Manipur of my dreams

Malsawm Kipgen *

Today, Manipur is a place where you never know what will befall onto you, when an explosion is going to interrupt your glee (happiness) and peace of mind or when a bullet batters(hits) you. It is a region where grenade is offered free of cost. It is a haven/destination for the liar, extortionist, corrupt, kidnapper, and smuggler, armed personal and self-centered politician. Here, in the following paragraphs, I put pen to paper my views on how I yearn for Manipur to be a place of my dreams.

Manipur is a mini - India with its diverse culture and religion. It is a land of the Meities, warrior Kukis and Nagas, Manipuri-Muslims, and other small communities. Manipur is also a flashpoint and a potential hotbed as far as ethnic battle is concerned. During 1993-97, Manipur had witnessed one of the worst ethnic clashed ever happened on this earth between two major communities (Kuki and Naga). Thousands of lives were lost and many more were rendered homeless.

It seems government of that time was enjoying the fight between two heavy weights. If the then government took effective measures such as organize a program encouraging both the warring communities to shun violence, many precious life would not have been lost. The survived villagers are still reeling (physically and mentally) because the government had not taken commendable measures to compensate their irreparable loss or rehabilitate them in their own backyard.

Government inefficiency and ineptitude surfaced again when they could not prevent a clashed between Meitei and Manipuri-Muslim. In my Manipur, government is capable of forestalling tension and averting misunderstanding among communities. Government is impartial in its judgement. It is a source of inspiration for peace. People esteem the culture and ethos of another.

People cultivate the seed of love and peace. People take a keen interest in the lifestyle of another and enjoy the spirit of symbiosis (a relationship between people or organizations that benefit from each other equally).

Today Manipur are not represented fairly and equally. Rich become even richer. Poor are even poorer. Even if someone has the qualification, experience, characteristic of honesty, dutiful and righteous mind he is not needed in the office or qualified to occupy the office, if he does not fill the pocket of the concerned authorities.

In Manipur of my dreams, there is parity and impartiality all round. My Manipur is a Welfare State. There would be two State Capitals (summer Capital & winter Capital). R.I.M.S hospital would be in valley district and J.N Hospital would be in Hill district. Important State as well as Central offices would be instituted in every district headquarters.

Selection of candidate for various posts in the State would be on merit basis. In addition to the existing memorial of Bir Tikendrajit and other important faces, the cenotaph (monument) of the unsung heroes of the Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1918) such as Tintong, Enjakhup etc. and Naga nationalists such as Rani Gaidinliu and Zadonang would be built in honor of them.

The portrait of these forgotten figures would be adorned in Assembly, offices and other important institutions. Student would study the life of these forgotten greats in their books. In this way, minorities would never get a chance to feel that they are disregarded.

People no matter where tends to be honest only to the one who are darling to them or to the one who are supportive. In true term, honesty extends to include being sincere and truthful to all. The MLAs we have today occupy this coveted seat by utilizing their strength of money power and muscle power.

Election has become an occasion for showing off their wealth and influence. Hardly have we seen a legislator readily accepted the allegation charged against him. Hardly have we seen a legislator resigned on moral ground. Hardly have we seen a legislator joined politics to dedicate his life for the service of humanity; to refine malfunction in the system; or to alleviate poverty.

Many a time we are cheated by this selfish legislator, but time and again we elect them just because our pocket are filled by them during a election day. We also surrender to their dictation simply without putting a touch resistance when these politicians used their muscle power (with the aid of UGs). As these politicians are immorally voted with support from depraved(dishonest) voters, anticipating the chosen one to be morally loaded is a mere derision (mockery).

It would be a foolish conception to dream that they would work for the welfare and well-being of the people and land. In Manipur of my dreams, each and every individual learn and practice "honesty to all is the best policy."

In my Manipur, people are humble, straightforward, and trust-worthy. They elect their choice freely according to their conscience. Money power and muscle power have no chance to woo them. The chosen one (MLA) carries the heart of Mahatma Gandhi, bears the love of Mother Teresa, and possesses the soul of Buddha.

In our present society, dowry deaths are routine, raping of married women and minor girls are the order of the day. The fashion of seeing women as some sort of glee (entertainment) are a common phenomenon among the smugger (men). Women acquire dignity and refuge in my Manipur. Rape the word would be wiped out of print and rape the act would say goodbye from social life. Agriculture is the mainstay of the State's economy.

In Manipur of my dreams, building infrastructure in the agricultural sector would be the first priority adopted by the government. Easy loans would be provided to a poor farmer. To tackle elementary problems like food shortage, unemployment, and poverty, experts would be called in to devise a long-term strategy such as "Green Revolutions" and "White Revolutions".

Proper cold storage system would be installed in each village, so that farmers are not constraint into selling their perishable products at loss. Road connection and transportation facilities would be developed. Reasonable price structure under the backing of government would be set up so that they earn a reasonable profit from their produce.

In Manipur, Respect is bought/acquired by force. Only the strong (wealthy MLAs, ministers and their dreaded armed personals) have a say in any matter, anywhere, anytime and verdict given by them is final. C.M is the political boss of his Council of Ministers and the people.

But in Manipur of my dreams, C.M is a true leader of the land and love is his Commander-in-chief. Respect is earned. Law of nature prevails with check and balance. Every voice is recorded and due answer given immediately. The media (ISTV and all the press) have the supreme power to check the mis-utilization or embezzlement of huge public fund by MLAs, ministers, and the ultimate authority to deal with the depraved armed personals.

In my Manipur, corruption is evaporating progressively. Innocent villagers are safe from the bone of contention between security personal and UGs, and among UGs. The most important right, the right to life is safeguarded. In my Manipur, there is no Meitei, Kuki, Naga, or Manipuri-Muslim. There is only "Manipuri" or in larger term "Humanity".

My Manipur is not without flaw (error). However, there is a welcoming room for open discussion, suggestion, feedback, and refinement.