Will the Lotus really bloom In Manipur ?

Joseph Joute *

PM Narendra Modi addressing an election rally at Langjing Achouba on 25th February 2017 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

The Siroy Lili was once famous in Manipur, but not so much now. Manipur has never been famous because of the lotus though it is the national flower. The climate seems to be suitable for both the flowers but it is on how they were esteemed by the people that they get popularity or lack of it. Anyhow, which do you prefer, lily or lotus? Lily grows in the hills while the Lotus grows in the valley. Can the lotus be grown in the Hills too? Of late, some of the hill people also seem to like the lotus so much so that it has begun to take roots, though it is yet to bloom.

The lotus can bloom in water alone, not on hard lands. When it grows and blooms in the water, a single entity solid foundation, it is stable and it does not need any other materials. It usually blooms in Lake and Ponds. There is no Lake or Ponds in the hills. Do you think it will/can fully bloom in the hills?

Politically speaking, do you think the lotus can really fully bloom in Manipur? Relevantly, if the lotus represents the BJP, do you think it can bloom for a full season in the state? The life of a lotus is very short though it might be beautiful when it blooms. Though short-lived, when it blooms,it quickly attracts people and in return makes a lot of news or talks, but soon dithered away. Let's hope the new lotus government – which begins to make news – is not like that.

Foundation of mud and stone: What concerned me most is the foundation of our new government. The mixed foundation on which it is built – made of mud and stone. A government form in haste tends to fall in haste. A foundation builds with mixed mud & stone or builds on Sandeasily fall when a strong wind blows. Democracy is a government by the majority but the minority can sometime become the majority, one of thedemerits of Democracy. See Jiribam, the BJP Ministries in Manipur & Goa.

The minority becoming the majority bymoney politicking in Democracy is not a true democracy; it is a government by the few privileged. Though it might be able to work and accomplish something in the short term and look attractive, stability and long-term sustainability is doubtful because the Foundation and principles on which it is built is not in the correct formula.

The new government in Manipur is similar, like or not. At a time when the State needs a strong, vibrant and stable government with responsible Opposition, do you think our new government will be able to deliver the needs, withstand the sands of time? Its recent accomplishments, including lifting the economic blockade, are commendable, though it create presumptionsand apprehensions. Could the lotus be in connivance with 'the underground' or some uncivilized 'civil societies'? is the open ended question, an open secret.

Apprehension is wide and looming large, on what ground the agreement was made? How will it affect the politically future of the state (boundaries), people (communities),and land (districts)? Will the demands of the UNC be delivering at the expense of others? Welcome bells ringing in some portions of the hills, will it be noisy for others? Let the time tell the tales.

The fact: The fact is that governments comes and go according to the will of God, as prophesied in the Bible. The bitter fact is that the new government of Manipur is form with a foundation of mixed mud and stone – as was envision by Daniel in Babylon in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream – the nature (to be) of world governments in history; a sign of the Last Days – democracies. Democracy is the weakestform of governance though formed by the strongest people.

Government from Babylon (absolute power or autocrat) to Persia (monarchy) to Greek (aristocrat) to Rome (aristocracy) to European Union (democracy) is getting weaker and weaker and the last stage democracy (mixed with mud and stone) like the European Union, so is the Manipur government. This clearly tells us that world governments fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible whether they like it or not, whether they are aware or not. Unfortunately, we see the latest form of government that the world will have just before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth! Fortunately, we are able to see the fulfillment of Bible prophecies – about the later days – right before our eyes, here in Manipur!

The irony is that, the Golden Image of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in the valley of Dura in ancient Babylon was destroyed by a Stone, not created by man, coming from Heaven and hit the Image's feet which was made of mud and stone – strong and weak governments. We know that the Golden Image of Nebuchadnezzar represents world governments through the centuries. The head (Gold) represents Babylon (absolutely strong government ruled by one man – an autocrat), the chest and two arms (Silver) represents Medo and Persia (two strong governments – monarchies). The belly (Bronze) represents the Greeks (strong anarchy).

The two thighs (Iron) represents Rome (Easy and West) a weaker government controlled by the Senators or Nobles – aristocracy. The last part of the Man's Image, on which it is standing, the Legs (made of mud and stone) represents TEN countries or Races just as a Legs have TEN fingers.

We know that the Roman Empire was divided into Two Empires which later on was captured and ruled by the Ottoman Empire or the Turks/Muslims. The great Ottoman Empire is gone and the European Union is form from the Club of Rome as the 10 Common Market countries. The City of Seven Hills, with Ten Horns. We can safely deduct that the last stage of the Man's Image, the Legs (mud and stone) represents the European Union (democracy – mixture of weak and strong governments) which will be the latest form of government (Empire) that will be in place when the Lord Jesus Christ come again to take His holy people from the troubled strife-torn world.

This is the fact of how world governments will be forming in the last days of which we are now residing, and we see it taking shape in our own land! What do you think the Lord want us to learn from it? The recent political developments in the state have Biblical prophecies' relevance and significance. That's why, therefore, the Lotus may bloom for a short period but may not last long as its foundation is made of mud and stone – regional parties with different ideologies and principles, no common strong string attached. Let's take our Chief Minister Mr N. Biren Singh's word for the 20 years rule he promised.

If it can over-rule the 15-years Congress rule by 20 years governance, good or bad, it will mean that the Lotus can really bloom in Manipur! And I hope it will be a two-edge sword – sharpened for the valley and the hills.

Conclusion: To conclude, what I would like to point out that, we still never really comprehend the real motives of the Lotus and we are not fully aware of the true fundamental principle that binds or oblige it from within, and what it intends to do to Hindustan which we called India, politically, economically, socially and 'religiously'. We are not aware of the hidden agenda it has under its sleeves,its motives to rule the Christians and minorities even religiously through politics and economic development, superseding everyone according to its will and power, and remained unchallenged.

First thing Mr Modi did at the national level was to declared the most sacred day/event of the Christians, Christmas as "Good Governance Day" prompting many Churches and civil organizations to protest in vain.

How does it feel to work on Christmas? Does it touch our religious sentiment; affect our spiritual life and religious practices? Can any government workers resist/insist on not following the government's dictate? How many of us have compromised? Does it not affect Secularism? But who cares, if the money is good?

Second, the MLA from 100% Christians Churachandpur district was made the ProtemSpeaker of the State Assembly and was made to administered 'Oath of Office' to the MLAs on Sunday– violating/compromising the Christian' most sacred worship day with worldly affairs. Does any of the 20 Christian MLAs say that they cannot violate Sunday and take "oath of office" as it contradicted our religious beliefs and practices?

Even the Constitution allows a person not to take oath in contradiction to one's belief and pave way so that the same can be done on another day, provided there is time. Of course, there is a lot of time to take oath. The haste is another sign of the government's haste to form a government by hook or by crook.

Not only government but people, who are in haste often stumble. Let's hope the Manipur government is not like that, for the sake of its poor people.I've predicted a 'hung assembly" and a "coalition government" before the elections and now we have one. The next step could well be a 'President's Rule', let's hopes we don't come to that. But let us remember and take heed, stand fast, come thunder or hail-storm, that hard times or better days are coming. Economic abundance (physical blessing) is often a precedent of spiritual dryness/weakness.

For you, which is more significant, economic prosperity or spiritual wellness? To rule for 5-20 years or for the whole eternity? "Be aware, for these are perilous time, that, the Day of the LORD is near! For you know that the Lord is coming soon, with the voice of the Archangel! Come Lord Jesus! Amen!