Bridging the gap

Miranda TK Maring *

Tourist Map of Manipur :: Pix :: http://manipur.nic.in/

Have you ever spared a single moment of your life questioning yourself; why is our land known as the 'corn flex state'? Have you ever contributed the least you can do to bring about peace in our state? Did you ever realize, a small contribution from every single person could do wonders as the old saying goes 'a single drop of water makes a mighty ocean'.

Well, we still have time to start doing something that can change our society, let us join in hands to dry the tears of the weeping victims waiting for justice. We have to start thinking that we are a big family with some biological and cultural differences scattered in every part of the state for their own living. Don't you think it will be far better if we assume that a rape case that had happened to any teenage girl is a crime to our family, own sister or own niece, etc? Keeping this concept in mind, and demanding for justice will prove to be much more effective.

Of course, we are leaving in a computerized world where everything is faster and easily available. We no longer visit our friends, relatives because we can hear their voice through phone, see their faces through web cam, and as a result, the relationship tends to fade away. But we should not misuse this technological gift instead make maximum usage of it where we can webcast our cultures and achievements so that the entire world can see it. If this is done, our culture will be recognized universally and we will no longer appear as strangers when we go out from our land. Possibly, there could be so many reasons buried under the burning issue of the Nagas and the Kukis living in Manipur demanding for integrity.

Perhaps, they want a separate land which is inhabited by the people who shares the same culture and the language as well. Or, may be, they are not happy with the State Government's treatment.

Generally, Tribal's are known as 'Hao' by the Meiteis and most of them possessed with this weird concept that haos are economically backward and most of them are uneducated. I am pretty sure everyone is aware of this, if a fair and pretty tribal girl dressed up fashionably and walks down the street; the kind of comment she gets is 'Ibemma sidi phajeida, kari lamdagino? Chandel. Heima! Nangdi hao mande eikhoi Meitei nupi male.'(Lady you look stunning, where are you from? Chandel. Oh My God! You don't look like tribal, you look like Meitei lady).

Don't you think this is not offensive to the tribal lady? It is so obvious that the particular girl will jump out in joy when she hears that her own people are demanding for a separate land and would even support to the full. There are thousands of tribal ladies who were offended in this way and the least contribution from all of them will definitely be of massive help to the groups who are demanding for separate land. This results in creation of conflicts and diversion of peace from the state. It can also be said that these are the wounds left on the bodies of the tribal people that cannot be cured by any medicine.

Not only this, the Meitei's even named the local chicken 'Meitei yen' (Meitei chicken). What a crap, is that local chicken created by God exclusively for the Meitei people? No, perhaps they just named it because it has a better taste than the other breeds of chicken. Also there is Meitei rice, Meitei garlic, Meitei chilly etc. Don't you think it will sound absolutely better if you could compliment on a tribal girl, 'Hey, you are beautiful, I remember my grandfather used to say tribal's are really beautiful and its true'.

Say local chicken instead of 'Meitei yen'. Definitely, you will leave the tribal girl in astonishment and happiness beyond limits and the meat buyer surprised because you no longer call them Meitei yen. Slowly they will start thinking that there is no communalism in the state and why should we fight for a separate land unnecessarily.

Lastly, there have been so many incidents lately towards the poor tribal people who have come for studies or work in Imphal, and when they look for a rented room, most of the house owners responded rudely; "we don't want to keep tribals or there is no room for tribals". Isn't this response derogative? Can't the landlords answer in a decent way, "Sorry, it wouldn't be good for you guys because we don't eat meat and we conduct various rituals which could be a problem in the long run."

When we go outside our state, we are commonly known as 'Chinkys' and are often offended in this way by the mainland Indians while in search of a room. Why can't we realize that we should not do like this to our own people at least in our state. No regrets, it's never too late to start doing something instead of doing nothing.

Indeed, these are silly issues, but these small issues if taken care of will stop ignition of bigger problems in the coming days. So, let's pull up our socks, make use of our potentials in bringing drastic changes in our society. We are gifted with so many natural resources and outstanding personalities; let us take the advantage from them in making a new 'Manipur. Why do we have to separate from one another?

Let us understand each one's feeling eliminate the thought of communalism from our minds and live together as one 'Big Happy Family'.