Who made the sports university ours ?

Free Thinker *

A few days back I congratulated a friend on passing the National Sports University bill in Parliament. Then he reminded me of the Pracharak who mooted the idea some 8 years back. Then I realize that there are still people who always remain committed to their thoughts and ideas.

Now I remember that some eight years ago one RSS Pracharak, landed at my dingy & crampy house all of a sudden; in fact he was brought by the same friend(mentioned above) who has been working ceaselessly for Sangh and BJP. Eating mangoes we were discussing issues about the youths, unemployment, insurgency etc,.

He told us that “you must have a sports university, then the sports talents and energy of your youths can be tapped and channelized in a systematic manner, then see the medals tally in Olympics; that will also trigger a sports revolution in the region”. That time I didn’t take him seriously, thinking that who will set up a Sports University in my State, though we have world conquerable talents.

The same Pracharak who is now perhaps the link man between the Government and the Parivar might have requested the Prime Minister to announce a Sports University for Manipur. One day, all of a sudden Prime Minister did it and not only that an initial fund of 100 crore was allocated in 2014-15 budget to start preliminary works.

Then the National Sports University (Manipur) Bill was brought to Parliament. It was first introduced on 10th August 2017. As usual the Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD; then the same Committee presented its report to the Parliament on 15th Jan 2018. The Bill could not be passed in the last Budget Session as both the ‘Houses’ of Parliament were in constant pandemonium.

Since the Bill was not passed by Parliament, Government had to promulgate an Ordinance. Anticipating that the National Sports University Bill 2017 would be passed in the Budget Session of Parliament, two courses had already been started by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. If the Ordinance was not issued the students of these two courses would have suffered for want of legal and statutory sanction. That is the reason why the NSU Ordinance was promulgated on 31 May 2018.

While discussing the Bill in Parliament for consideration and passing Dr Meinya (MP) had suggested that a Polo Institute may also start under this University. He maintained that since Manipur is the home of modern Polo, starting a Polo Centre or institute would mean an honor and recognition of the birthplace of Polo. This will also be a blessing and a good gesture to all Polo lovers of the World (including Prince Charles).

All our Hon. MPs namely Thangso Baite, Bhabananda, Mary Kom wholeheartedly supported the Bill and they also requested all other Members to support the Bill. While speaking in Rajya Sabha Shri Bhabananda(MP) praised the Honorable Prime Minister and the NDA Government for setting up this National Sports University in Manipur. The Bill was passed unanimously in one voice in both the ‘Houses’ of Parliament.

Sometimes I feel we get the step-motherly treatment; sometimes I feel we are pampered and patronized; sometimes I feel we are very emotional and sentimental; sometimes I feel we are too proud and too egoistic.

The truth is somewhere in between. But one thing is sure that our future is bright as our youngsters are mature enough and moving in the right direction amidst chaos and confusion. The new generation is too smart to adapt with the fast changing world. They know that they can’t live in the past. The arrival of Sports University and the opening the ‘Eastern Gate’ at Burma are the beginning of a new era.

Resently I met the same Pracharak (now very prominent), with our Honorable Member of Rajya Sabha, at his make-shift office inside a Mandir complex. This time we made a request for the establishment a big Guest House (Jatri Niwas type) in Delhi for Manipuris who come for treatment or pilgrimage or studies (admission etc,) considering the fact that our Bhavans have very limited seats that are also meant mainly for VIPs & officials.

He readily endorsed the idea and asked the Hon. MP to write to the Urban Development Minister. Responding to our anxiety and concern he also assured us that the territorial integrity of Manipur shall remain intact.

Before leaving I provoked the revered Pracharak by inquiring his opinion about Meiteis being declared as STs; he fired back by saying “that means Meiteis want to control India in 15-20 years, they are very intelligent”.

Then I said, “Sir, it is not about jobs alone, it is more about protecting their land, identity and peaceful co-existence with other ethnic groups”. He agreed to continue the discussion on some other day as many others were waiting for him.