Manipur 2017, how ready are we?
Yumjao and Malem *
The people of Manipur are desperately hoping for the development of their state.
The call to repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958) and the prevailing movement around the issue of the ILPS ( Inner Line Permit System) are two such major issues, which the Manipuri people believe, are directly linked to their state’s progress.
In addition to lack of basic infrastructure, Manipur is also plagued with many undesirable events such as economic blockade, sky high inflation, recurrent hindrances to normal life (bandh, curfew), controversial death. The list can go on, but the absence of a proper law and order situation is apparent to all.
Amidst such prevailing underdevelopment and despair, the news of railways coming to proper Manipur, the news of Imphal airport becoming an international airport, the hopes of AFSPA’s repeal- these have renewed the hopes of development of their state, dreamt by the people of Manipur.
Now the question is; how ready are we to convert these hopes into reality? Is hoping only enough? Or is there something we as Manipuris can do to make it happen?
First, let us talk about airport. What implication does it have for the development of Manipur when Imphal airport becomes a full fledged international airport?
How ready are we to manage an international airport? What can be the possible economic outcomes of having an international airport?
Will it lead to more employment, better business facilities, better infrastructure? Are we also prepared for any negative development that may crop up?
Take the railways as an example. The people are extremely happy, excited and hopeful of a better life with the coming of the railways to Manipur. But, many people in Manipur fear that the coming of railways to proper Manipur may bring many undesirable outcomes such as more beggars, robbers, diseases, crimes etc .
The point here is-how ready are we to face these new challenges? How prepared are our leaders/representatives to tackle these challenges?
How responsible are we as citizens or as part of the establishment when a project is not completed in time?
In a democratic country, we the people have our direct power at the time of choosing our representatives, through our votes. Governments come and governments go, but the people remain.
If our representatives have failed us so far, it is our own making. We have the right and the responsibility to choose leaders/representatives that have a vision to develop Manipur and a strong action plan to make that vision a reality.
Since, election is coming up soon in Manipur, now is the right time and in most cases, the only time to critically examine and choose the right leaders.
Leaders who will make genuine efforts to fulfil our collective dreams in a time bound manner.
Choosing the right leaders is the best preparation we can do for now, to develop our state, our Sanaleipak Manipur!!!
* Yumjao and Malem wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at yumjaosingh(AT)yahoo(DOT)co(DOT)in
This article was posted on October 23, 2016.
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