Non-sensical culture of VIPsm : Irritating VIPs and more
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 23 2015 -

VIPs or Very Important Persons.

Tough to say how and from where this term originated but it stands that the people of Manipur must be truly fed up of this term and the culture that this term spawns.

Important in what sense, is one question that comes to mind. Important because they get to take important decisions that affect the lives of the common people or important because they have the license to throw their weight around ?

Seems more like the latter case, if what one sees around here is any indication. Important decisions.

Obviously the concept or understanding of VIPs has refused to move beyond the cloistered world of the people who come under this tag.

So while the common people are expected to give them the right of way whenever they travel around, these class of people refuse to address some of the pressing issues of the State.

Even as one reads this, Manipur would be in the grip of yet another State wide bandh.

Not far to seek why the bandh has been enforced in the first place.

With the VIPs and their underlings more concerned with flexing their muscles amongst the common people, they have little time to address issues which directly impact on the State as a whole.

Right of way seems to be a matter of greater urgency than looking into the allegations that a neighbouring State has encroached upon the State’s territory at Dzuko Valley.

In short those people occupying key positions are more than content with just throwing their weight around here while overlooking something as crucial as protecting the territory of the State.

Sure, the culture of VIPsm is not confined to Manipur alone, but The Sangai Express would like to concentrate on this place for the time being.

The culture of VIPsm can be irritating and insulting as well.

How else does one explain the mindset that everyone should give those travelling in a vehicle fitted with sirens and security escorts the right of way ?

This is not about respect and far from it, this is more about inconveniencing the public or people who are deemed to come lower down in the pecking order.

Let those people who have a say in drawing up the policies for the people and place function as they should but in the process care should be taken to ensure that the public are not unnecessarily harassed and at times insulted.

It is not only the political babus who have this penchant of throwing their weight around but everyone who occupy some position in the Government hierarchy.

So from the suited, booted officials to the men in uniform, everyone is under the impression that the rules can be bent and twisted to suit their interest.

Not uncommon it is to see roads being blocked for hours on end just because someone who come under the tag of VIPs has to take a particular route.

Why should the public be put to so much inconvenience ?

Time to seriously introspect whether the culture of VIPsm has really led to more productivity and better governance.

This question is all that more important for those people who come under this tag or think they are included in this bracket.