TODAY -
✦

E-Pao! Essays - Led by the leds; led the leds

LED BY THE LEDS; LED THE LEDS

By: Lalremlien Neitham *



One in every two or more individuals excels above the others. Every single step, we come and continue to come across different kinds of people, having different personalities, unique traits and ways, and each with their "leadership qualities".

Contrary to the saying "Leaders are born, not made", "Leaders are made, not born". Leaders can be nurtured, molded and fine-tuned to lead their followers. Leaders are brought to the forefront by circumstances and time, beliefs and causes and by the environmental effects. If not for these, leaders can never be leaders.

With our naked eyes, we see leaders being followed by their followers and followers being led by their leaders. In fact, this is the bond that ties a leader and a follower as one. Therefore, one cannot be very wrong to say that "Everyone is a leader of everyone; everyone a follower of everyone". We can also put it as "Every leader is a follower and every follower a leader". This is to be the theme of our writing here.

It would also be great a pleasure to provide you with something to help you scratch your itchy head - "Is there a possibility of a person being a leader and at the same time not and never be a follower of another?"

In the meantime, excuse me. Let me share with you some of the thoughts that have been bugging my head for quite a time now. These thoughts have something to do with leaders and leading, followers and following. For some of you, you may even try to whisk it away as a whole lot of misconception. Nevertheless, the more I let my head brood over it, the more I see the truth in it.

There is a general apprehension in the mindset of the society. We seems to take it for granted that leaders are immune to temptations, invincible, perfect in all respect in carrying out their work and duties, good in deeds, an expertise in speaking and writing, soft, silent and understanding listener, having answers to all the problems that we face. All in all, we expect and look up to them as though they are "everything". With these outlooks and the importance we gave to our leaders, we also expect them to be as such. Thus, the end results are all regrets for putting them in the hot seats. It also further extends to unnecessary whining and inflammatory remarks that does nothing but painfully afflicts and bring chaos to whom but our very own society. Rather than the leaders, the followers are the one to be held responsible for the mistake in choosing their leaders.

Like their followers, leaders are like children. They are in need of encouragement to keep the fire going on in them. They need to be patted on their shoulders every now and then, for their every good deed done. They need new challenges to explore, invade and bring it to the feet of their followers. And the followers can only provide these challenges. Leaders need to be led by the followers themselves in order to be led by the leaders. If the followers do not take that step to lead their leaders, no leaders can be leaders of their followers. The followers need to sow the seed in their leaders, to reap the harvest in their leaders. The followers need to guide their leaders in achieving the goal of their causes. And I believe this to be the true essence of democracy. For, Democracy is the "Government of the people, by the people and for the people".

Like the planeteers, who ever remind us in the "Captain Planet" cartoon series, "The Power is Yours!" The fall and rise of our leaders are in our hands. The final verdict on the fate of the leaders lies entirely on the shoulder of the followers.

Thus, "Everyone is a leader of everyone; everyone a follower of everyone".




Lalremlien Neitham contributes regularly to e-pao.net.
This article was written on Wednesday, February 12, 2004.
He can be reached at [email protected]

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 228th Bheigyachandra @Nabadwip #1: Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Wildlife Week Celebration at Thanga
  • Evolving women's role in Manipur tourism
  • Where do we go from here ?
  • Training Programme on Mushroom
  • Festival look for Navratras
  • Condolence : Demise of Adino Phizo
  • Significant Delhi invite to 3 leaders
  • Heterogeneous Structure of Meitei Society
  • Concert @ 18th Orange Fest #1: Gallery
  • When water management was Statecraft
  • Who switched off the respect :: Poem
  • All is not yet lost for Manipur
  • Wildlife Conservation: Securing the Future
  • Exam : Post of Under Secretary (Law)
  • Understanding narco-terrorism
  • 1500 Burma Refugees Families in 1968-1973
  • 17th World Bamboo Day : Gallery
  • Land affected families: NH-202 in Ukhrul
  • Training Programme on PCB Repair
  • World Habitat Day 2026
  • AMR survivor & WHO call to protect medicines
  • Cut fuel taxes, not food
  • Creating chaos on roads of Imphal
  • Sushila & Bichu @Airport #1: Gallery
  • Manipuri Pony: Case for Animal Science Univ
  • Hemp plant for sustainable textile & Manipur
  • Flame of the lamp & our cultural sensibility
  • Without you :: Poem
  • Welcomes Lalremsiami, Lalthantluangi
  • On the growing roadside eateries
  • Naga Peace Process: Indo-Naga Talk: Timeline
  • 36 Names: Manipur at the Asian Games
  • Khawungsing, Lumlaola : Eming
  • Abok Ki Singju to Premiere
  • A vision fragmented by corruption :: Poem
  • Gandhi Ji's 3 monkeys and Manipur
  • AI-powered X-Rays are helping find TB
  • Mizoram Reward Lalremsiami, Lalthantluangi
  • 15 years in power Vs 10 years in power
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #13
  • US-Manipur Digital Archiving Workshop
  • 8th Cultural/ Freshers' Meet for Rongmei
  • The Same Smoke :: Poem
  • Supriya looks at HYROX World C'ships
  • AI4SEVA Hackathon @IT SEZ, Mantripukhri
  • 38th Foundation Day- NIELIT Imphal #2
  • Heikru Hidongba @Bijoy Govinda : Gallery
  • Manipur's Indigenous Natural Farming System
  • Basic human needs a struggle for Sinakeithei
  • Demise of Pame, Marinmai, Lianvela
  • When I met the pugilist Sarita
  • 38th Foundation Day of NIELIT Imphal #1
  • Mizoram's Anthurium Festival Returns
  • Poll fever seems to be catching up
  • My attempt - Meiteilon is not Tibeto-Burman
  • XXXII National Thang-Ta C'ship concluded
  • One Village One Product: A better alternative
  • When machines can answer, who will judge ?
  • Explain motive- Tronglaobi Terror Attack
  • Merger of 5 elected members of NPP
  • Namghar Unites Assam & Maharashtra
  • Trade and commerce : In a limbo
  • 130th Irawat Anniversary : Gallery
  • Lamyanba Irabot Day at Itanagar
  • Irabot's Ideals Remembered at Mumbai
  • Coffee as a sustainable alternative to poppy
  • Her Godname :: Poem
  • Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Rejoinder to NPCC
  • Need to get priorities right
  • Irawat and Meetei National question
  • XXXII National Junior Thang-Ta C'ship
  • World Heart Day 2026: Don't miss a beat
  • Science in everyday life
  • Nature Education Workshop
  • Rejoinder to Dr S C Jamir
  • Daslakshan Mahaparva: Festival of 10 supreme
  • Focus back on SoO camps
  • Raengdai Vs NEROCA : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • October Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • Lebensraum or ethnic cleansing
  • World Alzheimer's Day 2026
  • Sensitization Workshop on POSH
  • Mourns Passing of Aribam Shantimo
  • Lecture on 'Indigenous Knowledge Systems'
  • Rejects allegations by NPCC President
  • The narrative Manipur needs
  • Tour Diaries of Maxwell & Higgins #2
  • Laitonjam Rishikanta @ Asian Bodybuilding
  • First poster of Interlude released
  • In the womb of time :: Poem
  • Running an abnormal State
  • Khunung Eshei & Mukna competitions
  • Conference: Challenge in Sustainable Science
  • Rolling back the highway blockade
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #12
  • Manipur Mesopotamia Force WWI : Gallery
  • PhD in Manipur : Fund it, Fix it
  • Many Voices, One State: Manipur's dilemma
  • Me and Moon: Both do the night shift : Poem
  • Putting rights: Body autonomy & sexual health
  • Green Tea for beauty
  • Yaoshang Thabal @Khurai #2: Gallery
  • AI = Arangpham Intelligence, the Frankenstein
  • World Pharmacists' Day 2026
  • Tapes of 1979 Film 'Ashroy' Discovered
  • From Pangaea to the unpredictable Earth
  • In a Crooked Room :: Poem
  • Debt recovery should be done, but within law
  • Regionalism : New political flavour
  • Chali-Saba - Kang Ningol Palli #1: Gallery
  • Book Release: Exploring The Vanishing Self
  • The Echo After Forever :: Poem
  • The paradox of Kukiland
  • Dr Wairokpam Yaiphaba : Fulbright Fellowship
  • Essay, Painting & Speech Competitions
  • Manipur : Mixture of opposites
  • Naothingkhong & Pitanga #1: Hearthside Story
  • Meiteilon is still not a Tibeto-Burman language
  • 52nd Foundation Day of AMWJU : Gallery
  • The chokehold on Manipur's potential
  • Another Langban has com :: Poem
  • Ageing needs a gendered human rights
  • Mizoram's 2026 festival season opened
  • Inspect the SoO camps
  • 61st Hunger Marchers' Day #2 : Gallery
  • lEkoLdugi warisiH :: Seireng
  • Can Strong Anti-Racism Law save NE Indians
  • Before Building a Viksit Bharat, Learning
  • Quality planting for Pineapple & Banana
  • Seminar: Career Options in Life Sciences
  • Fitclass Gym Moti Nagar Opens
  • Burning hills of Manipur
  • Culturals @Beating of Retreat #4 : Gallery
  • Memo to Union Home Minister
  • Recollections: My past experience & episode
  • The tragedy of the thinking mind
  • Rejoinder to K. Therie
  • Four MCS Officers appointed to IAS
  • International Day of Peace
  • Namghar, to be inuagarated at Sarhad
  • Time for people to lay down the agenda
  • Justice for 6 Liangmai Nagas #2 : Gallery
  • 17th World Bamboo Day 2026
  • 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly : Gallery
  • The 731, and those who may follow
  • Reflecting on 21st September
  • BRICS India 2026 : Role of India
  • If BJP/NDA wants to come back
  • Marking comeback of loadshedding
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #11
  • Little Flower School, 1973 batch : Gallery
  • Bichu Kharibam: FIH Magic Skill Award
  • The Symphony of the Stain :: Poem
  • Moringa seeds of hope take root
  • Job Plan : The major job of Govt of Manipur
  • Training Programme on Mushroom
  • Tour Diaries of Maxwell & Higgins #1
  • BRICS at New Delhi 2026
  • Reimagining Manipur: Hackathon Competition
  • NE - heavier downpours & longer dry spells
  • A new dawn after your departure :: Poem
  • Hindi Pakhwada 2026 concluded
  • Seminar on Scientific Writing
  • Happy tidings for scribes of Manipur
  • Ningol Phida - Shumang Leela #2 : Gallery
  • Study: Social Worker on Counselling Practice
  • Foreigner's Tribunal: A solution for Manipur
  • India-Myanmar boundary : Mistakes of 1967
  • Which one is which ? :: Poem
  • The EMI generation: Young people on credit
  • Radio E-pao: 5 new songs updated
  • Chiru Maroi : Scientific Documentation
  • BRICS Summit 2026: The rise of global south
  • Manipur- Best Performing State- IEMI 2025
  • Academic Administration Course @MU
  • World Ozone Day 2026
  • Lakshadweep's #endTB blueprint for India
  • 'Othering' the North East folks
  • To our star Tamo Vicky, Vikram Chongtham
  • Vice President visited Manipur : Gallery
  • Celebrating the architect of our future
  • Cost of complacency- Manipur must demand
  • Condemns Recent Killings & Violence
  • Thadou Martyrs' Day observed
  • North East Creator Circuit 2026 Debut
  • From Feb to Sep: What is happening ?
  • Langban Tha Katchaba @Haying #1 : Gallery
  • Targeting 1 Naga voice stirred Naga solidarity
  • Mushroom Cultivation Training concluded
  • 59th Engineers' Day Celebration
  • We, the only protectors :: Poem
  • Hiring @ 4-Star Hotel in Udupi
  • Rejoinder to Dr S C Jamir & CNFN
  • Guns and arson in the hills
  • Ibudhou Pakhangba Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Why Manipur Govt has no power in hills
  • Anti-Rabies Vaccination Camp
  • 2026 NAMA Research Grant
  • Why Gor and Gori were in Manipur ?
  • My Run :: Poem
  • Support Flood-Affected Families in Sivasagar
  • Reeling under one issue & the other
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #10
  • Protest by Researchers @DM Univ : Gallery
  • Rs 5.20 Crores settled in 3rd Lok Adalat
  • Coins of Morning :: Poem
  • Dengue Fever : Diagnosis | Prevention
  • Observance of Thadou Martyrs' Day 2026
  • Condemns Tragic Loss of Chongtham Vikram
  • Meitei Esei
  • US Ambassador @ CM Mantripukhri : Gallery
  • Chongtham Vikram: Delhi Cannot Explain Away
  • A teacher does not leave when his classroom
  • Advanced Bootcamp on Swarm Drones
  • Solidarity With Naga Community
  • Dikho abstains from Cabinet Meeting
  • Blockade hurts no one but common man
  • 'Meeyamgi Khollao Khongchat' #1 : Gallery
  • Users and Abusers of Words
  • Suicide Prevention in the age of social media
  • The red junglefowl: The principal wild ancestor
  • Condemns Killing of Chongtham Vikram
  • Defending women rights against anti-rights
  • Grade-A Mall & Hotel in Guwahati
  • On having completed 27 years in print
  • Candle Light- Chongtham Vikram : Gallery
  • Manipuri Pony Heritage Talk to Students
  • Souls with no sacred flame :: Poem
  • International Primate Day 2026
  • Misuse of Tapentadol: A grave danger
  • Colonial records: Hill Areas, 1891-1947
  • Joint Resolution: Abrogation of SoO
  • NRC in Manipur : Time for 'walk the talk'
  • Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  • Manipur after conflict: Shared hope
  • Condemn Arson at Lhungjang Primary School
  • International Literacy Day 2026
  • Demands Abrogation of SoO
  • Decision to stay away from Assembly
  • Justice for 6 Liangmai Nagas #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Can Simply Be Manipur
  • PhD Admission at Assam University
  • What delimitation could mean for Manipur
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #9
  • Teachers' Day Celebration : Gallery
  • Census 2027 for Manipur deferred
  • Read Meitei Mayek news in romanized English
  • NEROCA Vs Navy : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • 24-hour Gen Strike (Sep 1) : Gallery
  • Panthoibi Anoi Khuthek #1 : Gallery
  • Book on the History of Manipur released
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #3 : Gallery
  • Culturals from Manipur at Delhi Fashion Week
  • The flame of Haipou Jadonang
  • Kang Khichri Chaba #2 : Gallery
  • Census deferred & NRC begins
  • Relevance of NRC, 1951 for immigrants
  • 61st Hunger Marchers' Day #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #4: Gallery
  • The King Who Caught a Bird : Konthoupa
  • Meira Rally 'No NRC, No Census' : Gallery
  • FC Reangdai Vs TRAU : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur Expeditionary Force, World War I
  • Waqf Amendment Act: An Analysis
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Thangal Tomb : Gallery
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #1 : Gallery
  • 35th Manipuri Language Day, 20 August
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Hicham : Gallery
  • Ibudhou Thangjing Haraoba #2 : Gallery
  • Wakol Laoba : A Philosophical Analysis
  • Lifetime Achievement Award for 4 Scientists
  • 13th CM Kang Tournament : Gallery
  • The chappals we leave behind
  • Search 25 years of e-pao.net
  • North East India Fest @ London : Gallery
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #23
  • 360° panoramic view of spots in Manipur
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1