Power Is Power: Is it Imphal ?
Maisnam Bomcha *
Electricity Department workers disconnecting 'dedicated' power lines at Keishampat sometime at the end of April 2011
Picture Credit :: Hueiyen Lanpao Photo
Electricity on those days was so central to our lives that I used to plan visits to friends or relatives as per the dictate of the above matrix. Even things as sublime as your mood and happiness became dependant on power supply. And the public outrage (it still is) so widespread that it must be the most often discussed thing after the AFSP Act.
Being at Imphal this time round after a gap of more than six months life has eased considerably. I can avoid doing avoidable plannings and adjust to a strict regimen of timings and still be comfortable without being dictated by things beyond my control.
There is some change in the hitherto pathetic power supply in Imphal. A marked improvement is visible in the electricity supply; one can plan a day with less constraints.
Simply put, with the present semblance of a visible supply of electricity, you no longer have that feeling of going back in time once the sun sets; the sun ironically sets so early in Manipur and rises again so early when you do not need it.
Consider the pathos. In a capital of a state in 21st century India, a basic thing of life as mundane as a regular supply of power, taken for granted in other more 'fortunate' cities elsewhere, we the citizens can't be sure of watching the TV news or watch a favourite program during the night hours. Prime time TV!, please come again?
Has anyone heard even a whimper of protest against the rate of power tariff? Do you bother for the rate of something you don't get?
And the timings and that complex daily 'fix' of days of power! When asked about those, Iteima says something like; if it's a non- load shedding day; it's 6 to 10 in the evening, if lucky interspersed by a few hours of supply during the day and may be some minutes of flickering after midnight depending on luck.
That is okay, but what about a load shedding day and when are those? Well it is the reverse...of what? The last time, understanding that was like solving the Rubik's Cube, so I gave up.
Electricity on those days was so central to our lives that I used to plan visits to friends or relatives as per the dictate of the above matrix. Even things as sublime as your mood and happiness became dependant on power supply. And the public outrage (it still is) so widespread that it must be the most oft discussed thing after the AFSP Act.
My worst fear to be in Imphal in June 2012 has been dispelled. I have been watching the European Cup without a break.
The corner Pan Shop is open even at 10 pm. During day I can press clothes and go out without going to the local dhobi's.
Is Imphal turning liveable?
Liveable for a common man like me who can't tread the domain of the 'haves' and chose to save the money instead for purposes more basic. Regular supply of power is also a social leveller in an ugly way in Manipur. It is indeed a welcome change and improvement.
While we rejoice in it (after all there is little to be happy about as far as our Govt is concerned in the past) one can't help guessing as to what has brought the change.
No major source of power supply has been heard added in the supply set-up of the state. No ingenuity in the demand-supply management has been heard of either.
The protest against the lack of power supply is not shriller; in fact, the decibel level can't possibly be louder. So what has brought the change, whatsoever little? If I have to hazard a guess it is the retention of the Electricity portfolio by the CM.
A case of power begetting power, the weight of the chief executive lightening the night hours? Whatever, we don't care. What we care profoundly for is continuity. The Govt must continue the good work.
We earnestly appeal to take off from the recent announcements (or plans?) like setting up a state electricity board and the interface with public on problems the Govt is facing in revamping power supply.
There is no gainsaying the fact that without positive active public participation the electricity department can't be restored to good health particularly in a state like ours. It's time to bring some sense to that cliché of 'civic sense'.
Let us not only pay our bills but also report the neighbour who steals electricity. And give ourselves the occasion to protest against rising power tariff; for a change.
* Maisnam Bomcha wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition) as part of the column "Different People, Different Places, Different Times"
This article was posted on June 13 2012 .
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