Who is responsible for the present condition of Manipur

Gautam *

The youngsters in Japan respect their elders. No doubt Japanese are one of the most disciplined and cultured lot on this planet, but the respect they give to their seniors is not because of that. It is something else. And it is mutual. It is the result of the hard work and dedication the seniors have put in to make Japan a prosperous and a safe place for the younger generations to come. The youngsters realise that, had the Japanese elders not put in their hard work and efforts in transforming Japan, it (Japan) would not have been what it is today. This is the kind of respect nobody can take away from them (seniors). They have earned this respect. And in return, the youngsters vow to follow that tradition by being a good senior citizen themselves when they become one.

But on the contrary, look at the elders of Manipur. They are hell bent on making Manipur a living hell. There might come a time when youngsters would not even give respect to their own parents. Japanese seniors teach their children/juniors, if not verbally but through examples, to be honest and hardworking. But the Manipuri elders teach their juniors to be corrupt and dishonest. In Manipur, the father may not smoke in front of his son or daughter, but he would definitely ask the neighbour’s son to fetch cigarettes for him leave alone smoking in front of them.

The current trend of securing a government job in Manipur through bribes and commissions is very disturbing. The elders does not realise the impact this trend will have on the minds of the younger generations. The corruption which has become the trend in Manipur will have a long lasting impact on the generations to come.The damage this trend would have caused would be irreparable even after many generations are gone. There won’t be any brilliant mind to take Manipur forward. Thank you senior citizens of Manipur for this gift called corruption.

I have no facts or data to substantiate my claims and I will not be in a position to defend myself if any legal action is initiated.

So please correct me if my information is incorrect. The rumour is that the respected heads of our state has accumulated land within Imphal area either in their name or on a relative's name. Rs 15-20 Lacs is said to be the amount for securing a small job in the police department as SI. I hear that Rs 15 lacs is the asking rate for the supervisor post in the social welfare department for which recruitment is going on. No wonder the SIs or the ASIs of the police department doesn’t listen to their seniors nor could the Ministers take any action on the erring police officers. The not so recent incident of July 23rd, 2009 Khwairamband Bazar shooting case is the testimony to that. Inspite of the evidences (Tahelka Photos), the erring police commandos are roaming scot free. The government (Chief Minister) could not take any actions against the commandos as it would mean prosecuting himself. Rumours have it that if the guilty commandos are prosecuted, they (guilty commandos) have sworn to expose every minister and police officers of their misdeeds done through them.

Every job has a rate in Manipur, be it government or private. It is not surprising to see private companies which have recently ventured into Manipur, following the trend. I hear that the land owners have to pay to the Cellular companies a certain amount (say Rs 70,000 -1,00,000) to have mobile towers erected at their place. When in actuality the cellular companies should be paying the land owners. I am sure this must be the handy work of the agents who are Manipuris themselves and not part of the cellular company. It is the dream of every parent to leave their children into a better and secure future. To do that, they give them the best of education. Some are educated to be doctors, some engineers, some MBAs. How happy one's parent must be when they see their children do well in life. They sure must feel relieved and content of their life.

Few years back, when I was looking out for jobs my parents were needless to say worried to the core. Ours is the middle class family of Manipur. My parents have a very humble upbringing. And they are simple government employees. They have no fortunes to leave behind for me. So, the very idea of leaving me without a job (insecure), when they were gone bothered them a lot. Luckily they are not worried now as I have a job. But look around you; you have friends, who are not as lucky as you or I are to be employed. What their parents must be going through?

Throughout the history of civilization, it is the seniors and the people in the higher ups who have played an important role in the shaping of the nation. Having said that it doesn’t mean that youngsters have no role to play. They should but not as vital as the seniors should play. Otherwise could you imagine a 10 year old kid to be the chief minister of Manipur and make all the important decisions of development? No. But who are to be blamed for the chaos in Manipur? And I would definitely say it is the seniors and the people in the higher ups and the chief minister of Manipur (especially CM, being the head of Manipur) to be blamed. The CM could be anybody. If not Mr Okram Obobi, it could have been anyone else and he would have done the same thing.

After all he is a Manipuri and corruption is our motto. And talk of leaving our sons and daughters in a secure future and a secure place, the CM of Manipur may have properties in Delhi or in other parts of India or even in the US, UK. He may even have his sons and daughters living there. However hard they may try to adopt the culture of other states, they will always be a Manipuri and an outsider to these people (non-Manipuris) just as Non-Manipuris are outsiders to us (a fact and not just my imagination/assumptions). The north Indians are not safe in Maharashtra. The south Indians are not safe in north India. Punjabis were not safe in Delhi (the riot in Delhi against Punjabis in 1984 - post Indira Gandhi’s assassination).

The Indians are not safe in US, UK or other foreign countries. The case being the recent attacks on Indians in Australia, USA, etc. Then what to talk of Manipuris in other states. I know other Indian states are far better and secured than Manipur. But just as India is the safest place for any Indians, Manipur is and should be the safest place for any Manipuri so to speak. So it is the responsibility of the senior citizens, the leaders, the people in the higher ups and most importantly the CM of Manipur to develop and make Manipur the safest place.

I wonder if any senior citizens or the CM of Manipur ever reads comments posted on the e-pao portal. I would be very happy if they do. If the senior citizens or the CM of Manipur are reading this piece, please have a thought on these questions,

1. Would you make Manipur a secure place for your children and grand children?

2. How would you like to be remembered?

3. Would you like to earn the respect of the younger generation? How?


The choice you make now will decide the future of the younger generations. And remember the younger generation includes your sons and daughters and your grandchildren. Now the choice is yours. "As I am slowly but definitely turning into a senior, I am afraid I would not be able to leave a safe and a prosperous Manipur for the younger generation".