My friends from Mangalore were so interested to know much about the North East in general and Manipur in particular, since I belong to the state.

What they had known about the state of Manipur betrayed them in view of the recent controversy over the "Integration Day" and its subsequent climax.

They had come to know about Manipur, first as the land of Siroy Lily and then as the future 'Gateway for India to the East'.

But, when we were preparing for the Independence Day Celebration here; they, curious as ever, asked me how Independence Day used to be observed in Manipur and other North Eastern States.

I felt as if i was in the middle of the sea with no solution to their queries.

I remained silent for a while to find an answer that will be meaningful, yet truthful.

So, came my reply-
This is my First independence Day in the last decade!.

Taking cue from my answer that I do not wish to speak further on the topic they invited me to a beach for the Day.

How many of us have ever enjoyed the real freedom in Manipur, where one law overdrive another!

How can we express our true feelings when there is none to hear.

If we look back, in fondness, the days when there was tranquility and peace, anybody with true love for Manipur will be willing to pay any price for getting back those precious days.

We talked about 'freedom'. What freedom are we talking about when we have allowed unethical laws which never really protects our freedom.

Rather it has instill in us fear and suspicion.

We Manipuris has the tendency to go to any extend for achieving things that we believed in.

But the question is whether the path we have taken is justified for establishing a true free civil society. One must have remember that 'with great power comes great responsibility'.

On many occasions we have excess our freedom (to form associations)- anybody can come up and claim that they are for the betterment of a particular society.

Yet the various groups/camps interests over the years have resulted in clashes which do no good to the society at large. In the quest for 'freedom' many trampled upon the very basic principles of freedom.

It is now high time for those in 'power' to explain to the common man what are the concept and provisions of 'their freedom'. If not let us follow the path that our forefathers once had set.

Freedom is not free but earned. What have we done to earn the privileges that our counterparts in other states enjoyed since Independence day.

This is time for hard thinking and sincere execution of the principles of Freedom.