The Sorry State that is Manipur

Source: Google

Yesterday India celebrated her 66^th Republic day with US President Barck Obama gracing the event. I have always felt patriotic on days like Republic Day and Independence Day since my childhood just like many millions of Indians. I used to be glued to our TV set watching Republic day parades and of course waiting patiently for the troops of Manipur. Back at home, kids must be watching it more because Republic day is not only a holiday but a general strike and parents would keep their wards off the streets into the safety of their homes for fear of bomb blasts and gun fires. Yes, never have there been a Republic Day or Independence Day in Manipur with the familiar news of gun fire, ambush or bandhs….it is just so pathetically predictable. Seriously for what? What do you seek? Independence? Are you f***ing kidding me? This year was no different. With reports of bomb blasts in and around Imphal and outfits proudly claiming it as their doing, the tradition is complete…deserted streets and fear! How can violence and fear be an answer to anything? Blame it on AFSPA, blame it on the Government, blame it on Delhi and every other person around…the system but that’s the way it goes! That’s the way things work at Manipur…lobbying, corruption, power and wealth.

I went home for two weeks early this year. My mind freshened; I got to breathe clean air, saw the blue skies, the starry nights, the winds playing with my curtain…so unlike the chaos of Delhi…and I also saw the corruption that went rampant. I was caught for not carrying wearing helmet and the traffic police asked the profession of my father. Such is the sorry state of affairs! Ours is a state based on lies and hypocrisy…you think this will last for long? And when I question about the functioning and the way things work, they say what do you know...you have never stayed here for long. Well, who cares?

I know ten years from now, things will change. The winds of change are finally here. It will take time but surely and steadily hope will remain. We need a generation who believes in this change. And yes, just like a good friend of mine suggested when we discussed about the needs of a good leader in our turmoil torn state that what we really need is not a good leader but a group who can make good leaders, some team who can imbibe the values of a good leader and back him/her with the people. Enough of all the bickering and politics, we need people who can sit together, bring forth ideas and talk and compromise and know his/her stand and that of others. I know deep down everyone is fed up of the violence and the anarchy that have become the image of our state. And yes, I am patriotic, I know my roots so I care. And I know many of my contemporaries care…and they are not okay with living life this way. And I know, they are tired of living away from home and want to come back and that no matter how tainted it is, we still long to be home. My voice will dwindle away for now but soon enough many thoughts like mine will surface up and there will be no turning around.  And what will remain will be peace and excellence….a new identity for us…an identity synonymous with truth and tolerance and development as a society whose realms are based on truth will only rise stronger!!

Peace!!

A Tribute to Loitam Richard

A week ago I never knew who Loitam Richard was. He was just a normal 19 years old kid aspiring to be an Architect enrolled in the Acharya NRV School of Architecture. He was a good football player and won many accolades during his school days and in college. He loved strumming the guitar and used to have crazy moments with his friends. He represents the entire youth of North East who left home to pursue their dreams sacrificing the comforts of home and adjusting to new cultures and food habits.

On the fateful night of 18th April, he was beaten to death following a quarrel with some of his hostel mates. The concerned authorities are still paying a deaf ears to all the hue and cry of Richard's family and friends claiming that Richard was a drug user and his death is accidental. They even mentioned of a minor accident which occurred 2 days prior to his death citing it as a possible cause of death. It is a shame that the college authority and the hostel warden are not able to come up with valid responses to the queries whilst the culprits still walks free oblivious to the massive anguish of hundreds of thousands of people.

Richard's death bears witness to the increasing rate of crimes due to discrimination against youth especially North East people. May be this is the sole reason that this incident touched the hearts of thousand of North East people and the facebook group created to seek justice for Richard went viral and crossed 1 lakh members within a week of its creation. It is as though every youth belonging to the geographically isolated North East could empathize with Richard and put themselves in his shoes coz they have faced discrimination is some way or the other. Of course, citing the sole reason for Richard's death as racial discrimination would be a one-sided affair as such incident is also common among Indian mainlanders as well. When a North East student becomes a victim of ragging, it is a case of discrimination but when a North Indian student becomes a victim of ragging it is just a case of ragging. So are we stereotyping the whole issue here?

I guess its better to fight for justice alone. With students and youths coming forth voluntarily in major cities for protests an candle light vigils, I am sure the repercussions will be heard by many ignorant people who still believe that all people with small eyes and flat nose are either from Nepal or China. Richard's death unified people from all sections of the society to fight for the sole purpose - JUSTICE FOR LOITAM RICHARD.

Back at home, Richard's parents waits for justice for his son, clad in white attire unable to reconcile the loss, tears running dry and lost in a trance. Without saying a final goodbye their son had left. One phone call was enough to bring their world to an end. Never will his Mom feel him in her bosom again nor will his Dad ever worry that he'll come home late. But inspite of the mass awakening that their son's death has caused, when justice sought has been given and acknowledged, when the massive uproar has dwindled down and when every one else live life in their own pace........they will be the only ones who will live with this cruel reality......that their son is never returning home.

Justice for Loitam Richard https://www.facebook.com/groups/410394948972870/

Behind closed doors!!

I write this piece in strong retaliation against the uncensored media highlights of photos and videos driven by the recent raid of restaurants by some student bodies in Manipur. In a place like Manipur, where every Tom, Dick and Harry has a right to entertain law in their own hands it is not strange, even if my friends and I gaped during the entire video of 10 minutes which we watched at Youtube. It is utterly unreasonable to think that the raid was conducted by some groups which is otherwise oblivious to many. So, with due respect to the media every insignificant detail of the raid and  names, addresses and family members of the guilty party were publicly accentuated, little do they realize the potential dangers that lay ahead of the victim. 

Source: Google

In Manipur, it is a taboo to mention about restaurant in public places as the word implies "dark enclosed room meant to provide ambiance to members of both sexes to indulge in activity which is labelled obscene in broad daylight". Its the place where youths, married men and women and even high school kids hang out to curb their passion. Even if the culture of restaurant is at its worst best what is more worse is the mockery of the victims in the public eyes. Who are we to judge someone? Is there any person who has not not gone out of their way to fulfill their wild desires secretly? If the cause is noble enough why don't we ban the restaurants altogether? Who is checking the licensing of such hideous places or is it that every person next door can set up a restaurant in a secluded place to pave way for more victims? We need a reality check. 

I am sure every person has a story which one is not proud of. It will be a lie to say that we are all saints because even saints have guilty pasts. If the sole purpose of such activity is to save younger generations from choosing the wrong path  as they claim then is the indecent exposure of even their family members in media doing them any good? Student bodies whose members are beyond 30 years old sure is not a feather in the cap...is it something to be proud of? Of course, we have a plethora of organisations/groups each serving different objective and every one of them with Herculean claims of bringing about peace and development in Manipur and this case is no different. 

It is time we look beyond the mirage and pretend plays. It is time we realize that the future of a generation is at stake and we play our cards wisely. It is easy to find fault and blame but what is more difficult is to look past our impulsive judgement and empathize the emotional trauma of the victims. We can be better and more humane!!

Oh, My people!!

Turned on my lap-top yesterday, surfed my favourite sites and it was everywhere....10th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election 2012 Results....news updates and timelined results, some updating the results, many commenting and providing useful insights, and many more merely enjoying the scene and ignoring the heated exchange of words, thoughts and anger. Even my Dad called me all so super-excited coz his candidate won.

It was a day of overwhelming joy for those who won, and for the many who've lost, a day as gloomy as ever, and still for many more people just another day. Nothing changed for them and it is this section of people for whom the highest concern is. They say "ignorance is bliss" and perhaps it best describes the vast majority of the people of Manipur and the situation of Manipur. The entire process of election was a faux paas. Our citizenship bought and sold and now its time to pay the price. For the next five year we have no choice but to stay back and bear the consequences. The 3 month long economic blocade, recent bomb blasts that shook the valley not to mention the decade long struggle for repealing AFSPA, innocent killings, issues of territorial integrity of Manipur, deteriorating education systems, unethical and corrupted system of the entire Government offices are the major forerunners in the never ending list of political and social problems of Manipur. For sure, each problem cannot be isolated as they are intricately woven as the roots of the present state of turmoil can be traced about half century ago and the struggle of the masses goes on. 

The irony is that the people remains seemingly untroubled and have adjusted their lifestyles from living without power supply for days altogether to paying 200 bucks for a litre of petrol to witnessing security personnels going haywire and firing innocent public. Atleast this is what the results indicate......we are just not yet ready for a change and until there is no mass awakening the hue and cry of the  afflicted few will fall into deaf ears as it always have throughout this years.

The winds of change just seem so distant....and its just hope and only hope that remains. 

Manipur – over a cup of coffee

We have this regular Chai ka dukan in our Campus where everybody loves hanging out. It’s the favourite spot of all the students in the entire campus. Regardless of the busy schedule, unavoidable datelines – we call it “deadlines” and the enormous pressure from our Professors we always sneak out to this little piece of heaven. The place is always filled with exciting crowds engaged in heated conversations discussing, debating and arguing the social, economical and related stuffs of the country. It’s a delight to listen to the regular chanting of familiar voices expressing their ideas with so full of passion.

           Also, we have a handful of Manipuris pursuing the so called higher studies. Sometimes in weekends, we all meet up for a much needed cup of coffee and ask our whereabouts. It is in such nonchalant meetings that we discuss about things happening back at home and how we feel when we hear incidents of bandhs and the daily saga of violence. We have passionate speakers, silent listeners who nod to everything that was said and also angry faces filled with rage and frustration because of the turmoil and unrest back at home. We all feel the need for a change, a need for a better Manipur, a better home.

Well, the point is not about our meetings and all the stupid things we discuss but the change in the mindset of the youths of Manipur. We have a generation of qualified and enthusiastic young minds ready to serve but with little hope of going back to our native land because of all the daily happenings back at home because our lives are dear and after struggling all this years, staying away from home and perspiring for our degree, nobody wants to die ‘coz of a stray bullet or maybe nobody wants to be kidnapped or murdered. It is understandable that we want a secure life and not wade in troubled waters and invade in dangerous territories even if we call it our motherland.

So much over a cup of coffee!!

Since my childhood, my loved ones use to make sure that I do my best in my studies. They say in Manipur you need to have power, good contacts and qualifications to get a good job. And of course, not to mention the enormous bucks for Chai-pani!!  We are caught in a vicious circle. They say a Graduate post costs 12 lakhs. My question is what is the point? When he is employed he’ll be doing the same…extracting money to recover the amount. Where is the truth? “A society not based on truth will not last for long” a famous personality had quoted. Who is to be blamed? The Government who takes the money or the public who gives the money? Something is seriously wrong.

We have a rich cultural heritage but to the outside states ours is merely a state filled with political crisis and bloodshed. Inspite of the social unrest, Manipur fares much better than many states in many demographic and social parameters. There is hope against all hopes and its not some make-believe situation, not overlooking the role of the youths. It is the moral obligation of every person. I remember one of my school teachers saying if u don’t sweep ur backyard who else will?

Well, such get-togethers always make each one of us so up-to-date with the latest happenings amongst us and back at home. It’s like pressing “Refresh” button. The only difference is that here its refreshing and reminding the problems back at home. Even if discussing Manipur over our cup of coffee always ends up with no solution and we return to our respective hostels so full of thoughts the question ever remains…how long….oh how long till we achieve the Manipur of our dreams…Maybe it will be worth the wait. And of course, so much can happen over a cup of coffee!! Wat d’ say?

Manipur burning!!

I saw this grotesque picture of a bomb blast victim that happened yesterday at Imphal.  The first time I saw I was too stunned to react, words failed me. I saw some more pics and realised sharp tinge of tears in my eyes. What have we turned into? There he is, too shocked to react, the noise deafening him, not feeling any pain coz the pain was beyond anybody could endure, he must have felt death engulfing him slowing, darkness all around.

There he was lying,every drop of blood draining out and everybody was staring, no one offered to help, the police were interrogating trying to scrape out every bit of information till his dying moment. He waved at the people around as though calling for help. Nobody responded him. He was taken to the hospital in an army truck and succumbed to his injury on the way.

I wonder what he must have felt at his dying moments. It gives me a chill. It could have been me or my loved ones. This is horrifying. Today morning he woke up unaware that he was seeing his wife and son for the last time. His life was bought and sold for Rs 20. That was his worth. His pictures and videos are widely circulated...some even questioning his innocence!!

Humanity is lost. A life came to an end in a matter of seconds. We are turning into beasts!! Should we still sit back and stay silent unless we are the victim? Its too selfish not to feel anything and not to do anything.....my heart reach out to his family. May his soul rest in peace!! 

Easy way out

I hear of all these things happening back at home....today was a bandh. the economic blockade is still going strong with no hopes of termination in the near future. Its sad...may be beyond sad. I was listening to some contemporary music of today's youngsters showing their angst through music. I guess everybody wants a change. It may be that a greater number want to pack their bags and leave Manipur due to the prevailing situation. That is the easy way out. We are paid according to our abilities, we dont have to face the problems of bandhs, electricity and the sort of daily saga of violence which we face everyday.

The most disappointing part is that the people have somehow gotten used to the pathetic condition and have adjusted their lives accordingly. It is like the story of the frog in the well. We've forgotten to fight for our lives and even if we have fought, we've faced bitter defeat and the struggle goes on..... News of violence that adorn the newspapers everyday are mere topics of discussion on the breakfast table. A blast kills many lives; the next day the relatives stage a demonstration and after a few days nobody even remembers. What is the value of life?

There is no hope for Manipur at least in the near future. We have a generation of youth caught in bribery and corruption, ready to buy a mere graduate job for 12 lakhs. There are a lot of masses fighting against the system at their own level and I appreciate and admire their inspiration and courage. It is just too selfish to stay silent, complain about the system and get involved with our own lives. May be it is foolishness as some claim, may be it will be of no use outwardly, but I guess I am just doing my part and giving back what I owe coz this is all I can do at present.