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E-Pao! Opinion - Manipur- Past, Present And Future

Manipur- Past, Present And Future
Part 2

By: Govind *


Government Functionaries ( Administration ):

It goes without saying that our state is the most corrupted state in India. Starting from a peon to the top officials, 90% of the employees are corrupted. We can examine in any of the government department. The employees will take money from the public for doing their duty in addition to getting their regular salary from the government. Even passing one file to another, there is fix rate.

Public are also very generous. If public don't put some money in front of them, the employees will not render their duties thinking that they are giving favor to the public. If you want to take/enjoy your right, than you have to give some portion. This is the main principle of democracy in Manipur.

Main cause might be - when recruiting the employees our politicians/top officials demanded money/public offered cash package as a token of corruption. To recover the money what they paid, employees are intended to earn extra side money from the public. People also know that it is not in their hands to abolish this bad practice, they are made helpless and ultimately they have to pay bribe to get their work completed.

And what about attendance register? It seems that no boss or concern controllers are checking the same. Hence every employee appears taking their own decision when to come, when to go etc. Majority of the state employees seems they are not doing duty properly. Chewing of Pan inside the office is treated as a status of respect.

And some of the other interesting scenes of state government offices which are in pathetic condition are Treasury Office(Hut type with broken ceiling/furniture, no space for sitting and waiting) , Health Departments( Hut type with half broken wooden ceiling, 50 yrs old fans, 25 yrs old furniture items etc) , Electricity Departments ( Not different from the previous two), D.C Offices( Cement building without good design, no recreation facilities), Police Stations ( half pucca/full kuccha with traditional design, Education Department Offices(same as Treasury Office with addition of curtain for the head), and lots of other old government departments.

What about the state employees staff quarters. It is neither apartments nor Bungalows. It is even occupied by state Government 1st class officers. Styles are traditional with pucca wall and covered with Aluminum Sheets and the facilities are really nominal. After all, Imphal Secretariat is not much different from the above where state chief secretary and chief minister sit(s). PWD contractors are the real contractors. Whatever they construct or repair anything, every thing is on contract basis and not contact basis.

Once the work is over, everything is over. Their next step is to get Bills passed and sanctioned. What about Retention Money? After one month or year the position will come back to the original condition just like elastic. One such clear example is Road System in the state. Why Manipur can not be another Switzerland ?

Manipur is described as Switzerland of India on the papers but not a Switzerland at all. On what basis it is described? Just because of its natural beauty and not based on artificial beauty or economy or living condition and a lot of parameters. What are the conditions and maintenance of our tourist centers like Loktak Lake, Waithou Lake, Kainya, Loukoi Lake, Waroi Hill Waterfall, State Zoological garden? What is the condition of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose museum in Moirang? We must know that there are millions of people who want to see/tribute the remains and memorials of the second world war. Are these centers really fit to visit?

What about the accommodations and food? It is believed that Manipur is rich in natural resources like Forest. But today, where are our resources? If we use a telescope to see the forest, it will be seen as Forestless? Where it has gone? And even though there is forest and other natural resources, what are the uses of having them without utilizing the same properly. Had our government did developments for the state, today our Manipur would have been Sanaleipak.

Our government could/can not make development in a small state like Manipur having only 9 districts, total geographical area of 22327 square km. with a population of 23 lac. Area wise it is half of the Kuch ( the largest district in India ) and population wise it is just the double of Midnapore ( the highest populated district in India ).If it were a big state like Rajasthan or M. P what would have been the condition of that state. In almost villages of India there is water supply. Manipur always face the problem of scarcity of water during Feb to June every year leave alone water supply. Why scarcity? Is it due to shortage of natural rainfall like in Rajasthan desert?

Even in Rajasthan desert there is water supply. There is adequate rainfall in Manipur during rainy season. Where this water has gone? All water will go to Barak river to increase the level of Bangladeshi seas. What a generous contribution? Our state government had/have never planned to reserve/stock this rainfall water for the people. Is it a dream to make water supply for every one/two villages in Manipur? It is practically possible to convert into reality even from dream if the government is in the interest of the people.

Now, it is the right time to measure the capacity of our politicians in the field of development. Do they really deserve to be the head of the state who have/had failed to bring development of a small state, small area, small population like Manipur. It is just like a big district of M.P. where one D.C administers. Have/Had our politicians ever visit/ed other states? Yes, they do either on govt/official duty or their children's education purpose or simply visit in the name of govt/official duty. What they learnt from them? Nothing. Purpose is different. So nothing change in Manipur. They are no 1 traitors. But still people enjoy.

Political condition:

The game of politics is a dirty game. It is applies to our Manipur State also. But what about the quantum ? It is exceptionally more in Manipur. Starting from their educational status to their importance as a representative of the people, they are good for nothing except for themselves. We can compare the parameters of development between 20/30 yrs back and today's. It is not exaggeration that 20/30yrs old Manipur is far better than today's Manipur.

For example: Water Supply was available in many villages. No power cut, no power shortage. Nobody knew - what was state overdraft. Hence, there was regular salary. How Manipur became an Overdraft State? The main reason was- state government total failure in managing state treasury/funds/income etc. and some portion is shared by the people as the state government had not received any state revenues which are supposed to be paid the public.

One questionable thing is that what our government is doing with the state budget which is sanctioned by the center. Bulk of the budget is sanctioned for the development of state. What development has done by our government(s). It is open secret that most of the budget had/has gone to the pockets of Ministers led by the chief minister. Every year hundreds of crores are sanctioned as budget. It is a matter of shame to expose the real history of Manipuri politicians.

One drawback of the state is that we can not produce any dynamic, energetic, farsighted, intellectual and above all well qualified candidate who is versed in either Hindi or English. Can we imagine what language is used by our politicians ( both assembly and parliament members ) in Delhi leave alone the demands. Only the exception is R.K Joychandra and Rishang Keishing. The first one could not serve long due to his bad health but the latter did not take any interest in development of the state.

Have we ever seen any M.P from Manipur asking any question during parliament session? Is there any proof that our politicians had met and conversed with central ministers or prime ministers. They are depended on interpreters or P.A. What a pathetic condition ? Can we expect whatever they go Delhi is for government/official duty. Absolutely No. Main purpose is personal ( like their children's study purpose and / or visit important places with government vehicles ) in the name of state visit. Many of such politicians even can not purchase a Rasgolla. But still enjoy in Manipur Bhavan taking frozen chicken/fish curry with Eromba during hot summer.

Manipur is exceptionally famous for most of the political fractions and creation of new political parties. It clearly shows that there is no unity even within the same political party. Hence, frequent changes in government by jumping from one party to another. Voters also don't consider which is more important between the party and the candidate. One of our M.P was laughing stock in Delhi while giving speech only in pure Manipuri in the name of development of our language because he does not know either Hindi or English.

But all said and done whom should we blame? Democracy ? It is blind. It does not see or know what is good or bad, who is Autocratic/Despotic or real representative etc. it is up to the politicians who uses, follows the principles of Democracy. When a student uses a pen, he/she may pass one examination. But other student who uses the same pen may not pass the same examination. Like this democracy may be a real or not. Our political gurus have no their political principle. It is seen that they use to jump from one party to another that too frequently.

Yesterday, they opposed one party, today the same politician will jump and support what they opposed earlier. They only know their own duty-sucking money from the public and public money which is sanctioned by the central government and they have forgotten what are their responsibility(ies) as a government. It is not believed that our Government knows the position of per capita income of Manipur. Manipur stands at 27th position ( As on 2001-2002 at constant price of 1993-94 )among the states and union territories ( total 32 ).What a wonderful politics?

Also the centre is treating us differently from other states. On day to day basis, the Indian media is neglecting Manipur for a long time. Even the temperature will not be showed either in T.V news or Newspaper leave alone the happenings. Giving the excuse is also very easy. No media is willing to go N.E specially Manipur because of terrorism. They are very brave in going to J.K or Nexalite dominated areas. There is also real gap between what they think and what really happening. Again due to our poor journalism, we can not run our own T.V news channel or publish National Newspaper.

In the field of sports, there is no two words that Manipur is the super powerhouse of Indian Sports except the cricket which is played by 22 foolish people and watched by 110000 foolish people. On other hand it is better not to expose the daily happenings of Manipur to outside as it will create more clear picture of Manipur. It is a matter of shame to Manipur that in recent national games many Manipuris played for other states by purchasing our sportspersons.

Why Manipur government can not pay higher money than what other government paid or provide better opportunity like recruiting in the state job. Many Manipuri football players are playing for different clubs in the national league. Why Manipur can not establish even one such club? We can not because it is a curse. There was/is many instances where Manipuri government could/can help in participating even at the national level.

Manipur government should welcome such happening as an insult to the government. But our politicians have no guts to demand what they want for the state. We can not produce good politicians like P.A Sangma who can challenge Indian politicians. This is main drawback, weakness of our State. Is there any M.P from Manipur who can even resign from the seat for the cause/sake of Manipur. Absolutely no.

Sometimes, we have to demand our rights from the centre when we don't give our rights just like children of parents can demand when the parents don't give rights to their children.

Militancy/Struggle for Independence:

Manipur-The Swizerland of India, Jewals of India has now become a state of lawlessness. Now, it is really difficult to differentiate who is Militant or who is freedom fighter or who is fighters of freedom or who is heading the state. What are their aims, principles, ideas, ideologies etc. and what they have done for the state. There are various groups having different aims both in the Valley and Hilly Area .

Practically such people are ruling the government administration and society-starting from dress code. It is open secret that any government contract is shared by these people at a fixed proportion that too fixed by them. Who is doing better- puppet government or real government. They have done rightly only in the field of education recruitment process and punishing some corrupted officials leaving our political gurus who have ruined our State.

Demand ( sometimes with force ) from all sections of the people is a common practice whether by the real/unreal terrorist. Some loses are No Bata products is available in Manipur. It is a matter of state shame that recently LIC office in Imphal is closed due to demand. Can big companies like Infosys or Wipro or big industrialist like Mukesh Ambani survive in Manipur? The answer is very easy. Clearly it is No, No, No, if the system of demand still persist.

What and Why - they are demanding? For freedom! If we reopen the history of freedom struggle, we will never find such happenings. And let us compare the situation between 20/30 years back and today's Manipur. The system of collecting tax and demands from the public was totally absent in Manipur. Are the people really happy with these people? Have they ever think for the people?

Our own people are giving trouble and insecurity to our people. Whom should we blame? Central government or Indian Army/forces or our state government or our own civilians or so called freedom fighters? Time is already late to finish them. A real freedom fighter does not require any demand from the public. Public should come out and openly support if the public are in favor of independence.

Also without the support of public, getting freedom is next to impossible. If the same satiation continues, one day our Manipur will face a Civil war- a war between the public and our gun/bomb holders and the Indian army and government will watch the live telecast. What is the purpose of stopping Hindi channel in T.V and screening of Hindi films. If we are boycotting the Indian culture, than we should stop totally even listening Hindi music and song.

And why only Indian culture? If our movement is Swadeshi , than entire thing used by us beginning from Salt to Air flights should be stopped. Is it one step to stop attacking to our culture. If it is so, whether it is really due to Hindi Films and T.V Channels? And what about other channels and films like south Indian Films and Channels ? Are they not Indians? Whether we are supporting? Many Manipuri film songs (sur) are copied from them.

Why we are supporting restaurants. What our Romeo and Juliet are doing inside the restaurant. Tourist centers are used as meeting place between boys and girls. And one important thing is that we require other languages in learning and development of new ideas starting from study to making nuclear bomb. Should we learn Chinese or Burmese or any other foreign language other than the English to bring new ideas. After all, let us ask ourselves whether we are we fit to become an independent country in this 21st century of nuclear age?

Many Manipuris are surviving taking foods importing from Mayang land. Instead of conducting plebiscite whether we should be with India or not, we should conduct whether we support militancy/so called militancy. Manipuri people have been suffering in the hands of our own people, militancy(real/unreal), Indian military forces and our politicians for the last 3/4 decades.

Daily civilian killing by police or military or militant is the order of the day in our state. Today's Manipur is real jungle rule. There is no value for life. Simply ambushing military/army will not work out for freedom. After such ambush, they will run away from the scene. Is it the spirit of freedom fighters? In the name of encounter the terrorist, military forces torture/kill the civilian.

Is it the way of struggling for independence. Ultimately the civilians are the sufferers between the two. We are against the AFSP Act. Had anybody ponder why such a draconian act is imposed in N.E. Just because of militancy. If we don't want to see this act, first we must bring a solution for militancy.

And one more thing is whether we must welcome another method (even may be more severe) of Act to counter/encounter the terrorist after removing the AFSP act .The center will not easily give independence. Also we will not get independence easily. Now, the question is whether we should stop our struggle for independence. It is known to all.

We have to consider five important parameters of a modern state/country viz social, economic, political , Industry and military conditions .What is the condition of Manipur? Whenever there is economic blockade, how we the Manipuris suffer and enjoy. We are not in a position of even making Salt or Pin. Let us assume that India has cut off all the relations with Manipur. What will happen to Manipur?

There is nothing with us. We can not survive with independence without above five mentioned parameters. Now the time has come to contemplate If we expose the deadly face of Manipur to outsiders, we will die of shame/shyness. There is no denying the fact that Manipur was annexed or merged with India. Have anybody who claims to be the freedom fighters ever imagined what might be the condition of Manipur (both negative and positive results) if Manipur was an independent country.

Whether Myanmar or China would have come for Manipur. Seven years devastation (Chahi taret khuntakpa) even more severe might happen repeatedly or we might be permanently occupied by Myanmar or China. How we the Manipuris suffered under the than Burma's seven years devastation. Still Myanmar is under military rule. Had there any instance(s) of standing for Manipur by any country for Manipur after the merger/annexation was taken placed except supplying guns by Bangladesh or Myanmar.

All round development is not possible without peace. Where is the peace in Manipur. Today, our Manipur is under total turmoil. Security of Life is the main concern of every human being. But loss of life is happening in seconds without measuring the value of life.

To be continued....

Read Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3


* Govind contributes regularly to e-pao.net . You can contact this writer at miyang(at)e-pao(dot)every1(dot)net . This article was webcasted on July 10th, 2007.


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