Will Manipur become another Bihar? A rejoinder by Laisram Indira
(Read this article by Whistleblower here ).
The very thought pushes my fear triggers to a high.
Having been doggedly committed to a city job for years now, I never wavered from it. Nor, has a thought ever occured to me
that I should go back and serve my motherland. The vices of the city well entrapped in me, I am, quite sure though that
the feeling is not unique to me alone. However, the whistleblower's account has left me tripping on this "sublime fear",
which, I argue, might be largely misplaced.
I am unaware if there exists even a frail Meitei exodus to greener pastures. No brainer but I am certainly aware of the
student exodus to outside states so much so that we are indeed swarming in the metros. But this is no feature in permanence.
And while it is a comforting thought that literacy in Manipur is higher than the national average, not many are willing to
burn their educational expertise outside the state.
I don't need to dig too deep to understand this. My experience with many girls and boys who study outside Manipur has been
rather disheartening. With all their potential, they insist on going back home only to lie in eternal wait for jobs
that seldom come by. Fair enough for those who want to brain sweat at home and join the waiting game... But I think the answer
is far too nasty.
We haven't gotten over our conservative psyche or are driven enough to demonstrate basic competitiveness nor do we nurture
an enterprise culture. Add to it, our society has created cultures where the youth do not readily avail the freedom of choices
they are exposed to. Such influences on choices are hard to measure. Parents still insist on traditional career forays,
and often leaving the youth feet bounded - to stick to home and lead sedentary lifestyles.
At the end of the social scale too are the idle rich - a state aspired by too many. Even with the access to some of the best
education, AIDS, drugs seem to be eating into the Meitei populace. Talk of Manipur to colleagues and it is AIDS
they automatically identify with, much to my chagrin!! I digress. But which one do you think can we afford - finding a job
outside the state or lying in eternal wait for jobs and kindling hope from a bunch of asses in the government who are too
busy serving themselves instead of creating new employment and promoting growth. Forget that they will ever evolve an
inward looking economic policy, of efficiently utilising young talents or local resources for our own good.
And yet, it is also unrealistic and naive to believe that we would witness dramatic population swings.
I don't think we are better placed than Bihar. The only saving grace may be that our backwardness index is a little
less than the latter. But scams? Our government is fraught with it. Of politicians? The less said the better.
Lawlessness? I bring out the tiredly repeated argument - aren't we in a qualitative sense the worst-hit state as
far as insurgency is concerned.
How is this 'parallel government' levying 'taxes' on people, government officials and businessmen thriving? Nothing has changed
for eons. So it does make a whole lot more sense to simply accept that we have almost reached that point of no redemption.
I say leave the state to its own fate! Achievers go ahead pursue your dreams...
Coming to my third point, it's a job that has attracted wide attention for all the wrong reasons!!! Stats say with the
call centre industry growing at over 20 per cent a year, it is expected two million Indians will be part of this BPO saga in
five years' time. Why should the Meitei youth be left out? So what if it entails just picking up the phone with the phoney
accent to boot?
Agreed, it may not be the best of possible career choices but we need to get rid of the conservative coddling and engage
in gainful occupation of time. It is a rapid, breakneckworld that we live in today and finding a job not as arduous as before.
I'd rather be on the side of work against idleness. The catch 22 situation is the longer you are idle the greater the chances
to go astray.
A corollary that came home to me is making use of opportunities, wherever. That to me is improving ourselves, bit by bit.
* Laisram Indira contributes regularly to e-pao.net
Will Manipur become another Bihar? A rejoinder by Laisram Doren
(Read this article by Whistleblower here ).
I have been following few articles for the last few weeks coming up in this site.
I think its unfair to even write an article comparing Bihar and Manipur.
I agree that there are thousands of manipuris studying outside. But, eventhough there is no official figures,
the number of manipuris working outside is increasing exponentially.
No other North-east state, even Assam has half the number as ours. We have a sizeable presence abroad also.
The mindset of Manipuris have changed a lot, off course for the better. I have been to few metros around the country,
I am quite impress to find so many manipuris working in MNCs and big Corporate. Many engineering students are doing well in
campus placement.I recently come across, few manipuris recruited by L&T and some big companies.
Go to any big institute IIM, IIT or ISI you will find the presence of manipuris. Eventhough we can take this as a positive sign,
this is a cause of alarm for us. We hope they will come back to Manipur after gaining worthy experience and contribute to
the growth of our state.
One big reason for our usual "Homesickness syndrome" is the poor transport & communication system.
For other state, if they catch a train, after 20 hrs they are at home. For us it takes nearly 5(five) days to come home.
Railway connectivity is a must if we want to join the "Global Race". So lets believe in ourselves.
"Manipur is shining".
* Laishram Doren contributes regularly to e-pao.net
Will Manipur become another Bihar? A rejoinder by J.P. Sinha
(Read this article by Whistleblower here ).
The Whistleblower’s musings that, Manipur is enroute to becoming
another Bihar, echoes on a trend, which is increasingly in consonance
with any developing society. Society today is becoming more
cosmopolitan.
The law of economics governs that, people will keep on using
the limited resources, which are in constant demand. Ones these
resources gets depleted, people will look for alternate resources
to replenish their ever growing needs.
The biggest problem being faced by any developing nation has
been the ‘brain drain’. This has to do something with the depleting
resources and opportunities that are hard to come by, which forces
people to look for greener pastures.
If Manipur today is facing the same problem, it has a direct
bearing on the state of its economy to a very large extent. For
a small state like Manipur with little mineral resources, the
scope for industrial development is limited. The only industries,
which has thrived and will continue to do so for another decade
is the artisan and skill based industries with very few employment
opportunities and economic gains.
It is here that the difference between a State like Manipur
and Bihar lies. While endowed with rich mineral deposits, the
state languishes at the bottom in terms of the state of its economy.
The poor literacy rate, compounded with casteism and an inefficient
political setup allowed the state to become one of the poorest
states in India. The nature of migration of population from
the rural to the urban areas is more because of the economic
need rather than societal change.
Manipur on the other hand has a high literacy rate, with highly
skilled workforce. The exodus of this workforce is because, the
society is changing in perspective. The quest for higher academics,
jobs and better professions are the driving force behind this
exodus.
The law and order situation has also different tones in both
the state. While the law and order situation is more because
of the making of a social unrest because of its youths taking
up arms to make themselves economically more empowered. The law
and order situation in Bihar is more to do with the upper caste
trying to control the society from the lower castes.
Yes, both these states today may have become ungovernable, but
the entire aspect of the ungovernance is totally different in
both the states. Again it is caste politics, which plays a major
role in the state’s politico-affairs in Bihar. In Manipur, the
political colour has a different tune. Here the state is in constant
political turmoil because of lack of commitment of its politicians,
who are more inclined to follow there instinct of survival. The
instinct is more so strong because of a conscious electorate,
who will not shrug in denying them a second term at the chair.
It is because of this jealous pursuit and goal that most politicians
in Manipur would like to ‘make hay when it shines’. And thus
the vicious cycle follows.
I do not think Manipur will become another Bihar. Yes, Manipur
may become considerably poor in terms of depletion of intellectual
resources, academicians, young aspirants and professionals, but
no way it is going to turn into another Bihar, as we do not have
any menial workforce who are forced into exodus because of
discrimination, caste intolerance, hooliganism and no means of subsistence.
I do however hope that this so called societal change will usher
in a new era of change, change from the present mindset, change
from cultural stagnation and change from socio-politico nepotism.
For this, todays young aspirants have to realise that the bubble
of opportunities driven by the air of economic prosperity will
last as long as the market economy is bullish. They should therefore
tread carefully while planning their careers. It is no harm for
them to earn few bucks while in pursuit of their goals but they
need to make themselves more versatile and professionally more
demanding to adapt themselves in the ever changing economic scenario
both within their own state and outside the state.
* J.P. Sinha contributes regularly to e-pao.net
Will Manipur become another Bihar? A rejoinder by Ang-ica *
(Read this article by Whistleblower here ).
Sir,
L. Indira's and others' views on the above topic were really interesting and rather amusing to read. Firstly, Before we degrade
Bihar, let us ponder what is the ground reality prevailing in Manipur?
Here every one from the police to the rickshaw puller pays tax to some or the other mafias existing in the name of patriotic
freedom fighters(?). Every commodity that comes to Manipur goes through multiple taxation points maintained by different armed
groups. Every development work (If any one differs on this, pliz name a single exception) is either 'taxed' at source, or is executed
by some frontline agent of these sinister organisations.
Surprisingly, not a single individual dares to speak up against them. Their writ runs almost everywhere right upto
our own bedrooms. The rule of law and justice which is the hallmark of every civilized society is simply absent here. Take a look
at any day's newspaper: each day there will be at least a report of either killing/kidnapping for ransom/unclaimed unidentified
body lying around etc. The point to be noted is that none of these cases are ever investigated. It is all mutely accepted
as a part of life like birth, growth, marriage etc. And Where in India do we find appeals to terrorist groups in the newspaper
columns?
Certainly not in Bihar.And have we ever look into the manner in which inter tribal differences are exploited for petty
gains? Where else in India have massive ethnic cleansing occured for a few acres of land? Remeber the Kuki-Naga, Meitei-Pangal
and now the ever increasingly possible Meitei-Naga(in the context of the NSCN -IM dangerous game of divide and divide). No, it
is not to support any faction/tribe : But we all suffered. both inside and outside. Have we ever noticed the way the blackmailing
done by small pettyminded groups( The Medical Exams, The Highway Blockades etc.)? Where is the Govt? Where is the People? You
are either on my side or on their side. There is no common point.
In Manipur, earlier there used to be parallel governments. Now it is not so. The Manipur Govt is confined to the few acres
of land on which the Governor's residence is sited. The rest is no man's land. You shoot first. You are the winner. You shoot
next. You are the loser. Winner takes all. That is the law in Manipur.
Forget Bihar. At least the police can move with arms there. Here,in Manipur, there are several areas where even the
great Indian army with all its imported hi-fi equipments can not even dare to dream about entering.
Manipur is not even a state in the normal sense of the word. It is a failed state. A once state which have degenerated
into a mouldy and putrid slum hole.
Earlier, we used to gape at the depths at which Manipur has fallen and draw solace from the dreary hope that it can not
possibly get worse. After all the worst is already upon us. No. Manipur surprises us everyday. Everyday It sinks to another deeper
abyys.
Time will come when we will all woke up and realise that we have become the untouchables, our menfolk will have become
coollies and lowly servants and and our women folks will have become prostitutes and pleasuregivers. Till then let us dream----
Manipur is shining. Manipur is on the verge of development.
Dream on.
* Ang-ica , a Pseudonym contributes for the first time to e-pao.net
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