May be he had incarnated in the form of Obama in America today. Because people of Manipur are not ready to welcome Barrack Obama at this juncture.