There is clash between personal and public interest of CSOs, says Prof W Nabakumar
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 28 2012: Expressing his unhappiness over the changing trends and activities among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and their leaders, Professor W Nabakumar of Department of Anthropology, Manipur University has categorically observed, "There is always a clash between the personal and public interest among the CSO's leaders in Manipur" .

Speaking as Chief Guest of the 14th Foundation Day celebration of United People's Front (UPF) at Manipur Press Club here today, Prof Nabakumar said, "Development of a society is also depending upon the contributions made by CSOs.

However, considering the changing trends among the Civil Society Organisations in Manipur, it is clear that there is always a clash between personal and public interest among the CSO's leaders" .

Prof W Nabakumar of MU speaking at the function

Calling upon all the CSOs to work together, Prof Nabakumar went on to say, "Instead of doing any other social development activities, most of the CSOs in the state are only conducting their routine and calendar works and the time has come to ponder upon the works done by them" .

Further, he said that a few of them (scholars and pro-social development leaders) are meeting at every function conducted by various Civil Society Organizations advising and giving nice speeches.

However, none of them implemented their own good advises.

Due to the lack of "dignified existence" instinct among the people of Manipur, a "dependency culture" has developed and it is deeply rooted in the minds of the people, he observed.

Terming all the people of Manipur as "backboneless", Prof Nabakumar said that we should think how we became backboneless people; is it due to the inclusion of Manipur in Indian federation or are we already backboneless? .

President of All Manipur Working Journalist Union A Mobi, who attended the function as one of the Guests of Honour, noted that the rapport between CSOs and public is decreasing day by day due to the working nature of CSOs and their leaders in Manipur.

He also said that if we have to be unified, likeminded people/organizations have to first of all come up together as one.

Pointing out the differences between the great two leaders of India; Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the AMWJU President said that Gandhi worked on objectives whereas Nehru worked for society as well as for the betterment of his family.

Because of Nehru's working nature for the society, even after his death, his progenies are aiming the Prime Minister's post.

But, for a society like Manipur what we need is a leader like Gandhi who worked for the betterment of the entire society and sacrificed everything for an independent India.

Contending that there are many Manipuris who never consider as themselves as Indian but always cast their vote during election, Editor of Freedom, R K Ranendrajit, who was another Guest of Honour of the function, said that we should take a serious note about the relationship between India and Manipur.

Delivering his presidential address, B M Yaima Shah, President of UPF, said that all the CSOs are in a state of confusion due to the myriad issues and happenings in the state on daily basis.

Founder President of UPF Kh Ratan; Secy of Development Samaj Ema Ramani; Vice President of AMUCO K Khelen were also among other leaders of various civil society organizations who attended and spoke on the occasion.