How Manipur Was Fairing

Rajendra Sagolsem *

I visited Manipur in the month of November, 2010, from 02-16. That's why I couldn't contribute anything to E-Pao during this period. During my visit, I experienced so many good things and so many bad things there.

I will narrate some of them for your information. The first thing that impressed me most was the construction of three sheds of NUPI KHEITHEL. They were constructed in an international style. They were constructed in such a way that the original shop vendors would be retained but the outside look would change into a Chinese or Japanese pattern. If Chinese or Japanese and Manipuri patterns are the same, I will keep quiet.

Nupi Keithel 2 (Located at the North-East side from Shamu makhong) as seen sometime in the second week of November 2010

What surprised me the most is they told me they were IMA MARKET. I didn't say anything. If history is to be changed, then IMA MARKET and NUPI KEITHEL is the same thing. But if we believe in history and want to retain the original name of the newly face lifted markets, then it should be NUPI KEITHEL. Reports told me that there isn't anybody who can stand up to protest. Manipur was in such a very pitiable condition.

Next to Nupi Keithel, there is another market called NUPA KEITHEL. It lies at the stretch of Keisampat, Wahengbam Leikai. I saw all of these markets with my own eyes. I am a living witness to the truth of their existence.

But nobody is demanding for construction or face lifting of NUPA KEITHEL. What the NUPAs are doing in Manipur? I am neither a feminist nor a person who believes in male chauvinisms. I just want that the truth prevails. Let the history be there as it is without distortion.

Otherwise, I appreciate the Manipur Government's policy. So many State Highways were broadened and topped up. Sewage systems were under constructions. Development was in the full swing. Capitol Project was under speedy completion.

But I couldn't walk on a pedestrian's footpath because I didn't see any of them during my visit. So let the Manipur Government think of its common peoples' places such as footpaths and city gardens.

Further, I want to draw the attention of E-Pao that

• Garbage problem in Imphal city is increasing in geometrical progress.
• Electric Power supply is not reliable.
• Internet facilities are not at par with other states.
• Petrol and diesel are not supplied well.
• Whereas ATMs are available 24 hours in other parts of the country, in Imphal they were available for a few hours. Account holders started lining up in queue since early hours.

I used to stand there once with an umbrella in the scorching and blackening heat from 11:00 AM and I got my turn only at 3:30 PM.

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* Rajendra Sagolsem (Director, SAFE Group of Instirutions, Bangalore) writes to e-pao.net regularly
The writer is a counselor, motivator and educational advisor serving at present as a Director in the SAFE Group of Institutions, Bangalore. He has writtern many eBooks on motivation and counseling.
You can visit the writer's blog here or email at razensag(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on December 02, 2010.

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