Nothing patriotic about it
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 14, 2013 -
Change, they say, is the only thing that is constant in this world. And this is a truism.
So, there have to be at least some differences between the 'then' and the 'now'.
But when that change or the difference becomes so huge that one cannot recognize his or her own former self, then, it becomes a serious problem not only for himself or herself, but also for others.
That's exactly what is happening to our elected representatives, unfortunately.
Their bloated ego and false pride have taken over their former self so much so that they have even forgotten who they were not so long ago and how have come to their present status or who have elevated them.
This is indeed very sad. People around the world may have been made to understand how the ill-equipped forefathers of Manipuri people fought gallantly against the mighty British Army in the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.
Despite knowing the outcome of the war, they did not hesitate from going out into the battlefield and shedding their blood or accept sentenced to the gallows for the sake of protecting the independence and sovereignty of their motherland rather than choosing a life of servitude under anybody.
And that was the reason why the stories of their valour, patriotism and sacrificial spirit continue to remain a source of inspirations not only to the Manipuri people but also to others in the rest of the globe.
But 122 years down the line, that valour, patriotism and sacrificial spirit associated with the forefathers of Manipuri people seem to have been vanished into the thin air especially among the present breed of elected public leaders.
Unlike the past leaders who did not even think twice before going out into the battle fields with swords in hands to face the cannon balls of the British Army when their motherland and the people were in danger, the present breed of so-called public leaders seem to be always in the grip of fear from even coming out of their bullet proof vehicles surrounded by their X, Y and Z plus security escorts so much so that for walking over a stone throw away distance from Kangla to BT Park, where the main commemorative event of Patriots' Day observance under the State administration is held every year, strict enforcement of traffic rule, out of the blue, needs to be put in place to prevent anyone from crossing their way from any side.
They don't have any scant regard for the inconveniences caused to the public from such traffic regulations enforced without any prior announcement.
Let these present breed of elected public leaders understand that there is nothing courageous or patriotic about speaking of valour and patriotism from behind the shield of security rings.
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