Who will monitor the monitor of the monitor ?
- In search of a dictator Gandhi -

By Loghan H *

Who is to blame for the political, economic, and social mess the State of Manipur is in? The events and happenings in the State are beyond comprehension of any civilised society; no wonder an upright officer like Dr Kishan had to pay with the ultimate price with no fault of his own.

What is more embarrassing though is the so called "Cabinet Decisions" in the aftermath of this tragic event. Here is the case of one commendable officer, who sacrificed his life for standing up to his principles and beliefs, and look what he has been repaid for the supreme sacrifice? Providing incentives that stand against the very principles he stood for without fear and the very ethical norms he held so dear during his lifetime?

It is true that no compensation would be large enough to fill the lost of Dr Kishan's young family, but appeasing the family with an MCS post to the late Dr's wife is too jittery and beyond comprehension. We all are for a comprehensive support and compensation package to the bereaved family, at the same time let's not defile and demean the sanctity of certain institutions like Civil Services for political expediencies.

This is not to question the qualification and competence of Mrs Kishan, but to assess the motive and intent of the system that allows such gross misconduct of rules to flourish. Had he (Dr Kishan) remained as a Professor or had he been an IAS officer, would she (Mrs Kishan) have been compensated with a Professorship or an IAS post? If Dr Kishan were alive today, I am sure, he would have certainly disagreed and declined the offer without a second thought-that is what set them (selfless officers like Dr Kishan) apart from 'us', normal opportunist mortals.

The dilemma Mrs Kishan faces today is the microcosm of the dilemmas we all face today in the State-on the one hand she has to think for her young family, future of her adorable little daughters (secured and stable future), and on the other the principles and high moral standards her late husband stood for (possibly unsecured and unstable future). We, opportunist normal mortals, have invariably chosen the first option of 'secured and stable future' (in many compensatory forms) even if it went against the very principles one stood/fought for.

The day when principles, ethics, accountability take precedence over personnel and political expediencies; we may then have a just and prosperous society. It would be unfair for all of us to expect the young Kishan family, especially Mrs Kishan, to take a lead, just like Dr Kishan did and renounce the offer. If she so chooses to follow the footsteps of her late husband and take a lead, we all need to follow and stand up for her young family, and salute her for her exemplary courage and sacrifice. Even if she chooses to accept the Government offer, we still need to support and comfort her for the sacrifices her family has made.

It is time that we all stood up in unison and be counted-perhaps we need an inspiring and selfless leader like Jananeta Irabot to take the charge. Against all odds, he stood up for a cause, knowing fully well the impending consequences. Never in his life, had he made compromises on his beliefs and principles for personnel comforts and gains. Had he wished to live a comfortable and royal lifestyle, he would have easily towed the then popular line and the whole State would have been at his fingertips. He chose not to do so; he stood up for the people and followed his principles and beliefs till the end. No wonder why he remains in the hearts and minds of every Manipuri.

It is unfortunate though none of us is willing to stand-up and lead by example for a cause. This is however not to suggest that we are not concerned or aware of the happenings or there is any dearth of intelligent visionary, but at the individual level, just like the dilemma of Mrs Kishan, we invariably choose personnel interest and comforts against a common/public cause. The risk of being victimised for standing up for what is right, is far greater than the chances of getting justice.

No wonder why any of the Government officials, elected members, or social organisations rarely stood up for a cause and followed it to its logical end. At the end of every tragic episode, there will be piecemeal compromises, compensations, appeasements, reconciliations, and finally the issue will run out of steam on its own or other more pressing events will take over. Why don't, for a change, we follow it up till the issue reaches its logical conclusion? The State desperately needs a few Whistle Blowers!

There is no point in chopping and changing heads of some hapless officers when the Government turns a blind eye (or even encourages) to the degeneration of the system itself. Where will the bug stop? After the Mumbai terrorist attack, the Union Home Minister got sacked, the State Chief Minister and his deputies resigned owning moral responsibilities, and the heads of many top cops rolled.

Our tiny State which has more number of insurgency/terrorist related deaths (more than 100 people may have died in January 2009 alone) than in any of the State in the country, why no one is accountable for such massive losses of human lives? The Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio, as the trend suggests, appears to be answerable to none. There is a tart of arrogance and an aura of invincibility. Who will then monitor the monitor of the monitor ?

Sometime one began to wonder-do we really need a Government that cannot govern? Do we really need a law enforcing agency that cannot enforce law? Do we need a power department that cannot provide power to the people? In any case one cannot get worse than the situation that we have in the State now-an electricity supply of 3 - 5 hrs a day, killing of 3 - 5 persons every day, office working hour of 3 - 5 hours a day, closure of offices and shops 3 -5 days every month, and need of 3 - 5 visits with incentives to move a file from one table to another.

Given these man made mismanagements, how are we to compete with the outside world where merit is the only criteria? In this age of competitive industrial growth, industries are being provided special incentives like reduction in taxes, low cost power supply, subsidised lands, etc by the State, but in our case the State has managed to completely annihilate the whole small scale industrial sectors by simply switching off the power supply. It is perhaps the opportune moment for a change in leadership, governance, approach and direction in the State if we are to move forward.

The weakness of democracy is that every Tom and Harry with money and muscle power could make mockery of the whole system-election to the assembly is taken as a free pass for FIVE years to do what he/she pleases. There is no accountability. It is time that one explores the possibility of recalling elected representative if majority of the public want to. The need of the hour in the State therefore is to have a dictator with a Gandhi in heart and mind or the Chinese system in a democratic set-up. As the saying goes, 'man proposes God disposes'-we have been blessed with dictators with only 'GREED' in hearts and minds instead!

The State is also in the midst of a demographic shift; if we don't take full dividends of the demographic change then we may end up in total chaos and disaster. For the first time, the young workforce population outnumbers the dependent populations (very young and old) because of the reduced birth and death rates in the last few decades; this is a one time event in the history of a society, it will never come twice.

If the young workforce is trained and equipped to develop human capital/resource, then we can take full advantage of our huge young workforce and lead the State to greater heights. The opposite end of not doing enough or not taking advantage of demographic dividends is complete chaos and disaster-we tend to be leading towards the chaotic and disaster end.

As shown by an upright officer like Dr Kishan, it is time that we raise above personnel equations and petty politics and make those who corrupt the system accountable. Succumbing to the piecemeal compensations, however attractive they were, for short term solutions will only embolden the very hands that rock the cradle. It has been done in the past, it is being done now, and it will be done in future as well-let's stop a few rulers and power brokers make mockery of the whole system. We share your loss and sorrow, Mrs Kishan, in this hour of extreme distress.

At the same time, you also have an opportunity to follow the exemplary courage and moral standard set by your late husband, Dr Kishan, by politely rejecting the appeasement offer (made by bending every possible rule) of political expediencies made by the very people who robed Dr Kishan (a beloved husband, a devoted father, a family man to the core, an inspiring teacher, and a budding reformist) from his family.

Dr Kishan would have been proud of your exemplary courage and sacrifice; let's follow and stand by his principles and high moral standards. Let's not shake hands with the very hands that are stained with Dr Kishan's blood.