Leadership doesn't mean to augment any issue but to solve it in any situation

Pukhrambam Linthoingambi / Laishram Dhananjoy *

Support for Irom Chanu Sharmila's completion of 11 years of fasting at Bangalore on 5 Nov 2012

Tamo Jenial (General Secretary) had called up Dr. M. Jiban Singh on 28th September 2011 at 8.42pm informing that an event is going to be held on 5th November 2011 as a tribute and to support Irom Chanu Sharmila's completion of 11 years of fasting against the Arm Forces Special Power Act, 1958 all over the country, and as a representative of Karnataka state, Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore (MMAB) has decided to take part in the event in Bangalore on the same day.

He had further informed that Dr. Jiban Singh himself and Eche Roopa to be as the convener for the event and had asked Dr. Jiban whether he could do it or not? Even though Dr. Jiban Singh was little scared since his PG Diploma exams was just two months left to go; he finally replied "YES!" and decided to go ahead and take up the challenges and duties as he firmly believes in 'to respect the elders and obey their order is his duty'. He took the responsibility of their order without any doubt and hesitance.

With a deep trust and authenticity, Dr. Jiban Singh and Eche Roopa started arranging all the required materials for the event under the guidance of P. Omprakash (president) and other executive members. They drew the attention of the others writing many passages related to the event. Through the materials which they had used in the event they were able to carve the image of unity in the heart of the peoples.

Support for Irom Chanu Sharmila's completion of 11 years of fasting at Bangalore on 5 Nov 2012

The only regret which they had and faced was that even after getting the approval from the Police Commissioner they failed to get the approval from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) for the event to be performed in the Freedom Park. But as a convener without losing any hope they finally got the permission at 11.03 pm to hold the event in Town Hall, K. R. Market after running for three whole days.

They then started making the list of all the Media and News channels with the help of friends as soon as they got the permission. They personally went by foot and invited them walking from M. G. Road to Shivajinagar, Vidhana Soudha and Majestic as most of the news channels are located in those areas. It enabled them to save the organization's money as well as had given them the chance to know Bangalore city better.

The event made us realize that the Manipuri's in Bangalore are not afraid of sacrificing their lives even if they are busy in their own hectic works when it comes to the 'Question of Loving their Motherland'. The two conveners reached the event place at 5.30 am sharp.

It was drizzling that day. The sky was covered with dark clouds and the roads were isolated. The conveners were afraid whether the event would be successful or not. Even the borrowed samiyana was returned back. But, both the conveners with strong confidence and a firm faith in their heart hoisted the banner "Treat the Manipuri's equally with the rest of other states as a part of India."

But to their amazement, many people started heading towards the Town Hall putting on their printed T Shirt of Irom Chanu. The people with black T Shirts sitting on the stairs of Town Hall looked like a magnificent dark mountain. It was an amazing scene to see when they raised up their hands altogether.

The police who were guarding the event stood serenely as they don't have to do anything seeing the well mannered behavior and conduct of the participants. Keeping in mind the miserable expedition of Iron Lady the event was carried out from 6.00am to 6.00pm with around 300 people without consuming even a single drop of water.

Many people who were not able to come to the event place supported the event fasting in their respective places and distributed more than 10,000 pamphlets. Each of the related documents and the signed paper (the objective of the event and the demand of Manipuri's) of 5,000 people were sent to the CM and PM of Manipur and India respectively. Thus the event was concluded successfully.

Support for Irom Chanu Sharmila's completion of 11 years of fasting at Bangalore on 5 Nov 2012

Once again they are very thankful to those who helped directly and indirectly to make the event successful.

Leadership doesn't mean to augment any issue but to solve it in any situation. We would like to conclude with a request to all the Manipuri's in Bangalore to come forward hand in hand and face any issues or crisis which comes up in the near future showing the true Unity and Brotherhood of we all Manipuri's. "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."