Street-sale of petrol adorn Myanmar landscape
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 25 2012: A sight common to both Manipur and its immediate neighbour Myanmar is the sale of petrol/diesel on the streets.

This common sight however differs in the fact that which such a practice here is illegal in Myanmar the small-time traders thrive with the blessing of the military junta.

During a recent visit to the military-ruled State as a member of the Indo-Myanmar Car Rally, it came to light that almost the entire stretch of the national highway from the border town Tamu to the interior region of Mandalay is cluttered with men and women displaying large jerrycans, mostly containing petrol.

Significantly, along the same route not a single petrol/fuel outlet could be seen, which an informed source attributed to poor economic condition of the common people contrary to a handful of citizens close to the military rulers notably getting wealthier.

Despite blessed with rich natural resources but nullified by lack of infrastructure or technological development, people of the neighbouring country continue to suffer due to the rider that any business venture should either have the consent of the local military authorities or should be a public-military partnership, the source explained.

Fuel put up for sale on the roadi side of Myanmar

the military controls almost every aspect of life in Myanmar that approval of the military is a necessity for the common citizens to own a four-wheeler.

Economic disparity between the military officials, or someone close to such individuals/families, and the common citizens is also glaringly evident when one goes beyond the city limits as shanty houses are common sights in localities where majority of the population are economically deprived.

When enquired about existence of high-rises and palatial buildings in these mostly-poor areas it came to light that owners of such houses are either military officials or someone close to influential individuals.

Even though sighting military personnel on the roadside or residential areas is very rare in the military-controlled Myanmar a closer scrutiny of certain individuals on the streets will unravel that these individuals in civil attires are actually equipped in wireless sets, thereby a reaffirmation that military personnel are present at every nook and corner.

That the common citizens are not rich enough is also evident when one takes into account the number of Chinese-made motorbikes in Mandalay, a city which was once the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Burma.

Compared to both adult male and female citizens zipping through the city on the bikes, presence of four-wheelers such as car is very minimal.

Another example of the Myanmar citizens' status is the number of cars outnumbering motorbikes in the former capital Yangoon and Nypyitaw, the present day administrative hub of the country.

Yet another point to ponder on the economic hardships faced by the common citizens is the women-only workforce engaged in development/repairing or black-topping of roads, an indication that both male and female adults of a family need to work to sustain livelihood.

Women labourers are also found to be involved in the road development works being undertaken by Indian construction agencies at many stretch of the national highways.

Inspite of economic disparity being a chronic problem in Myanmar, the crime rate against the womenfolk is informed to be almost nil and which could be comprehended from the sight of working women late at night as well as early morning.

One positive development which was evident during the short visit concerns punctuality of the working class, who regards time as priceless, unlike in Manipur where all events or functions revolve around the common adage 'Meitei Pung' .

Inspite of the poor economic status of Myanmarese compared to individual indian citizens the former religiously abides with prescribed traffic norms and there is no sign of haphazard parking of vehicles.

While lack of development of the tourism sector is considered to be one of the impediments in income generation for Manipur, foreign tourists in Myanmar provides substantial income to many a tourist guides, who also ensure that the visitors are well informed about every aspect of their country.

Due to apparent curb on the media, television networks or cable service providers telecast only those news channels approved by the military leaders even though Chinese programmes are commonly popular in larger cities.

With regard to the new national capital Nypyitaw, multi-storeyed Government buildings, hotels and shopping malls have been developed by the military junta along with well-planned roads even though residential places at the outskirts of the city again reminds one on the poverty of the common people.

During interaction some Myanmar citizens were frank enough to admit that they expect more political freedom in the coming years for elections were held to establish a democratic form of Government in March 2011.Once feared for military reprisals, some shopkeepers apparently emboldened by the change in attitude of the military rulers, could be seen selling photographs of the iconic Aung San Suu Kyi.