 |
| Source: Google |
Yesterday India celebrated her 66th 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!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'd love to hear from you :):)