A White Paper on Kangla and Sanamahi faith
- Part 5 -

H Dwijasekhar Sharma *

One now expects to hear of God, more in politics, perhaps. Buddhism of course remains the milder of the lot, with the others much hotter. Buddhist adherents weigh only 6% of world population (against respectively 13, 21 and 33% Hindus, Muslims and Christians).

Sanamahi and yet many others like Tao, of Asia etc constitute yet other fractions in the sea of humanity. Unless religion is made a matter of choice, 'not inheritance', one is likely to see more fuss among all religions: the born-again Christians, the fundamentalist Muslims and committed Hindus.

Definitely not so much by its civil nuclear agreement with the US, as by a bridge across to Sri Lanka that God Ram and a team of devoted monkeys (which it argues is a natural bridge and mainly underwater) built but which a secular party wishes to make a hole in to make room for coastal shipping. The idea that man is ruining God's dominion has thus become the biggest 'culture war' of all.

Without doubt, the true index of a culture's vitality is its adherence to its language, historical memory and religious traditions. Like the Tibetan culture, Sanamahi has also lived through ages despite vicissitudes.

Perhaps Kangla - but certainly not Manipur - can be fitted into a narrow box, where some want to incarcerate. In fact, the present may be the worst of times for Manipur.

But the same can as well be transformed into the best of times, if we discard conflict, and trust each other. In the short run, groups may outsmart rivals through superior skills or stratagems. But in the long run, success of civilisation, or nationhood is due more to dynamism and vibrancy of ideas and their ascendancy over competing visions of 'good life.'

Commitment is welcome, because it is defence-centered; but not stubborn commitment which cuts both ways, often more offensive than otherwise.

Among yet other blame-game specifics, the Sanskritisation charge stands out as another vehement and damaging of local elements; but Manipur's case (in the backdrop of the entire Southeast Asia turned into Suvarnabhumi in pre-Christ era) does perhaps make hardly more sense to distinguish between Manipur and Southeast Asia (lying just across Manipur to the East) than between Northeast India and mainstream India.

After all, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is only the ancient Hindu-Buddhist Suvarnabhumi in modern (nay futuristic) garb of the 21st century.

Ironically, history is repeating now as opportunity for Globalisation (redefined as Global-is-Asian) with China and India as co-drivers of, and yet others as passengers of, the global growth vehicle.

Even a Manipuri, NE Indian, mainstream Indian are all passe. It's Global-is-Asian!