Social harmony

By Dr K Paochunbou *

As per hypothesis, not based on actual official figure, the tribals in Manipur constitute 31.5% of the total population of the State and 29.1 % of the population lives in the valley areas. Due to their inherent simplicity, illiteracy and superstition, they were so grossly exploited by the politicians, traders and middlemen that they get hardly any surplus to make a decent living.

Tribals are facing several other aspects of poverty like income insufficiency, resources deprivation and low quality of life. In the midst of uncertain social, political, economic and judicial implications, ethnic communities have often fallen prey to communal clash, frenzy, communal tension, violence and hatred to the extent of killing with one another.

The syndrome of conflict cannot be tackled by various legislative measures, policy interventions and other measures. Too many ethnic tribes, sub­tribes & caste-systems all combined pose a grave threat to social harmony.

Manipur is described as the "Switzerland of India" by Lord Irwin and a "Jewel of India" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru "A little paradise on earth" and "A flower on the lofty hills". A little paradise is in trouble with all ethnic communal frenzy and diseases.

Christopher Columbus reached at Bahamas on October 12, 1492. With the restless spirit of the wanderer to discover new horizons, the one who is determined, became a discoverer.

The first priority area to maintain social harmony is to promote understanding among believers/followers of different faiths & religions.

There is a large reservoir of goodwill, understanding and amity amongst the different religious communities. We must at all resolve to enlarge and deepen this precious reservoir. This cannot be accomplished by the State Government alone.

To maintain and strengthen peace and harmony in Society is also the responsibility of all citizens.

Mahatmaji used to say "My life is my message". It is indeed a moral challenge to all citizens.
A man's true wealth is the good he had done to his fellow-men.
— Mahatma Gandhi.

"Let my life speak but not with my mouth."
— Mahatma Gandhi.

In order to maintain and strengthen peace and harmony in the society, we have to adopt some aims and objectives to:­

1) Develop social and cultural cooperation.
2) Arrange conferences, seminars and exhibition.
3) Celebrate festivals of each others and exchange greetings on each occasion to make friendship more deeper and practical.
4) Arrange visits of different places in different areas to meet people and to develop dialogue on all social issues and problems.
5) Forge joint ventures in all fields.
6) Educate people about the dangers of falling prey to communal propaganda.
7) Exercise whatever influence we have with local officials and media to promote the cause of communal harmony.
8) Help to promote a secular platform to work on this issue persistently.

Rivers do not drink their own water; Trees do not eat their own fruits; Clouds do not destroy crops. Similarly, good people live for others.
— Subhashitas

The fire you kindle for your enemy often burns yourself more than him.
— Chinese proverb.

The smaller we become the more room God has to work.
— Ishmael

"The highest of distinctions is service to others."
— King George VI

Many tribal leaders observed that the majority communities like Meiteis need to show better attitudes towards the tribal communities to cement the ties between tribals and Meiteis.

"Give me blood and I will give you freedom. Arise, youths, Awake" said Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose. However, he had died before India became free.

Mahatma Gandhiji had stated "The Britishers are not our enemies and they are our brothers and sisters. But we demand our rights and privileges". India got freedom under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi.

The great-battle of Kalinga was fought in 261 BC. Ashoka won the battle but when he saw one lakh soldiers lying dead on the battle-field, he felt much grief. He was shocked at the terrible loss of life. Ashoka was convinced that wars could never solve any problem.

In his own words inscribed on a rock at Dhauli near the battle-field, Ashoka announced to the world "True conquest consists of the conquest of men's heart". Ashoka Pillar (272-232 BC) at Modern Patna.

When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
— African proverb.

Love in practice is service.
— Mother Teresa.

John Wesley said "Give me a hundred men who will hate sin and nothing else and fear God and I will change the world".

"A good example is the best sermon"
— Thomas Fuller

One day, Napoleon called the Russian Ambassador to his country and said "Ask your King to accept my over-lordship; otherwise, I shall invade Russia". The Ambassador was modest religious man.

He said, "Sir, our countries have friendly relations."

We must not do anything to spoil them. But Napoleon was adamant. Knowing no way out, the Ambassador said "Man proposes but God disposes". Napoleon got resented and said "It is I who propose and it is I who dispose" and there is no God anywhere. Napoleon started extensive preparations and invaded Russia.

In the midst of fierce snow-storms, over two lakhs of his selected armies were killed and about one lakh horses were buried under the snow. Napoleon was badly defeated.

In our society in Manipur, we have diversity of tribes, caste-system, high caste, scheduled castes, OBC and others.

There is a glaring developmental disparity between valley and hills in terms of roads, communication, education, rural healthcare, family welfare, social welfare, women and child development and others. There are hundreds of thousand issues and problems in our society that we need to resolve so as to bring about a social harmony.

It seems it is difficult to solve all problems politically but we have to explore avenue to play our role as being catalysts for change to maintain social harmony in Manipur at all costs.

Sincerity is the best tool to tackle the social disintegrity.