Just at a glance it might look irrelevant to discuss the following issue
under the current upheavals in Manipur. However, from a deeper look and a
futuristic angle it is very much relevant.
The current upheaval is
accumulation of many years of step-motherly treatment by the Delhi,
widespread corruption, and lack of leadership and a common direction of
political, economic and social destiny. Some of the organizations if
not
all, seem to suggest that we have no future with India and China is an
option.
China is one of the most undemocratic countries in world with no
respect for
human basic rights, individual freedom and federalism. One should not
judge
China by recent very superficial economic boom, which is nothing but
result
of western interest and investment owing to its huge market size due to
its
shear numbers and huge reserve of cheap labour and semi-skilled
workers.
Corruption is widespread and is growing to an alarming scale, which the
ruling coterie themselves are worried about. China is famous for
producing
anything very cheap with worse of qualities with no respect for
internationally excepted standard and specifications, that’s why the
world
is worried if it goes out of hand the whole economy of the world might
collapse.
We don’t need to go far to see the evidences, see all the
goods
coming via Moreh. I might as well add one more observation; Chinese way
of
life is very much old fashion with plenty of taboos and discriminations
in
spite of the ultra modern image they want to project to the world.
Manipur is a part of the seven sisters which is at the confluence of
the
Indian mainland on the west, China on the north and South-east Asia on
the
east. This strategic and unique geopolitical location is THE greatest
asset
we have. India and China, with the huge and growing middle class, are
two of
the world’s biggest markets and growing by day.
The growing economy of
the
South-east Asia is something the world is not taking lightly. Now, our
biggest challenge is how we make the best of this scenario. What we can
sell
to them by exploiting our rich natural resources, how can we play a
two-to-three-way role in trade among South-east Asia, India and China.
Our
ancestors vision this long time back and took advantage of it in their
own
ways. I believe there are enough native economists, industrialists and
business men and women who will spring up once the conducive
environments
are provided. Or at least, we can educate our children to take full
advantage of this unique socio-economic entity.
Now, how do we bring about the said conducive environments? The need of
the
hour is a political and economic autonomy for the seven sisters from
the
highly unitary biased Indian Federalism. The first step towards this
autonomy is the unification of the region into a common voice. And, the
first step towards the common voice, calls for all the underground
groups in
region to throw away whatever differences they have among them, prepare
a
common platform and come to the negotiation table with Delhi.
Time is
ripe
enough now, because, Delhi has been looking towards the east not to
miss the
PAN-ASEAN boat and the seven sisters is the link for the South Asia
(Afghanistan to Bangaldesh), South-East Asia and China. Moreover, it is
high
time we put a strong voice across the table that we are an unique
socio-economic entity, not just mere broader states of India and we
intend
to take rein of our own future.
As long as there are sectarian insurgencies in the region, Delhi will
always
have an upper hand, be it the forces, be it how we feel of each other
among
us and be it how the world sees. Mainland has nothing to lose while
every
aspects of life in the region will gradually deteriorate, as we can see
now
most gravely in Manipur.
A question could be raised here. Are we giving
up
and submitting passively to the so called Mainland Indian hegemony. No,
not
at all, rather we will be fighting rightfully for what we deserve, our
proper place in the world and show to the rest of the Indians the true
colour of federalism.
Believe me, it will be much more challenging than
trotting guns in jungles. Remember, even if we achieved independences
separately after many years of sacrifices, we still need to live
together,
form common socio-economic platform, be the unique entity linking the
South
Asia, South-east Asia and China.
Talking about ideological difference, let me assure that a borrowed
neither
communist nor western democratic ideology will not work here. It is
because,
the seven sisters is a little cosmos in itself with varieties of
communities
with distinct histories and customs.
We should gradually construct a
system
based on our histories, age old customs and need of the times. World
has
seen enough examples where attempt to impose a borrowed system without
regards to local and regional customs only led to catastrophes. Well,
we
will worry about it later.
FIRST, the need of the hour is to fight for
the
political and economic autonomy for this unique entity called "The
Seven
Sisters" which will enable us to design our own destiny.
If we start
today,
in near future we will not only be very prosperous but will be
dictating
many economic and political terms in the entire surrounding regions,
because
of the fact that "The Seven Sisters" is nothing but "The Golden Western
Gate
" for South-east Asia, "The Golden Southern Gate " for China" and "The
Golden Eastern Gate " for India.
* Kangla Sa regularly writes to e-pao.net
He can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was uploaded on September 28, 2004
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