A decade or so ago, Delhi was a place that only the rich and their kith and kin could hope to go, let alone settling here permanently or initiate collective activism of any kind. Today, Delhi just seems to be a natural appendage of Manipur-politically, culturally and academically. Students, businesswallahs, politicians and representatives of civil societies from Manipur come to Delhi in hordes as a matter of ritual, everyday throughout the year. Many organizations of the Manipuris have also sprung up in the last few years, all of which having a common thread in their objectives and goals, ie., to promote Manipuri's identity and push its interests through the cacophony of diverse cultural conglomerate that is India.

Manipur Students Association Delhi (MSAD), ( website ) founded in the year is without doubt leading in the efforts to mobilize Manipuris and giving them a common platform to voice their aspirations, problems and grievances. Its effectiveness was clearly demonstrated when during the last year's cease fire issue that rocked Manipur, MSAD became the rallying point of the entire Manipuris' community in Delhi to show its opposition to the notorious fine prints of the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (IM) and the GoI. A rally organized by the MSAD on that occasion attracted not only the resident Manipuris in Delhi but also many frontline NGOs from Manipur. The rally was given a massive coverage by the national media and undoubtedly helped highlight the Manipuris' cause.

Unfortunately, MSAD is going through a crippling mid-life crisis. "The single most disheartening fact is the lack of systematic funding. The coffers of the MSAD are empty and the students' cynicism doesn't make things any better", rues N. Ratan, President of the MSAD. "We have reached such a stage that we can't even organize the annual crowd puller Freshers' Meet. The ministers who come calling to Delhi refuse meet us, let alone help us". The MSAD has also been lobbying with the Manipur Government for the allotment of an office space in the Manipur Bhavan, but the demand has till now fallen on deaf ears, MSAD confides to the www.e-pao.net.

Another organization that is devoted to creating an awareness of the burning issues of Manipur among the intellectually minded Manipuris is the Manipur Research Forum Delhi. The Forum publishes a tiny bimonthly journal that packs in its few pages strong and thought provoking articles written by leading lights of Manipur in academics, journalism and politics, issue after issue. The journal is being brought out with contributions from its sympathizers and patrons and is distributed free of cost to select readers. The management of the journal is actively considering tagging a price to its cover in its future editions so that it can sustain itself. Thounoajam Tarun, one of the editors of the journal describes it in a nutshell, "The journal was launched to delve into the internal and external dynamics of all encompassing aspects of Manipur as an evolving society and a political entity in the backdrop of disturbing political trends that have manifested themselves lately." He adds, "The MRFD has no hidden agenda, no Constitution and no membership criteria. Everyone is welcome." R.K Singhajit Singh, Padmashree Awardee is among the founders of the journal which some of the readers has described as "too erudite and obscure" for popular consumption.

Bringing all the Manipuris in Delhi working in private companies as well as in public sector together is the Delhi Manipuri Society (DEMAS) formerly known as Manipur Fraternity. DEMAS was one of the driving forces behind MSAD's activism in Delhi during the ceasefire crisis and generously donated a significant sum to the students' organization. About DEMAS, Mr. Sapam Biswajit, Secretary of the organization says, "Ours is a registered organization that was mainly established to promote unity among the different communities of Manipur and to co-ordinate with other like minded organizations to carry forward our vision of a united Manipur." DEMAS has already published a comprehensive directory listing the names and addresses of all the working Manipuris in Delhi. Immediate plans in the pipeline include organizing cultural shows, seminars, workshops and compiling the biographies of sportspersons of Manipur. "Though it may take some time", Mr. Sapam claims, "DEMAS will bring into reality its long awaited dream of having a Housing Society, with blessings from the GoI, for the benefits of the bonafide Manipuri residents of Delhi. Real estate for setting up an office and guest house to cater to the needs of the students and visitors from Manipur is being sought from appropriate agencies".

Other than these organizations, one particular NGO founded by 12 students of Delhi University and the venerable JNU, has lately become the talk of the town among the Manipuri circuit. People for Better World is hardly two years old, but a recent cultural show organized by it which was attended by the glitterati and crème la crème of Delhi has catapulted the NGO to near stardom in Delhi. Earlier, the NGO donated financial help to the Prime Minister's relief fund in aid of the victims of the Gujarat Earthquake. On future plans, N. Romen, General Secretary of the PBW says, "We have a single minded ambition of setting up a Manipur Research Centre and working for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of Manipur, enhancing quality of education, preservation of wildlife and ecology, promotion of sports and culture. Of course, all these ambitious projects have to be backed by funding agencies. We are now in the process of paperwork for acquiring funds from foreign sources."

While these organizations are up beat about their future, one very sad episode is that of the Liberty Post which shuts its shop because of its frisson with the powerful Delhi Police. The fortnightly magazine was the first of its kind to be published from Delhi by Manipuris, and many felt it had great future. That was until one fine morning, when Delhi Police swoop down on the offices of the Liberty Post and confiscated computers, documents and other press materials and took its publisher and editor under the police custody. "The head-on conflict", explains Mr. W. Narayan the editor of the Liberty Post, "broke my team and I had to grudgingly call it quits".

What is significant is that civil bodies in Manipur like UCM has taken notice of these organizations based in Delhi and routinely conferred with them on important issues to get a different perspective.

The emergence of many Manipur related bodies in Delhi is a positive development, say many observers. They say these will not only bring about a more organized mobilization of the Manipuris' ideas and resources, but also generate a sense of camaraderie among the disjointed groups of Manipur. Mr. Pukhrambam Sharatchandra, Resident Commissioner of Manipur Bhavan, could not agree more. "We, Manipuris in general", opines Mr. Pukhrambam, "are introvert and docile by nature which may be in part attributed to our geographical isolation. But a change is visible recently as more and more people from Manipur come out of their shells and interact with the outside world. Parents are no longer held back by superstitious and conservative reasons while sending their children to other states for higher studies. The IT has reached us and we are more forward looking today than we were yesterday."

A revolution is really underway.



(The list of the organisations given above is indicative and may not be comprehensive in nature. Organisations appealing to a particular ethnic group as opposed to wider composition and representation have been deliberately ignored)