Psychopath regime
- Imphal Times Editorial :: September 06 2016 -

For the first time in the History of modern India, the Okram ibobi Singh-led state administration declared holiday on the day the nation celebrates the Teachers’ Day.

The special day for teachers, where they share their moments of joy with their students has been effectively curtailed.

The decision to declare holiday for all schools in the state is an open secret.

From common men to those working at the bureaucratic level, from primary teachers to those serving as professors in the university, everyone knows that the motive for declaration of holiday was in no way related with the celebration of the Teachers’ Day, but it was rather a measures whom the administration envisaged will be a tool to suppress the ongoing movement by students’ Wing of the JCILPS as well as the threat by BJP to disrupt the 2nd day’s session of the State legislative Assembly which is scheduled to adjourned sine die today.

The motive is clear; the government’s announcement on Teachers’ Day is nothing but to ensure the smooth flow of the session without any disturbances.

Or else, why should there be a curfew in the surroundings of State Legislative Assembly where our elected representatives are supposed to discuss the most important issues of the people of this state.

When steps or perhaps preventive measures are being taken up for the legislators and session of the house, it is unfortunate that the Ibobi Administration failed to realise how to pay fitting regards to the second president of free India - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

To put it straight, the new decision is a direct insult to the 2nd president of this country and a disregard to the teaching community of the state.

The ‘regime’ of Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, who heads the congress government in the state, has finally revealed their attitude towards the teaching community of the state.

A mere distribution of prizes or awards to some selected teachers in government organised function by shutting down all schools and colleges shows that the state government still is not able to understand the significance of the day.

As for information to the government of Manipur, 5th of September, every year is celebrated as Teachers' Day as a symbol of tribute and honour to the contribution made by teachers to the society.

From time immemorial, teachers have played an important role in the overall development of a person. They are capable to influence and mould a student's life positively.

Every student celebrates this day to encourage and support the contribution of his or her teacher. Children are the country's future, hence they need to be positively nurtured and that is done best by teachers as children get inspired by their teachers. Teachers enlighten students and shape their career.

The day marks a day of gratitude and respect to the selfless efforts of teachers.

This day is also celebrated to honour Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great teacher, academic philosopher and India's Second President as he was born on the same day in 1888.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was a strong supporter of education. Instead of celebrating his birthday separately he requested to observe the day as Teachers' Day to give honour to all the teachers in India. This appeal demonstrated his love for the teaching profession and since then 5th September is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.

On the occasion of Teacher's day, various cultural programs and activities take place in schools. Senior students dress up as teachers and take up their roles, giving out lectures and teaching the students of primary level.

By doing so, the students get a hands-on experience and realize how it feels to be a teacher. In some schools feasts are arranged and in some reunions are organized between the old students and teachers.

People call up their childhood teachers and let them know that they are still remembered, giving them immense happiness and appreciating them for all that they did for them.

Most students offer gifts like greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, pens, show pieces, books, etc. to their teachers on this special occasion. A gift reflects the love and respect for the teachers by their students.

However, as the day has been declared holiday, the day of Teachers has been shattered. Already, students of the state have been disturbed several times due to enumerable bandhs and blockade.

Many decried the closure of schools by these sorts of bandh called by CSOs or rebel groups. Now, if the government too use the same method than what makes them different from the pressure groups?

Dictionary describes a psychopath as a person with a psychopathic personality, which manifests as amoral and antisocial behaviour, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships, extreme egocentricity, failure to learn from experience, etc.

Do we need to elaborate further to term the Okram Ibobi Singh administration as “Psychopath Regime”?

A matter that need to be pondered upon by all.