Time to talk

By:- Heigrujam Nabashyam *

The parameters to form an opinion on the performance of a government are essentially different from system to system. For a liberal democratic system, for example, which believes in the least governmental intervention in the socio-economic affairs of the state like in the Scandinavian countries, or the western democratic countries, etc. it would require a yardstick different from that of a dictatorial system. However any government, whatever may be the system – dictatorial or democratic – would swear in the name of Leibaak-Meeyaam – the people, because that is the only source of legitimacy of the government.

That was probably what chief minister O. Ibobi Singh wanted to say when he said, "the MLAs (who form the government) and the government employees are the servants of the people" – how the chief minister understands what he says is a different matter – while paying tribute to our forefathers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, on the Khongjom Day, 2010.

However, what was extremely unfortunate was the manner the chief minister spoke on that solemn occasion; instead of conducting himself, he lost his balance and spoke of his striking servants of the government – the employees, in a ridiculous manner provoking the government servants to ridicule the Chief Minister of the State – an extremely unfortunate precedent, indeed!

Now, to appreciate the works done by the Ibobi Singh government in the last eight years or so one can go through the list – the historic retrival of Kangla, and a slew of development projects; Kangla development project, the French-aided Sewage Project, the BT Flyover, the Capitol Project, Khuga Project, Loktak downstream Project, the Ima and many other market projects, the Inter-state Bus Terminus, Pureiromba Khongnangkhong Auditorium Project, the JNIMS, Central Tribal University Campus, Centralization of MU, broadening of state and national highways, the Japan-aided Seri Project, Loktak Phumdi Project, Imphal City Modernization and Gentrification Project, etc. the list is really commendable

The fact is, none of the earlier governments never had such a huge success list; maybe because the earlier governments did not have the vision like the SPF leadership, as it was claimed by a SPF minister; or maybe none of the earlier governments had the caliber of the SPF leadership; or maybe development of the northeast including Manipur was not on the agenda of the earlier governments at the centre and therefore funds were not given and many in the northeast would vouch for it; or maybe any government would have accomplished the works better than the Ibobi Singh government provided funds were given to them like it is given today.

And as for Kangla, the story would not be complete without mentioning Dr. Manmohan Singh, the prime minister. Since the British left, the minds of the public were for the recovery of Kangla, which was not only the ancient seat of power but has also attained a mythological and spiritual status during the course of time. Public movement, for the retrieval of Kangla began since about the 1970s pioneered by a civil society organization.

It was a long drawn out movement. And eventually after the Manorama episode and the incident of self-violation of modesty by the women protestors at the western gate of Kangla, Dr. Manmohon Singh personally saw to it that Kangla be handed over to the people to assuage the hurt minds of the people. Indeed Dr. Manmohon Singh accomplished what was left unfinished by other prime ministers, for which Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves unconditional appreciation.

However, development in the northeast is rather belated for various reasons. But better late than never, of late the northeast states have been given liberal development funds like never before. And this is the background of the developmental activities seen in the northeast especially in Manipur.

But what is interesting is while taking up the developmental activities which are multi-crore rupees projects, the Ibobi Singh government is driven by a strong urge of development sans transparency and propriety, putting a question mark to the integrity of the SPF government.

The talk of percentage of the development funds to grease the palms of the various powerpoints is popular in the corridors of power which are not unfounded. This phenomenon seems to be strengthened by the absence of an effective media or the national media which would bring the picture in full glare like NDTV, CNN-IBN, etc. do for the mainland. And quite paradoxically insurgency also helps in these murky affairs because the insurgents also serve as the whipping boys of the government for its omissions and commissions.

Now, apart from that what is troubling the public perennially in the last seven-eight years of the SPF rule is the very mode of governance. Perhaps it has not learnt from its past experience. Each time a problem crops up the leadership would lose direction and would retreat to its ivory tower and the public are left to fend for themselves and suffer like as it is today. Or if not, the SPF leadership would cause to create a problem and make the public pay; for which would the SPF government need a checklist to contest ?. Indeed the SPF is an amazing government.

And as of today; the Highway blockade to protest the Manipur District Council Act, 2008 have stopped even the movement of passengers leave alone goods leaving the public high and dry and the SPF leadership, remains mute as usual. Is the SPF leadership afraid of talking to the strikers ? Or has the leadership run out of ideas?

However there is no shame to learn even from lesser mortals and I, for one, would suggest the SPF leadership to go through the editorials of the Imphal Free Press of the last few days which had raised quite a few relevant points in this regard.

The SPF leadership must understand that for a democratic leadership silence is silly. A meaningful talk which can enlighten even an ignorant mind is golden and it is all the more important in problems infested state like Manipur. So, please speak, put the good points and reach out to the public and win their minds if not their hearts. Please remember, the whole world would listen to you and not anyone not even the General of the Army. And this is what the democratic world is about.

Copy with high regards to:-
1. Dr. Manmohon Singh
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India

2. Shrimati. Sonia Gandhi
Hon'ble Chairperson UPA

3. Shri. P. Chidambaram
Hon'ble Home Minister
via e-mail