Where lays the Failed state?
Deben Bachaspatimayum *
Open mobile sale for essential commodities at subsidized rate due to Economic Blockade on September 29 2011
The state is dead. Fine! Then what? What next?
One factor that makes the state even worse than it is, is the attitude like 'things are getting worse' or at the best 'it is failed'.
What do we mean by when you so easily pass such comments and statement about a system or a living system? Perhaps, of the many other interpretations few could be that one is concerned and sympathetic, and others are simply cynics, and yet a third could be declaring end of and taking responsibilities to begin all over again.
But the fact of the matter in Manipur from our lived-in experiences that average person on the streets, carry closed and concluded mind-sets. They don't encourage any attempts, especially, that is new or different or innovative or creative. They will simply say, "It will not work" as taking normal breathe.
They are not prepared to move an inch beyond their own position they hold on about themselves, and situation around them.
So, where does the failed state lay? Inside our minds or outside there!
Who is dead and what is dead? People even go a step further to say 'the state is dead' without realizing that the death lies inside.
This is simply a case of the death self-declaring and signing one's own dead! How do we move on if we are dead?
The death is not the end. It is a move forward. In fact, the death flag off or causes, a march forward for someone to walk an extra mile or carry another burden or fill in the vacuum left by the death.
So by the death a dynamic life begins to take shape. People tend to get more serious on their duty and responsibilities, and one is seen working tirelessly.
Why should the death numb me or snub me? On the other side, death of a state must also cause a dynamic public life. If the death does not cause some dynamism in the society then it has not spare anybody.
All is death. Nothing is left. And that is the end at which the insiders - people of Manipur and those outsider observers make it so to ensure it does wake up again.
This is not acceptable. My body mechanism is designed to protect my life from any dangers and it must be working on its own way so also in the body of society or community.
One must discover those systems working to protect one's life - inner struggles of the undying souls of society. Furthermore, if a state has failed the systems have failed to respond to the needs and demands of the parts that make the whole system.
If the parts are the diversity of human agencies aspiring for their own little space for independence - self-determination or self-governance then the state must be an archaic totalitarian or feudalistic in nature that failed to accommodate the new world order and democracy.
The death of such an archaic totalitarian state must not be mourned but be put to rest with all the honours it deserves for having launched the human generation towards a greater height. Therefore, the death of an out-dated state is to create an open space for democracy to flourish but if only....
I must end this rejoinder by answering the first question. So, where is the dead state laying? It is laying in the minds of the insiders and outsiders as well? It is not only in Manipur.
This is a rejoinder to an article in the Times of India, New Delhi dated 16th Oct, 2011.
Read the Original TImes of India Article - Failed state?
A crippling blockade lasting 68 days choked Manipur last year. One is on right now - it's in its 75th day even as we write about it. Can the state - wracked by insurgency and corruption, and agonized by the draconian AFSPA - ever return to normal? Jaideep Mazumdar reports from Imphal on the anxiety and alienation of a beautiful land .
Voices of gloom are many. "Conditions in Manipur are deteriorating and I see things getting worse," says Nobokishore Urikhimbam, secretary of United NGO Mission Manipur, a network of about 100 NGOs.
Yumnam talks about a "total disconnect" between the government and the people. "Everyone wants to get out of Manipur. There is a brain and capital drain from this state," says Koijam as senior lawyer Khaidem Mani adds that "Manipuris have stopped expecting anything from the state because the state is dead."
* Deben Bachaspatimayum contributes regularly to e-pao.net. The sender can be contacted at debenvghy(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on Ocotber 24, 2011.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.