No country for the 'outsider'
- Part 2 -

Kishore Seram, DNA *

Protest in Delhi against the killing of Nido Taniam - a youth from Arunachal Pradesh on February 01 2014. Pix : Debanish Achom

Manipur, literally meaning the 'land of jewels', was described as the 'Switzerland of India' by Lord Irwin and as the 'Jewel of India' by Jawaharlal Nehru. But to many fellow Indians it is a 'God-forsaken' place inhabited by hostile tribes with bizarre customs and habits.

Ostensibly innocent queries like "Do you eat snakes and cockroaches?", with expressions ready to explode into an "Ughh!" expose the prejudice, the real contempt behind the facade of curiosity.

Alright, the head clerk who confuses Manipur with Thailand, the jawan who had a tough time in the jungles of Manipur, the retired couple who wanted to employ me as a cook; let's say they can be excused for being ignorant of what was 'not worth knowing for them'. We'll bear and grin.

But we, people who live in our economically backward states, we hold a grudge against the 'enlightened' lot. We admit our states are enfeebled, but we refuse to be treated as 'handicapped', an attitude which has turned all the investments of the Centre into an economic-crutch and nothing more.

Notwithstanding the deplorable failure of these state governments, the people of these isolated states continue to look up to the Centre for the fulfilment of their aspirations. They blame the Indian government for its failure to bridge the many gaps. It is this feeling of being left out from the national mainstream that is the single most important factor for the insurgent uprisings in the North-East.

We have to clear up this distrust and contempt for each other - my fear that you scheme to rape the virgin, not win her love. Your prejudice that hostile spears lurk in jungles, supposedly forbidden.

Forget the hostile spears, free-sex, hedonism and cockroaches. They are figments of a prejudiced imagination. We are a hospitable lot. Love is sacred, women are respected and we kill cockroaches for the same reasons you do.

What we wish for is your interest in the rich mosaic of tradition and the cultural patterns of my state, for you to accept the variety with pride- perhaps even a sense of belonging.

Isn't it interesting that the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose first hoisted the national tri-colour on Indian territory - in Manipur? Close to that sacred spot is the beautiful Loktak Lake (the largest fresh-water lake in the North-East), where fishermen live in huts built on floating marshes.

And I am sure the epic of Khamba and Thoibi, all our folklore, literature and history of the days of kings and demigods, will enthral you. You can also witness a game of polo played at its birthplace, Manipur. Or shop for exquisite handloom and handicrafts in Khwairamband market, the largest exclusively women's market in the country.

And while you appreciate the exotic landscape of Manipur, we can talk of many things of import and pride.

And as you and I begin to understand and share our treasures, you will also appreciate why the people of these isolated states are crying to be recognized as the proud keepers of distinct, rare and beautiful treasures - an important part of the wonderful Indian tapestry.

Concluded