Making Nupi Lan Day more meaningful - Dec 12 : Not just another date
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: December 09, 2014 -

December 12. Nupi Lan day.

A special day kept aside to pay homage to all the departed souls who took part in the uprising against the British rulers.

Only right that the State Government too should step in and take part in observing the day and saluting the spirit of the womenfolk who dared to raise the banner of revolt.

This year too it will be the same and come December 12 and the State will join hands to pay tributes to the departed souls of those who took part in Nupi Lan.

It is however more than clear that to many the spirit of Nupi Lan is confined to just a day with womenfolk being reduced to the status of punching bags all the year through.

It was not so long back that Manipur witnessed a series of rapes and murders of young girls and there is nothing to suggest that things will see an improvement in the days to come.

Respect and dignity of women cannot and should not be confined to just Nupi Lan day.

Right time to question why a land which keeps aside a day as Nupi Lan should witness so many crimes against women. And these crimes are increasing with each passing day.

More than enough testimony that man’s attitude has to change and that change should come about at the individual level.

Perhaps this is where the family has a huge role to play.

For Nupi Lan day to have any significant meaning, time for society as a whole to acknowledge that it is to a large extent responsible for sowing the seeds of the outlook that women come lower down in society’s pecking order.

As long as society continues to view and treat womenfolk as lesser beings crimes against women will continue unabated.

It is these thoughts which should not be lost on Nupi Lan day.

Yes fitting tributes should be paid to all those who led the movement back then, but at the same time it should also be acknowledged that there is the need to extend this to the every day life of everyone.

Defeats logic and all rational thoughts to even think that while a special day is kept aside as Nupi Lan day, women continue to be molested, raped, eve teased and killed at times.

Not enough to say that only criminals are responsible for crimes against women for it should be clear that it society’s attitude towards the fairer sex that is also responsible for man’s attitude towards women.

Double standard should go.

Absolutely makes no sense to place womenfolk on a pedestal during a public function and reduce them to punching bags inside the four walls of one’s house or room.

This is where the primary social education of every young minds begin.

Violence against women inside the homes can take dangerous turns and the numerous crimes that one witnesses in a place like Manipur is a reflection of where women are placed socially and inside one’s own home and hearth.

A realisation of these points can go a long way in making Nupi Lan day meaningful for all.