tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144575630035263852024-03-06T13:06:46.877+05:30Manipur MasalaAll Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-51835754849009805872015-05-03T18:10:00.001+05:302015-05-03T18:10:44.608+05:30Petrolpreneurship in Manipur: A Lousy Business Option <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Petrolpreneurship</i> is currently chosen as a profitable business option by many individuals since it is the easiest one to start sans any management skill or experience. As a result of the rising tribe of petrolpreneurs in Manipur, the price of petrol is inflated every now and then, while the purse of common people is deflated. A ridiculous business option, Manipur Masala shares some serious concerns about petrolpreneurship: the business of ‘Kok chaaklaba and karaam chaoba lots of gari thao’. <br /><br />Manipur is a haven for black marketers and that is our open secret. The nature of ‘black marketing’ keeps changing from time to time. Out of the many options, cooking gas and petrol are two easy targets for the black marketers to churn maximum revenue out of a minimum investment. Nobody can ignore the gas or petrol because we live in a modern society. So, one has acquaintances at the petrol pumps, why not share the profit with them and start a thao yonbagi dukan? So is the case of cooking gas. Sounds funny but this is exactly how things are going on in our state. <br /><br />My area of interest is not in conducting a thorough research in black marketing in Manipur. Statistics lies, formal studies are a source of ridicule in Manipur, though it is no wonder considering again, the great Manipuri mentality. However, it concerns my sanity when some basic needs of the common people such as cooking gas and petrol are relegated to black marketing every now and then with the authorities turning a ‘mitaang’ eye; though I might be biased as the Indian Oil Corporation is also a major stakeholder in this great Indian state. <br /><br />Greed and lunacy have inspired the black marketers to such an extent that they leave no stone unturned to rob us every now and then. The present petrol shortage is a clear-cut example of how we are robbed in broad daylight. When have we ever got relief from fuel crisis in Manipur? Why petrolpreneurship is not yet questioned? Why black marketers are openly fed right from our pockets? Who are these black marketers? And why isn’t our media reporting anything about who are the gory thugs controlling such markets here in Manipur? Also, why is our government so comfortably numb and dumb during many a situation like this? These are some questions we should start discussing about. Artificial drought, artificial shortage of fuel, artificial crimes- how many more artificial problems do we need to enlist? Oh, these are just trivial questions. Ta:Naobi says he is happy, he gets the best dishes for wife, he gets the best ‘asaaba’, he earns the maximum profit, whenever there is a blockade. <br /><br />I empathize with many Khura-Taada and Eney-Indol selling petrol openly at their thongaal (though the most common venue of selling petrol is near, or to be precise, at the entrance of the petrol pump). Isn’t it ironic? Petrol pumps run out of petrol and then all of a sudden, there are so many temporary petrol yonfam dukan swarming up near the petrol pumps. Most of them seem to have collaborated with the petrolpreneurs but they do not seem to be the real culprits. They try to earn a humble livelihood by selling those bottles of petrol with a little profit. I don’t intend to trigger a crusade that would snatch away their means of livelihood. But at the same time, they should also keep in mind that they are caught in a wrong business and that they should think of an alternative means of livelihood before they turn themselves into ‘petrolpreneurs’. Or shortly, the mahajon they had got the petrol from, in the first place. <br /><br />They say we should always have faith in ‘God’ in good and especially in bad times. Well, here’s my self composed prayer for thee oh ‘God’. ‘Our Father in Soraren holy be thy name, shrewd be thy justice. Sanctify thy children who are ‘kok chaaklaba and karaam jao’ or clear their ‘burdened presence’ from this blue planet of ours. I shall thence offer expensive incense sticks, exotic flowers and scented candles if ye listen to this humble prayer of mine. Amen!’ <br /><br />PS: In a land like Manipur, people never run short of prospective business avenues. So, it seems the day won’t be far when some lunatic business enthusiasts would also come up with airpreneurship; a sort of stocking up fresh air in a tank and selling it at an inflated rate to customers. As a part of ‘thou leitana thou thiba’ project, I have even thought about a few brand names for them with their taglines. ‘Nungsit Chaoba Air Suppliers—As pure as it can be’, ‘Nungsit Tombi Air Suppliers—Pure, Fresh and Affordable Air Just a Call Away’. I would love to visualize and even direct a few television commercials for this particular business. It would be an out-of-the-world experience for everybody. Hello investors, have you made up your mind to churn out the maximum revenue from such a lucrative business opportunity? Think about it.<br />
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<b>This article was published on 3 May 2015</b><br /> </div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-24121832351883537632015-05-03T18:09:00.000+05:302015-05-03T18:09:20.578+05:30The Curious Case of the Unfaithful Wife & the Cremated Girl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have come across innumerable cases of crime against women all these years. But we hardly come across reports about crime against men. The recent Tentha case should be an eye opener for all of us. Over the years, cases of ‘mou maangkhre’ and ‘mou halaktare’ have been filling all the ad pages in Manipuri newspapers. It would not be fallacious to say that adultery is now a two-way affair. Earlier, it was the men folk who used to enjoy the privilege of adultery but it is no more the same in Matamgi Manipur. <br /><br />In Matamgi Manipur, women are now more daring to come out of their cocoon. They are no more the same old ‘theibong manungi tin’ with the frog-in-the-well mentality. They are educated and technologically updated too. So, they decide what is right and wrong for them. Today many women have become decision makers, educators and activists in various fields. Thanks to the changing waves of time, our women folk also have many platforms to raise their voice about any ill doing or treatment meted towards them. Of course, these are paradoxical if we compare these with the Tentha case. <br /><br />Anybody can also say that there is a rising number of domestic problems with the liberal mindset and lifestyle of modern women folk. Though not for all, marriages are no more considered sacred. The beautiful vows of marriage are lost into scorn and mutual hatred between men and wives. Ending a marriage is within the flick of a finger. And quite shamefully, the cases of missing housewives have been increasing like esing echao in our society. <br /><br />The Tentha case sets one of the classic examples of mou maangkhre or should it be ‘maanghankhre’ incident. The case should not be treated lightly. The poor guy was not only ostracized, but he was also mentally, physically and emotionally robbed and tormented when the mob destroyed his home — the same home where he spent good and bad times with his family. The wife in question should have been more honest. If she wanted to end the marriage, she could try a direct or indirect way to do so. To connive against the poor man with such malice is not an acceptable act in a civilized society. <br /><br />What perturbs me more is the death of the 19-year-old girl whose body was cremated in place of the missing wife. <br /><br />Who was she? Was she an orphan? Which is why no one ever claimed or claims her body till date? Or was she another victim of a heinous crime that goes unabated in our state? Why did not the villagers report any missing case about her so far? Or was her body dropped from soraren at an opportune time when the villainous wife wanted to frame the innocent husband to fake her own murder? It sounds quite filmy with a flimsy plot! The mob could not wait to form a JAC to dismantle the house of the innocent husband. Why did not they ever think about confirming the identity of the lifeless body before resorting to any unwanted action? Or is it just another innuendo about our ‘society’s thainadagi heinaraklabi nature’ of not looking before we leap? Whatsoever, we must never forget the uncomfortable truth that the girl was cremated with a wrong identity and it should always disturb our sanity that we are still not trying anything to confirm the identity of the girl. In a land like ours where ‘asibana maangjare’ sets the norm, I think it is a double crime to be dead without hanging an identity card on our neck. Is it time for all of us to start hanging our identity cards on our necks so that we may at least be cremated or buried with a correct identity? Those who are into I card printing business can start venturing out for this lucrative opportunity. Since it is going to be a big project, many groups can now sort out how many percentages they want from this project. <br /><br />It is also time for our police personnel to start playing the real ‘police–police game’ to maintain proper law and order in the state. As seen in Hindi movies, the police always arrive when the fight is over or when the hero is about to kill the villain. A seemingly good-natured police officer would rush in with a pistol in his hand and a dialogue on his lips, ‘Kaanoon ko apney haath pey mutt loh,’ and then he would catch the villain. The film always ends with the union of the hero and heroine or either the hero with his long lost mother. But that sounds fun only in movies. Real life crimes cannot be tackled in a filmy way. <br /><br />It is also time we create awareness among the masses about the ill effects of mob justice. The use of the word justice is not justifiable. How can a wrong act be termed as justice? I think it should be termed as a kok leikhatpa syndrome of a mathong maram khangdaba group of people. Whatsoever, this barbaric practice should come to a tragic end as soon as it can. If there is any crime reported in any leikai, the leikai clubs and ‘thajaba yaaba’ civil societies should intervene and put the matter on hold till the intervention of police personnel or the concerned authority. By and by, mob justice should finally rest in peace now.<br />
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<b>This article was published on 26 April 2015</b><br /><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-6233931799066825562015-05-03T18:08:00.000+05:302015-05-03T18:08:00.973+05:30School Close Down in Manipur: A Not-So ‘Nupa Thokpa’ Attitude! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some schools are currently shut down like computers. Well, negotiations are dauntlessly going on. So, these schools, like computers, may be switched on sooner or later. In the meantime, thousands of students are sitting idle at their homes. They cannot go to school even if they want to. What a funny situation? Students want to attend their classes and yet they cannot. Manipur Masala finds this closing down of schools in Manipur a not so ‘nupa thokpa’ attitude. <br /><br />They say (well they always say) education is the basic right of every child. However, in Manipur it’s debatable whether education is a basic right of every child or not. It should not be a shocking discovery to the rest of the world to know that in our state schools are closed down every now and then just to fulfill the whims and fancies of some ‘do not dare to mention’ groups. But what is funnier is that no one cares, no one ever wants to care. Students enjoy the extended holidays; teachers/parents cannot raise their voice. They are like the operating system of a computer, programmed to do only what they are programmed to do. Well, negotiations are going on. So these schools, like computers, may be switched on sooner or later. <br /><br />Whatever be their demand or their mode of negotiation, have they ever bothered about the students who have more or less become ‘scapegoats’? I don’t think so. How can they be so illogically moronic? Closing down schools till further notice- that’s it? What kind of notice? That they have settled the matter with the management bodies and that their demands are being fulfilled? But what about the wasted weeks during which thousands of students could not attend their classes? Who is going to compensate the same for them? <br /><br />In our state, every Hongba, Choba or Tomba wants to fulfill his whims and fancies. The situation is something like this-Oh! We have a magic wand (read supreme power and authority), let’s brainstorm about a wish ta da! (FYI, the only time they ever brainstorm is when they want to impose a demand). Abra ka dabra! Here’s our wish. We want so and so conditions from this and that school so notify the concerned authorities. If they agree to it then it’s fine but if they are reluctant to do so, close down their schools. Who cares? The students will enjoy an extended vacation; the school authorities will put their ass on fire and will run here and there to settle the matter as soon as possible. If they don’t do so in time, they will have to pay the price later errr they will have to conduct extra classes or even ask the students to attend schools on Sundays to cover the syllabus. <br /><br />Please welcome to ‘Incredible Manipur’, one of the rarest places in the whole wide world where students cannot go to their schools even if they want to. Welcome to Manipur, a tech savvy jungle located in the Northeast India where business minded beasts rule the roost. <br /><br />The current situation i.e. closing down of some schools in Manipur, should be treated as a sensitive issue. But I wonder what all the sensible civil societies and guardians are up to. Why aren’t they taking up any stern action? Or are they under a ‘waa ngaangba yaadaba’ spell? <br /><br />Well, let the negotiations and talks between the school authorities and the ‘don’t dare to mention’ groups go on till 32nd December or 31st February. But for god’s sake, let the students resume their studies. We are not living in a jungle. So, better stop acting like uneducated beasts. We have enough bandhjaos, bandhnaos, blockades and brouhahas in our society to mar the study of our students. Let’s at least leave the education zone free from such insensible demand/shamand or percentage/wercentage issues. Let’s pledge for a free and fair education zone. Let the students study, because that’s what they are meant to do. <br /><br />PS- Over the years, Manipur has become a haven for rabble-rousers, hooligans and what not. In the name of the father, son and the Holy Ghost, I sincerely wish that they perish away from this blue planet of ours as soon as possible. Their existence on this earth is what they call ‘malem loomnabagi masak’. Dear God Alah/Jesus/Krishna/Sidaba Mapu, please be a little ‘nupa thokpa’ and make my wish come true. If not, I will start believing that you don’t exist.<br />
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<b>This article was published on 19 April 2015</b><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-87777878415790012112015-05-03T18:06:00.001+05:302015-05-03T18:06:26.210+05:30A Mid-Sajibu Day's Choirol <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Along came Sajibu with Yeningtha—the queen of seasons. It’s that time of the year when Mother Nature puts on her flamboyant gown. However, for the past few years in Manipur, the arrival of Yeningtha has become synonymous to an impending man-made drought that lasts for a month or so. Water scarcity between the months of Sajibu and Kaalen has become a seasonal norm. So, we have yet another phobia to offbeat blockade phobia: ‘Esing fanglaroidra haibagi phobia.’ <br /><br />Yeningtha is supposed to be the best time of the year for everyone; merrymaking and basking in the beauties of Nature, while Yaoshang and Cheiraoba offer their best. But a wind of apprehension continuously sweeps at the possibilities of an impending drought in our (sana di leitaba) Sanaleibaak for the last few years. <br /><br />The causes of water scarcity in Manipur are natural as well as artificial. While it is obvious about the natural factors, the artificial factors should be seriously considered. <br /><br /><b>Rising guild of waterpreneurs and commercialization of water </b><br /><br />Water, water, everywhere yet 250 bucks to pay for 500 litres is the present norm of the day. They say water is precious (oh yes, it is). Water saves lives (yes, it does). Preserve water (who does that but the waterpreneurs). <br /><br />Over the years, Manipur has evolved its image as a land of enterprising entrepreneurs (which in my opinion is a pretty good sign). It’s encouraging to know about the rising guild of promising entrepreneurs in our state. But then there are some who are caught in the wrong business namely esing thika louba kaangbu, goolie, yoo or any type of mayai kaaba nisha yonba kaangbu. Their sense of business is beyond my good understanding. Waterpreneurship or in simple terms esing yonba gi thika has become quite a fad. Water reservoirs are empty for the masses but they are not for waterpreneurs and that’s where we should start pondering over. <br /><br />If there is enough water supply for the waterpreneurs why not for the masses? Or is it that they are sharing whatever profit that they loot from the public? If there is a problem at any of the water reservoirs, isn’t it the duty of the concerned authorities to tackle it? How can they sell us what we deserve for free? <br /><br /><b>Measures to be taken up to fight water scarcity </b><br /><i>1. Appeasing the Rain God </i><br />“Appeasing the Rain God with dhoop thaomei, flowers and fruits would be one of the ideal measures to fight water scarcity,” says Louwu Sing-u expert Mr. Tomaal. Many civilians are also of the opinion that if they keep appeasing the Rain God, they will not suffer from drought or a drought like situation in Manipur. Superstitious though it sounds, it is one of the measures that can be recommended to fight water scarcity in Manipur. <br /><br /><i>2. Empowerment of a proper Frog ministry </i><br />Empowering the various Frog ministers also seems to be one of the sensible options. The frogs have been contributing a major share in maintaining talks with the ministry of nong chingi affairs currently based in the Soraren Department. They have been meticulously croaking for days and nights as a result of which the state has finally received some amount of rainfall over the past few days. <br /><br />In a state like Manipur, it is an ironical situation where frogs are more effective than the MLAs, ministers and their concerned departments. <br /><br /><i>3. Harvesting of rain water at our own Pukhri /tank </i><br />The best solution to fight water scarcity is by harvesting enough rain water at our own pukhri or water tanks. It’s the high time to dig more pukhri or construct tanks. Having a pukhri in our ingkhol may sound old-fashioned to many but then it is one of the best ever solutions to fight water scarcity. Awareness programs on hygienic harvesting of rain water should be held by ‘mabukchel chaoba NGOs’. Media should also play its role in educating the masses about proper harvesting of rain water. By and by, water is our basic necessity. Let us not waste it. Let us not commercialize it as well.<br />
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<b>This article was published on 5 April 2015</b><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-57825503230783325272014-09-26T17:14:00.000+05:302014-09-26T17:14:05.960+05:30Say Goodbye to Blockade Phobia! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
No matter which body imposes it, all of us suffer the brunt of economic blockade. So you have a grievance against the system- plan an economic blockade or a general strike. Oh! Protest rallies are not a bad idea as well. A year without any general strike, economic blockade or protest rally would not be ‘Oh So Manipur.’ The recent economic blockade which was as omchaaknaba as langbangi nungsha was finally suspended. But its phobia still persists. <br /><br />Well, according to a (not so reliable) source from Manung-Mapaan ministry, a few awaangba thaaki measures have been taken up to fight the problems of any impending economic blockade in the future. There are in fact many master plans in the pipeline which will of course take an ample amount of time to execute. Perhaps, we may finally have a reason to say goodbye to blockade phobia eh? <br /><br />As per one of the master plans from the concerned ministry, a sky bus service will soon be launched in the Imphal-Dimapur atiyagi route to ferry goods and passengers to Imphal. A body called All Manipur Maalang Transport Association has been formed to assist the ministry to execute its plans. For safety reasons, the sky bus will always be in invisible mode. Any passenger who has to hop on or off the bus has to press his/her code at the entry and exit door. Technologically equipped with many striking features, this sky bus service will finally help the people of Manipur to say goodbye to blockade or bandh phobia. <br /><br />Mr. Waajao-ngaangba from Pao Faodok Faojin Department calls it a ‘stupendous idea’. He adds “I still can’t believe that such a project is going to be implemented in our state. The project sounds pretty promising. It will also ultimately discourage all the blockade mongers in the near future.” <br /><br />“Over the last few years, bandh or blockade has become a necessary part of our lives. It would not be a wise decision to sternly act against any body or person who spearheads any type of bandh or blockade especially considering the various (impossible) demands of the so called bandh or blockade mongers. We had officially partied many nights discussing on the probable means and measures to tackle such a problem. I am very glad that our association has finally come up with such an innovative measure. I am sure we will easily tackle any problem during a bandh or blockade with the help of such a bus service. ” states Mr. Dhapparrmayum Dhapjao, President of the newly formed body- All Manipur Maalang Transport Association (AMMTA). <br /><br />The newly appointed Chief Engineer of AMMTA, Mr. Techkishore Aheipasaaba-mayum also shares his valuable opinion, “This is the best ever solution for all of us to fight blockade. Due to the upcoming Sangai Festival, we will not be able to focus on the construction work of this Maalang Bus project on a current basis. However, the foundation stone will soon be thrown up. We are currently very busy sorting out the best rocks from Sekmai beach to throw up in the sky for a solid foundation. We are planning to start the construction works right after Sangai festival. We will hopefully complete by next major blockade.” <br /><br />A tender has already been announced for interested contractors who want to work on this project. There will not be any commission for any Hongba, Chaoba or Tomba. It is also notable that every penny for the project will be funded by Bank of Soraren (BOS). <br /><br />A press conference will be called in a day or two at the open air office of AMMTA to share the plans and strategies of this project. By and by, the concerned ministry expects full co-operation from the public to add wings to this dream project. Construction workers who have experience in handling awaangba-thaaki projects can submit their resume at AMMTA’s office as there will be various job openings that suit their profile. <br /><br /><b> Courtesy</b> Naatrang Reporter from Sundrang News Services.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 14 Sep 2014</i><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-90382036584005448412014-09-26T17:12:00.000+05:302014-09-26T17:12:07.499+05:30Laangban Diary — Of Blockade & Its Side-effects <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A troop of laangbangi angaoba leichil had a disheartened retreat under the command of its leader Mr. Laangbanjao. As reported by Mr. Naatrang, “Mr. Laangbanjao, he wore such a dismayed look as we crisscrossed our ways. I had waved him ‘hi’ but he did not even bother to wish back.” <br /><br />On introspection, it has been narrated that the sight of long queues at the petrol pumps, had discouraged Mr. Langbanjao and his troop of angaoba leichil high, very high up in the sky. <br /><br />Prices of daily commodities also keep on rising like esing echao for the last few days. We are obediently bearing the burnt of economic blockade which is currently imposed on the Imphal-Dimapur highway, which is also the lifeline of Manipur. Blockade has always scared us like hell and khoiren-masha paiba has been a classic reaction among our people. <br /><br />Economic blockade imposed on any of the highways always had and has its side-effects. Petrol pumps suddenly run out of stock and inflation finds its glorified meaning. Beat the laangbangi omchaaknaraba nungsha, every Manipuri queues up at the petrol pumps from early morning till late evening. <br /><br />A few social scientists recently conducted a thorough research on social behaviour of Manipuris. They have finally come up with the discovery of a new disease called Blockade Phobia. The syndromes of this disease include:<br />- Inability to eat or sleep properly until and unless the petrol tank of one’s vehicles is filled up. The related syndrome includes waking up early in the morning and the urge to go and queue up at the nearest petrol pump from one’s leikai. Under certain cases, the patient may have a tendency to visit the same petrol pump in the evening to fill up gallons of petrol to stock up. <br /><br />- Another serious syndrome often observed among patients of blockade phobia is the kick of petrolpeneurship. Petrolpeneurship is a newly coined termed, by the social leipoong scientist. It is defined as the sudden desire of becoming an entrepreneur by investing on gallons of petrol and selling the same at an inflated price. <br /><br />Criticized as an unethical means of entrepreneurship, Mr. Achumba, the president of All Manipur Maram Mokpa Association spoke, “We should not waste even a single minute to cure all the patients of such a disease. These patients, if not treated in time, can become a threat to many innovative businesses that are gradually evolving across the state. We need support from the sensible citizens of this khunai for a permanent treatment of such a disease”. <br /><br />“The patients of blockade phobia and their oddities can have a disastrous impact on the impressionable young minds”, said Mr. Angaangjao. <br /><br />He continued, “We should appeal to the concerned authority to come up with preventive measures to check this sandokanba leina as soon as possible”. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Mr. Heipaasingba, the president of Heipaa Saajage Haiduna Houdokchaba Organization remarks, “There is an easy remedy to cure such a phobia. We should start adding ‘Blockade’ to the nomenclature—at least one member of our family can have the name. This way, we will get familiarized with Blockade in a more intimate way. This will ultimately help in erasing the general phobia of blockade”. <br /><br />Citing an example he added further, “The expression ‘blockade laaktoure’ could have a double meaning; for example, Blockade laaktoure could mean a child called Blockade is returning from school as much as it could mean the possibility of an economic blockade to be imposed on any of the National Highways.” <br /><br />Mr. Laangbanjao has sternly condemned the disheartened retreat of his leichil troop. From rumours, he has reportedly told his band, “I need an answer from the Ministry of Seasonal Affairs for such an illogical act or else we will also call for a blockade in the sky of Manipur”. As per our Lei-Ngao Thi-Ngao reporter, AFSPA is likely to be imposed in the sky of Manipur in order to put the situation under control. Jet fighters may soon arrive from mainland India. <br /><br /><b>Postscript</b> Dear Leibaakchasing, let’s try to sneeze out the insanity and insensibility for a change ‘haakthi’! Daylight robbery has become a sort of entrepreneurial skill. What else could be the reason for the scarcity of petrol just from the announcement of a highway blockade—mind it, not from the blockade but just from its announcement — regardless of its senselessness? And here’s my siki worth question of the day-When are the agitators in the hills ever going to understand that their blockades have never affected the government, but rather this kind of protest has been only torturing the general people?<br />
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<i>This article was published on 7 Sep 2014 </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-28656134831080657282014-09-26T17:10:00.000+05:302014-09-26T17:10:15.068+05:30Flimsy Sides: The Demand for ILP System in Manipur <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of my previous columns, titled ‘Implement ILP System in Manipur’ interestingly caught the attention of many readers. I had no idea it would open a wide room as they poured in with encouraging feedbacks, suggestions and criticisms of all sorts. <br /><br />I did not intend to flare up a spark of animosity between non-Manipuris and Manipuris through my article. However, it saddened me a little bit that some of the readers misconstrue and criticize the write-up in a manner as if I had deliberately attempted to churn a flaming inferno of racism through it. <br /><br />Many pseudo-intellectuals with their fake identities even started attacking me personally with their vitriolic remarks. Their Moronic (with a capital ‘M’) comments did not bother me the least. However, I feet pity for them and their incapacitated understanding of my article and of the issue as a whole. <br /><br />Internet has helped many of us to revel in free comments. I hope it will help people take educated and rational decisions and contribute healthily for our collective betterment. Hurling personal abuse does not help anyone. <br /><br />Well, the demand of ILP system has so far gained its momentum. But it’s quite discouraging that there isn’t any progressive sign of its implementation from the government — neither there are informed discussions on the issue. I wonder if the matter is even considered for discussion, in the real sense, by those who are responsible. <br /><br />Some flimsy sides of the agitations and protests have been putting us off for the past weeks. I have listed down a few observations: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. Many people believe that the demand for ILP system is a one-sided affair. We should keep it in our mind that through ILP system, we are not demanding for an exodus of non-Manipuris from Manipur. Are we? On the other hand, it is so ridiculous to consider that those who are residing outside should come back to Manipur. <br /><br />2. Using defamatory words, which may hurt the sentiment of a particular race, is again not a healthy sign of civilization for any community. It should neither be used as a tool in the pursuit of implementing the ILP system in Manipur. <br /><br />Blunt remarks or usage of derogatory words against any race should be avoided as much as possible. If we belong to a civilized community, let’s think, act and speak in a civilized manner. This may sound preachy but I cannot help it, seeing the development ever since this latest round of protest commenced a few weeks ago. <br /><br />3. Resorting to any type of violence should never be equated with amplifying our voice. We can have a unique milestone of our own good — we only have to resort to ‘leibaak-macha taaba’ ways and means of protests and agitations. <br /><br />4. It is also the right time for us to acknowledge that the ILP system in Manipur will not save us from all the troubles. It is just a tiny part of the whole. We have a long list of aggravating issues to deal with. Insurgency, poor governance, erratic power supply, pathetic transport and communication network, the hill-valley divide, etc: all of these are our collective mess. Among these issues, the rising number of crime against women and children over the last few years is quite a matter of concern. </blockquote>
While the demand for ILP is gaining its momentum day by day, the number of crime against children and women unabatedly alarms our sanity. It’s quite an ironical situation. We are demanding for one such permit system that will control the influx of outsiders in our state. At the same time, we are equally threatened by our own folks who have not left any stone unturned to terrify us with their heinous crimes. <br /><br />Such is the condition of our state. Such is the nature of our people. How many familiar demons do we have to deal with before we even try to figure out unfamiliar demons among us? The question is quite perturbing I know. But we must try to figure it out before the problem gets out of control, like it always does in Manipur. <br /><br />The monsters and demons that reside among us are the perfect partner to the rising population of immigrants. When is the government coming out of its comfort zone and tell the people protesting on the street that it is working for the best solution? Do we need to call the leaders name like it happened recently so that they come together?<br />
<br />
<i>This article was published on 10 Aug 2014</i> </div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-2473598300168480932014-07-27T11:07:00.000+05:302014-07-28T12:55:56.677+05:30Implement ILP System in Manipur <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Manipur Masala presents a thought singju on the Inner Line Permit system in the state</i> <br />
<br />
A few days ago, a North Indian friend asked me over an online chat: “Why ate all the fuss about the ILP system in your state?” Of course, I told her the obvious. <br />
<br />
I started, “Imagine the Manipuris are in millions and the Rajasthanis, in mere thousands. How would you feel when there comes a situation: all the Manipuris are starting to settle down in Rajasthan? We would not only consume all the available resources but also exhaust most of the available options of employment in every sector. Our population would keep increasing day by day while the population of the natives would decrease at an alarming rate.” <br />
<br />
How lucky are those who do not have to go through the trials and tribulations of belonging to tiny ethnic groups! But my explanation, when I pressed the replied button was looking so lacking and so I continued. <br />
<br />
“There would also come a time when you guys would not be able own land in your own land. On the other hand, we, the outsiders, will become the new property owners and landlords. We would also be running flourishing businesses at every nook and corner of your state. How would you really feel about that?” <br />
<br />
She did not reply for quite some time. After a long pause, she finally typed, “<i>Arrey yaar, aise kaise ho sakta hain?</i>” <br />
<br />
I shot back, “<i>Aise hee ho rahe hain yahaan</i>. ILP has become a major concern in our state. One day you may plan to visit me here but you would never be able to locate my home because it might be owned by some non-local then. That’s the probable situation, my dear. And that’s why we desperately need ILP in Manipur.’ <br />
<br />
My sweet friend empathised with me over the issue. She did understand the currents that have gripped our state over the last few days. <br />
<br />
It took less than half an hour to explain about this issue to a non-Manipuri friend. However, it is disheartening to find out that our so called self-styled leaders are taking such a long time to understand the issue and implement means to empower it. Can they be this much insensitive about such a crucial issue? How do they represent themselves as our mapi-mapa when they do not pay any heed to any of our grievances? <br />
<br />
The inhumane manner of thrashing students as if they are lamgi sha-sun is such a condemnable act. Do the police personnel understand the meaning of a human being? It seems not. I wonder who commanded them to thrash the students; perhaps they are just the most stupid stooges in the whole universe. Otherwise we know they would not even act, carry out even their own duty on their own. The students are demanding for ILP — for everybody — and not for not air-conditioned classes or swanky facilities at their schools and colleges. <br />
<br />
The ILP issue is not meant for a particular community or locality. It is a common issue that, in my opinion, should tickle the conscience of each and every person in the state. <br />
<br />
Closing down schools and colleges was definitely a kok yaodaba reaction from the government. A counter general-strike was neither a wise solution — though none of these is a surprise, if we look back and recollect the evergreen ad-hocism of the ruling government. There is a saying in Manipuri – Langnaradi nungduum waatey. However, during such a crucial issue pelting stones at each other is not the best thing we can do. We are supposed to have a common stand for both the government anf the governed on such an issue. <br />
<br />
<i>Chafu kairaga kwaakna haraowi</i>. It is the high time we stop pleasing the so-called crows in question. Implementation of ILP in Manipur has nothing to do with the fear psychosis that the non-Manipuris will be excommunicated from the state. Frankly, it is not even a claustrophobic social reaction. ILP is not a China Wall to drive away the non-Manipuris from Manipur. <br />
<br />
We need ILP to preserve and protect our land, to have a control on our economy, to build our business and most importantly to safeguard our cultural identity. <br />
<br />
A linsu-siba-cheisusu-tektaba strategy would be a wise step from the government. If not, this issue may further aggravate and may probably become a predecessor of various other issues. Let’s stop stirring a tempest in a lai-khudeng. Let’s raise our voice to implement the ILP system in Manipur. <br />
<br />
<i>This article was published on 27 July 2014</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Readers have a lot to say on this issue. Some of the comments on the Sangai Express webpage is pasted below (<i>Excuse the pathetic English</i>):</span></span><br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
<br />
<div class="comment-box">
Then every state should start the same thing and manipuris
should not be allowed to stay in any other state as in Delhi and
south-India many are there. This will increase communal disharmony only.
</div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Amit on 27-Jul-2014 at 07:02 AM</i> <br /></div>
<div class="comment-box">
If the whole population of Manipur(say 27 lacs)migrated to
UP which having population of 22 crores,the situation may not be
alarming to UP.But when more than 5 lacs outsiders(Mayang) migrated to a
tiny state like Manipur with population of 27lacs,only the situation is
so alaerming,it threaten the ethnic identity,socio
economic,cultural,traditional and political aspects of the indigenous
ppl.Time to raise up,we owe to our students community for taking on the
horns of stiff suppressive policy of state government.We should
appreciate our students community.</div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
The piece of sanatombi is an
inspiring one,thanks for your contribution.A quote from Malala
Yousafzai,a global icon ,only 17 yrs of age, take on Taliban head on in
Pakistan in her age of 11,advocating education for girls."One child,one
teacher,one book and one pen can change the world".In our age of social
networking,we can thrive for implementation of ILP,to save us from
being" extinct"Every citizen can contribute to his or her capacity,to
achieve it. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Ibochou on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:03 AM </i></div>
<div class="comment-box">
<br />dear sanatombi angomcha,
I must say..im a bit disappointed aftr reading ur article as it seems
more lik a one sided argument.
Can u pl eloborate?
How do outsiders end up owing land in manipur? Was it by grabbing land
or becoz it was for sale?
If it was grabbed, yes., its criminal..but if they bought it fr the
manipuri owner..doesnt it mean dat the previous owner had economical
reasons for selling it..mayb becoz of the declining economy, he cudnt
maintain da property n saw it more benificial to sell it? </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Den sudnt we
focus more on how to improve the economy of the state?in dis case,ILPS
will become a deterant to investment from outside.
Secondly, u seem to b of the view dat we(manipuris) hav similar
interest..is it true? What is da difference between a rich mayang n a
rich manipuri?how is land owned by a rich manipuri going to be
different?is he going to giv his house rent free? Ur assumption is dat
it is better..so please eloborate. My understanding is dat a capitalist
is a capitalist.
Also..wont ILP play spoilsport in da growth of business? </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
I wont go to
mizoram or arunachal n invest in those states fr da same reason
investors wont invest in manipur if ILP is introduced.and if I earn
money from setting up a business in manipur with ILP in da state..I cant
invest in land so il be taking the money out of the state..money wont
come in from outside..so manipurs economy will not improve.
Again, how did u assume dat the students r pro actively struggling for
ILPS? Have u taken a poll to see who supports n who doest? Or even
better..who realy understands the issue at hand?
my experience tels me they r made to march by some 'student leaders' who
jus barged into the classroom.
These r young ppl wid limited understanding of the issue..n r being used
as pawns..made to face the colonialstyle police n suffer physical
injuries.
We all want to contribute for the betterment of manipur but majority of
the public stil do not understand in entirety, the issues related to
ILPS. </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
We form opinions besed on small talks n one sided articles in
local media.
I humbly request u to write another article explaining these in minute
details. Infact..a pros n cons on ILPS will b extremely useful.
We know that a thesis needs a strong antithesis for it to
develop...consider my comment as such. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Jemjem on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:57 AM </i></div>
<div class="comment-box">
<br />@editor..is ther any seminar I can join to discuss and debate and improvement my understanding on dis issue? </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Jemjem on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:01 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
<br />then why do we need to be pissed off with the racial crime
in Delhi or Bangalore or Pune??? if you said so "Imagine the Manipuris
are in millions and the Rajasthanis, in mere thousands. How would you
feel when there comes a situation when all the Manipuris start to settle
down in Rajasthan? We would not only consume all the available
resources but also exhaust most of the available options of employment
in every sector. Our population would keep increasing day by day while
the population of the natives would decrease at an alarming rate,” then
non-Manipuri would also say the same.
My dear author, this is not all about non-Manipuri taking up your job or
eating up your/our share, but its also the fault of Mr. and Ms.
Manipuris who are damn lazy and who would love to act like BABUS...to
me, we better clean our mess before u strike directly to non-Manipuris
</div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Pathau on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:08 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
<br />Amit don't worry,don't panic,we know u hv ILP phobia,the
word ILP is not comfortable for u ppl. Coz if ILP is implemented,ur
game plan to overwhelm Manipur with Mayang,to turn Manipur another
Tripura will be defeated.But most of ur fear is due to poor knowledge on
ILP,I reiterate ILP didn't in any way prevent any one to entered and
stay in Manipur,but you can't be settled permanently here in Manipur.The
faltoo migrants will be prevented.Don't worry if we succeed in
ILP,again we will work to implement ILP in other states of India
too,then to other countries as well.Manipuris are broad minded.We will
again demand ILP for world,after our job is completed......Ur ignorance
is a crime not only for u but for ur family too...u look
sikkim,nagaland,mizoram,arunachal where ILP is enforce,did their state
prevent any outsiders from staying for specific purpose,for specific
time?the ans is NO. But it prevent intrusion without purpose and
permanent settlement.So if u think for permanent settlement in
Manipur,ur worry is genuine,otherwise imaginary.@Manipuri,@Abhi Sharma
etc who are descendants of Mahabharata Arjun may be a little worry coz
they want manipuris to assimilate with Aryans Indian,in the name of
global world,you may discuss ur future course of action to prevent it
but I don't think they will succeed much. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by @Amit on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:22 AM </i></div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Yes My friend Amit,we should start the same thing..Lets us
drive out those Manipuris from each and every states..These people have
been eating our jobs in Metro cities...ok,This is for sanatombi-isn't
this a globalisation era??? Do we Non-Manipuri forcefully buy/owe land
from you??? Isn't there thousands of Manipuri settel outside ur state,in
there owned land??? And yes,this ILP is for a particular community,your
people just seek easy money...Manipur is and always will be an
undevelope state in India...and it shows the bad mirror to our whole NE
states...continue with ur agitation,we will follow u,to implement ILPs
in ours state too. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Abhi sharma on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:46 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ Sanatombi, I appreciate your concern in preserving our
beloved land,unique identity and culture. But you got it wrong here.
Introducing ILP will not solve the problem. It will only serve the
interest of the evil elements of certain sections of the society. Unless
we learn to develop Cultural tolerance we will be left behind. How long
do we intend to live in isolation from the rest of the country? We
speak of racial discrimination in Cities outside Manipur but we're no
less better. Living in isolation will only jncrease the regional
imbalance. Isn't it time we come out of our cocoon and learn from other
developing states? Your article may earn you some brownie points here in
Manipur but your attitude has put all of us in a bad light. I
understand exactly how your online friend must have felt about us. The
union Government on 5th Dec 2013 rejected the demand for introduction of
ILP in Meghalaya. The Home Ministry conveyed it was bound by Article 19
of the constitution which allows any Indian citizen to move freely
throughout the territory of the Country. What hope do we have in
implementing ILP? We will be better off by concentrating our energy
towards other activities like reforming education system, Land
acquisition laws and cultural development programs rather than blindly
protesting and involving innocent students. Time to wake up! </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by #Concern Citizen on 27-Jul-2014 at 11:07 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Why asking introduction of ILP? Istead asked for revoking
ILP cos it is already here during 60s, when , why and who lifted i don't
know. We hill people still enforce and practice still now. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Kol Sempao on 27-Jul-2014 at 03:33 PM </i></div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@Abhis Sharma aka .... aka jemjem aka amit aka ....who told u
ILP will be stumbling Block for outside investors?Don't post half
knowledge,concocted,imaginary theories to mislead the people.Educate
yourself before writing on any issues otherwise your hollowness will be
exposed.Your comments revealed that you people know nothing on the
plight of other NE states where ILP is enforcing.Do home work first.I
will take up one small example to prove wrong on your contention that
ILP prevent outside investment.Sikkim ,I think you may heard of this
state,is a state where ILP is enforcing.Some portion of the state
adjoining China are restricted and protected areas.You people know
national and international companies are investing in hydroelectric
projects,Teesta projects stage 1 to 4 are developing in sikkim.The
stage 4 alone have the capacity of 1200MW which is 2nd largest project
in India,if it is commission.</div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Teesta Urja,Gati infra,Neepco,NHPC are all
working with promoters /developers include company from foreign
countries.Apart from that Pharmaceutical companies like Cipla,Alkem etc
have their manufacturing center in this state.Local wine liquor,beers
,India made foreign liquors ,manufacturing factories stay in this
state.Besides, in tourism sectors too restaurants,cabs,lodging,other
services are providing by non sikkimese .These are small examples to
prove that ILP don't prevent outside investors.Again foreign and
domestic tourists keep flowing throughout the year with visa on arrival
and ILP permit issued without restrictions,but only to regulate and
monitor the outsiders entry.Outsiders students studying in Manipal Tech
institutions /ELAM universities etc.outsiders are working in Maanipal
federal hospitals and other institutions.</div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Mainland traders and
businessmen are doing their business.However those who are not State
subjects are not entitled for voting rights,not allow to settle down,not
get government jobs,not allow to purchase land,which protected the
sikkimese aboriginal people.The same imply to other states too.I am just
giving a Subjective and instructive example because classical examples
will not go down well in your upper faculty,as I can anticipated from
your comments.No hard feelings please.This truth may embarass you people
because your sole intention was to assimilate aboriginals of Manipur
with Aryan origin in due course of time thereby obliterate our identify
from this earth since you are descendants of Arjun of Mahabharata.For
God's sake please leave this issue to Manipuris alone.You Miyancha has
no business here. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Ibochou on 27-Jul-2014 at 06:18 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
what kind of language is this? either write in proper English or Meiteilon. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by leima on 27-Jul-2014 at 06:42 PM </i></div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
This is why I m truly shamed of being Manipuri. Bunch of
cowards cowardice blah blah when they can't control their own family.
Blaming their neighbors is their habbit. This is not democratic
movement. Open up ur minds bros and sis, we're living on the same
planet. Everyone has the right to live anywhere if they are worthy. If
you wanna protect ur culture there are a lot ways to that. INP is the
shortcut you think you found but that is wrong. Your shortcut shamed us.
I m telling you this again and again, stop this cowardice. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Axxo on 27-Jul-2014 at 06:56 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Nice article! It is important to inform the public in this
kind of emergency solution. It is not surprising though some people are
talking about language like they are some PhD holders in English [Mathi
fao khange!] Leave those hopeless puritans. But the issue is that we
have to safeguard our own land. Amit & Co. must be some frustrated
and useless Mayang who can do nothing but babble here. We are together
for ILP! [Another moron cannot even say it properly INP - wtf is that?]
The government must listen to the people's voice. Implement the system
urgently! Haiyoom sidaba. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Khomba on 27-Jul-2014 at 07:41 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
It is pursuasive and straightforward piece of work from
sister Sanatombi.we may be apprehensive about the modus operandi of the
ongoing ILPS movement but the demand per se is of utmost importance
and a necessity also.unfortunatly,due to lack of publicity and hence
awareness,its been misconstrued as a demand either to expatriate the
nonmanipuris or to deny access to the state,we need to clear these
misplaced thoughts.further we need to ask a few quetions to ourselves to
clarify the utility and feasibility of the ILPS,even though we are
guranteed by the constitution to move and travel and settle anywhere,can
we really enjoy or is it really safegurd us?of course not.one may argue
that so many manipuris are settle or live in other states.but where?
and how much in terms of number and penetration?can we go door door to
like the non locals doing right in our villages.again it may be put to
question that the nonlocals are laborious than us.but its is not only
laboriosness but also uncontrolled population due to lackadisical effort
of family planning in the larger states.just imagine how there is such
an alienating forces even in metros? everybody knows how large is our
state.it s just like a district of a larger state,but such a tiny area
of indian state is where we can be ourselves,whre we can preserve our
culture.is this isolation?or does it goes against the multi culturalism
ethics?or against the spirit of constitution? we are far lesser in
number,economic clout,and politcal influence that a compltele cultural
and demographic intercourse can dissolve whatever we have.then how will
identify ourselves.here one possibility is if we can transform
ourselves like the the most influntial Parsis.</div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Howesver it is not
realistic.is this paranoidic,xenophobic,or ailing from inferiority
complex?then are we superior in any way than the other ILP staates? if
so in what ways?and by corollary are we better ably equipped to compete
in every ecosystem with the outsiders,by this it doesnt mean ilps is a
panacea for all the ills but it will be a major step which can
regulate the .unchecked influx from anywhre.there needs to be some
balance.we have to be secure ourselves not to become a second
tripura.only then our future generation can feel secure and it will
help healing ifestation of the millitancy.after that we can considerer
other aspects of development.of course we need to be safe,we caanot
compare ourselves more established societies.a little digression,just
remember to get one and only historical Kangla how many years and how
extreme forms of demonstrations needed while the great no. of rajput
forts,dravidian and chola and etc etc attract protcttion and
preservation not only by there architectural magnificence but histerical
significance.is kangla less important?this is an example how the
marginalised can face the imbalance and inequity in all terms until we
reched a certain extent of maturirty and ability to stand ourselvesa in
the face of greater forces.we seem to forget a capitalist like ambani
have the ability to purchase whole of manipur!and thats why so many
special clauses are inserted in the constitution to preserve the weaker
sections and minorities. someone here expressed having a good doubt
linking investment with ilps ipmlementation.then how many investments
have so fer received without ilps in the last so many years.and why is
it not possible to have special provisions for investments to attract
under ilps .it is quite irrational to believe that settling by migrants
to the extent of succeeding our little population would be any
meaningful investment.ilps is neither xenophobic nor ultravires.example
is our neighbours.only it needs courage to project the matter in a
positive way to win support from all citizens.if its hazardous and
unethical to involve the young students then let us devise it in other
peaceful ways.lets write in national dailies.but it is not helpful being
a cynic. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by wecandoit on 27-Jul-2014 at 08:12 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ibochou...what is wrong wid u? Ur analysis is totally
wrong. U chose sikkim?..for ur example?
i request the readers to pl read up on sikkims economy aftr reading
dis.sikkim is a tourist haven.the ppl r friendly n welcoming. And in
manipur, we hav YOU!! A tyre burning,racist,economics
wizard..screaming.."mayang..mayang"..n reading my comment wid his eyes
pooping out in his super fast p4 desktop n superfast internet.
how can u say dat all the above mentioned investors will invest in
manipur? If they didnt invest before ..why will they come n invest after
ILP is invoked? Investors look for investment friendly regions to
invest.Not a land wid ppl lik YOU!!!
wat a donkey! Sikkim..sikkim.
investors are lining up at mizoram n nagaland,yes? </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by jemjem on 27-Jul-2014 at 08:52 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Just as Bishnupuria meiteis who are bengali descendants
claimed their rights as Meiteis with time. we the mainlanders can also
follow through this way as a manipuri, because we are Indians. we are
born and brought up in Manipur. friends! Please use sense in your
thinking. As Indians we should embrace one another and have close
interactions to share our oneness through cultures, traditions exchange
etc. Even inter caste marriage can be encouraged as this will bond our
wholeness spirit and build a strong nation. ILP is not the solution, why
do you want a separate Act? Indian constitution under Article 19 has
allow every indian citizen to move freely around the country. please
stop this Stupidity and selfishness. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Ramesh on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:02 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
I really appreciate Sanatombi’s article. The Indo-Pak war
in 1970s led to the migration of huge amount of Bangladeshi refugees in
Burma, Tripura, Assam and Manipur which totally changed its politics
within few years. The influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, Burma
and India has been continuing .We should stand together against such
demographic invasion. ILP is not only to check the immigrant but also to
register any outsiders entering Manipur. Tripura, Assam and Sikkim are
the living examples of how migrants devour the indigenous populations.
Manipur cannot be treated like other Indian States. We should remember
how our government in 1947-49 was concerned for the implementation of
visa system for the outsiders for entering the state. In the 19th
century also the royal government of Manipur had an office at Lakhimpur
which issued visa to the foreigners entering Manipur. [I guess even
Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore didn’t get visa to enter
Manipur]. </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Although this system was completely independent of Bengal
Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1874, we should look from that point of
history. Now the immigrant issue becomes more serious with the opening
of borders. The indigenous populations will disappear in few years with
the opening of Trans Asian highways and railway in the state. The
puppet government in Manipur cannot take any remarkable step means the
influx of immigrant in Manipur is political in nature. We cannot simply
treat it as mere influx but it has the nature of ethnic genocide. We
should stand together against such Government sponsored demographic
invasions. I wonder some of the casual opportunist Manipuris are showing
reckless to the issue with baseless arguments. Listen, @ Axxo Naturally
people are dynamic. They migrated from one place to another for better
life. “We’re living on the same planet” is true but it is also true
that we cannot visit any place in the planet without a stamp called
visa….
"Let’s raise our voice to implement the ILP system in Manipur." </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Wangam Somorjitsana on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:19 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ Ibochou : You don't require ILP to go to sikim except for
northen sikim because of the sensitive nature of the international
border with china. Same thing applies to Ladakh also but now except some
border areas ILP is withdrawn from ladakh for indians.
@sanatombi : Iche sanatombi you have shown your class and intellect
here.The population of parsi community is 69000 only and surviving the
so called and dreaded onslaught by mayangs in a city like mumbai for
centuries. Have you heard of Darwin? His survival of the fittest theory
if you want to defy then why stop at ILP! ask for a reserve forest for
manipuris like Jarawas or sentineles in andaman. My request is convince
general jadumani to demand for a first reserve forest status for humans
of manipur. </div>
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<i>Posted by cupid on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:36 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@Ibochouba,It seems that u never have been out of ur
Hut..sikkim does't has ILP system..And for ur kind ioformation PAP is
not for we Indians...It is because of the chinese Line of
control,connected to that particular area...since i a govt.servant,been
to almost all the states in India...but none is corrupted as Manipur,u
are drown in corruption,at the same time i Also Admit of my state
corrupt too,but see the difference.U have nothing,expect spreading
venom. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Abhi sharma on 27-Jul-2014 at 09:50 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Axxo Now you feel ashame to be a Manipuri,because there is a
nationality to your bearing whether you like it or not ,a time may come
for your descendants that nothing left for them to say ashame of.You
moron got my point.If you are ashamed to say you are son of your mother
then take anyone 's mother's name who are beauty,wealthy,powerful.Kick
out your mom...you will not understand what is saying here,you may be
wondering..ha ha ha... </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by @Axxo on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:14 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
mieteis u ppl r not fit to led manipur... </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by neps on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:38 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ Ramesh Article 19 (I) (d) and (e) gives freedom any
citizens of India to move freely but it doesn’t give free right. I
hope you are aware of article 19 (5) which provides that “ Nothing in
sub clauses (d) and (e) of the said clause shall affect the operation of
any existing law in so far as it imposes, or prevent the State from
making any law imposing, reasonable restrictions on the exercise of any
of the rights conferred by the said sub clauses either in the interests
of the general public or for the protection of the interests of any
Scheduled Tribe”. For the interest of the indigenous populations the
Govt. should implement ILP under Article 10 (5) for restricting entry of
outsiders to Manipur. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Wangam Somorjitsana on 27-Jul-2014 at 10:53 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
Go for protest sittings at your local MLAs' residential
gates. Never vote for anyone who don't consider ILPS serious. Start
right from today. Start campaigning today. It's a matter of our own
survival. Whatever our elected members decided is our decision coz they
represent us legally in the eyes of everyone. So none can stop them. Go
protest to your local MLAs. ILPS or No Vote! Let them take the decision.
</div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by xyz on 27-Jul-2014 at 11:14 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@Cupid@Abhi Sharma,again you show your hollowness and
incomplete knowledge.Don't misled the readers with your hollow knowledge
,if you didn't know about the subject you admit it ,but don't
bluff.Even if you bluff ,educated person will google search the tourism
deptt.contact numbers and can confirm whether ILP system enforce in
Sikkim or not.If you touch Sikkim you will find a place called Rangpo,Ok
there the outsiders have to obtain ILP before entering sikkim.Sometimes
there happens some mistaken identity that ppl from NE was mistaken as
Sikkimist /NepaleseSikkimese police didn't ask for pass,but very
cases.Whatever I wrote in my comments is after confirmation,not
assumption or hearsay as you ppl do.check your facts.@Jemjem,I thought
that you are a one who can be interactedd but I found that your upper
faculty is not to working normally ,my reference of Sikkim is just to
proof that ILP doesn't in any way prevent outsiders from investment,from
entering,from staying,or doing business in that state,which I had
mentioned repeatedly.I am not discussing the congenial and favorable
factors for investment by outsiders in a state.That subject is a
separate issue.Now your upper faculty can understand,got my point?I
didn't think you can understand so easily.Now if you really get my point
then tell,who is the real donkey?Sometimes I wonder how these ppl with
hollow knowledge and even can't come to a logical conclusion started
posting comments on such sensitive issues without having enough
knowledge to substantiate their line of argument.Absurd!!! </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Ibochou on 27-Jul-2014 at 11:24 PM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ibochou.apologies for my harsh comments.i lost my cool.but
after some deliberation i realised now dat u firmly believ in wat u
profess.
it is gud to debate on topics as sensitive as dis..as the consequence
mite b critical fr several sections of society.
as we can all see..this article has generated a lot of interest..we need
to put it to gud use.
my concern is dis. </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
1.the issue of ILPS mite hav been raked up by vested interest.
2.since ILPS is a very sensitive issue,various political groups can spin
it in anyway they want n da conservative sections of civil society will
obviously support it n in da process..unfortunate incidents can take
place.
3.the use of young students can result in casualties..even lost of young
innocent lives..
4.the vested interest can easily use dese deaths as an excuse to further
the protest..even tho it was them who forced da students in da line of
fire.
5.as our society already has hatred for the 'mayangs'..historical n cuz
of afspa..they become easy targets.
6.the argument that ILP is a panacea fr manipurs problem is wrong.
7.assuming dat ILPS actually works..n saves manipur from being "overrun"
by outsiders..n prevents it frm becoming another tripura..who will
really benifit?
8.isnt it a gud thing fr outsiders to come n assimilate wid our
culture..isnt dat growth?i met a sardar in dwarka,delhi..at a shop n he
approached me n spoke to me in manipuri.. gave me great pleasure to hear
him speak in flawless manipuri..in delhi..n he said he ws frm manipur.
imagine dat.i felt proud..but here..we r screaming"mayang mayang"
9.it seems like anyone doubting da effectiveness of the ILPS demand is
branded anti national...very similar to the mentality dat anyone not
supporting Indian cricket team is anti national..or unpatriotic.
10.the incident is starting to look more like the MNS n shiv sena
marathi movement..hence my apprehensions.
11.advocates of ILPS are getting more vocal..n therefore ready to pay
any price..which scares me.no amount of debate can make them take a step
back..n think.
12.the love for motherland is begining to be equated wid the hate for
outsiders..a dangerous trend. </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ibochou n everyone reading dis comment.it mite luk cool n patriotic n
feel rt to be vocal abt ILPS..but if u put urself in the others shoe n
imagine..isnt it scary..especially if u had made manipur ur home...
well..i hav many more points to discuss but wil keep it fr later..
@abhi sharma..u sud share ur apprehension abt ILPS
..it will help us a lot. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by jemjem on 28-Jul-2014 at 12:51 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@wangam somorjitsana, Please read over to understand
properly. The Article 19 clause(5) has clearly define regarding the sub
clauses of (d) & (e) of clause (1). If we go by the language used in
it, it is quite noticeable that words such as any existing Law. This
means any such Law must be currently in operation. Further Following
line says reasonable restrictions to serve the interests of the general
public, here again, we too belong as the General public, we have been
residing in Manipur for many years. Protection of the interest of the
schedule tribe, cannot be inclusive since Manipur is a land of various
communities consisting of Muslims, Meiteis, Nepalese, tribals and
Mayangs(a discord reference you love to call us) who are now making
Manipur as their home, possessing lands and well establish business.
Please put your sense in place, we cannot divide the nation in a myopic
promotion. </div>
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<i>Posted by Ramesh on 28-Jul-2014 at 01:08 AM</i> </div>
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</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ibochou..n yes,one more thing..in most of da comments
posted..they seem to think dat all outsiders r in cahoot to overrun
manipur.
that it is der masterplan to b da majority in 10-20yrs in manipur by
migrating in large nos.
pl let the readers know dat it is not so.
or am i mistaken here? Is der a grand scheme?
if der is no such scheme...den it is likely that they r also jus ppl
trying to look fr a way to survive..victim of economic
circumstances..jus like everyone else.NOT the villians. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by jemjem on 28-Jul-2014 at 01:29 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
do we think india is a democracy country? yes y not
than you can settle down anywhere,anyplace .think of ur family,fren,brotrs hu are staying outside.do they
realy sopprt ILP in manipur.........MERITS N DEMERITS???????????????????? </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by thanyui on 28-Jul-2014 at 07:30 AM</i> </div>
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</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@Jemjem ,ur apologetic sense is appreciatedLook brother
there r only two options b4 us.We have to adopt either of the two.Yes
for ILP or No.If we consider NO,then we the Meeteis,(Our fellows hill
area are already protected by statute)whose population nearly 15
lacs(lets say)only concentrated in small size imphal valley ,will be
vulnerable to influxion on alarming proportion of migrants estimated to
somewhere 5lacs.(1/3are immigrants).The proportion is so alarming,one
has to accept the reality.(I too have many mainland friends,since I work
in central government deppt.)However,if we,our generation,didn't wake
up to the occasion,and do something to check the mass exodus,surely a
time may come that the situation is out of hand,and we have little to
do,that may cost dearly to our community.The ILP movement is nothing
personal to someone ,say to Mr.X,Y or Z.The ILP is not
unconstitutional,it is implementing in other NE states,too.A small
population like Our greatly necessitates ILP to safeguard ourselves
against the vast numbers of Indian population surging for 2billion.There
is nothing anti Mayang,or against any particular community or
individual,on ILP demand.I strongly feel ,drawn from all practical
purpose,that it doesn't in any way prevent outsiders to land in our
state for any purpose,for definite period of time,as required,but not
settle down permanently,owning lands.I have stay and seen
Nagaland,Tripura,Sikkim,Assam,and other mainland states (during course
of my posting) and logically conclude that protectionists policy like
ILP ,is very much necessary in Manipur ,for survival of Meetei,one may
agree it or not. .....Again if we consider the option of Yes
to ILP,then it is the only way we can protect and preserve our
identity,against the present trends of influxion and lethargic attitude
of Meeteis in general.I too have many "Mayang"friends ,I love some of
them,but safeguarding our community is more important,and my love to
them does not diluted .Nothing personal about it.There are some immature
comments above who cannot even understand well on what is expressing in
the write up of sanatombi. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Ibochou on 28-Jul-2014 at 08:59 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ Ramesh…. I am highlighting Art. 19 (5) again “nothing
shall prevent the State from making any law with reasonable restrictions
in the interests of the general public.” So, implementation of ILP is
constitutional. Whether the State should be read as Union of India or
the ’state’ is questionable since the Union Minister Shinde very
confusedly said that it is purely a state subject. Here the ‘general
public’ can read as the people of Manipur…. you should be clear that
people of Manipur means Meetei and all the indigenous tribes, not those
outsiders ( mayangs/ Nepalese) who came to devour the original
population after the abolition of the permit system or visa system in
1950…. You much have been aware of the ongoing public movement for the
implementation of ILP which led to the closing of all the school/
college till today… this is a general public movement….. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by Wangam Somorjitsana on 28-Jul-2014 at 10:10 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
ILPS, inner line permit system is an important TOPIC for
debate and discussion by one and all who considered themselves as
indigenous tribe/people.In today's political scenario around the
world,in particular well within the INDIA,to preserved and conserved the
rich heritage of one's regional culture,language,tradition,political
ideology,land resourse and integrity and demography is the sole and
birth right of every individual of that particular region/state.we know
nation building is ongoing process and a large subcontinent type nation
like INDIA must deal with regional aspirations like (ILPS)through
democratic negotiation rather than suppression.Regions together form the
NATION,so regions must have a share in deciding the destiny of the
NATION,if not the feeling of injustice and alienation can spread which
in turned will go for secessionist movement.Regional imbalance in
economic and development is a fact of INDIA'S growth story.</div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
At the same
time MANIPUR,TRIPURA and KHASI HILLS of MEGHALAYA were erstwhile
princely STATE which mearged with india after independence.the economy
of the entire NE regions were badly affected and distorted,and most of
the regions underwent mojor demography changes mostly due to large scale
influx of migrants and immigrants from other states and countries.in
this situatin,regional aspiration is not an abnormal
phenomenon.lastly,let us accepted that NE regions shares boundaries with
CHINA,MYANMAR,BANGLADESH unlike other state of india and there is a
great tendency of massive influx of immigrants.again,half the world's
population growth occurs in just 06 countries
china,bangladesh,pakistant,india,(Indonesia and Nigeria)out of these
06,our NE has been surrounded by three most populous country.as we
know,poverty and state's economy are somehow correlated with large scale
migration and is a matter of serious concerned for one and all to our
core values of our existence.India is a large nation with huge number of
large communities but the phenomenon of engulfing small fish by large
fish will not be accepted, we know what to do and we will fight with
tooth and nail for this common cause.influx really endangered the
question of encroaching on our scare resources like land and there will
be a serious threats to the employment opportunities to the indigenous
tribals which still grappled with a tremendous amount of
unemployment,next political power,very important factor to decide the
future of our next generation.with these large current influx of
migrants will reduce the indigenous MANIPURIS into a minority.so,in near
future or next state assembly election you will see 30 seats will be
occupied by the outsiders,you will be rule by outsiders at your own
state till the time that you came to realized once we were under the
colonial imperor of british,history repeat itself but this time we will
not let it happened.so wake up my dear @Ramesh @jemjem and other
stumbling blocks.ILPS is our sole right,when it happened to ARUNACHAL
PRADESH, NAGALAND,SIkkim why not in MANIPUR.we respect every
individual,but try to understand it is our sole and birth right in which
we could stand at our own feet.....thank you all. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by IROM on 28-Jul-2014 at 10:54 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@ibochou..thank you,i understand the logic behind the demand
fr ILP. Everyone wants to contribute towards da preservation n
continuity our culture.
it is the method dat is in question here..becoz of the consequences
involved in da equation.
i feel that someone sud clealy address the concerns of da nay group.
history is filled wid such moments..everywher in da world.we r not the
first ..nor will b the last.
if we read up on what happened to those movements..it wil b helpful.
can u please address my corcerns..point by point..if possible.
@all the proILPS readers.
if all these apprehensions can b laid to rest..i firmly believ dat the
demand fr ILPS will b stronger..n justified. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>Posted by jemjem on 28-Jul-2014 at 11:04 AM</i> </div>
<div class="comment-box">
</div>
<div class="comment-box">
@jemjem,I can tell u only one thing to you.There are two
types of persons,1.those person who always try to do things (read
positive things)in one pretext or other 2)those person who always try
not to do things in one pretext or other.Similarly....There are thousand
ways not to do ILP,same time, there are thousand ways to do ILP,which
way you go? The answer is yours to decide.If you have decided to do,then
one doesn't necessarily need to accommodate all thousand ways of
Opposite(not to do).Otherwise you can't take a decision and become a
confused person. </div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i>
Posted by Ibochou on 28-Jul-2014 at 11:51 AM </i></div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="comment-footer">
<i> </i></div>
</div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-80230427704501755752014-07-15T16:48:00.001+05:302014-07-15T16:48:41.924+05:30Chaobinism: Defying Chauvinism <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In our society most of the rules are formed, deformed and again reformed by the male lots. It’s always a Thoiba, Tomba or Chaoba’s world. For a Thoibi, Tombi or Chaobi, it’s a different tale to tell. In quite a devilling Hindu style, the bigger gender says, ‘Nupigi punsidi paap mayaamna yomaga poklakpani’. I ghastly wonder how those religious pundits ever dare to come to such a conclusion. How dare they! <br /><br />Man-tastic chauvinism is a social trend that’s been observed for all these decades in almost every society including ours. Hence, a Thoiba, Chaoba or Tomba is metaphorically considered as a mani matum for his parents whereas a Chaobi or Tombi is — for the want of an appropriate word — a leibaak leituum? I have always been emotionally offended by such a mindset ever since I was a kid. I am still emotionally offended by such a thaak-nemba mindset. On moral or immoral grounds, when a son makes a mistake it’s ngaosinaba but if a daughter does, it becomes a great concern not just for the family but also for the entire saagei-naatei and keiroi-leikai. <br /><br /><b>World Cup for the Men and Beyond </b><br /><br />In various cases, daughters are expelled to have their share of fun. To cite a simple example, hanging out somewhere or watching football or any game late in the night with friends would be unimaginable, if not it is odd or disgraceful for a girl. However, the same is a matter of ‘nupa thokpa’, a time for great celebration for the male lots. <br /><br />I have in fact grown up in one such leikai where guys in groups enjoy late night football or any match over pegs of local booze and nganu/yen/oak thongba for maarinaba. I do not intend to culture a similar habit. But I would encourage the idea of a few leikai friends or even cousins hanging out together for a football match. Why should boys/guys have all the fun? This has been a major concern for me; not that it’s a matter of animosity towards the male lots. <br /><br />Well, this would hopefully be the last time I would ever get a chance to watch World Cup leisurely from the comfort of my home. I know not how my nupamayum would be like but am damn sure no family would entertain their ‘mamou nupi’ watching football late in the night and waking up late in the morning. So that’s it? <br />Marriage, at least to me, seems like an artificial sterilization of a relation that is forged and forced to maintain for the rest of your life with some special clauses for the bride such as: ‘Thou shall abandon all the pre-marital hobbies. Thou shall adhere to the rules of waking up earlier than the morning birds. Thou shall under any circumstance fulfil the duties abound with the awunpot of thy luhongba’. <br /><br />Gawd! I am already getting sick of these things already. I wonder if I would be able to religiously follow them all. Or should I start thinking about empowering ‘Chaobinism’? <br /><br /><b>Of Chaobinism and the Wind of Change </b><br /><br />Earlier, the norm was set like this: the son has to earn while the daughter has to run the home. But things have changed over the years. Daughters not only run but also earn for the family. I know many friends and acquaintances, who financially support their families and at the same time run all the household errands. The rising number of such women and daughters, in my opinion, is a clear sign of progress, rather than a reply to the inflated mindset of man-tastic chauvinism in our society. <br /><br />I have also come across many brave and courageous ladies who have misspelled the myth that ‘Nupa dangna paangal thokpa thabak touba ngami’. Consider the rise of Mary Kom, for instance. History is also the sole witness when it comes to the thouna-lingjel of Manipuri ladies. It would not be an exaggeration to state that the hand that once rocked the cradle also cracks many a rock just to support her family. Of late, the rising number of working ladies in both public and private sectors is more or less an implication that we have finally come out of the cocoon to face the world and pave our own ways. <br /><br />Yes, it’s a clear sign of positive change. It’s the gradual phase of ‘Chaobinism’ defying chauvinism that has been rooted on our mindset for all these years and decades. The dictionary would never have a right place for ‘Chaobinism’ but who cares? We are ready with the change though we know male chauvinism will prevail as always. We are going with the flow of the times that are changing. No matter what, it is as much a Thoibi or Chaobi’s world as much as it’s a Thoiba or Chaoba’s world.<br />
<br />
<i>This article was published on 15 June 2014. </i><br />
<br /></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-63480568704994514552014-07-15T16:43:00.001+05:302014-07-15T16:43:47.615+05:30Lucrative Job Openings for All & Sundry! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Who says there is a dearth of job opportunities in our state? There are many consultancies that have been providing employment for the job seekers. Earlier, there was a trend of networking through which many individuals became lakhpati or crorepati within a few months. At present, there are many emerging consultancies who promise employment opportunities to a wide range of job seekers from the state. <br /><br />Under the aegis of Thok-Mok Job Consultancy Services, the following posts are currently available for various candidates from different walks of life. Thok-Mok Job Consultancy Services is one of the (non-existing) consultants based in Imphal. Successfully training and recruiting various thou-leitabagi thou thibada waaraba lots in our society, TMMJCS is expanding its wing across the state in due interest of culturing an anti- tangdu-leitaba khunai. <br /><br />Thouleitabamayum Maloti, H.R Manager TMMJCS, states “We want to contribute our bit in providing employment opportunities to various job seekers across the state. We currently have job openings for some profiles. I am sure many job seekers will be excited about these openings”. <br /><br />As per the official notice from TMMJCS, the following posts are currently available. <br /><br /><b>1. Name of post - Moral Police Executive (M.P.E) </b><br />Number of vacancies to recruit- 50 & more <br /><br /><i>Roles and responsibilities </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The M.P.E will be solely and strictly responsible to take part in various moral policing activities that are currently becoming a trend in our society. The main role of an M.P.E is to instruct and direct his or her sub-ordinates in various restaurant drives that are continuously conducted across the city. The job profile for an M.P.E will be suitable for those who love meddling up with everyone or anyone’s affairs. </li>
</ul>
<i>Educational Qualification </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Should be a B.A/M.A but prefer those who have completed or are pursuing their Phd in Moral Science </li>
</ul>
<i>Work Experience </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>At least five years experience of participation in various restaurant drives across the city. </li>
<li>Ahei apaa saaba candidates who have an incorrigible attitude can also apply. </li>
</ul>
<i>Communication skill </i><br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Should be good in rowdy and hoarse communicative skill. </li>
<li>Fresher(s) who are open to learn ‘khonda haotaba’ will also be considered. Training will be provided by various lai-hori and chinganba/bi trainers. </li>
</ul>
<b>2. Name of the post - Mob Justice Executive Officer (M.J.E.O) </b><br />Number of vacancies to recruit- 100 & more (if situation demands) <br /><br /><i>Roles and responsibilities </i><br /><ul>
<li>The M.J.E.O will be fully responsible to organize a roaring maddening crowd during an unwanted incident. S/he should have the ability to mis/lead the crowd and mis/guide them to execute various un/wanted actions that include destroying the house of the culprit of any XYZ crime, beating up the culprit black and blue etc. Candidates who have experience in leikaigi mee-funaba will also be given a chance to hold such a challenging post. </li>
</ul>
<i>Educational Qualification </i><ul>
<li>Preferably M.A.B.Fs (Matric Appeared But Failed). Since this job profile does not require much logical thinking or judgement, higher educational qualification is not necessary for the candidate. Those who have “I can do it” attitude are eligible to apply for the post. </li>
</ul>
<i>Work Experience </i><ul>
<li>2-3 years experience as Urao-Tharao Laoba Commander on high-school or college level. </li>
</ul>
<br /><i>Form submission, interview & miscellaneous </i><br /><br />Forms are currently available at the office of TMMJCS for the above mentioned job openings. Please note that there won’t be any last date of form submission for the above posts. The recruitment for M.P.E and M.J.E.O will also be held throughout the year. As for the interview, the candidate can turn up at our office everyday between 9 A.M and 9 P.M. We provide a flexible timing for all the candidates and that’s one of our USPs.<br />
<br />
<i>This article was published on 13 July 2014</i><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-86063331763314285542014-06-08T12:41:00.001+05:302014-06-08T12:41:24.472+05:30 Bridging the Personal & Professional: Entrepreneurship in Manipur <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
To decide and to organise a business venture of your own and to bear all the associated risks with it, in my opinion, requires proper planning, dedication and a go-getting attitude. Money really talks. But in my humble opinion, entrepreneurship is not just about money. It is also about pursuing our cherished dream in a professional manner. <br /><br />For a sarkargi job, money of course matters. So, you want to crack MPSC exam? Have you arranged for lupa 30–40 lakh? So, you want to apply for the post of SI, have you arranged for 10–15 lakh? Such is the norm that goes on in our state. But there is nothing to be proud about it. <br /><br />In a land like Manipur where unemployment problem breeds like mosquitoes in a filthy nala, I consider entrepreneurship as one of the probable solutions. The challenges of entrepreneurship are however of different types and nature. <br /><br />Sometimes our own family would fail to understand what we love to do or want to do. Let me tell you a personalised example right from my family. My mom never understands what I do. In her opinion, I am wasting my time, money and energy investing on various activities that are apparently clueless as much as meaningless to her. <br /><br />The same goes for my saagei-naatei and all the mari-mata under the sun. Ever since I passed my graduation, my relatives expect (read want) me to get a stable job at one of the sarkargi offices. Their understanding of a stable job is however beyond my good understanding. Some of them keep nagging me, “MCS kumba atei peikha gumba thajinlu yadro nangbu matam paamudro?” If I had 30 lakh, there is nothing to stop me from investing in some of the ideas that I have for my future ventures. <br /><br />Alright, it’s not a shocking discovery that the value of an individual (as per the understanding of our society) is evaluated according to the post s/he holds in a particular government sector. For that matter, it is a matter of pride and prestige that is measured in the amount of money one can steal from the public exchequer. Such is the fate of our society. <br /><br />I do not have anything personal against any of the government officials/employees but trust me I would be the last person on earth who is ever interested in a regular sarkargi thabak. I have never ever bothered to appear for any of the competitive exams so far (patting myself on the shoulder). Please excuse us, the opportunists, read optimists, who believe in changing from ‘inside’ the system. <br /><br />Piles of files on the table, a cranky ceiling fan, giggles of ladies over gossips, the smell of bora-kanghou and the most important of them: marup houbi, fee yonbi and yengnabi among the staff — all these form the picture of a typical government office. To add, a file from one table to another takes days/weeks/months or even years depending on how much amount we are ready to pay the lazy clerks. A single signature that does not even take 10 seconds actually takes days, weeks or even months. It has nothing to do with thabak chinba or chindaba of the particular official. We know it why. <br /><br />Like bones for doggies, it’s always money-money-and-only-money for the government officials. In quite a thou leitaba way, I wonder how they flaunt themselves as the educated lots when they have reduced themselves to a shameless breed of ‘ekai khangdaba siki anada choppa’ people. It is no surprising though, when their seniors and heads of the departments are leading the bandwagon. <br /><br />Over the last few months — after I have decided to start standing on my own, doing my own stuff in Imphal — I have been familiarised that muscle and money are the only two things that matter if we are desperate to get something done. <br /><br />The other power which is genuinely needed by us is altogether a different machal of discussion here. Amid the mess, it is quite a challenge for any individual to sow the seeds of entrepreneurship in a land like ours where many are ready to criticise and demoralise with the ‘oiroidabada or yaroidabada’ comments. Comments are free and the Manipuris just cannot ignore the free stuffs. Look at our government for instance, waiting for the freebies from New Delhi year in and year out. <br /><br />But then again, as some of the pioneers of entrepreneurship have shown us, it is a lucrative career option to invest in our ideas, especially for those who have taken a daily dose of anti-corruption pills. The guild of entrepreneurs has taken root over the last few years, much thanks to technology and the energy of our generation. It is time to look ahead for empowerment. It is time for a wind of change in Manipur.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 9 June 2014</i> <br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-1175765038289067862014-06-02T17:52:00.001+05:302014-06-02T17:52:58.974+05:30An Appeal to the Mari Leinaba Authority <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mr. Natraang reporter from Sundrang News leaked this confidential news that reports how Mr. Load Shedder has been temporarily suspended from his assigned responsibilities at our leikai. As an immediate impact of his suspension, my entire leikai has been enjoying uninterrupted power supply for the last few days. You read it right- UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY for 24 hours. Sounds luxurious right? <br /><br />Like the advent of a ‘Mangaal Fangba Era’, many families at my leikai have started getting used to such a privilege which is of course a fallacious treatment. The reason is obvious. The situation which will last only for a few days may prove to be another reason of depression for many individuals in the near future. Imagine a sudden transformation from a bright world to a dark one? Sounds scary right? <br /><br />Considering all the negative impacts of (temporary) uninterrupted power supply, I hereby raise this complain to have a look at this matter as soon as possible. It is also a personal request from my end not to play with our emotions by providing such a facility which is meant only for the VVIPs and VIPs. We are not used to such a luxury, we in fact don’t want to get used to such luxuries that won’t last forever. <br /><br />“The recent problem of uninterrupted power supply at our leikai is more or less an insult to the Moreh Lamps we have bought from Khwairambandh Keithel. I recently bought two lamps from the Keithel. I still haven’t got a chance to switch them on. If this problem persists for another week, we are going to form a JAC and submit a memorandum to the mari leinaba authority. We won’t keep quiet. I also personally extend my heartfelt sympathy for Ebungo Budhimambamayum Load Shedder, who has been honestly serving us for all these years. He should resume to his post without wasting any time”- states the Moreh Lamp Paibi Secretary of our leikai. <br /><br />Well, I know not whether Mr. Load Shedder’s temporary suspension is a political/technical gimmick or not. However, in my earnest opinion, he should resume to his post as soon as possible in the due interest of all the families whose Moreh lamps have not been lighted for the last few days. We miss the dark nights, we miss relishing the taste of rice cooked in chafu. The rice cookers have been doing overtime duty for the last few days. I can already see a fatigued look on their faces. <br /><br />My own family has some serious concerns regarding the situation. Mom finds it irritating when my brother watches movies on the television in the midnight. Addicted to the dark nights, she has sleeping disorders these days because of the light from the various corners of our home. I have come across similar complain from leikaigi eney-indols. <br /><br />Dear mari leinaba authority, this is my earnest request to you that in the interest of every individual from our locality, please ensure to bring an immediate solution to such a problem. Also take up necessary actions to cancel the temporary suspension order of Mr. Load Shedder. He is such a sober guy who has been punctually and religiously adhering to his duties for all these years. I am sure our concern will be taken care of.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 1 June 2014</i><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-38343324717342669512014-05-26T15:21:00.003+05:302014-05-26T15:21:59.931+05:30An Open Letter to New Prime Minister of India <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mr Prime Minister-designate, <br /><br />Kem cho? Mazaama?<br />
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I heartily congratulate you on becoming the new Prime Minister of India. As another era of the Congress Government comes to an end, the nation is looking forward to a complete Modi-fication of the so-called Indian nation from every perspective. I am sure your government will bring a revolution, again, in the nation. <br /><br />I have stayed in Gujarat for three years. No other Indian state has ever impressed me the way your state does. You can, in fact, consider me as the brand ambassador of Gujarat (if it were a brand like the way you want to pamper the flamboyant corporate). Again, I have unforgettable memories about Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The officials at Gandhinagar helped me and my friend to get our hostel admission. It would be a mammoth task to find officials like them in any of the sectors here in our state. Forget about the essentials, some people allege our education department is the most corrupt section. We have reasons not to refute it. <br /><br />Well, in the arrival of a new political system at the centre, why would only our local government be hopeful about the impending funds and grants? I would not say I’m excited like the anti-Congress mass of the great Indian unwashed but I have a short list of complaints from my home state. Please make sure this list is not dumped in a dust bin like people would throw away those empty Styrofoam cups of teas. <br /><br />To begin with, we do not have adequate power supply despite the fact that we have an enormous hydro-electricity plant. Even a five-year-old kid can explain about load shedding in a detailed manner. Electricity is a luxury that the majority of the population here cannot afford to have. The situation is worst during summer like nowadays. With just three hours power supply a day, it is quite an intolerable situation here. I wish you can do something about it — and we have lost our hope in the state government. <br /><br />My next complain is about the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or shortly, the AFSPA. I am sure you must be aware about it. It is one of the chief tools of Indian security system. Manipur has been living in the shadow of AFSPA for all these decades. Please imagine, if AFSPA were imposed in Gujarat because you share border with Pakistan, how would you feel about it? How would you feel if security personnel torture innocent Gujaratis simply because they suspect them as terrorists? It might be hard to even think about it, but that’s a sad truth that we have been compelled to undergo day in and day out. Sometimes we forget India has got independence 67 years ago, because you know, we have so many of these colonial stuffs. <br /><br />It is encouraging in a sense. We do not have a leader like you here in Manipur. We do not have anyone who can stand up and speak out about such grievances that are continually faced by the hoi-polloi. Manipur has no doubt many name-sake leaders who are only interested in percentages. They do not have any sense of nationalism or belongingness to their state or to the nation. Please ensure to instil the same sense of patriotism that you have for Gujarat among our ministers. <br /><br />As far as corruption is concerned, the price of a signature of any government official ranges from Rs. 200 to god knows the upper limit. I have personally been compelled to pay bribe to a few officials just for a few signatures. We have this habit of stealing from the public exchequer. These so called officials have reduced themselves to a shameless breed of morons who exploit the system as per their whims and fancies. I would not spare even my relatives or acquaintances who profess, practice and propagate corruption. <br /><br />There is not a dearth of honest officers in the system. However, as the majority wins the vote, they cannot exercise their power. It does not matter even if you have received only 31 percent of the one billion votes. It’s quite a pathetic situation here. We desperately need a wind of change in the state. <br /><br />I won’t ask you to sanction crores of rupees for the development of the region. The reason is obvious. Any sanctioned amount from the centre never reached or will reach the rightful recipients. I would refrain from citing Rajiv Gandhi’s view of one-paisa-to-the-needy example. The fact is that every fund always ends up in the personal accounts or pockets of ministers and their sub-ordinate offices or bureaucrats. A few of them even went to God-knows-how Russia. Please check the website of the Loktak development office that was created in Russian language in the name of a non-existing firm, if by chance you meet your technology officer who did a wonderful job during the last election campaign. <br /><br />Well, I don’t want to bore you with the unnecessary details through this letter. I just need a few positive answers for a few questions — Can you promise us at least 10-hour power supply a day, if not 15 or 20? Can you promise us to repeal the draconian law like AFSPA? Please you can leave the other black laws; we will put up with them. Can you promise us a corruption-proof system? Can you promise a better education system for the next generation? Can you promise us a brand new Manipur? <br /><br />Eagerly waiting for your reply. <br /><br />Aawo Jo! <br />Regards,<br />A Depressed Manipuri<br />25 May 2014, Imphal East.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 25 May 2014. The sworn-in/oath-taking ceremony of the new prime minister is scheduled on 26 May 2014. </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-65035408498486955322014-05-10T19:20:00.002+05:302014-05-10T19:20:51.959+05:30“Nokminnasi”: A Humble Attempt to Revive Yesteryear’s Epom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”</i><br />— <b>Audrey Hepburn</b><br /><br />Laughter can be used to overcome challenges and enhance our lives. A playful communication to a great extent strengthens our relationships by triggering positive feelings and fostering emotional connection among us. A positive bond is easily created when we laugh together, regardless of the silliness of a joke! This bond further acts as a strong buffer for us against stress, disappointment, disagreements or other petty tit-bits of life. <br /><br />Research studies have always shown that shared joke and laughter are one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Sharing laughter adds joy, vitality and resilience. It is better to laugh out loud than to become the classic tight-jawed sourpuss who takes everything seriously and never laughs at anything. However, laughing alone is lesser fun. This has inspired me to come up with the theme of “Nokminnasi”, the first ever stand-up comedy show in Manipur. A first part of the series was recently held successfully at the MDU Hall a week ago. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The inspiration behind Nokminnasi</span><br /><br />Back in the old days, Epom used to be one of the few means of entertainment for us. And it was indeed a level above the rest. I still have fond memories about watching Epom right in my leikai, but the cycle of time has drastically changed the landscape of entertainment in the neighbourhood. <br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed the satire in many of the Epom series. The inimitable legends like Mayang Imphal Tombi, Takhellembam Chaoba, and Oinam Babu, also popular as the ‘Yotsabi Makhong’ of Manipuri faagi used to rock the crowd in their best hilarious and comic ways. A particular Epom programme meant hours of laughter riot. Manipuri faagi had its hallmark during their days.<br /><br />At present, the legacy of faagi has been passed on to some very gifted artistes. Faagi, at present, is still considered an important machal for any movie, leela or drama at present. Faagi is indeed an important mathel of our lives. Imagine a life sans faagi. It would be like a platter of nga-thongba sans salt eh?<br /><br />Over the years, Epom has been seeing a gradual death especially after the demise of oja Tombi, Chaoba and Babu. Well, I cannot help appreciating Oja Ruhinikumar and his artistes for the Nokfade series, which can be considered as a replica of Epom for all these years and has kept back the charms of local humour and entertainment in this age of YouTubes and Vimeos. <br /><br />In a society like ours where insurgency and social unrest set the norm, faagi should be an important part of our lives, not only to take a break but also to keep the mercury of sanity at a tolerable level. <br /><br />“Nokminnasi” is a humble attempt to revive the delight of Epom with a contemporary touch. Also created as a platform for all the young comedians across the state to showcase their skill, “Nokminnasi” wants to reach out to each and every budding artistes who loves to culture Manipuri faagi in the truest, hilarious sense. If laughter is the best medicine, “Nokminnasi” is a complete dose. <br /><br />Well, I was a little unsure to give a try in an unpredictable society like ours. So, I and my team organised the Nokminnasi Season One with a limited number of artistes while targeting a limited audience for the beginning. An overwhelming support and encouragement from the audience and artistes have encouraged us to present “Nokminnasi” to a larger audience. <br /><br />Nokminnasi Season One showcased the skills of nine artistes namely. The masters of Manipuri humour got down in style—Pabung Manglem, Rajen, Joseph and Rangilal knew exactly what the audience expected from them. Then a crop of talented artistes including Herojit, Naobi, Raja, Ambika and Ajoy set the stage on fire with their ranging lights of humour. So now, we are trying our best to present Nokminnasi Season Two with a different flavour of faagi. <br /><br />Auditions for Nokminnasi Season 2 are going to start in a few days. So, if you know any comedian in your keirol-leikai, emung-manung or saagei-naatei, please contact me personally. Let us keep up the spirit of ‘Epom’ in whatsoever way we can. Nokminnasi and we can work together to add more energy and happiness while unleashing all the frustrations from our lives.<br /><br /><i>This article was published on 27 April 2014</i> </div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-85653641946486435832014-03-18T22:14:00.000+05:302014-03-18T22:14:29.702+05:30Yaoshang: A Fun-tastic Festival for All and Sundry! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.” <br />—<b>Edouard Manet </b></blockquote>
<br />It is that time of the year when Mother Nature puts on her best attire and showers her blessings around us. <br /><br />Birds start singing happy songs of Yeningtha; meanwhile heiyai and chorpon ripen to dance on a plate with thoom, morok, thoiding and beson. With Mr. Summer queuing up near the seasonal door seeking admission for the next term, Yeningtha also marks the arrival of the most awaited festival of the year—Yaoshang. <br /><br />The festival which is usually celebrated for five days mean unlimited fun and frolicking with friends and family relishing yummylicious achapot and dishes; and not to forget, the numberless hues and shades of colours in the air. <br /><br />Manipur Masala presents ‘Yaoshang: A Fun-tastic festival for all and sundry!’ <br /><br />The origin of this festival is quite controversial. Nevertheless, it would not be fallacious to state that the varied versions about the origin of Yaoshang are as colourful as the festival itself. <br /><br />The Hindunised version of Yaoshang marks the celebration of the birthday of Chaitanya Gouranga. As per the chronicles of Vaishnavism, it was on the purnima of Phalgun month that Chaitanya was born on the bank of the Ganga in Bengal. Phalgun month, which is the last month in the lunar almanac, in the Meitei belief, is Lamta. <br /><br />In the Meiteinised version, Yaoshang marks the celebration of the birth of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba who was born at Kangla on the full moon of Lamta to Leimaren and Salailen Sidaba. Laimaren, on the birth day of Lord Pakhangba, had to stay at the Ya-wol-sung. The name ‘Yaoshang’, as per the Meitei belief, is thus a shortened form of the original ‘Ya-Wol-Sung’. <br /><br />A bunch of charu-tied bamboo was burnt to announce the world about the birth of Lord Pakhangba at Kangla. And on the fifth day after the birth of Pakhangba, all the Gods went to Khwai Keithel to buy gifts to Salailen to congratulate him for his new mapari. ‘Lai Keithel Kaaba’ thus had its origin from that day. <br /><br />Incidentally, the resulting product of these several terms, right from Chaitanya to Kiethel is covert intolerance in contemporary Manipur. We cannot deny there is a great sense of going back to our roots, which can be read as harsh criticism of anything that is related to the Hindu faith. But it is for the people to decide whether it is helping us or not. Maybe we can talk about it further on another fine Sunday. <br /><br />Back again, my knowledge on the origin of Yaoshang may be limited. But my understanding is definitely not. Alright, let Yaoshang be a celebration of anyone’s birthday. What does that change? Should the old or new found knowledge mar the spirit of the festival? Should it rob our memory bank about the fun we had when we were kids? Should it stop our kids from having their share of fun at present? I doubt so. For a religious atheist like me, celebrating a festival should not be associated with any religious connotations. I am a Meitei by birth but I prefer not to associate myself with any ‘ism’ which would compel me to think like a ‘frog in a well’. <br /><br />Well, earlier during our bubok and edhou’s time, Yaoshang meant simple celebrations during which cheng-insaang khainaduna chaak chanaba and thabal chongba at a sumaang or leikai lampak were the major attractions. The celebration of the festival has been transforming over the decades. <br /><br />For the last three–four decades Yaoshang has been synonymous to five frolicking days of unlimited fun with friends and families. Sports and various entertainment programs are organized at the leikaigi club to commemorate Yaoshang for all these years. <br /><br />With or without the sports, the festival, which is meant for all and sundry, is celebrated with a jovial spirit sans any bullshit that we come across in our day to day life. Yaoshang fever infects the rich and the poor. <br /><br />Well, it’s time to take leave from our professional chores and catch up with friends and relatives whom we usually cannot catch up during the rest of the year. Let this Yaoshang be a flamboyant celebration for everyone. Wishing all of you a very happy, colourful and fun-tastic Yaoshang. <br /><br />PS: Registration open for the various events and items on the next five days of Yaoshang celebration.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 16 March 2014. </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-31097849902484525012014-02-23T13:11:00.001+05:302014-03-18T22:18:51.646+05:30Fairen Diary: Of Blockade Phobia & Its Syndromes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><b>Clarification</b> In today’s paper edition of the Sangai Express, the headline has been retained in the column but it has the content of one of my previous articles. Inconvenience is regretted. -Manipur Masala, 23 Feb 2014</i> <br />
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A troop of fairen thagi angaoba leichil had a disheartened retreat under the command of its leader Mr. Fairenjao. As reported by Ta Basanta, who is soon to arrive in a few weeks’ time, “Mr. Fairenjao, he wore such a dismayed look as we crisscrossed our ways. I had waved him ‘hi’ but he did not even bother to wish back.”<br />
<br />
On introspection, it has been narrated that the sight of long queues at the petrol pumps, a few days ago, had discouraged Mr. Fairenjao and his troop of angaoba leichil high, very high up in the sky. <br />
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With the news of an impending blockade, khoiren-masha paiba was the immediate reaction among our people. The petrol pumps suddenly ran out of stock and inflation found its glorified meaning. For a few days, every Manipuri queued up at the petrol pumps from early morning till late evening. <br />
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Afew social scientists conducted a thorough research on social behaviour recently. They have finally come up with the discovery of a new disease called a Blockade Phobia. The syndromes of this disease include:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
- Inability to eat or sleep properly until and unless the petrol tank of one’s vehicles is filled up. The related syndrome includes waking up early in the morning and the urge to go and queue up at the nearest petrol pump from one’s leikai. Under certain cases, the patient may have a tendency to visit the same petrol pump in the evening to fill up gallons of petrol to stock up. <br />
- Another serious syndrome often observed among patients of blockade phobia is the kick of petrolpeneurship. Petrolpeneurship is a newly coined termed, by the social leipoong scientist. It is defined as the sudden desire of becoming an entrepreneur by investing on gallons of petrol and selling the same at an inflated price. </blockquote>
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Criticized as an unethical means of entrepreneurship, Mr. Achumba, the president of All Manipur Maram Mokpa Association spoke, “We should not waste even a single minute to cure all the patients of such disease. These patients, if not treated in time, can become a threat to many innovative businesses that are gradually evolving across the state. We need support from the sensible citizens of this khunai for a permanent treatment of such a disease”. <br />
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“The patients of blockade phobia and their oddities can have a disastrous impact on the impressionable young minds”, said Mr. Angaangjao. <br />
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He continued, “We should appeal to the concerned authority to come up with preventive measures to check this sandokanba leina as soon as possible”. <br />
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Meanwhile, Mr. Heipaasingba, the president of Heipaa Saajage Haiduna Houdokchaba Organization remarks, “There is an easy remedy to cure such a phobia. We should start adding ‘Blockade’ to the nomenclature—at least one member of our family can have the name. This way, we will get familiarized with Blockade in a more intimate way. This will ultimately help in erasing the general phobia of blockade”. <br />
<br />
Citing an example he added further, “The expression ‘blockade laaktoure’ could have a double meaning; for example, Blockade laaktoure could mean a child called Blockade is returning from school as much as it could mean the possibility of an economic blockade to be imposed on any of the National Highways.”<br />
<br />
Mr. Fairenjao has sternly condemned the disheartened retreat of his leichil troop. From rumours, he has reportedly told his band, “I need an answer from the Ministry of Seasonal Affairs for such an illogical act or else we will also call for a blockade in the sky of Manipur”. As per our Lei-Ngao Thi-Ngao reporter, AFSPA is likely to be imposed in the sky of Maninpur in order to put the situation under control. Jet fighters may soon arrive from mainland India. <br />
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Postscript: Dear Leibaakchasing, let’s try to sneeze out the insanity and insensibility for a change ‘haakthi’! Daylight robbery has become a sort of entrepreneurial skill. What else could be the reason for the scarcity of petrol just from the announcement of a highway blockade—mind it, not from the blockade but just from its announcement — regardless of its senselessness? When are the agitators in the hills ever going to understand that their blockades have never affected the government, but rather this kind of protest has been only torturing the general people?</div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-9500520667910795482014-02-02T17:56:00.001+05:302014-02-02T17:58:10.224+05:30Imphal Telanga Festival 2014 ― The Imagination of a New Vision!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“A kite is the last poem you’ve written / so you give it to the wind, / but you don’t let it go / until someone finds you / something else to do.” ― LEONARD COHEN</blockquote>
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Today, the second day of February, we are going to celebrate the Telanga Festival 2014. All the roads lead to Dhobi Lampak in Kongba. For the first time in the history of Manipur, we are going to have a festival, independent of any political and religious crap.<br />
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A day might be too insufficient for such a gala yet we are making it special. Steal away a day from life’s mundane affairs. Indulge in fun-filled activities apart in addition to merry-making with your friends and families flying kites. This Telanga Festival is a celebration of life in a simple yet enticing way.<br />
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The festival has many surprises waiting for you. Unleash the creative juice in the innovative kite design contest. You do not have to be a kite expert but the passion is all you need for the kite making competition. If you are simply desperate for the fun to begin, we also have a kite fighting event. It is going to be a day of redefining fun.<br />
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More than the fun, the prospects of such a festival have been the guiding force. One, it entails the celebration of life in the most colourful ways like the varying shades of papers that we used in making kites. Two, it is a part of the holistic approach to re-energise the potentials of tourism in our hometown. It is only a humble beginning.<br />
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We don’t have big industries here but that should not be the end of the story. We can start with what we already have, howsoever little it is. We can make the most of our indigenous resources to promote tourism with such a festival. That’s the bigger picture we have got from tourism being an economic development tool.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The flight and the plight</span><br />
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Tourism, if we talk about it in Manipur, is so interlaced with the present living condition. Both in the hills and the valley, there are two obstacles that are glued to the society. First, the factor of fear and insecurity has been always a gatecrasher to any hope of a new beginning. Wonder how it would be if these issues fly away like a telanga atatpa! And second, it is more ironical that we would boast of the breathtaking natural places of tourist interest, but we don’t have the place for them to stay. The lack of infrastructure is simply heartbreaking. If only a fraction of the wealth that our ministers have plundered is invested in infrastructure, only time can tell what it can bring for us.<br />
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The problems will only make us more skeptical. For all the joys and happiness that we have lost in the existing social mess, we can try and compensate a bit in a day of fun-tastic fiesta of the Telanga Festival. We also believe in the days to come, such a kite festival can do wonders for tourism.<br />
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As much as the objectives are local, the Telanga Festival 2014 is a part of the personal endeavour.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the home front</span><br />
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When I was in Delhi, I was quite reluctant about relocating back to Manipur and starting a venture of my own. I did not expect a bright career option in a state like ours where the bombs are cheaper than the yongchaak. ‘MCS thajinlu, TET peikha thajinlu, SSA gi oja oinaba hotnou,’ the list of suggestions — from elders and friends to pursue a career in Manipur — has been never ending. All those options appear to me like the mathel lukoi in a typical ushop of a birth celebration or a death anniversary. My friends would say those are like the items in a shop with specific price ranges. How much is it for the seat of a chief minister, by the way? <br />
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Boarding a flight to Delhi had always been the easiest way to escape from the ennui that prevails in Imphal. I had in fact done that many a times. But then, it cannot be the only solution. This time, I wanted to test my patience. Hiyangei, Poinu and Waakching arrived and eventually left. And here comes Fairen. The past few months have been an unlearning phase for me about many things, from personal to the professional. I should take a short break now. I should fly a kite too.<br />
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<b>Postscript</b> The Telanga Festival 2014 will be held on 2nd February 2014 from 10AM to 5PM, at Dhobi Lampak, Kongba, Imphal East.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 2 Feb 2014</i><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-8514646285677693102014-01-05T11:45:00.000+05:302014-01-05T11:45:11.491+05:30The Waakching Diary — On Welcoming the New Year <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This New Year started with a bang, so to say, and with a few uningdaba-taningdaba incidents. While many of us could not even afford a packet of bamboola to welcome the New Year, some exceeded their limit of afao saaba or gupthi touba by exploding bombs to mark the celebration. In the same breath, we can add it’s not a new thing. <br /><br />Well, it is perhaps a matter of pride to admit that ours is a land where a pre-nursery kid can even distinguish the sound of a bomb from that of a bamboola. Again, it won’t be too far when we can buy bombs from a grocery store and use them anywhere, anytime for our own personal reasons; logical or illogical, it matters not. So, you had a tiff with Tomba or Chaoba or when someone said no to a request or command or whatsoever, hurl a bomb—that’s the best ever way to settle a score. And that’s a lesson our society has been teaching us. Who needs a ‘reasonable’ reason in our leiraks and leikais? <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">New Year, Old Craps </span><br /><br />Anouba chahi, anouba manglaan and anouba wakhalon sound so good to listen to or read about, but when it comes to the reality in our state, one should clearly hear it and read between the lines. Comfortably numb; we have started expecting any untoward incident with this deep-rooted psyche that we are meant to endure all these bullshits all around the year. <br /><br />We are being told and convinced that we are the citizens of the largest democracy yet it is almost like a pipedream when it comes to our rights. Why is there a black maikhal when it comes to exercising our democratic rights in our homeland? Why should we be immune to any unfavourable incident that happens every now and then? Bans, restrictions and more bans and restriction—sometimes the prevailing claustrophobia is too hard on our senses. <br /><br />To cite the simplest example, if you go out with friends in the late evenings, you get frisked mandatorily by the security personnel. There is no implication that we only want to go out in the evenings but you get what I mean; after all we are the united people of the united land. And whether you have proper documents for your vehicle or not, you will be charged, at least a Yaangkhei or Chaama note for their allowances, read their cha thaknaba. I wonder if we should start carrying cha in a Moreh flask to avoid giving cha-thaknaba sen to the thirsty lots, eh?! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Old Habits Die Hard </span><br /><br />Paying bribes is a noble chatnabi in Manipur. The more you pay, the better you are and the higher post you get in the lone governmental jobs and the faster a task is completed. Well, which chatnabi are we referring to? Are we not the ones who have been promoting this chatnabi in the first place? What had started should come to an end. It’s the high time we re-look at the aged-old formula of economics’ demand and supply and restate this way: Where there isn’t any supply, demand will ultimately stop. <br /><br />So, from this year onwards, let us start making some sense (not necessarily in a factory or some sort of an assembly line). <br /><br />If you have proper documents for your vehicle, have the guts to tell a straight ‘No’, if they ask you for a Yaangkhei or Chaama-chapi note. If you are eligible for a particular post, never ever think about mortgaging your lou or ingkhol just to pay lacs to the ridiculously sounding ‘concerned authorities’. <br /><br />It is the high time we continuously remind ourselves that this is our own homeland. We are not supposed to feel like an alien here. Why should we be afraid to loiter freely in our homeland? Why should we be scared to drive anywhere in our own city no matter the time of the day or night? Why should they have a price tag for a job opening that we are eligible for? Let us start questioning ourselves with such questions from time to time. It is easier said than done but again, there has to be an end and there has to be a new beginning. And the New Year is just the right time. <br /><br />On other occasions, it is sheer stupidity to yell ‘Akhoigi ngamkhei kaiba yaaroi’ when we are busy building walls fencing ourselves away from our neighbours. All we need is a daily dose of sanity which is available at free of cost. When we talk about these issues, the list will be endless. A small beginning has the potential to make a big impact. Let this New Year enlighten us all and help us have our stand. Let our state rise from the slumber and shine. <br /><br />Wishing all of you a very happy and sensible new year!<br />
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<i>This article was published on 5 Jan 2013 </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-18498047735498014312013-12-27T11:04:00.000+05:302013-12-27T11:04:43.100+05:30The Poinu Diary — Of Cold Evenings and Warm Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
‘Hawai uri mapaan’ mightily blossoms amid the frigid chill and the icy grip of Poinu. Drenched in the ingtham ullen, Hungaam also offers its authentic flavour by this time of the year. Manipur Masala today presents The Poinu Diary—Of cold evenings and warm memories.<br /><br />Poinu marks the main harvest season in Manipur. Blessed by Phou-Oibi, sacks of rice are delivered at our homes by the village folks who have toiled the entire year for a bountiful harvest.<br /><br />Cold Poinu evenings are fondled by warm memories of good old childhood days. Sacks of rice laden bullock carts used to be quite a sight during those days. As kids, we had mischievously wanted to hop on those dragging carts and enjoy the ride down the street. The sight of the flickering lantern lit up on the san-gaari and the accompanying sound of sanarik still rings the memory bells.<br /><br />Along came charoo with those huge sacks. Evenings were never the same for us. Una-waana, utek-waatek were collected to lit up a bonfire. As we enjoyed the evening bonfire after a full-fledged day playing games, we were never exhausted to learn the art of kabok pokpa out of those bundles of charoo.<br /><br />The pre-dinner funga waari narrating session by our beloved abok or edhou made us super happy. Ah! Those were the days indeed.<br /><br />Things are completely different in today’s Manipur. And as the evening transcends, life comes to a standstill here. It is not a surprising discovery that modern homes now have a temporary funga. Induction cookers, ovens, grillers, toasters etc. have adorned most of the kitchens nowadays. All thanks to technology, life has become much easier like never before in modern Manipur. The only recipe that is missing in modern Manipur’s menu, in this context, is a proper night life for our folks.<br /><br />Night life is but a luxury that cannot be afforded by anyone here. Technology which has favoured our lives in many ways cannot even cure an ounce of fear that most of us have. Yes, it is but an open secret to all of us that fear comes along with darkness. I am completely numb to describe the nature of this fear. It does not mean I cannot cite down a number of reasons that have tinctured an incurable fear on our mind.<br /><br />Earlier, when we were kids, the nature of fear was different. The fear of Churan-Thaaba was perhaps the only of its kind then. Elders used to scare us that Churaan-Thaaba would come carrying a big borakhao to pick up kids and would slice them into pieces and gorge on as their food. The irony is, such a thing never ever happened. As we grow up, the fear of that fabled Churan-Thaaba ultimately became mami-sami while we started encountering the real ones. In modern Manipur, there are different types of Churan-Thaaba — some are uniformed and some are not.<br /><br />Defining the nature of a modern Churan-Thaaba is not a tough task in modern Manipur. Even a pre-nursery kid would easily sing a rhyme about him.<br /><br />We at least, share a loving memory of that fabled Churan-Thaaba whose fear gripped us during our childhood days. The sight of a modern Churan-Thaaba not only makes us scared but nauseated too. And the saddest part is there are too many of them almost everywhere.<br /><br />By the way, kumsi’s Poinu has been quite a quiet month as compared to last year’s. I wish Waakching, Phairen and Lamtaa also pass on in the same manner. As we fondle warm memories of cold Poinu evenings, let us also pray for the wellbeing of all the Churan-Thaaba. May they get well soon. May our state become at least a leiheiba lamdam!<br />
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<i>This article was published on 22 Dec 2013</i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-69611355912571477332013-12-09T18:29:00.000+05:302013-12-09T18:35:07.278+05:30Of Imphal and Its Matam Matamgi Waafam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Imphal town has now two Shamumakhongs to flaunt—the one at Khwairamband Keithel and the recently built piece at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre complex. Meanwhile, my own leikai has two community halls to flaunt too.<br />
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Manipur Masala presents the Imphal town and its matam matamgi waafam—a brief take on some irredeemable norms, some overtly visible, some covert, at various localities across the city.<br />
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The other day, out of curiosity, I asked a nephew, ‘Nang swa saaanaba heibra’. He replied, ‘Swa haisibu keino nene’.<br />
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I had to explain the rules and regulations of playing swa. I did share my experience of playing the game when we were kids. He was impressive with my explanation; it was obvious from how he was listening. He continued, ‘Nene swa si computer dei download touraga saanaba yagadro?’<br />
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I was quite amused by his innocent question but I was equally disturbed. I could not help greet myself — welcome to modern Manipur — where the kids no more play at the leikaigi lampak. Imphal Talkies’ Lullaby started humming as the background music on my mind and I sang along: ‘Te te tenawa kangleipaaki tenewa angaangna moonlaga tenwaana haraowi, uuuu... Una saaba nongmeini mana pangba makhoini’.<br />
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During our angaang oiringei days, we used to play all sorts of local games such as swa, u-paibi, amangbi, langri-taang and so on. Most of the kids in Imphal do not play these games anymore. What could be the reason for their indifference towards the local games?<br />
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Is it the rising trend of constructing community halls in each and every leikai which do not spare the leikaigi lampak where kids can play? Is it the fear psychosis on parents’ minds that their kids may be kidnapped while playing at a lampak, which eventually forbid their children from playing at the lampak? Is it the new-age syndrome of hainingai leitana chaokhatlaba Manipur? Obviously, the questions are varied though we have the same answer: ‘Khangde tourisey’.<br />
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Everybody can get the feel for the rising trend of using mobile phones and computers aka internet in our society. For instance, from school-going kids to keithel-fambi eney endol and aboks, having a mobile phone is a must these days. However, when it comes to the construction of more than two community halls in a single leikai, I have my own indigestive opinion. Of course, having a community hall in a locality is a must and it offers many benefits to many families in a leikai.<br />
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In a state like ours where thoudok-waathok and ushop-mela are frequently observed throughout the year, a community hall serves multiple benefits especially to those who do not have a proper shumaang. Also with the rising cost of Maantop khanba, community halls are an affordable option for many. However, having a single community hall in a leikai is enough. There is no logic behind constructing two community halls in a single leikai. Maybe the contractors have different opinions but nothing is certain these days.<br />
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Well, I have observed another trend in which one has to destroy something to build something else. A sign of modernity? Such is the case of sambhals being replaced by chekpals. Earlier, when we were kids, a sambhal was created just to fence an ingkhol from shaa-sun. In modern Manipur, especially in and around Imphal, sambhals are becoming cousins of the dinosaurs; meanwhile the chekpals are getting taller and taller each day. Besides the ingkhol khopchinbagi khatnaba and mindless nungsinadaba nature in the keirol-leikai, constructing a wall also means securing one’s family from miscreants (read extortionists whose population keep rising at an alarming rate).<br />
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As the walls get thickened with leikhom-leinaang over the years, memories of good old childhood days are also eventually fading away. We had our days of singju suraga chanaba, nungthilda chara waanminaba and leikai koinaba. Meanwhile for modern kids, computer games and cartoon characters are building a Random Access Memory on their mind.<br />
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I am not surprised by the very fact that most of my nephews and nieces do not have any idea about the local games we used to play as kids. At times, I wonder if I should start taking free tuition for kids to tincture innocent memories on their minds about their childhood days. Would not it be something innovative, eh?<br />
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<i>This article was published on 8 Dec 2013</i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-68462146214132314952013-11-24T09:35:00.000+05:302013-11-24T09:35:03.845+05:30Of Sangai Fever and Dilemmas So Wild<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Manipur Masala has some spicy matam-matamgi news and views to share with all the readers. This is a special collection for you.<br /><br />sA packet of santhi at present costs ten rupees, as the tok-nga effect, many households have stocks of thoom packet that would last for at least a year or so, and most interestingly, if you park your vehicle for more than two hours at a particular site, more so in the zero mile, the bomb squad may come to your rescue to lend you a helping hand and to give it a kick-start. That’s how low our life has plunged into.<br /><br />The mess has got company. The All Manipur Thou Leitraba Association (AMTLA), Wangkhei Konung Mamang branch, has come to this resolution that November should be observed as Wangkhei Konung Mamang Sorok Semgat Saagatpa Tha for the obvious reasons.<br /><br />As regards to the main venue of the Sangai Festival—the construction, renovation and decoration works for the Wangkhei Konung Mamang had been on full swing, right from the beginning of the month. The toukhaiba, leibaak and noong thaaba and koilaash thaaba have become a major part of the pre-preparation of the festival in the vicinity of the venue.<br /><br />The festival kicked off the other day, with great pomp and show, and will continue for the rest of the month. However, the preparation has left some open questions.<br /><br />How many times must a thikadaar construct a road before it is finally constructed? Will it continue in the future too? Do our government departments have a deep pocket for maintaining the road every year? And yes, if there is a need for lambi semgat saagatpa in and around the vicinity of the main venue of the festival, why not so in other places, elsewhere in the city/state? If the Sangai Festival is the carnival of Manipur, the whole state should also wear a renovated look. Why just a few areas? The time has truly stopped when Manipur indulges in a fake orgy.<br /><br />The route that stretches from Kangla and Sanjenthong to Hapta Kangjeibung has been adorned like a bride in full glittering costume. The other day, while passing through the stretch, I had this feeling ‘Eh Delhidum maaliney swaisidi’. I had an oxymoronic wish that our entire state should also wear a uniform look like that. Is this too much to ask from the government?<br /><br />Luckily for Wangkheilites, the festival is a blessing in disguise. We have been enjoying uninterrupted power supply. Most of us are not used to such a facility. It seems a little teina-onaba routine when we can switch on our television sets or charge our mobile phones anytime during the day. We are so pampered by this festival. Usually, it was all different. We had to charge our phone with this trepidation on our mind that the mei will muut anytime.<br /><br />Mei laaklingeida chaak thongdokba has been the catchword in many leirak and leikai. Many families would prepare their dinner during daytime. All thanks to the Sangai Festival, many families at least in Wangkhei, have redefined the experience of preparing dinner in time and relishing it in the fong fong saaba way. What a luxury in this new millennium! But then, for many leikais, the dark nights still rule. What seems like a blessing in disguise for some is a dark curse for many.<br /><br />There is a saying that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Well, in a localised version—behind every luxury of uninterrupted power supply, we have more localities lost in the darkness. Back in the Nineties, it was either due to lack of or abundance of water at the hydroelectric project. Now the electricity department has a thousand reasons of darkness.<br /><br />The situation is pathetic especially for the school kids as this is the time of the year for annual final exams. All the families cannot afford an inverter or a generator. Regular power supply should be provided so that there is no hindrance; after all, it is a matter of the future of the children. I know most of our children are used to studying under the made-in-Thailand Moreh lamps, I just wish they had a better option.<br /><br />Well, the festival flaunts the rich culture and tradition of Manipur on one hand. While on the other, it shames us with the naked truth of how we are experts in ‘mawong maalhanba heiba’. They light up some specific areas in the city to feast the eyes of foreign tourists while the overall backdrop of the city remains darker than ever before. Beauty is, we know, just skin deep. Whatsoever, I am allergic to such a khadrak as long as the colour of my conscience does not turn grey.<br /><br />Can we expect better road facilities across the city by the next Sangai Festival? Can we expect better power supply? Can we have an ultimate cure from the prevailing fear psychosis? I know not who will provide a positive reply for my questions. As always, amambada wai sitchari ei, just to avoid the allergic sight of ufool waifool. For more news, please do read the newspapers.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 24 Nov 2013</i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-32838855785653821992013-11-18T17:03:00.001+05:302013-11-18T17:03:39.243+05:30The Hiyangei Diary — A Reconciliation!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like a haiba inbi daughter of my palem, I packed my bags and took a flight back home from Delhi, relieving myself from the hectic schedules of big city life. There is no comparison to the feeling of relocating back at home, mingling among my folks and sharing a relaxed smile with them. <br /><br />I love waking up listening to the chirps of uchek-waya here rather than pricking my ears to the kabari waala or sabji waala yakairol back in Delhi. Paneer masala or chicken kadhai does not score a yummier mark than mom’s kaangsoi or eronba. A chance meeting with an old friend and the accompanying chit-chats make my day. Walking beneath the starlit night of hiyangei sky, the never ending heegatpa session with siblings and cousins, the smell of insaang ahaoba from one of the leikaigi chakhum and the accompanying ‘chaak laambagi’ expression on our faces not to forget mom’s culinary skill that has now been upgraded to bubok’s-Ah! It’s indeed good to be at home. I want to cherish this feeling forever provided I have enough courage to ignore or endure hypocrisy, mindlessness and the laid-back attitude that are most often observed among our folks. <br /><br />Well, I must not forget to mention about the yumfam yaodaba rumours that have become a favourite nga-mok for us. We generally love relishing any tok-nga with utter delicacy (as if it’s some scrumptious achapot). The latest one being the thoom fangdabagi tok-nga. <br /><br />A busy afternoon for all of us, the wedding preparation for my cousin was in full swing on that day. Amid the nupamayumgi thouraang and hobey-hobey chenaba hours, I overheard some leikaigi eney-endol worriedly telling each other about one of the (apparently) paakhatningai oiba situations they ever have to face i.e. unavailability of salt. Quite a khayaaknaba experience for many, it eventually turned out to be a rumour but the series of thoom-thiba missions that happened during the day were beyond my thajabagi waangmada. <br /><br />Panicked by the possible shortage of thoom, the most important ingredient of every chakhum, there was a frantic search for thoom packet everywhere across the city. ‘Packet ta lupa chaama youhoure hai, Mani dukandadi packet amtabu yaohoudre hai kamai touni tourisidi’. I overheard all these real-time dialogues among my folks and wanted to believe them as some funny dialogues from a Manipuri movie but I could not any more. The salty rumour kept on spreading like a wildfire. The rich and the poor were flaunting their purchasing ability of thoom khwaidei yaamna leisinba. <br /><br />Meanwhile, it was a lucrative business opportunity for all those dukandaars who earlier stocked up sacks of salt packets of all brands. A packet of salt worth just seven bucks was sold at the price of hundred. And the funniest (read stupid) part was that people in deed bought thoom packets at a skyrocketing price sans any negotiation. I badly wanted to scream at the height of stupidity of our folks. Yet, I simultaneously felt sorry for their paakhatchaoba nature when it comes to the prospect of scarcity of any consumer item- be it thoom, cooking gas or petrol. <br /><br />‘Oh Hello? This is Manipur. Just keep calm if you want to stay back here’- the interior monologue in my mind ultimately helped me pacify. Perhaps, reconciliation is the one and only solution. After all I made my own decision to come back here. Bomb blast, general strikes, yumfam yaodaba tok-nga or the ufool-waifool at the lambi sorok are just some oh-so-Manipur factors. We shall overcome them someday. Oh deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome someday (perhaps on 32nd December).<br />
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<i>This article was published on 17 Nov 2013 </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-84108493663449641472013-10-14T16:50:00.000+05:302013-10-14T16:50:38.184+05:30An Anti-Stereotypical Thought Singju! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We worship Goddess Panthoibi piously for two weeks in the month of Mera and for the rest of the year we are ready to consider our womenfolk are like the do-they-even-exist types. Manipur Masala presents an anti-stereotypical thought singju to unravel a few funny cases of stereotyping, which are intricately fabricated and juggled in our society for all these years. <br />
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Behind the masquerade of patriarchy, stereotyping is observed as quite an ethical norm in our society. To cite the simplest example, we generally observe that a guy who occasionally cooks or indulges in a bit of household chores for his family is categorised under the section of ‘maram mokpa’ or ‘gyaan taaba type’. He becomes an adorable person in the keiroleikai. If that guy happens to be a Pakhang, a list of leisabis would go ga-ga after him. <br />
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Alright, I do admire the type of maram-mokpa Pakhang or any nupa who lends a helping hand in the domestic chores of the family. But given a thought on it, it smells to me, a syndrome of hard-core stereotype. <br />
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In our society, the female lots in every family are occupied in a hell lot of household chores on a daily basis. There is hardly any admiration for a particular girl who runs her family catering to all the needs of the members of her family. <br />
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There is a sole consolation that a girl receives from her relatives or keiroleikai: ‘Echagi maram khumoksidi hayengwai mouga oiradi manem makuna yam paamdoipotni’. This insinuates how a girl is born to look after a family for her entire life—regardless of mapaam or nupa mayum. <br />
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A leisabi, before tying the nuptial knot, is expected to learn all the emungi kupnom besides mastering the art of cooking niche insaangs such as chagem pomba, ooti thongba, sareng thongba etc. Leisabihood days are synonymous to pre-marriage training time during which a girl has to attain perfection in every single household work. When it comes to work, the list is endless: wai teiba, chaak thongba, fee suba, emung loisinba (rolling my eyes) and what not. <br />
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Imagine the roles were reversed. Imagine a Pakhang doing all these household activities on a daily basis just to become eligible as an ideal Yumgi Nupa after his marriage. I would not mind hosting an event in pursuit of the most maram mokpa nupa of the year simultaneously showering him with gifts and blessings. There would even be benedictions such as ‘afaba nupi fangjaro’. <br />
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Well, the ground reality is not so fascinating. Our society has so many funny hocus-pocuses about culturing the norm of stereotyping. We have tinctured many stereotyped beliefs on our mind. All of us are accustomed to the beliefs of shumaang matonda fanek fouba touheide; except u-rok sumjeet, guys are forbidden to touch the broom and the most interesting one: nupana eru ludana chaak thongbadi yai, nupinadi yaade. <br />
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I do not have the slightest intention of waging a gender war. But I honestly believe it’s high time that we change our mindsets on sexuality. So, in my Utopian Sanaleibaak, guys should cook on a daily basis; they should equally look after their homes like their better halves; and they should not mind if there is a Fanek hanging at the Polaangkhok right at the Shumang maton. Rather, mind the mess that is synonymous to Manipur today. <br />
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Until and unless we change our mindset, there is hardly any use of yelling at the streets or hammering the keyboards to speak out against injustice or crime against women that are continuously committed in our society. <br />
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‘Attempting to get at truth,’ to quote the acclaimed English journalist, Harold Evans, ‘means rejecting stereotypes and clichés’. <br />
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Can we attempt to come upon the truth? At least, try...? <br />
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Come on, it won’t be anything like rocket science. Let’s just do it. Let’s say ‘Goodbye to stereotyping’ and say ‘Hello to a free society’ where all the Leisha-Pakhang are categorised as Maram Mokpi/Mokpa and the ahal-laman enjoy themselves as audiences of ideal romantic nuances. <br />
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The world’s truly a stage. And I bet it will be a hit with equal improvisations from the two sexes, rather than just one. In so doing, I bet again that we will find more essence in singing paeans for Panthoibi Lairembi. The rest will follow automatically.<br />
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<i>This article was published on 13 Oct 2013</i><br />
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All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-13446956938080074652013-10-07T18:03:00.000+05:302013-10-14T16:51:52.966+05:30Tradition: A Go-Getter Champ in the Manipur Syllabus! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Tradition is a guide and not a jailer. <br />- <b>W. Somerset Maugham </b></i></blockquote>
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Mr. Langban has bidden adieu for the year passing on the duties to the Ministress of Seasonal Affairs – Mera Tha. <br />
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A pleasant season, the return of hungaam and yongchaak in the chakhum and of course the festivals that queue up for their turn one after another, mark the advent of Mera. Fatso Langban relished all the tarpon feasts and offerings that we prepared for the departed souls of our ahal laman and saagei-naatei. He needs at least a year to digest everything that he had gorged on during his stay. The last time I saw him, he was buying Enzyme and lots of Hajmola sachets. <br />
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Meanwhile, Mera Ministress cannot wait to flaunt herself. She has impeccably donned herself with the Fall-Winter collection from some wannabe designers. Cajoled by her elegance, she gracefully makes her seasonal entry imbued with the right hues. <br />
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As bamboola sounds mingle in the festive air, the young and the old are bracing up for the coming days in high spirits. I pressed F5 on my mind for a few memories of festivals that we ardently enjoyed during our childhood days. One of the reloaded memories is that of the Durga Puja festival. Five days of fun and frolicking, lots of bamboola to crack and lots of esei-leela to indulge in. Puja vacations had always been a second Yaoshang coming for us. The festival is still celebrated with great pomp and show at present (especially in my leikai). <br />
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Beat Yaoshang or Durga Puja, we love celebrating every festival with great pomp and show. The only difference I have personally observed over the years is how we now celebrate a festival. The same old excitement or jovial spirit seems faded. Perhaps, it’s the years playing tricks with us or it’s the continuous mayhems that have stuffed our attention around the whole year. <br />
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Well, I suppose we need a break from the depression throughout the year. Which is why, the major festivals – Duga Puja, Diwali, Ningol Chakouba, Christmas to name a few – mark the ending of every year. <br />
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However, from the murky side, it seems nothing changes in our state except the dates and the festivals that mark their annual return. It’s the same old ugly brouhaha, the primitive laid-back attitude of our people, the sycophancy of the system and the list goes on. <br />
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Wait, wait. We have seen a few additions in the syllabus over the last few years. In the last couple of years, reports of rapes and molestations plus cases of missing housewives have added a few more. Once these used to be nauseating news from the metropolis, but not anymore. <br />
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In the midst, I am at least glad that we still nurture the tradition of celebrating festivals. <br />
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Possibly, it’s time we admit that it is only tradition that always scores letter mark in the Manipur Syllabus. It is something that revives us from depression and restlessness that engulf us the whole year. <br />
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Tradition inculcates belongingness in our heart to the blood soaked land we call our home. It still makes us yearn to go back and mingle up again with our forlorn friends, brothers and sisters. It provides us an original identity of our own that the rest of the world would not even care. <br />
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Que sera sera, we should be glad that the guns and bombs cannot destroy the tradition that we have been religiously following all these decades. Tradition is a go-getter champ in the Manipur Syllabus. Let’s hope it scores a Gold Medal someday provided time and technology do not play a trick with it. <br />
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Long live tradition. Happy festivals, everyone!<br />
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<i>This article was published on 6 Oct 2013 </i></div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514457563003526385.post-68608684366447029402013-09-16T11:31:00.001+05:302013-09-16T11:31:48.744+05:30The Big Bandh Theory <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All the dictionaries provide a similar meaning for a general strike. Generally, it is an opposition in which workers in a particular industry or country stop working in order to force their employers to offer them better conditions or higher pay. <br /><br />It is a different cup of cha-ngaang when we consider general strike or bandh in our state. We have defied history; when it comes to redefining our own concept of bandh or general strike. <br /><br />In full support of all the logical and illogical general strikes often imposed across the state, Manipur Masala today presents the Big Bandh Theory in Manipur. <br /><br />Well, seeing the frequency of bandhs in our state, it is the high time to have a registered body that will cater to all the concerns of bandh mongers. I would, first of all, recommend a customer care centre. Anyone with any reason to call a general strike can fetch his/her concern to the CCC. It should not matter if the reason is logical or otherwise. <br /><br />Well, a few criterions for calling a bandh are enlisted below: <br /><br /><ul>
<li>If any Hongba, Chaoba or Tomba runs a poultry business and is facing some financial crunch, he has the full-fledged authority to call a bandh across the state. </li>
<li>If any kwa-zarda aficionado Enebemma or Echebemma from any leikai finds out that the quality of their zarda is being compromised, she has every damn right to call a bandh against the so-called pan dukan owner. </li>
<li>If someone else’ nganu lays its egg at your ingkhol, you can consume the same eggs. If the nganu owner asks about his nganu maroom, you have the right to call a bandh. </li>
<li>This one is for all the parents. If your son or daughter scores less mark in their annual school peikha, you must seek any type of possible help from All Manipur Bandh Koujaningba Party to act against the school authority. </li>
<li>Finally, the unavailability of mobile network can also be accounted as one valid reason for calling a bandh. </li>
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Still, our first priority is to form an autonomous body that will take care of all the concerns related to any type of bandh. So we should conduct a free yet unfair selection of the core members of the body. Candidates with a minimum experience of calling four to five bandhs so far can apply for the posts. <br /><br />A theory and practical test will be conducted under the guidance of senior bandh mongers who have expertise in the field. For the theory test, all the candidates should write an essay on topics such as secret tips, tricks and tactics to make a bandh a super hit. For the practical test, all the candidates will be allotted a time period of one week within which they are supposed to call a successful bandh in their localities (not necessarily across the state). <br /><br />In a few years, we can expect to include ‘The Big Bandh Theory in Manipur’ in the syllabus of political science, ethically approved by the board of education and university. <br /><br />It is therefore the duty of each and every Manipuri to promote this theory across the state. We do not need any special measure to empower this theory. All we need to do is to switch off the sanity metre and plug on the gleaming moronic switch. It should not be a hard task for us since we are already addicted to a dumbfounded slumber for all these decades. And as long as there are enough yen-nganu for chaak chanaba, may more bandhs be called. <br /><br />Three rounds of chaisen cheers to bandh mongers!<br />
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<i>This article was published on 15 Sep 2013</i> </div>
All Kapshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14799042084080082894noreply@blogger.com0