Transcending Patriots' Day(s)
- Part 1 -

Yengkhom Myrtle-Zest *

As periodical 13th of August arrives, an inevitable vibe surround us being Kngleicha's. What kind of vibe? Shan't we enquire? Indeed fundamental question, yet for many appear the question trivial and naive. If one starts digging on this basic, may extract and unravel 'subjective variabilities' to the extent of oil and water juxtaposition.

Led to observing and analysing ground realities contextually at present with respect to the celebratory or commemorative spirit not only of those magnificent brave-replete historic days whilst evoke of where as an 'entity' we stand today. And what engulfs present scenario? How the patriotic spirit we celebrate can be endorsed in tune with the present parameters or does it demands a radical signature?

Undeniably, times have changed and is changing, with its flux of parameters and their interactions germinating and branching out in many spheres and dimensions at unimaginable scale as evident today. This changing dynamics of time, it's past to present and would be future trajectories and implications urge us being part of many living species, an emergent idea of sustaining, progressing and holistic advancement of the planet by avoiding unnecessary lack of vision or daft or severe combustible incidents that will left only ashes as everyone's future.

Invoking present ground realities; preserving aside safe those memorable, historic and bravish past moments, pompous fantasies and proudness of their descendants; it behoves us that sooner now than later we observe, analyse and identify who and what are our present threats, enemies and vulnerabilities? Whopping! Ain't it? The cumulative effects and consequences evolving like superbugs have its causation for sure.

The so-called leaders- be it king, political leaders, administrators and heads at various point of time- these representatives' negligence, myopic vision, selfish-acuity and vested interests petrified them and paralysed together led to lapse of their patriotic zeal, tethered their bravery and heroicness to face timely problems and challenges on their part is sure the cause, eventually culminating and gravitating vicious cycles which are hard to untangle out still.

They, in a sense, are staggeringly unlike 'the patriots known and unknown, sung and unsung' who stand up, dare against the invaders, trespassers and oppressors to defend sovereignty, self-determination, dignity, harmony, inhumane exploitation and malevolent policies interfering our affairs at that time.

Reminiscently and concurrently, we also can't forget clan-based conflicts, proselytization, hegemonic influences and dissonances coerced through kings, disunity and greed of power among princes, lack of jurisprudence when it comes to them, British invasion and divisive polices, sprouting of hatred and divisiveness, etc.

Believe-not that people were well, flourishing and enjoyed enough as they deserved or bestowed or live in a sort of utopia during those olden days but at some period, history suggests of apropos self-sustenance, sense of pragmatical patriotism, dignity and integrity reverberated across hills and valleys, close-knit interdependence and co-operation, co-existence and oneness as a composite society.

In retrospect, with asserting today's existential crises, there has been a long lapse of bravery and unity on the part of lawmakers or political heads representing us. Excluding these leaders and representatives; not to forget, there was and has been heroic souls who sacrifices, dedicates, who stand up unsilent(not as armchair-activist), protest in feasible varied ways against suppressions, oppressions and injustice.

Their legacies and guts will thrive and survive no matter who and what position they held in society as they are look upon and condescend by some. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, those elected leaders who should/are expected to be having the utmost guts, responsibility and astuteness, hardly learn, practice and unite for the upliftment and rectification of today's shambolic system and its shabby practices prevalent.

Many usually ask "Who elects them?" which hardly brings nor approach solution at all alike the conundrum "Egg first or chicken first?". Where have their commitment, promises, harangues and the notion of responsible representation gone after elected?

Now hoping against vain hopes, Knglei's resilience and sturdiness should resuscitate, revive and resurge, immanent and intact in the spirit of never too late to stand up, show up against inclinations of break- away denaturalisation, shredding by vested interests and venomous designs to regain our erstwhile harmonious hand-in-glove composite society, establish social-equilibrium and political stability.

Some present-day threats, quandaries and ruminations :

Reminding of present pandemonium, some hard factual threats infamously known instances, happenings and impending can be brought into consideration in tune with this unwished awhile vibe of patriotism on this widely ritual-esque Patriots' Day celebration to gather and blend ourselves united through understanding objectively for approaching and actuating the needful bravely and resolutely!

1) Elusive and highly malevolent is the nature of Naga Framework agreement. Is the outcome a forgone conclusion or still shrouded with unpredictability?

Time and again, policies, talks or agreements whosoever the Indian govt. or state govt. have with ethnic-based political or insurgents in our composite society imbued us and our ambience with apprehension, exasperation and misgivings; followed by chasms, disorientation and disorder often resorting to taking a great toll and toil affecting in overall aspects of our socio-economic development in short and long term.

Lack of timely intervention, dithering tackling and handling rather than rational, amicable and constitutional judiciousness to the situation concern always aggravates the situation and becomes rigid causing cantankerous in practical matters and viable-options closed at last.

Before any sectarian or ethnic based demands, we need to remind ourselves an inescapable and unavoidable fact. Inseparable of Hills and valley is such that Manipur without Hills is incomplete, so do without valley is incomplete Manipur for hills and valley are just geographical topographies, dear part and parcel of Manipur.

Swallowing this reality is not hard but a nectar when we relate and intermingle ourselves practically in any sphere, through interactions that will unveil the interwovenness immanent, realise and become more aware of organic inter-relationships and interdependences.

Objective and rational understanding of history a must, unavoidable links and great deal of amicable existential ways will help arrive wilful concrete resolutions to defend against our attenuating compositeness as an entity thus resolving the differences together voluntarily and solemnly, understanding each other grievances and differences to remove the venomous slivers and splinters within thus letting melt away certain misleading vested interests in whatsoever form.

2) MU impasse's long duration, which is being handled unqualifiedly and unnecessarily political(as alleged) by the concern authority or govt. is heinous and undeserving for the university has its own appropriate statutory obligations. The demanded Independent judicial enquiry is a must in the present circumstances. No subterfuge please. Highly likely will branch out severely unwanted and unnecessary consequences in long and short term. What if happen in a bigger state is also a pertinent question asked around?

Here, state govt. lack guts and resolute stand. Appears state govt. have been playing second fiddle to HRD or Centre for best reasons known only to themselves. And manywhere informally and formally, there was blistering rejoinder just after that alleged well-organised rally which is really uncalled-for.

Please shun gaming politics here and do the needful objectivity to the extent of finding and punishing prior misappropriations and offences if formers' were found committed too. The incumbent VC said to be from a holy land of India is infamous for his unholy, corrupt, misappropriations, etc. which claimed too true to be alleged.

What's in the air about long pending due intervention some muse as of coming election related, nepotism, magically influential so and so! So there is nothing to be surprise and shock on the concern authority's long negligence. And particularly, why not boycott this current HRD minister when he visit for election campaign next time which he used to do and quite lovingly long-stay during campaigns in our state and now not dare to visit or remain mute or neglect due quick intervention to solve the ongoing impasse!!

Furthermore, It seems incompatible to clubbed but the army station in the campus should be removed at the earliest as demanded time and again but yield vain assurances. It can be utilize for many educational and cultural importance. Say, replacing the army station with an Astronomical Observatory on this lofty hillock will be a beautiful worthy initiative thus too induce awareness of light-pollution which is a neglected issue in many deserved places or a Historical and Cultural Museum will be of high value.

To be continued...