[ Thu, Feb 19, 2009 2:20 pm ]

I think this article was in poor taste to be published here because it's a public portal and not a personal propaganda. There are many ethnic groups all over the world go migrate abroad in groups but they are never labelled as 'selfish' but rather their community is proud of them. Just because people left a sinking ship does not mean they are selfish- thats a very immature logic. We do not have the right conditions to make any kind of progress in life. Honesty equals death in Manipur- so it's only natural to leave that place. We are all humans in earth afterall, so does it matter where on earth we decide to go? We are still home. We are all individuals and we each have our own agenda- we live in a democracy. Furthermore, this mass migration for studies and working is a recent phenomenon so nobody has become ' Bill Gates' yet. Most diaspora are busy studying or working to progress in their careers, and have not reached that phase yet when they have the time and ideas to do contribute to Manipuri Society.

Manisha

[ Tue, Jul 10, 2007 10:37 PM ]

I have read you article "The selfish Manipuri diaspora". Most of the things you are highlighting are not correct and as such there are lots of distortion in your understanding of the so called Manipuri diaspora by you. What I feel is that this is just your projection of your thought through other people. This is what you will exactly do if you happen to be one of them. In short I want to conclude from your articles that you got a serious ATTITUDE problem. You owe an appology to the people. Your article will send a wrong message to all the budding people due the so called "pygmalion effect". Understanding solicited.

{Name Redacted}

[ Fri, 6 Jul 2007 08:17:34 -0400 ]

It is disheartening to see that the article "The Selfish Manipuri Diaspora" was penned down by a budding and upcoming journalist. Some of my quick thoughts are -- the so called diaspora is very special to our homeland Manipur in many respects. They have succeeded spectacularly in their chosen profession by dint of their single-minded dedication and heart work. Inspite of residing outside their homeland, they have retained their emotional, cultural, spiritual link i.e. sense of belongingness with the homeland. Before writing such an article, somewhat in-depth study of the characteristics, aspirations, attitudes, strengths and weaknesses of the diaspora is highly appreciated. The significance of the diaspora under few headings are -

1) Socio-economic and political spheres: Most of the Manipuries who are working in various professions send at least few shares of their earnings to home. This contributes something to the growth of economy in Manipur. They also contribute in building up pressure group and lobbying for Manipurs social and political voice to the central govt. Take the examples from recently happened Sharmila Chanu's struggle for AFSPA in Delhi where this diaspora strongly supported and held protests. The students and many professionals from the diaspora group joined together at the times of ceasfire, Manorama, and other homeland related issues to reach our voice to the central govt. and the whole nation.

2) Contribution to education, science & technology, IT, health care: Most of the diaspora are well educated persons. They guide the new students coming here for studies. I don't have much knowledge about the overseas Manipuri diaspora. In the context of the diaspora residing at many cities of India, it must be admitted that they contribute in every field whatever they can do. Everybody must be aware about the number of diaspora working as academicians, scientists, doctors, nurses, administrators and in IT sectors. They try to help their community people in their respective fields. Suppose, if somebody of our community comes here for health treatment, these doctors and nurses guide them well. Mention may be made about my workplace, Parliament Central Secretariat, New Delhi, where more than 40 Manipuris working in different posts. All of us here extend very cooperation when someone's (especially from our community) needy time. Last year, we have also given tribute to our Heroes on 13th August at C-10, Hnuman Road, Connaught Palace, New Delhi along with MP of Manipur Dr Meina, former CM Rishang Keishing, Army officers and many other dignitary persons.

3) Sports and Tourism: Once who were the laurels of Manipur's sport have become members of this diaspora. Count the number of Manipuri players residing in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Goa. They are large. For example I elaborate only two players, former Asian Games gold medalist and former state football captain who have won many champions under his leadership have been residing in Mumbai with his family. Haven't they contributed anything for our motherland? The diaspora employees who are working in Railways and travel companies are the one who will forward you at your risky time as a passenger.

4) National Integration: It is very sensitive issue so I'll highlight only this that the so called diaspora helps in closing the gap between the mainland and our state. They spread the sense of belongingness to others.

The author has mentioned some characteristics that he doesn't want about the diaspora "there is more to life than chasing some materialistic dreams, netting a trophy wife, building a house, owning a car and procreating some children" Short reply of this is -- this diaspora may be called more materialistic because there is more needy materials to have when one settles outside Manipur. We don't see any cycle rickshaws ferrying passengers in most part of South Delhi. In this intense heat and fast changing life, owning a car is no more a fashion. (Anyway, how many of them have care- around 1%. Students aren't included in the diaspora.) If they don't dream of having a house, where they will stay. Nobody wants to stay in rented room for most of his life. You are also a part of this materialistic world. But we must contain the degree of materialism to least extend, the human life is more important than any products and the human feelings should not be oppressed.

At the end of the day, there is the word patriotism. The author has written -- "Let's give a thought to repaying the debts we owe to our roots for being what we are, wherever we are. This is a moral responsibility, a question of patriotism." -- Patriotism is not only the love one's country but also includes the love of the people, costumes, traditions, and pride to its history and devotion to its welfare. How an individual can raise the question of patriotism of a group? The ministers, beaurocrates, and army men are more or less patriotic than a layman. Others may argue that a true patriot speaks out when convinced that their country is following an unwise or unjust action. Then shall we agree that there is no other person who is more patriotic than a Journalist and an Opposition leader whose sole duty is to write and speak any issue? Phew!!!

Anonymous

[ Thu, 5 Jul 2007 17:27:11 -0400 ]

It seems you have gained the attention you are desperately seeking for. I wonder if this is an attempt to unleash some of your wildest frustrations ever. Anyway, a little in-depth wouldn't have harmed much for you, no matter how biased you are. I bet it's easy to generalise things with just a few handful of experiences and wear the mask of a wannabe know-it-all. You talk about repaying debts to the roots. I wonder at what you might have done to repay your debts to your roots. Lampoons, sarcastic comments, and biased dogmas will never be an act of repaying debts. Unless otherwise served on the platter of irony and mediocrity. I understand the rosy picture everyone has in mind about someone working outside. But only those who go through it know what it is like. It's a survival. And if we save up something to send for the parents back home, I think that makes it up for everything for the time being. The rest will follow with time. I wonder if someone working in Manipur has ever been asked about repaying to their roots. Have you ever thought about it?

"Sir, he is my brother. Please give him a job." - syndrome doesn't work in MNCs. A minister's kin is as good/bad as a farmer's kin in a private sector organisation. And I believe you must be well versed about this since you mentioned you were part of one. I wonder where you left all your intellectual capabilities behind while writing the article. Anyway, your anecdote on Bengalis tickles my funny bone. The concept is ethically incorrect. It is not ethical to recruit all your sundry relatives either fit or unfit for the job in a company just because you work there. So if you are thinking that just because one Manipuri works in XYZ Inc., he should get all other Manipuris a job in XYZ Inc. is stupidity. Groupism and favoritism are for the professionally challenged. People sure do notify job requisitions at e-pao if there are requirements. I wonder if you have ever thought about it. And your association with a few people who were unwilling to help does not justify you to slap up a mediocre waste of nasty frustrations in the public.

Open your mind and read about LINUX MANIPUR and SACSAS. Just sitting back and wondering in doldrums is not good enough to write meaningful articles. The outcome will surely be mediocre content based on biases and insipid frustrations. I wonder at your learning and working with some of the biggest and prestigious media houses, and the kind of vibes you are sending out with this article of yours. And with this article of yours, you have proved once and for all that there really are Manipuris who are still stuck with the depressingly prominent syndrome of 'Don't let my neighbour prosper'. I have always wondered over this. But well, after reading your article, I empathise with you that you came across such people as friends or acquaintance. So if you are going insane over someone earning big bucks in Silicon Valley, you need to shed your inhibitions and open your mind. Instead of lampooning, try to think big and appreciate people. The act of branding a 'Selfish Diaspora' shows the weakness and immaturity of some of us Manipuris.

I understand your article could have been on a better note. I also understand that I could have presented my thoughts in the preceding paragraphs on a better note. So the next time you lift the pen, please think twice.

Shyamananda Sapam

[ Wed, 4 Jul 2007 10:42:11 -0400 ]

It is very sad to know that Yumnam Ranjan is trying to gain publicity by posting an immature, inarticulate, and very very unreasonable article on the most popular portal. Since you have posted many interseting articles before I used to think that its good that a meitei macha doing so well in the field of journalism and writing well. however my assumption is short lived. Do you think it as all a rosy story for all the manipuri people working outside their homeland? Get your facts corrected , conduct a little research before posting such unpopular remarks to the manipuri peolle who are working their ass out unlike those manipuris back home who just want to idle around doing nothing. I am sure you wont be very happy to get such publicity. dont be. it is all cheap publicity

Anonymous

[ Sun, Jul 1, 2007 6:29 PM ]

Your article "The Selfish Manipuri Diaspora" is distorted in many ways. I think you should do more research before bluntly writing something that maybe your opinion. Being opinionated is something but you should segregate that on a platform like e-pao, which is the most popular portal for Manipuris and I think it is not quite right to blame the so called outsiders for not giving back to their roots. It's very true there is no Manipuri like Bill Gates although many have achieved significant laurels in their fields. But I can guarantee you that each capable individual is making their own efforts to send at least a few thousand bucks every month to help stem the tide at home. How do you account for those ? Do you think it is easy living in a place away from home for years together with a few days break to make a visit home? What about those burning desires to smell that aromatic smell of delightful Manipuri dishes and to get the feel of a real home ? What about the excitement just to see a new picture from Manipur on e-pao? Isn't the sense of deprivation a sacrifice in itself ? And as far as your opinion about crab mentality of Manipuris outside, you should browse the column of job postings on e-pao itself. Hope that will give you an insightful idea of how people like me are ready to push forward every resume forwarded by Manipuris. So I think you owe an apology to people like me whose years of struggle you are trying to sideline as some kind of diaspora.

[Name Redacted]

[ Mon, Jul 2, 2007 2:06 PM ]

I had gone thru your article "The Selfish Manipuri Diasporia" which was webcasted in e-pao.net. I had gone through many times and I think for sure you haven't seen the bigger diaspora. Your experience is with only of few high-headed diasporas on which you have generalized your idea. This is wrong on your part to get published such views without having a second thoughts. Perhaps, you can the world with more open and wholistic views. There are many more diasporas who is always looking for returning back. See the article attached to this mail. I hope you'll get convince.

[Name Redacted]

[ Tue, 3 Jul 2007 18:08:32 +0530 ]

It is nice to read about our own people, our own land, the current affairs , the developments but it seems like you are craving for attention though these are unwanted attentions. It's hard to stay anonymous, but it's a lot better than wrong attention.

As for the people you have spoken to who only brags about their pays or rather are concerned only about their pays, nobody can do anything. As you have also mentioned that there are a huge number of Manipuris in the IT field now. There will be people with different mentalities. It will be very wrong to generalise your experience. The mentality of the few whom you have spoken to do not represent the thinking of the mass. There are people who are trying to do their best to give back something to the motherland in whatever ways they can. I know for sure that a lot more thinks about doing something for the people who are there in Manipur.

If the so called " IT People with the mentality" whom you have spoken to are the ones you mingle with then I am sorry to say that I am not surprised to see an article like this from you.

Robert Leisangthem

[ Sun, 1 Jul 2007 07:33:24 -0400 ]

It is good to read such article that highlights the ongoing trend of Manipuri youth. The article however suffers from immature expectation and overtlyly assumptions. Untill the intense outbreak of the insurgencies and terrorisms some 20 years ago, Manipur, used to be indeed the nicest place on the earth. We could freely move around and go anywhere. Business were good and people were friendly and trustworthy. Life were exciting and forward looking.

Afterwards ,thanks to the insurgencies and terrorisms, no parents wanted their children to live and grow under those circumstances. Then, the exodus began. But old habit die hard, out of 10 Manipuris 9 used to go back after their studies. We are intensely home sick and perticulalry we can't forget our food habits. In my batch we 16 from Manipur went to Madras to study between 1989-2002. Don't be surprised, only 2 of us stayed back after our education, charterd our own path and fought against all odds. I am not self praising myself though.

Those highly qualified outside Manipur educated friends today are either teaching in private schools or doing small petty business. Their sole choice , ofcourse.

If you practically count,we are not as many as the Malayalis or the South Indians. Its been 15 years in Delhi I have been working in Delhi. You can still count the numbers of Manipuris working in the corporate sectos. BPOs and call centres are just yesteryears phenomena. Boys and Girls are working with temporary assignments. There is no security in those jobs. Please checks the numbers of Manipuris in Palam, Noida, Nothe Delhi, Murnika, Mayur Vihar or any place in Delhi. There is no substantial amount of Manipuris working in good positions in corporate houses. We are still yet to form a 'Manipuri Community' in literal sense, like those of Malayalis, Tamils, Telegus , Kanadas, or any one. Moreover, Manipuris out side Manipur are yet to settle before they think of other charities. There are lots of issues we face whe are outside Manipur. They are more painful then any othe communities. Needless to talk about this athis moment. Still, we fight and we survive, how nice this feeling. Sitting in Manipur, you may amuse us of good things. But please try to look at the other side of the coin too.

It will be totally wrong, Manipuris in outside Manipur do not contribute to the developement of our society. Why don't you consider that little amount of money they send every month to their parents and home are also contributing to the development of Manipur. Why do we need to do charity at the first instant? Charity begins at home. Please encourage so called diasporas to help their parents, brothers and sisters to start with.

For charity, Manipur has enough NGOs to do that. According to statistical survey of India Manipur as per the population, has the maximum numbers of NGOs. If not for their corrupt pratice, the fund NGOs received itself would helped Manipur attained developed State in India.

In regards to employment in corporate sectors, hardly few corporate houses entertain personnel recommendation. Why to mull over for not helping to get employed in corporate houses. It has been for 15 years I have been working, never once I got my jobs through this concept of 'jack'. It is sick thinking to rely employment on push and pulls. It is high time, for us to polish ourselves and focus on quality education. Our education system is competing with those of Bihar, then , in the end of the day corporates do not like unpolished and non-qualitative junks.

Year before last, my nephew came with a first class certificate from Manipur HSLC to do his 11th and 12th from Delhi. Phew...he could not pass the class 11. I wonder, the quality of that 1st class. What all I want indicate is, if this is the quality of education we have in Manipur, then it is a far fetched idea for us to involve in a highly competetive employment environment.

So, let's think of the other aspects and more so the kind of home works we need to do before preaching morality of Manipuri Diasporas!

Henry Meetei
Finance Controller
C&F manufacturing

[ Sun, 01 Jul 2007 08:04:56 -0400 ]

It's very disheartening to notice many of us leaving hometown for making our future elsewhere. However, we can't be blamed. We are circumstantially put in this situation . Lack of employment, infrastructure, oppurtunities, corruption and injustice has compelled us to stay away from our home sweet home. We are well aware of our inborn talents and skills which enable us to compete on global platform. Though we weren't brought up in a corporate & professional way. Irrespective of our location, lets create around awareness of existence of our talent embedded community. My message to all is not to forget our birth place & venture anything to help and protect our community from extinction.

Anonymous