TODAY -

E-Pao! Essay - A way of looking to Tradition

A way of looking to Tradition
By - An inhabitant *



I adore ancestral traditions but I will suggest that we should critically appreciate and acknowledge our received traditions. It would be regressive to accept and follow anything and everything for the sake of being our own.

At the same breadth, I will ridicule and aspire to shed with those aspects of traditions which dwarfs us, stifle our human potentiality, divide us, chain us, numb and dumb our collective consciousness, nurture our diffidence to make us inept to compete/progress ourselves; which carries the evil of blind obsessive arrogance on one hand and subjugation and inequality on the other part;

which endorses idleness/lazy indulgence, discourage hard-working and mutual progressive ethos; that serves as veil to prevent us from progressive emulation; which obscure our line of thinking, in other words that sanctions inimical to progressive thinking;

which are not consistent and not stimulating for a society to be engendered with social equality, human self-respect and mutual respect so as to ignite our human potentiality and capability to realize our collective progress and welfare.

We should be able to point out cultural-substances which are inimical to unity and progress. Even in a gold mine, one has to discard a lot of unwanted matters to extract the purest form of Gold.

In the same way, society advances by critically looking into our set up in every dimensions and reforming for the best from time to time, from a different/outdated context to another changing context requiring a lot of sane, dynamic and altruistic thinking and actions.

Weak-will and widespread opportunism for short-term personal benefit has crept deep into our larger society and consciousness. This will explain most of our present predicaments. Let not it hijacks our path to collective progress.

It is time for self-reckoning and due sacrifice for common cause and to weed out those ills. To move forward, we need to realize all these aspects. We have to dig for the ills which lies within ourselves/within all of us of how we shape our attitudes and actions.

We have to be critically aware of this socio-psychological aspect so as to face head on and co-exist with the world with freedom, dignity and self-respect. We must join hands while seeking our justice with all other peoples beyond our own society who are unjustly exploited and trampled upon and must give due solidarity.

Our collective interest must come first than our personal gain as this collective interest will deliver all our personal interest and security in the long run.

Don't make us easily befooled and vulnerable to divisive politics to be enslaved forever. If we don't change and critically questioning our own outlooks and our own worldviews, I ensure you all and me that the future does not belong to us. We will be crippled and not being able to stand on our own with dignity, freedom and equal welfare of all of us.


An Inhabitant , a pesudonym used by Nongallakpa Horam, writes regularly to e-pao.net
You can contact the writer at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 06th January 2005.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Abdul Hafiz graveyard at Imphal War Cemetery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Homecoming : Exhibition at Washington DC
  • Why NSCN-IM & ZUF must preserve Naga
  • The Funeral of Kindness :: Poem
  • Dignified menstruation for gender equality
  • World Environment Day 2026
  • Welcomes New DGP
  • Coming together of the indigenes
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Showcasing product from IDPs at Switzerland
  • The abduction & 'murder' of 6 Naga civilians
  • Why keep returning to Regional Politics ?
  • One missed coffee & a full existential crisis
  • Trekking, Camping banned in Nongmaiching
  • Avocados Cultivation Programme at Pangin
  • Guwahati Open PWR 200 concluded
  • Focus on flip flop stand of the UNC
  • The King Who Came from the Sky: Pakhangpa
  • SoO : An assault on native people of Manipur
  • Manipur - Example of Underdevelopment
  • Cries in Agony :: Poem
  • 'CCpur & Kpi Road no longer safe'
  • Home Ground: Meghalaya Future of Tourism
  • Burnout healthcare staff & patient safety
  • Fate of hostages : Flip of the coin ?
  • Chakan Gang-Ngai 2026 : Ooba Video
  • Unfinished requiem- Linthoingambi & Hemanjit
  • "Ningol Van" Launched at Taobungkhok
  • Calm reflection vis a vis brute violence : Poem
  • Foundation Days of States/UT
  • World No Tobacco Day 2026
  • Breast Cancer Awareness in Guwahati
  • Licensed to create mayhem ?
  • How to Break Manipur w/o Breaking Any Laws
  • 17th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2025
  • World We Make, World That Makes Us : Poem
  • Counting Right, Voting Right: What SIR means
  • Calls on Indonesia to ratify tobacco treaty
  • Honourable exit for Ashutosh & Kailun
  • Police Museum at 1st Manipur Rifles
  • Eid-Ul-Zuha @Sangaiyumpham : Gallery
  • June Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • 16th Manipur State Film Awards (MSFA), 2024
  • KIM's proposed rally must be called off
  • International Menstrual Hygiene Day
  • Plants : The force that engineered Earth
  • AC: How does it affect the skin ?
  • Onslaughts at Ukhrul district
  • Lhangpat Mei @Keishamthong #2: Gallery
  • Anthem of Switland :: Poem
  • CM visits Makhan Naga Village
  • Manipur University needs fresh air
  • False Narrative on Killing of Thadou Christian
  • Summer Coaching Camp 2026 @NSU
  • Tribute to Pu Mangvung Paokholun Haokip
  • Incursion from across the border
  • Radio E-pao: 5 new songs updated
  • Manipuri Community in Assam Calls for Vision
  • School dropouts & never-enrolled children
  • M. Tech at Assam University
  • Under One Sky or Leased ? :: Poem
  • When AI speaks in tribal languages
  • 'The Unbecoming' makes Northeast debut
  • After crossing the three year mark
  • Cheirao-chingkaba on Cheiraoba #2: Gallery
  • Anoi Group Art Exhibition 2026 : Download
  • Exploring Hyderabad's Museums #1
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #4
  • IEC Campaign at Willong Khullen
  • World Emergency Medicine Day 2026
  • Liver & GI super-speciality clinic
  • Adding more muscle to State Police
  • Rally at New Checkon- May 25 : Gallery
  • Hritwika Majumder at Miss Grand India 2026
  • How social media fuels division & ethnic tension
  • Saving Manipur's vanishing paddy & wetland
  • Helpline for Thadou people
  • 477 new Manipur Police Vehicles
  • NDPP-NPF merger accepted by ECI
  • Seeking to pitch Nagas against Meiteis
  • 63rd Mr. Manipur #3 : Gallery
  • Why CJP resonates with Manipur's youth
  • A moral, humanitarian reflection on violence
  • Financial assistance to IDPs
  • Legally binding treaty for older persons
  • Zoonotic Disease : Link animal & human
  • Jealous of Meloni
  • Making the bodies disappear !
  • Yaoshang - Cooking Competition : Gallery
  • Manipur State Award for Literature 2024
  • Manipur's unresolved Political Journey
  • 'Kuki is not an ethnic name'
  • Miyawaki Plantation Experiment at Langol
  • A Ploy to Keep the Chasm Wide Open : Poem
  • 45th Water India Expo 2026
  • Beating of the Retreat #1: Gallery
  • Martyred Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou
  • When Ima Weeps in Silence :: Poem
  • International Eld's Deer Day
  • Sticking to a consistent narrative
  • Arms recovered from Lamdeng: Gallery
  • Khatingla, Sumpa, Gaikhuluanlung : Eming
  • Exploring Kolkata: College Street #1
  • Wetland grabbing, hydropower, & ecologies
  • Condoles Demise of Khangembam Kuleswar
  • Upgradation of Imp-Jiri road: Poor planning
  • IEC Campaign at Phaibung, Senapati
  • In a mess for over 3 years now
  • The King Who Built a Golden Bridge : Kyampa
  • Mother's Day at Pukhao : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #3
  • Satyajit Ray's universal language
  • Decoding MLR & LR Act, 1960 & Article 371C
  • National Endangered Species Day 2026
  • India-New Zealand step into a new eco league
  • Posers over fate of abducted 6 Naga men
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 18]: Gallery
  • Why communities must abandon hostility
  • Apatani's Next Top Model @Arunachal
  • The Fog of Uncertainty :: Poem
  • IEC Campaign at Song Song, Senapati
  • Supports TIM Proposal for Thadou-Naga
  • NE's Largest Psychiatric Hospital
  • Triangular clash underway in Manipur
  • Lamjen @ Thangjing Haraoba #1: Gallery
  • From Sympathy to Supremacy :: Poem
  • History repeats itself
  • Church Teams to visit Kangpokpi & Senapati
  • Workshop on Analytical Chromatography
  • Criminal Neglect, Terror Shielding
  • Summer make-up tricks to beat the heat
  • Pulling the strings to block the highways
  • Manipur Art Festival 2025 #3: Gallery
  • Manipur fermented food & scientific recognition
  • Seminar : Development of NE Region
  • World Hypertension Day 2026
  • Demands NIA Probe into Killing of Thadous
  • Suspected cases of Ranikhet Disease
  • PM's prescriptions & we
  • Flexing muscle on the roads of Imphal
  • Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2: Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #3
  • The Dreamer's Dilemma :: Poem
  • Calls for Community Understanding
  • CM visits National Sports University
  • Condemns malicious press release
  • Reconnecting with our cultural roots
  • Condoles Death of Thadou Church Leaders
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #2
  • Chronicle of princes & people's long defeat
  • SIR of Electoral Roll-Phase III
  • Program on New Income Tax Act, 2025
  • Book on Information, Reality, Life
  • 'Unfortunate incident at Zero Point'
  • Where is the Government poser
  • Sit-in protest @Kanglatongbi [May 14]: Gallery
  • 3 years on : Manipur's long road to peace
  • Int'l Triathlon Yengkhom Suraj felicitated
  • Ethniciity of Thadou Martyr Church Leaders
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #22
  • Condemns Killing of Thadou Church Leaders
  • Condemns Attack on Thadou Church Leaders
  • Peace will Outlive Violence
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Bloody Night
  • Good girls first take care of themselves
  • Candlelight Vigil @ Bangalore #2 : Gallery
  • Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Manipuri civilisation #2
  • The Green Foundation recognised as a SIRO
  • Waithou Rally condemn civilian killing: Gallery
  • Manipur in India Constitutional Transition #1
  • Chahi Taret Khuntakpa
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Full Result
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Withheld-students
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC Exam 2026 : Important Information
  • Cheirao-chingkaba on Cheiraoba #1: Gallery
  • Chandel District Head Quarters : Gallery
  • Indigenous Leaders Call for Global Recognition
  • International Women's Day : Gallery
  • Subika Art Exhibition @Washington : Gallery
  • Candlelight Vigil @ Bangalore #1 : Gallery
  • Vegetables @ Waithou Keithel #2 : Gallery
  • Conflict, Displacement in Manipur (2023-2026)
  • Tronglaobi: 2 children laid to rest : Gallery
  • Leingakta Wahang Khongchat #2 : Gallery
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #2: Gallery
  • Free Online access to 'Asangba Nongjabi
  • Lhangpat Mei @Keishamthong #1 : Gallery
  • Candlelight vigil: Killing at TM Kasom : Gallery
  • Fractured sovereignty : Proxy war
  • Mama, I love you- Then the world went silent
  • Khongjom Day @ Khebaching : Gallery
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally #2 [16 Apr]: Gallery
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • HSE : Pushpa K, H Keniya, P Taibangnganba
  • Yohen Longjam : HSE 2026 : Science Topper
  • Sarangthem Ayingbi : HSE 2026 : Arts Topper
  • Thoihenba Thongam : HSE 2026: Commerce
  • HSE 2026: Science Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - Govt / Non Govt
  • HSE 2026: Pass % - District Institutes
  • HSE 2026: Subject-wise Pass %
  • HSE 2026: Candidates securing Highest Mark
  • HSE 2026: Science Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Arts Topper List
  • HSE 2026: Commerce Topper List
  • Tronglaobi: Clashes @Lamlong 17 Apr: Gallery
  • The great Manipur betrayal
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally #1 [16 Apr]: Gallery
  • MoU between Nouwa Marup Pune & IBI
  • Tronglaobi: Meira Rally [15 Apr]: Gallery
  • Most Heinous Murder: Derailing Normalisation
  • Martyrs' Day @ Cheiraoching #1 : Gallery
  • Tronglaobi : Rally @ Uripok [12 Apr]: Gallery
  • Killing of 2 children @ Tronglaobi : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Thabal Chongba #2: Gallery
  • Of 'Boong', BAFTA, Bharat & Manipur
  • Boong & the Long Road of Regional Cinema
  • Boong: India's 1st BAFTA in children's cinema
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1