Where Do The Meiteis Meet ?

Maisnam Bomcha *

Maybe, wasteful in nature in those idyllic and orderly times of yore but a need of the hour in these turbulent times of ours. This is by no means an alarm bell or a desperate call.

Athenian Greeks had Socrates and the British the Fabian Society. The great thinker and philosopher used to meet Athenians at small gatherings regularly where he not only shared his great wisdom but also discussed issues with his followers. The world including India benefited from that group of thinkers espousing Fabian Socialism, which called for decolonisation of the British Empire and greatly influenced the foreign policy of the British imperialism. The Christians have the Church and the Muslims the Masjid.

Every Sunday and Friday besides being at a place of worship, just because they meet regularly at an appointed day and time, people can discuss things and they do discuss, if need be, common issues of interest. They may not do it necessarily at the Church or Masjid itself.

But since they meet, they have a sure, ready and fixed forum to debate or discuss matters for common progress and betterment without going to the lengths of organising a meeting separately. In addition to performing religious duties, people meet, greet each other and thus strengthen the bonding. It's common everywhere and is an economical, time tested and democratic way of bringing consensus out of collective wisdom. More in keeping with the time we live in and values we stand for.

Spread over the globe and separated by the ages, Churches and Muslim clerics have been carrying out another very important role of being the pressure group to governments, even monarchs. We know of powerful kings and despots abdicating and fleeing due to pressure from these religious authorities. Closer home, there is our neighbour and Kashmir where these strongly influence public opinion and government decisions. On many occasions these not only serve as extra constitutional balancers but also act as a perfect foil to perceived excesses of the rulers or governments; mostly with good intent and effect.

Is there anything of this kind in the Meitei society in the present day? Where do the Meiteis meet; a place that remotely resembles a forum where they can discuss issues of common interest regularly? Meiteis meet at religious and social functions. But a Luhongba or Sorat or Ushop is hardly an occasion or a place to discuss power failure or an economic blockade.

And these do not happen regularly. Not only that, Manipuris as a whole are in a hurry and on the surface at least, we don't have time for issues other than that of our own households. Those evening Leipung gatherings and the locality morning tea hotels have become almost things of the past.

No matter how wasteful these meeting places used to be considered and frowned upon, occasionally these used to throw up excellent ideas and serve as a ready and regular forum for discussions. Maybe, wasteful in nature in those idyllic and orderly times of yore but a need of the hour in these turbulent times of ours.

This is by no means an alarm bell or a desperate call. We are still united and organised in larger matters of common interest. The mass rally organised on the issue of territorial integrity has shown it. The turn out and inclusiveness of that march will be history.

Also that huge and protracted outcry against the inclusion of Manipur's territory in the parameters of the areas of cease fire between the government and the NSCN(IM). And what forms of rallies! Ever heard of a boat rally earlier?

Larger issues will continue to be taken care of in future too. However, for pursuance or plain deliberations of small but important matters, a regular forum maybe; social, religious, community is of an urgent requirement to keep in tune with the changing times. Haven't most JACs formed at various places of Manipur been infructuous?

On many occasions, issues dealt by these bodies though sounding local on the face of them, are indeed parts of a larger, all pervasive ill that ails our society today. Availability of a ready forum for discussion would have helped matters. This is just an instance.

Existence of a thriving and smooth society or community requires no less organisation and systemisation than running an organisation or government department. Only it is not run by a person or group. It is collectively managed by the stake holders who are responsible for its health or problems. And for drawing those social contracts and other functions, the people need to meet, as is done in organisations or government departments periodically. And for that you need a venue.

Where is the common meeting ground? Are we following up serious deliberations on serious issues? Let me cite an instance. A meeting on the issue of the extension of the MLR&LR Act to the Hill Areas of Manipur was held at the MDU Hall not long back. Was there any 'private' follow up discussion? Again not necessarily to extend it in toto but a workable solution can be agreed upon to settle this vexed issue. Where, at the Officers' Club?

There are local clubs at most places and also community halls. But people come to these places only when a specific need arises and people are notified to be present. These places are used mostly for organising local sports meets, staging entertainment programs, etc. We need a place and occasion to congregate and meet each other on a fixed regular basis, maybe just to inquire about each other's health so that a continuous and gradual foundation for a healthy and strong society is laid.

This column do not propose to go back in time and start a search for Leipungs and others; they no longer serve any practical purpose, are out of tune with the changing times except perhaps for nostalgic values. But its time, our think tanks need to think out of the box, and ponder over attempting to start a system or mechanism to fulfil the need mentioned above. A tall order indeed but one which can bring wonders.

I would be remiss if I fail to mention here that when Christians and Muslims meet they do not always talk against the Hindus or others. The present mistrust has brought things to such a pass that this may even be misconstrued as something communal which it is not. Here, I do not even claim my freedom of speech and expression; it is just a reminder that to bring synergy people need to meet.