What Ima market teaches us ?

Tarun Nongthombam *

Different facets of Ima market. Left - Old market sheds. Right - New modern building with basic facilities.

A well-done job, besides making many happy faces sets an example for others to follow. One of the few success stories in recent times is our new ima market at khwairamband. The idea of having a modern building was not just to give comfort, protect our imas from sun and rain; many locals including tourists coming from outside were disheartened at the pitiful condition of people doing their daily business in the market.

The concept of having a modern building started nearly three decades back. But why didn't the building come up then? There could be many reasons but the main hindrance was protest by imas themselves. Having a new building was fiercely opposed, backed by legislators who were happy playing their own cards. Many of the concerns were genuine but a lot were imaginative. It included fears like loosing old heritage (saktam mangba), giving away market sheds to outsiders, original vendors loosing their place to relatives of politicians.

The stalemate continued for years and imas were so fearful of their sheds getting demolished at night, started guarding by sleeping in turns. Government and their bureaucrats' babus were caught in the mindset of British civil services days. They thought they knew everything and could dictate everything. Imas on their side had leaders who were whimsical and easily influenced. In the midst, few people were talking to government and agitating imas. They were pulled up by their bosses in government for not taking orders and got abused, physically assaulted by the other side. Somehow better sense prevailed and the matter got settled. Many of the few brave hearts are retired and now in twilight of their lives. What lies beneath this beautiful building is the hard work of these few people who toiled and made this structure a reality.

For any public project to succeed, it is very important that affected people are taken into confidence. This is the reason why in developed countries public consultation is taken very seriously; here we seem to do for namesake and that to when pressurized by funding agencies like World Bank. This holds good for all the upcoming projects like oil exploration and airport expansion.

Yes, it is true that our hills and forest have looked after us for years but to pull ourselves up we need to do more than just tell, 'This in my land, my forest or my hills'. With increase in population, there will be nothing left for our children in time to come if we don't act. One should remember that our state uses all the money from central government in paying salaries, there is hardly a penny left for development.

We need to reflect what happened in Gulf. Call it stroke of luck or God's grace, when oil struck half a century back, everything changed. Oil money does wonders, it changes desert into oasis, makes it the most sought after place. Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia have nothing but oil. It does some wheat cultivation but now discouraged to prevent depletion of ground water level. Entire food grain supply is imported and to make it more interesting their favorite dish is called kabsa, which is rice, bit similar to biryani. How these countries manage to feed their entire population only with imports? It is all because of oil money. To know the extent of their import and what oil money can do, let me list few food items they import. Pineapples from Philippines, Meat from Latin, Rice from India and Pakistan, Berries from Egypt, Potatoes from Idaho and Australia, Canned meat and pickles from UK, green chilies from Thailand and the list goes on. Had they shied away from taking decision on going ahead with oil exploration, they would be still living in their tribal Bedouins desert's lifestyle.

Development projects are not all bad as made out to be; we require an honest and transparent assessment of the impacts. Finally, it is the choice of the people and the state, which direction they want to go but all should understand the benefit of listening both sides of the story. It is critical to take proper decision at right time, with sane mind, not with emotion or preconceived notions or just to satisfy an agitating crowd. We should recall what prime minister said after raising domestic oil price following huge increase in international crude oil price "Where would the money for this have come from? Money does not grow on trees. The world is not kind to those who do not tackle their own problems."


Footnote: Photo sources include Wikepedia and Manipur on Line. Visit the link on oil discovery and redistribution of wealth in Gulf.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YEj02JBFK8&feature=fvsr