The question now arise is, is a flyover really needed over the proposed area by burying the only women market of its kind in the world ? The main attraction of the Imphal city is Nupi keithel, any tourist who visits Manipur would prefer to see the market first. They stunned when they see the market place.
I am not against the coming up of multistoried market or a flyover as we have remained far behind the modern developmental pace, but it doest not mean that we should be developed at the cost of the historical monuments. Why it has been given step motherly treatment in the name of development, can we create a new Nupi keithel? Once destroyed, it can not rebuild again with the historical tang.
When I first hard that a super market is about to come by destroying the women market, I felt so dishearten. I was not fully recovered from the shocked that I got when I learn that a fly over is coming over the Nupi keithel, the one and only women market of the world but this somehow I compromise with myself.
It seems that no one knows the true value of this priceless properties of ours given by our forefather. I got some relief when I saw an apropos written by M. K. Binodini, to handle the historical monuments with care in a local newspaper, because such a big person's view could have some impact on policy planners of the state
The market place of a city is the busiest place of a city in every corner of the world. The proposed blue print of fly over BT Road is very enticing and so as the women super market, but is there any guarantee that , the planned things will come into effect. Theory or hypothesis is very easy, it is the practice that is difficult.
The traffic jam coming up now days is nothing in comparison to other big cities. Yes we should not be left behind in developmental works but not by destroying the historical properties. If there is no crowd in the market place, where should it be , in the cemetery ?
The traffic jam facing now is not due to high population in my opinion, I don't think the Imphal city roads are disproportionate with the population. It is due the bad condition of the road and unskilled traffic man.
If Guwahati can adopt new technology available for controlling the traffic like other big cities why can not our state . Is the money given for the development of roads vanished in the thin air? I feel very jealous when I first saw the fast rate of development of Guwahati city and I asked myself, isn't there any able leader in our state who can bring such changes.
Isn't there anybody who can use the money which is pouring unlimitedly by the central government? As a normal human being I also want development and hi-fi life but not at the cost of valued historical places. Imphal city is included as one of the oldest cities of the world in Encyclopedia Britannica. If we destroyed the distinctive image, will the city be included in such book.
I am very much proud being a Manipuri and head core patriotic. When I was in Air force quarter with my cousin, an air Manipuri force personal replied to his inquisitive little child that when we reached Manipur we can see a big elephant with the king. The king and his elephant has been deeply rooted in the mind of every children of Manipur.
I have nothing against so called development but that doesn't mean one can do anything. Would we allow anyone to built a multistoried building in historical places in the name of development. If not, then why should the Nupikeithel be treated differently?
If I suggest to built a multistoried building in the world's oldest Polo ground which is just lying vacant, no one who love Manipur will agree in my proposal, then why should the Ema market be a victim? Just because it is untidy doesn't mean that it doest not have the same importance that a historical monuments should have.
The ema market has its own beauty and deep-rooted history and offer us pride and make the nerve tingle when any visitor out side the state flabbergasted as soon as they enter the market place. It is absolute fallacy to think that the new generation will not like the old one.
It is like saying that if we have to enjoy the Taj Mahal in the modern context we need to convert it into a skyscraper or if we need to be modern , we need to dress ours Emas a skirt and a top.
* Dr. Santa Gurumayum writes for the first time to e-pao.net.
You can email him at [email protected]
|