TODAY -

E-Pao! Opinion - Don't blame us

Don't blame us

By: Nongmaithem Meghanath *



My attention at the moment is to express the fear that we have about being in Manipur. I am not even sure if I would be able to say the reason for the fear out of fear.

The above line doesn't sound too good for a Man to utter it, but the fact is everyone has been going through this long enough to embrace it as a package of being a Manipuri. I would have been able to take my heart out had I been sharing this with a close friend of mine but my intent of sharing is with the public.

It took me more than 10 minutes to start this line wondering what would be the best way to write without bruising someone's ego. The initial attempt seems to have been diverted slightly due to the emphasis given to self-security in those 10 minutes thought.

I have freedom of expression, yet it is as good as being naked in winter. I don't find much of a use of taking out frustration, as a normal human being would do.

How often do you think about your death?

I think, we generally do more often than any others. Camouflage dress is an index to the thought of death for us whereas it should have been an assurance of security.

You have no hope for assuring security of life to your family above their daily bread. It is so humiliating and frustrating to live yet you love yourself for being here. It is neither emotions nor patriotism but a generic humane feeling.

Why should I go through so much of insecurity trauma when I haven't done anything wrong for the society or myself? If the intention is to create fear, it has been done more than required.

It is needless to mention what is happening and "why" doesn't help you much. This is not all, we still have an old movement, which started with a belief that we are the water, and they are the fish. I wonder if that motive is being respected till now. Things change with time and time usually has its charms to set things right with the changing things but it seems things have driven the time.

We are torn off between a movement of liberation and a control/suppression mechanism of the liberation. To make the matter worse we have sub liberation movement headed by conflicting ideas and a control process that sweeps through the general people with inhuman strokes.

We are attempting to liberate ourselves from the current agony and pain with no one to help but people to drag you to institutions where they teach you to liberate yourself by giving illicit short term remedies. We have become objects functioned by instincts and seem to only react on visible threat to life. We need fresh mindset and a free peaceful environment to think like a human not a beastly environment.

It doesn't make any sense to keep pointing on people for what we are because there are a huge number of people within the people who are not responsible for what we are going through. It is not a fair deal for the innocence to give convenience to the culprits by blaming the entire society and making him feel safe.

We were born and brought up in a corrupt society, with each move of life accompany by dirty social teachings threatening the creativity of childhood. We grew up with an education where the system is complete only when you have people polluting it.

We believed our elders and followed their advice. We learnt from books with our heart not to do wrong things but the practical aspects were demonstrated against what we have learnt by our elders. This is where our elders have guided us.

I don't intend to blame anyone for the bad things as the skill developed for identifying the bad things have been also inherited from the elders. Our elders have given enough for us to learn and we seem to have learnt a lot only to go their way. It is in the best interest of our generation to unwind the inappropriate learning's and rescrub the society framed by our forefathers.

The most acute problem is, we have a distinctive gap between our mentality and the mentalities of a civilised society. We are talking about people not individuals who have attained both.

WAIT!!!! Did I say "exercising mentality of a civilised as well as ours at the same time"? As a matter of fact, they are the ones leading us. Its time you take the responsibility of welfare of your family and yours in all the area that the society has skipped to look at.

You wouldn't be able to blame anyone when your children points at your short sightedness.


Nongmaithem Meghanath contributes regularly to e-pao.net . The writer can be contacted at [email protected] . This article was webcasted on December 26th, 2006.


* 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
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Thangal Tomb : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • India-Myanmar territorial exchange
  • The quiet alienation of living in Manipur
  • Babina wins AHPI Leadership Awards 2026
  • Brazil's favelas are reimagining HIV prevention
  • Foreign funds & responsible civil society
  • Dipholu release postponed
  • Taking the NRC demand to Delhi
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #1 : Gallery
  • Most neglected root causes of Manipur crisis
  • If the State moves on Agarwood now
  • The genesis of wars and conflicts :: Poem
  • Support to "No NRC, No Census"
  • The gem of transparent public procurement
  • Understanding the angst of the people
  • 35th Manipuri Language Day, 20 August
  • 'Beating of the Retreat' #2 : Gallery
  • Citizens of Manipur can reverse the downslide
  • Condolence Message : Niketu Iralu
  • Delhi Fashion Week 2026 launched
  • Community-based model transforming HIV
  • Eco-Sustainable 'Pine Home' Project
  • Assembly resolution of 2022: Update NRC
  • 77th Indian Republic Day #5 : Gallery
  • Engagement: SCGJWD Logistics & Transworld
  • 'Toy Gun' Featured in at BISFF 2026
  • India shrinking relationship with neighbours
  • A generation that undervalue experiences
  • Visit to displaced Naga families at Makhan
  • 8th Foundation Day of World Meetei Council
  • Rising call for NRC first, census later
  • 80th Independence Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Wungphayo, Jianlungpou : Eming
  • Durand Cup : Touching the hearts
  • 2nd "Fields of Hope" at Bengaluru
  • The torchbearers of Independent Bharat
  • Working Women : Flight, hope & challenges
  • Time to focus on the hills
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #6
  • Abok Ki Singju: A Student Film
  • 80th Independence Day at 1st MR Ground
  • 80th Independence Day at Senapati
  • Peace begins with us :: Poem
  • Delhi Fashion Week 2026 Auditions
  • Reliance Foundation's Scholarships open
  • Remembering the martyrs of 1891
  • NEROCA Vs TRAU: Durand Cup #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur: The best place on earth If we change
  • Why Manipur Needs Special Economic Zone
  • 7-Week Free Cancer Screening
  • Safe Release of 3 Thadou Individuals
  • Cambodia's HIV success
  • Normalcy still a far cry away
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Hicham : Gallery
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Manipur: NRC before it will accept Census
  • India-Myanmar border dispute & land swap
  • 135th Patriots' Day at Arunachal
  • What is ABHA ?
  • How to eliminate the smell from home
  • Call to surrender all illegal arms
  • A Brief History of DM College
  • 2026 MaolKeki Memorial Scholarships
  • MU's intervention in Manipur's crisis
  • Hiroshima and Nagasaki revisited
  • Harshit Dhingaun: "Best Bollywood Host"
  • Organ Donation : The gift of life
  • LGBI Airport Advances Water Sustainability
  • Power supply : The rising need
  • Ibudhou Thangjing Haraoba #2 : Gallery
  • MKF Robert Memorial Internship Award
  • Indigenous Peoples Day @Chingmeirong
  • A bodybuilding saga from Ukhrul
  • World Elephant Day 2026
  • Endorsed Rio's letter to Home Minister
  • YAS Employee Association suspends Strike
  • Call to enlist Meiteis in ST category
  • Raengdai Vs TRAU - Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Youth Advocacy, Civil Society, & Peacebuilding
  • Panthung (The Last Spring Of Love)
  • The Price of Your Vote :: Poem
  • Manipuri custom into a green movement
  • 'Govt Must Pursue Census Deferment'
  • Flawed convention on violence against women
  • Lying in state since June 10
  • Wakol Laoba : A Philosophical Analysis
  • Moirang Phi: Living fabric of Manipuri Culture
  • 15 Reels- Preservation Digitisation in Italy
  • The Clotted Cream of Desire :: Poem
  • 5th Tree Plantation at Porompat
  • Resilience of Hope :: Poem
  • Handloom: Weaving the future of Viksit Bharat
  • Reaching out to Kangpokpi
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #5
  • Lifetime Achievement Award for 4 Scientists
  • 13th CM Kang Tournament : Gallery
  • N Tomchou : Gold @ Asian Weightlifting
  • Shards of Home :: Poem
  • Entrepreneurship Development Program
  • Mohan Bhagwat & Gen Z
  • 77th Indian Republic Day #4 : Gallery
  • The chappals we leave behind
  • Takhellambam Rani: National Handloom Award
  • Col M Ranjit's book: Long journey west
  • FNTA (Frontier Nagaland) deal defies logic
  • 54 months to end AIDS and TB
  • Rs 1 crore flood relief drive in Assam
  • Issues and issues before Imphal
  • Mandengbam Jadumani @ Airport : Gallery
  • A consortium of scientific organizations
  • Extortion the Tyrant, Inflation the Demon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • 16th Foundation Day: Meghalaya Film Maker
  • Monsoon foot care
  • Growing call to weed out illegals
  • Naophangpa & the Boy Who Saved Kangla
  • Tingkuradin : Sacred text of Tingkao Ragwang
  • Nurturing Green Minds Youth & Eco Clubs
  • A tribute to Ruskin Bond
  • Ambedkar in Parliamentary ICU :: Poem
  • Cut to community-led service could spark HIV
  • Flood Relief initiative of Rs 21 Lakh
  • The service in healthcare : The human touch
  • Raengdai Vs Navy Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Policy Shift from Jhum to Sustainable Farming
  • Where the Earth Learns to Be Still :: Poem
  • MAGIZH : A homecoming, a legacy
  • Non-notified load shedding or technical issues
  • Japan can teach India on educational reform
  • Rs 21 crores for Assam flood relief
  • Guns going silent since 1997
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #24
  • Mitigating flood risks in Manipur
  • Young Talent Artistes Award 2026-27
  • Entrepreneurship Development Programme
  • Environment Day needs to stop playing safe
  • House in the Moonlight :: Poem
  • Building trust between communities
  • Naga Peace Process: Indo-Naga Talk: Timeline
  • Search 25 years of e-pao.net
  • Rain In July :: Poem
  • Remembering the Forgotten Army
  • YengjaKhige : Story on friendship released
  • Rani Gaidinliu Girls' Hostel in Pune
  • Expansion after election
  • Capacity Building Programme for Legal Aid
  • July 4 : Reaching out to CCpur
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #4
  • NEROCA Vs TRAU: Durand Cup #1 : Gallery
  • China's Conflict Mediation in Myanmar
  • From Affection To Compassion :: Poem
  • Nature's parenting awards
  • Rs 11 Crore for Assam Flood Relief
  • CBSE Cluster-I Badminton Championship
  • Candle Light Vigil @Kangla : Gallery
  • Zomi Leaders meet CM @Imphal : Gallery
  • Honoring 3 Global Achievers from Manipur
  • Apou Koklou : Peipou, owner of Gods' Court
  • The attendance crisis in higher education
  • How does Govt view village volunteers ?
  • Feature Film 'Bokshi' to release this Oct
  • Initiating move to talk with the UNC
  • NE Book Fair Imphal @Lamphel #1 : Gallery
  • M Ranjit's book: The Long Journey West
  • Nasha Mukt Yuva at Maram
  • Leinana Yomlibi - A Dynamic Musical Offering
  • Thailand's community-led HIV revolution
  • Bridal skincare tips for the monsoon
  • Relief Team visited Mon District
  • State failure vis-a-vis extortion on highways
  • Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal
  • August Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • North East India Fest @ London : Gallery
  • The Legacy & Power of the Meitei Nupi
  • Barun - 1st All-Women Vyas Ojapali Troupe
  • The Sino-Indian boundary question
  • A story of love, laughter, & society
  • Extortion & mud: Defining aspects of NH-37
  • Kang Khichri Chaba #1 : Gallery
  • Products of Artisans from Relief Camps
  • World Hepatitis Day 2026
  • When dreams stolen before they even begin
  • Moksha Panigrahi Won "Pride of India 2026"
  • Tiger, the majestic species of the planet
  • Relief efforts in flood-hit Upper Assam
  • Drug money and Manipur violence
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #23
  • 135th Durand Cup: Manipur's football empire
  • 17th Anniv of Rabina & Sanjit: Gallery
  • Sinakeithei: Firearms for Kuki narco-terrorist
  • Collateral damage :: Poem
  • CM Artistsingi Tengbang pension
  • Call for NRC & state's indifference
  • Protest - NEET 2026 leak : Gallery
  • Traffic Advisory : Durand Cup 2026
  • 10th NE Int'l Fashion Week 2026 concluded
  • Rise, Resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan
  • A classroom of dreams, a trap of neglect
  • Nature Conservation Day 2026
  • Cross-border drug networks
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #3
  • 26th Kargil Vijay Divas
  • Kargil Vijay Divas
  • Crowns built on conflict :: Poem
  • Meitei police, Naga police, Kuki police
  • 1st Foundation Day of Peerless Hospital
  • Rs 50 lakhs support for cardiac treatment
  • Kang Chingba @Kakwa, Singjamei : Gallery
  • That FB/X Post didnt come from Politician
  • Posts @ Life Sciences, Manipur Univ
  • The Blueprint of Ruins :: Poem
  • Implications of Bahuda Rath Yatra
  • Nari Shakti, from promise to delivery
  • SoO at the centre of storm
  • Flag off: 135th Durand Cup @Sendra : Gallery
  • Manipur's booming bridal makeup culture
  • A rainy day @ Ima Keithel : Gallery
  • Ahingee Laan @ JNMDA #3 : Gallery
  • 'Homecoming Ceremony' KCP-PWG : Gallery
  • Early History of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad #3
  • The Forgotten Kings : A Hearthside Story
  • Linthoi Chanambam : Gold at Asian Judo
  • North East India Festival 2026 at UK
  • A gory slaughter :: Poem
  • Kang Chingba @Thangal Keithel : Gallery
  • Manipur needs a livelihood policy, not relief
  • Kang Chingba @Govindajee Temple : Gallery
  • 2004 Kangla Protest: Anti-Repression Day
  • 63rd Mr Manipur @ MU #5 : Gallery
  • Seasonal Fishes @Ima Keithel #3: Gallery
  • Early History of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad #2
  • Solo Dance: Wahengbam Debina #2: Gallery
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #2 : Gallery
  • 63rd Mr Manipur @ MU #4 : Gallery
  • Boy Who Dredged the Rivers: Taothingmang
  • Day 3 : Yaoshang Festivities : Gallery
  • Day 3 : Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • Sillam Sintha Jagoi @ATINGA : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #3: Gallery
  • 360° panoramic view of spots in Manipur
  • ANSAM Rally demanding justice : Gallery
  • 25th The Great June Uprising #2 : Gallery
  • Candle Light Vigil @ New Checkon : Gallery
  • Tree Plantation Drive @ Mekola : Gallery
  • 25th The Great June Uprising #1 : Gallery
  • Manipuri and Bishnupriya Manipuri
  • Massacres perpetrated by Kukis during British
  • Remains of 6 Naga hostages @JNIMS: Gallery
  • 'No NRC Update No Census' Rally : Gallery
  • Showcasing Manipur @Switzerland : Gallery
  • The King Who Came from the Sky: Pakhangpa
  • Chakan Gang-Ngai 2026 : Ooba Video
  • >
  • How to Break Manipur w/o Breaking Any Laws
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Full Result
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Withheld-students
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Important Information
  • Tronglaobi: 2 children laid to rest : Gallery
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • Killing of 2 children @ Tronglaobi : Gallery
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1