The Right Path to Salvation

By "theone lik" *

Since ages there has been this ongoing argument over what step we should take in order to shape up the future of Manipur or in other words get rid of the plague which infected Manipur. Different people have different views as far as the plight of the Manipuris is concerned. Some say it's the Indian Government, some say it's the militants, some say it's the corrupted politicians and some say it's the ignorant population.

If we truly want to bring a solution to this conundrum then we ought to eliminate this facet of ambiguity completely or count these different variables as a whole and proceed further. I don't give a damn to what others think of my view but let me put it straight, there's no point in arguing over whether the insurgency movement in Manipur should be welcomed or not. Everyone knows that a man without money and a gun in hand can't make his presence felt in our motherland.

Because, now Manipur has become a sort of hellish place where the power comes from the barrel of a gun and not from the collective or legitimate process of execution of power over the many aspects of social change and development. So, what I believe is that instead of giving much importance to what some with bloodsucking attitude are acting as well as how the central government is segregating us from the mainland India through many exploitative policies, it'd be much better if we try to focus more on how we can drag ourselves out of this dark abyss.

Believe me if we don't act soon enough then it'll reach the point of no return, and then there will come a day when there won't be any trace of Manipur or Manipuri on this planet. Taking up arms is not the right way to get the desired things out of Indian Union. It's really difficult to explain but the notion of Manipur being a totally separate entity which can stand on its own is hard to digest (I don't know about you people but it's to me).

Look at the world today, it's developing at such a fast rate and we can say that this is the time when we human beings can celebrate it as the time when we are at the pinnacle of our scientific development and advancement. So do you people really think that after getting independence or autonomy from India, Manipur as an independent state can be in the same league with the other nations of the world?

The developed countries like USA (NASA), Japan (JAXA) , Russia (RKA), Canada (CSA) and European Space Agency (ESA) are on the verge of completing the first ever Space Station. And how about us? It takes more than 6 years to complete a simple over-bridge (not a many branched state-of-the-art flyover) in Manipur.

Accordingly, we should be quite aware of our own stand in today's world. The other countries are far ahead and it'll be really absurd to compare the New Independent Manipur with other nations of the world. To reach that level we'll have to wait for another millennia, which we can't. Instead of this if we grow along with India as a nation and at the same time taking up necessary steps to maintain our identity then we'll be at the same level with other nations.

It'll be unwise to go on a separate way from India after more than 50 years of subjugation and segregation (the damage is already done). We can't unwind what had happened in past and it'll be much better if we flow along with the flowing current instead of swimming against it. Without understanding our true worth we shouldn't dream of making a call for open war with such an established nation like India.

We know very well that we don't stand a chance against them in any way. Be it an open war or a strong political agitation it won't bring any difference. We should accept this harsh truth and act in accordance with it. We can refer to Burma as an example; look at what happened to Burma. It's now torn between different military outfits who are struggling for power without any absolute authority to contend them. And it's the people who are suffering out there which can't even raise a voice.

Same would be with Manipur; it may be worse then what's happening in Burma given the current scenario of Manipur (so many militant factions). You may hate me but I don't think we should try to separate ourselves from India. Moreover it's us who are gnawing away at our own flesh and bone not any outsider. There won't be any outcome of supreme importance after getting rid of Indian Union. It'll furthermore increase the plight of the people of Manipur.

Some may say we can do on our own. Whose support will you take in order to rise from the ashes? Will our much needed savior be China or Japan or Germany or Russia or USA? Don't forget that in South-East Asia we have China which is a power and territory hungry global monster. If you are aware about what happened with Tibet then I don't need to write much on that aspect and waste time (I can write another one on it later on).

I can't afford to let Manipur become another Burma, I just can't. There are so many things to be said about the concept behind Indian Union and the loopholes which are hampering in achieving the desired status and solidarity. We are not the only state in India which has grudges against the Union. Every state has its own share of grievances. I mean to say we are not the only one who is harboring the feeling of dissatisfaction towards the Central Government of India.

You can find regionalism in every nook and corner of India for that matter. So let's stop dreaming about an independent Manipur. If you really love dreaming then you can start dreaming of becoming a part of USA after getting independence from India. Really, you just have to write a mail to Obama telling him the misfortune of Manipuris and he'll be more than happy to butt in on the affairs.

If Hawaii can be a part of USA then why not Manipur? After all theirs is the melting-pot of all the existing cultures that the world has ever known (this one is for those people who are hoping to get help from China and Japan after the much dreamed independence from India). The best thing that we can do according to me is to get within their social, economical and cultural framework and take the best of the best opportunities out of them (we should learn from Mizoram and Nagaland when it comes to being an opportunist).

Why don't we think of becoming someone whose voice can be heard by the entire nation? We can also try to uplift our social status by becoming numero uno in all the good things like education, sport, industry and glamour? Yes, you have read it right, I said glamour. We can develop our fashion industry simultaneously with other social institutions like education system and industrial unit.

Just imagine having a successful Manipuri model on national scene, someone that can raise collective voice for the people of Manipur. I hope you all know the power that a celebrity commands over the masses in India today (it's just another simple example of the things that one can do). My point is we should try to become a force to reckon with in these acceptable fields not in extorting money from our own brothers in the name of patriotism (it sickens me).

We can also take into consideration the present state of the youths in Manipur. So many youths are into drugs and because of this a generation or two are already wasted. If we don't take up the necessary step to curb it then it'll become cancerous to the well being of Manipur (there will be a specific article on this).

It's like Britishers corrupting the youths of China through opium in an attempt to establish colonial rule over them as well. So we must understand the essence of having a battery of efficient youths who are willing to be on their mettle to safeguard the delicate social, cultural and economical fabric of Manipur. Today's youths are tomorrow's pillar upon which the whole structure of the society will rest.

So stop fooling around and lets get down to the serious business of digging ourselves out of this situation through the positive means of growth with the help of values like determination, perseverance, unity, visionary, tolerance, quality education and most importantly hard work (lets work our asses off for a better tomorrow guys).

Playing the blame game won't bring any desirable result. Hence, we should concentrate more on rebuilding the important constituents of development by developing ourselves first. There is a saying that if you want to bring the changes then you be the change first. Pointing fingers at other people isn't a good option.

Life is not a cigarette which you can smoke and get another one when you are through with it, rather it's like a blank canvas you got to be careful with in putting the right streak and amount of colour to paint a masterpiece.