No Kidding

Gautam *

Dear Readers,

All this time I thought I was good at explaining things, but unfortunately I have been proved wrong. But this should not stop me from trying, right!

Here is another topic I would like to share, blah, blah blah...The first one was some kind of motivational speech but that backfired, because it was not good enough to make people understand.

So here comes the more confusing one. And I wont be surprised if I confuse more people. If being with India is what we should do, then lets do it wholeheartedly.

Otherwise if separation is the solution, lets do it then. But lets not shy away from our responsibilities.

I have read somewhere that the revolution starts from the middle class section of the society. We know that there are three class in the society. The rich, the poor and the middle class.

In Manipur, the rich are busy protecting their wealth. The poor are busy looking out for their day-to-day survival. And the middle class (like you or me) are busy too but by being 'cat on the wall' giving and writing comments like the one I am doing.

As we are used to getting grants, loans, relief materials from New Delhi, the impact is such that the majority of the people feels if Manipur is separated from India, Manipur will not be able to survive on her own. And it is somehow proving to be true from the recent economic blockade.

But what everyone is not realizing is that whether India or no India, it is our responsibility that we work hard which is lacking amongst Manipuris. It is hard work and only hard work alone that will make Manipur a prosperous state or a country (country because I have to satisfy some section of the society too).

Many of the commentators have been complaining that Manipur does not have any resources. But look at the history of any nation, all started from the scratch. Look at Japan for instance. They have no or very few natural resources. And yet look at where Japan is today.

Look at Singapore. They too have very few natural resources. Both the people of these two countries knows the importance of hard work.

The people of Punjab works hard. The people of Gujarat works hard. That's why they are a prosperous state in India.

If Manipur is separated from India, the people of Manipur needs to work hard. And if Manipur remains with India, the people of Manipur still needs to work hard.

If we cannot dare dream and compare ourselves with the people of the prosperous states and countries, then I say its not worth living, start begging. Whether India or no India, we have to make a new beginning anyway.

The present system in Manipur needs a total destruction and start anew. If you look at the present situation, the pace of development, does being with india since 1949 (61 years) with full resources make any difference?

Or does the fight for the separate country for 50-60 years by different insurgent groups bore any fruit? Instead Manipur is in a total mess today. I know many will give reasons for non development as insurgency, AFSPA, etc. related.

But what one fails to realize is that while blaming on others we are trying to dodge our responsibilities. One example is, there are three types of people. One focuses on simple task and performs it.

Second focuses on difficult task and still performs it. And the third focuses on impossible task and does not perform it and yet he takes it all by saying that he tried for the impossible task. That is Manipuri.

I belong to that third category. A lot is happening in Manipur, but the only person missing is ME. ME represents people like you or me (giving and writing comments).

I sometimes sit alone and ask myself, what has been my contribution to Manipur so far. And not surprisingly bang comes the answer, NO CONTRIBUTION.

The only contribution has been to stay away from Manipur (this is a literal meaning. Staying away from Manipur need not only mean Manipuri staying in other places than Manipur, but also people in Manipur but NOT ACTING).

And it still will be NO CONTRIBUTION for a long time to come. Sad but true.

Regards,
Gautam