Of Tribute to Irom Sharmila Chanu

Forced fed by a pipe through the nose,
fighting and still strong - is the human spirit.
Is a decade long struggle not enough?
Yet, we still call it a 'Democracy'.

PS:-
Its been 10 years since she is on a fast demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA. She has spent most of her time in jail, being force-fed by a pipe inserted through her nose. It is really sad that there are no answers to her questions even after a decade. Apart from a seasonal burst of interest from the media, nothing really is happening. I fear it would just lead to a tragic end.

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Of fishes in the troubled waters - Manipur

Manipur is the troubled waters in which fishes die in large numbers. Every now and then, conflicts and tension eats the very core of every socio-economic aspects. Until now, it was the valley (the plain areas including Imphal) where most of the burnings had happened. This time, the fire has spread in the hills too. Whatever the reason be, its the people who are suffering. The ongoing economic blockade of NH-39 - the lifeline of Manipur, has led to the shortage of essential commodities in the state leading to hiked in their prices. Petrol is being sold at Rs 150/litre in black market. Hospitals and medical services have also been hit due unavailability of drugs and oxygen.
The whole point is that its the people who are suffering. Its a fact that the centre has not being giving enough attention to the North-Eastern states that they deserved. So, its not surprising when someone like Mr Chidambaram sitting in New Delhi makes statements and decisions which led to unnecessary tensions in these regions. The truth is that the centre lacks the knowledge on the sensitivity and the ground realities on the issues that they are addressing. One such example is the recent massacre of 76 CRPF jawans in Dantewada. How can the incidents of 18 th June, 2001 can be forgotten when thousands of protesters up rise against the "GOI - NSCN(IM) " cease fire extension to Manipur. Mistakes cannot be made again and again at the costs of human lives.
North-Eastern states are already behind in the race with the rest of the country. We cannot afford to spend our energy and time in fighting among ourselves. When we are outside our states , we are being recognised as one. Nobody bothers to ask you if you are from Manipur or Nagaland or Arunachal. We are being seen as one - the North-East.

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The Turning Brain

"How many of you have seen a train ? Not in TV or newspaper, but in real." Well, many of you would be wondering what a stupid question that it is to ask in a country which boast of having the world's 2nd largest railroad network. This question was asked by my Hindi teacher years ago when I was in a primary class. He was just trying to explain the importance of railway in the economy of our country. And there were not many hands up in a class of some 40 students.

If you throw the very same question today, you would still find almost the same number of hands. The truth is that still there is no rail connectivity to Imphal. Every time the Rail Budget is announced, it gives hope which diminishes with the passing time. Proposals and plans are made, but hardly without any execution. Agree that the geographical structure does not allow an easy development but then how long the people of this state has to wait for that sound of a running train.

Manipur is a state with a population of only 2 million. Though, insurgency is the main factor which hinders any progress, but with a well connected rail and road network, many problems in the state can be solved. Emergence of small scale industries is a possibility which might create employments and who knows, it would just become a trend. Success and good work is infectious.
Though, it sounds like a fairy tale and a nice dream, but we need to do something to restore peace in the state. And its the Government who has to provide the initiative. No country can progress by leaving any state behind.

PS:-
The post was not intended to be preachy. And on a laughing note, from the Movie Zombieland:-

Little Rock: Who's Bill Murray?
Tallahassee: ...I've never hit a kid before... I mean, that's like asking who Gandhi is.
Little Rock: Who's Gandhi?

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Good-bye 2009

Felt good to see smiles again on these faces hoping for good things in the coming year. As if trying to forget every bad things that have happened in this year. Its been a tiring year with little ups and many downs in this beautiful valley.The challenges are numerous with little or no hope of improvement to the current situation.

In a nutshell, 2009 has been a happening year for me. It gave me the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world - Europe. Had been to the place where Santa Claus belongs. On the other side, I missed my sister's wedding. Still felt bad about it. Its been a year when I parted with most of my friends in Chennai - Some left to pursue their dreams and some due to the recession.On a bright spot, this year taught me about taking responsibilities and saving money for future. All through the year, I have been working more than 10 hrs a day. Friends say - I have become workaholic but then it has been rewarding -my works has been appreciated but without any hike in pay (thanks to the recession again). At the same period, I have gained a lot of weight. I am no longer considered lean. Been to Goa for a re-union with college friends.Got acquainted with the six strings.Watched a lot of movies - many good ones. It all ended with a brief stay at home with my family - a perfect ending to the year. But then again, one of my best friends lost his father and one broke up with his GF.

With the echoes of Crackers and Carols all around, may 2010 be the year which will bring some change to this place. Let's hope for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. Adieu 2009 !

PS:-
Today's headline on a local newspaper in Manipur says that around 444 people had died this year due to injury caused by bullets. It clearly shows the intensity of the situation in this state with a population of merely 2 million.

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Blowing in the wind

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Ps:- Love this song by Bob Dylan.Wonderful lyrics. This song can be relate
to the endless sufferings and cries of the people that echoes all over my
birth-place "Manipur".
How many such incidents will it take for the Govt. to put a halt.
The answer is of course blowing in the wind.

BLOWING IN THE WIN...

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Of Manipur : the killing field of the East

This article was published in yesterday's Hindu edition. As a manipuri, I can very clearly understand what the article wanted to convey. Its very common that some serious thing happening in this eastern part of the country does go unnoticed.When the whole media is busy gathering on the Swine flu victims toll, there is this state where unconditional curfew has been imposed for more than two weeks hitting the very normalcy of the people.
SRK's detention at the Newark airport occupied the front page for few days in all major news channels and news paper. When the multiplexes and public places were halt down for a day in Mumbai due to fear of the Swine flu spread, it gathered news. But what about this eastern state being forced to shut down everything for more than 3 weeks. No one seems to bother what is happening in this tiny state. The news channels would rather telecast some cheap reality shows just for the TRPs they generate. This is not new to the manipuris and the people there. . What should the people of manipur do to gain the attention of the Government and the media?? This time its the killing of a "suspect" in a pharmacy and the death of a pregnant woman during the chase (this is what the police claims).Ask a child studying in a 5th standard, he would convincingly tell you the truth without blinking an eye. This kind of incident is not new. Its only that a local photographer happen to capture the incident in his lens.Otherwise it would go as another incident and go off as usual.
But the demand is not new. The people are protesting against the AFSPA(Armed Forces special Power Act)that is being imposed in the valley. There has been countless incidents of killing innocents in cold blood by the so called security forces. It is really heartening to find that the numbers of civilians that is being killed in the past 10 years outnumbered the underground activist and the security personnel. And this is a plain fact.
Every now and then the violence in the state erupts for one reason or another. And the Government knew that it will subside by applying plain brute force such as curfew and firing tear gases and the lathi charges. This is the cycle that is happening.
And in the midst of these, its the whole young generation that is suffering. The schools are being shut down. How can you expect them to compete with the rest of the country when the students are not allowed to study in freedom. Its a problem will surely grow out of proportion if remain unaddressed. And its the Central Government in whose hands the future of this state lies.

PS:-
People says its like a lottery in Manipur. Everyday people get killed . They say you are alive because you are lucky.

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Manipur - burning yet again

Manipur is burning yet again and this year the flame has reached a little early unexpectedly. This time around its the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, Driver Rajen Sharma and Revenue Mondal Token. Curfew has been imposed in the Imphal city for the past 2 days. Being a manipuri, I always keep a track of the happenings through the internet or from my family. Having been grown up in the place, I still feel I am a part of everything that is happening there. Human life has lost its value. The everyday headlines are filled with the news of killings and ugly incidents. I don't know the people who were murdered but from the various sources that I heard and read, I came to learn that SDO Dr. Th. Kishan was gem of a person. He had a vast knowledge and understanding of the things related to the development of Manipur. The letters from various people who knew him personally made me realised the fact that he was no ordinary soul. He had the quality to visualise and to lead. Its a loss to the society. Such people are needed for our Manipur. Such people can bring Manipur to the right direction. But I fear things are not going to change. When will we realise that what it takes to make the person like Kishan was. When will we start giving value to human life? But then again, we must not go to an extent that the things that follow should not be against the growth of the state. Already we have lost many precious lives. I do not know if there is any solution to the problem. But strikes and curfew is not the solution. It will affect every facet of the soceity - productivity, economy and the worst Education. We have been through it and we all knew what loss it is for a student in the midst of untimely Bandhs, stikes and curfew. Let us try to build the society- a soceity that Kishan would have dream of. Let us try and produce numerous "Kishans". Can we?

PS:-

Sometimes things can be in a very relative terms. When you are used to the temperature of minus 10-15, a minus 2 degree Celsius is a warm weather.

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When you started discriminating

Well, I always dream that one day Manipur would be a better place to live in. I would be proud to say that I am born in a place where there is equality irrespective of any caste, creed or cultural difference. A place where people are welcome with warmth and affection. But then when I heard the recent news of killing innocents, I felt like asking questions to myself if it is the beginning of the end to my dreams.When we say a civilised society, we are keen to know how the outsiders are being treated there. It reflects the ability to accept the diversity. It reflects your generosity.I have always felt that the Manipuri people are different, one or the other Manipuri has something which is unique. We are a bunch of talented people. If we see our culture and heritage, you ll find that we are unique and we have the ability to to do things differently. If we give a little thought and try to figure out where we stand in this growing world, we would realise that we are in a deep pit from where we can only hope for a downfall.
Sometimes I felt like we have a long way to go before we start bothering about the problems of human race, about this world. We are still at a very low level. We have many problems to address within ourselves before we actually start bothering on a global stage. How can a person living in the present situation of Manipur ever think of the Global warming. How can a person think for the safety of the human race when his own house is not safe. How can he appreciate the beauty of nature when the valley turns into a killing field. The very thought of our future frightens me. When the whole country is blooming in the IT revolution, where is our stand. When the country is boasting to become the next Super-power, where do our Manipur stands. Doesn't our brothers and sisters deserve to be among the mass. Don't they have the right to compete with the mainland?Dont they deserve to celebrate our growing economy? These questions provides the solution itself.
Its the right time for a revolution. I can feel the fear. We are all afraid of the change. I dont know the future. I m also not saying that the revolution would not cost anything. I m just suggesting that its the right time to reflect, its the way to begin. How long should we tolerate? There is no bigger sin than to tolerate injustice. .and there is nothing better than to fight for peace.

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