Some more thoughts on PM's visit
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 07 2011 -

The after effects of the mismanagement, slips ups of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s visit on December 3 continues to felt.

It has been reported that one official of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur is all set to be put under suspension for the embarrassingly inadequate showing of the interpreter of the Kangla public rally on December 3.

But if this is done as a symbolic gesture merely to show that actions have been taken, then it would serve no purpose. What is more important is to learn lessons from this fiasco.

It was clear that the person chosen for the interpretation was just not equipped for the job, over and above the dismal quality of interpretations; he had no clue of the issues, policies etc the Prime Minister was referring to.

The Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson would have been much better served had the job been done by someone from among the state Congress leaders who have a fair degree of competence in English.

Used to as they are to public speaking, as also being familiar with issues, policies and programmes they would have been much better placed to convey the nuances of such speeches. There have been precedents of this in the past also, as for instance, the former MP Late N Tombi Singh interpreted for the Late Mrs Indira Gandhi went she visited Manipur.

In the face of the Himalayan blunders by the interpreter, the lapses of the lady who co- hosted the public meeting went unnoticed.

She seems to forget that the public meeting was an official function to be addressed by the Prime Minister of the country and not some 'beauty contest' or a 'musical nite' nor a 'talent show' on the TV.

The occasion called for some gravitas, some dignity, and some decorum. Her screams of "give them a big hand" was so out of place, so jarring. Do take note and let's not see a repeat of such pathetic display the next time around.

The day also saw the rare spectacle of Union ministers and the AICC North East in charge made to stand throughout the length of the public meeting as they were not provided any seats.

Whichever way we look at it, there can be no excuse for such lapses. How come the people who were in charge did not account for their sitting arrangement?

It seems in the euphoria of the finding themselves in the midst of the exalted presence of the Prime Minster and the UPA Chairperson, the Chief Minster and his colleagues as also other state Congress leaders forgot these lesser mortals completely.

Once again, a serious lapse which showed state government in extremely poor light. Care should be taken that such utter mismanagement does happen in future.

Among the day's blemishes the protest by MPP Youth Front volunteers against the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson's visit would definitely find a prominent place.

They could have chosen any other form of protest to register their opposition to the visit, but a nude protest defies all logic and norms of decency.

There have been numerous nude protests all over the world, but in all these, there was strong relevance of going nude to the issue they were fighting for.

The nude protest staged by a group of Imas in front of the Kangla in protest against the alleged rape and killing Manorama by 17 AR left a tremendous impact and brought in focus the violations of human rights in the state.

On the contrary, the nude protest by the MPP Youth volunteers, instead of highlighting the issue, only manages to leave a bad taste.