The Selfish Manipuiri Diaspora seems to be getting lot of adverse reactions from a section of the diaspora who think they are slighted and insulted by the wrongful portrayal of their altruistic character. I am writing this in response much against my earlier practice of leaving my articles speak for themselves.
Partly this is because many of the readers seem to have concluded that the article was a tirade against the IT guys--which it wasn't. It was a general caricature of the Manipuris living in different parts of the world in as varied professions as medicine, academics, law, media and others. The reference to IT workers was only incidental and meant to be just an illustration.
In a lighter vein, now we know there are many big-hearted, patriotic and responsible people working in the IT sector.
I hope they are not the exceptions, the proverbial drop in the ocean. So here's my cheers to them. Keep it up.
Let me cite two paras from my previous articles which can dispel some doubts and shed light on motivation behind most of my articles.
"What's important - and I think more important than finding the truth in the post-modern world of hyper reality-is asking new questions, expanding the horizons of public discourse, breaking taboos, challenging the dominant views and giving a chase to sacred cows.
And as for the verdict, let's leave it to the history - and if we are lucky to the foreseeable future.
With this note of human fallibility and man's indomitable spirit...this writer wishes to start a friendly CONVERSATION with the readers on a flat platform. I say friendly conversation because I believe the era of an all-knowing columnist who pontificates, sermonises and preaches has had its best days". (From
Whose Cinema is it anyway?)
Another one more related to the current debate on the contribution (or lack of it) of Manipuri diaspora to their native society:
"Of course, this is a generalisation and like all stereotypes, it would be dead wrong to presume that all Manipuris are selfish jerks trying to fend off their boundaries from encroaching by another Manipuri. The greater issue is that I think it is payback time for the Manipuri diaspora......At the end of the day, there is more to life than chasing some materialistic dreams, netting a trophy wife, building a house, owning a car and procreating some children." (From The Selfish Manipuri Diaspora).
Happy reading and looking forward to more valuable feedback.
Regards,
Ranjan Yumnam
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