Five 'Parivartan' for CM

Free Thinker *

Chief Minister Y Khemchand on March 12 2026 :: Pix - DIPR Manipur

The new Chief may initiate five transformative steps to bring about positive changes in the State in conformity with the centenary proceedings of the Sangh and also contemplate certain possibilities. Practical ideas should be injected so that we grow as a State and also as a Nation to become global guru - and also a developed Nation.

Social Harmony (Samajik Samrasta) : The primary focus of this approach is to do away discrimination and untouchability on the basis of caste, tribe, ethnicity etc – in order to foster love, understanding, fraternity and unity.

In Manipur this is indispensable because the society is so fragmented today on the lines of ethnicity. Rehabilitation of the displaced people in their original respective areas must be the priority for redeeming ethnic social harmony in the State.

Manipur has 36 ethnic communities. The biggest being the Meitei community – they constitute nearly half of the total population; in the absence of the latest census data, we can’t give the exact figure; but more or less Meiteis constitute half of the population.

Other major ethnic groups are Thadou, Mao, Tangkhul, Kabui, Paite, Rongmei, Anal, Hmar etc. There are other smaller groups which are also an indispensable part of Manipur demography, Tarao, Uipo, Chiru etc.

If I understand correctly, the Meiteis have been the dominant community for centuries. They should have been more accommodative and treated all other ethnic groups equally and fairly. We are not generalizating the situation.

We also heard stories of harassing the hill people when they come to the valley. Despite differences and recent deadly confrontation we can still live together as before maintaining social harmony – but the trust must be regained first - slowly.

Majority must remain calm and docile to rejuvenate the weakened social fabric. Once again all ethnic groups must wine and dine together to neutralize the hardliners. Only love and respect can embrace all and not by coercion.

Family Prabodhan : It contemplates strengthening the family units and ties - along with the promotion and preservation of our tradition, culture and values. Joint family system, living together, sharing time together, sharing weal and woe–should be encouraged. Nuclear families may be practical but for a stable society the joint family system is more beneficial. Family ties should be expanded.

Our children must have uncles, aunties, grandmothers, grandfathers, cousin brothers & sisters in addition to real my father, mother, brothers or sisters. Sarsanghchalak says every couple should have three children – don’t know whether it applies to those who normally do that or more.

Paryavaran Protection : Protection of environment is again extremely important. But we have forgotten our own tradition and practice of environment protection because of our material development approach. In the name of development we have destroyed our land, forest, rivers, hills etc.

For development, constructions are required – but our development model should be in connivance with nature. There should be a balance. In the name of civilization and progress we cannot wipe out our forests or our own habitation.

For instance, for the sake of minting money we can’t deforest our hills and plant poppies. Instead of poppies we can plant ‘Yongchak’ (genetically modified – perhaps already done in Burma) – to earn good money. This is just an example – a lucrative option.

Civic Duties: This is about respecting the law of the land (Constitution etc) and following the social norms. It also encourages citizens to remain disciplined and accept responsibilities.

Such duties include – not to take away the weapons of the police and security forces, not to threaten unarmed people by showing guns and hand-grenades, not to extort money in the name of a public cause or patriotism, not to set ablaze/damage Government buildings, buses, books etc, not to block roads, not to sponsor blockades on the National Highways, not to dirty public property including toilets.

To protect the fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border is also a civilian duty.

Self Reliance & Swadeshi : This contemplates use of local products and not depending on outside materials - foreign. It is also about supporting the local economy. We must use clothes and textiles manufactured and produced locally – as far as possible; ‘Ngari’ should be manufactured with local ‘ngakha’, ‘ngasang’, ‘fabounga’ etc.

Buy only Loktak or local pond or hill stream fishes; eat only stuff locally available. And finally drink only local brew – now the quality has improved drastically - try Sekmai single malt.

The Sangh in its centenary year desires to bring social transformation and National rejuvenation through these five ‘parivartan’ approaches with a view to make Bharat a Vishwaguru. Now, it seems they may put me in ‘baudik’ after this brief presentation though it is slightly deviated from the guided paradigm. It is in fact a model to suit the local condition.

Our CM is only Prathama Varsha (first year pass) – but see his achievement. Then just imagine the possible position of a second year (Dwitiya Varsha) or a third year (Tritiya Varsha) completed ‘sevaks’. Mind you, our PM was already a Tritiya Varsha (degree) holder before he graduated in Political Science from Delhi University.