Ibobi regime and hope for a self-reliant Manipur

Seram Neken *

"It is indeed good news that recruitment of graduate teachers will be done in complete transparency and without any favouritism, which never happened in previous regimes. Quality of governance has begun to surface on the Manipur soil, with such noble endeavours of Okram Ibobi Singh's rule. The two editions of Ibobi's regime could have shown lots of infrastructural development, administrative efficiency and stable ministry, in spite of revolts, strikes and protests.

The law and order problem has almost been brought to normal, while the state could have made strides economically. Markets, roads, bridges, dams, drainages etc. are presently on its way to improvement, as were never seen earlier. However, it would be better if all the progress so far is in the sectors towards economic self reliance.

Establishment or revival of big industries to generate income to sustain lives of Manipuris is the need of the hour. Options for sustainable development and self sufficiency may be prioritized, besides other infrastructural make-ups"
– Writes Seram Neken

It is time the government revived the Hundung Cement factory in Ukhrul district, the Tea Estate and Bamboo Chipping Plant in Jiribam, Khansari Sugar Mill, the Banashpati Mill, Spinning Mill or so many others to provide livelihood to natives and also to bring in self-sufficiency. The infamous local brews (wines) may be legally produced, purified and bottled for export to other states to earn huge incomes from outside.

The orange, lemons and pineapples which are available in huge quantities in the hill districts of the state may be harnessed and traded either in raw or juices, as it will be a highly profitable business. Local products and local economy require to be focused for long term self reliance. Ibobi Singh and his squad will ever be remembered by the posterior Manipur, if such endeavours are fruitfully made during their tenure.

The notorious 68-day economic blockade on the national highways last year had made the Manipuris realized the importance of popularising traditional and local products ranging from charcoal fuel and day to day edibles to fuel-free bicycles. During blockade, electricity was utilized at most to have minimal use of valuable domestic LPG at home. It was reported that dinner preparations were complete by 2.00 in the afternoon and lunch was ready by 4.00 in the morning depending on the power availability in each locality.

It was also amazingly heard during that time that some people finished cooking the next morning's meal at late night before the electricity went off. We saw widespread use of rice cookers and electric heaters for all cooking purposes replacing use of cooking gas. People began to use charcoal with chulaas for cooking at home. Unnecessary roaming on vehicles drastically reduced during the petrol scarcity days.

Besides using public carriers like Auto-Rikshaw and Magic-Tata by office goers, number of cycling and walking people on the streets amazingly increased. Dearth of edibles coming in from outside the state had compelled many people to use local products made by self-help groups. Most popular were: papad, pickles, chow-chow, Khurman, kabok, spices and juices of various kinds.

Many children began to eat Khurman instead of Cakes, Uncle Chips and Lays. Local made eatables replaced Macorni, Maggi and Chow-chow for School Tiffin. The quantum of demands for local products during the economic blockade was almost double. Hundreds of women who were engaged in marketing of these products from place to place could earn double the usual amount per day. The trend was so encouraging that many wished if the blockade continued for years.

In fact, the more we learn to switch on to local products, the lesser will be our dependence on outside states. Enough is enough, Manipuris used to buy imported apples at rupees one hundred eighty to two hundred a kilogram, while imported mangoes are sold at rupees eighty to hundred a kilogram. The queue in front of non-manipuri fruit seller vendors in Thangal Bazar almost begins from early morning till dusk. Where are our local fruits ? How are our fruit cultivators and sellers earning their livelihood ?

Locally available fruits which are tasty enough as compared to others shall take the place of apple, grapes, mangoes and pomegranates imported from outside which are very expensive and the prices of which often fluctuate due to transport disruptions. Moreover, the imported products have chemicals to maintain its freshness which naturally do harm to the consumers. Therefore, if we are able to produce enough local fruits and popularize its use, lots of money will be saved and fruits of eating fresh fruits will be easily gained. The government and other agencies need to have a look in this sector for multifaceted gains.

A few days back, Kangla Food industry of Manipur celebrated its completion of eight years service, where the industry has disclosed its scope of expanding to other north eastern states. In fact, most of Kangla food products instead of edibles made and imported from outside are used in Manipuri wedding and Shradha observances. The encouraging fact remains that many self-help groups and individuals working under it are given employment. There is also a sense of belongingness and self reliance among those who use locally produced products in our own celebrations.

However, undue disruptions from pressure groups on our own industries need to be immediately halted and rather these private endeavours shall be encouraged by all circles. Popularising local products has an element of practical patriotism in it. There are many social workers and patriots only on paper and verbatim. The real patriots are those poor who produce the local products for tiny earnings and those women hawkers who ride bicycle from door to door, shop to shop, locality to locality to sell local products. The government needs to whole heartedly ponder over the fate of local producers and sellers, who gain self-employment and do not burden the government with job demands.

The success of United People's Alliance (UPA) government at the centre coupled with fateful days of Okram Ibobi-led Secular Progressive Front rule has bright impacts on Manipur. The cities with mushrooming buildings, markets, widened roads and highways etc. are ample proof of infrastructural growth. Although projects such as Capitol project in Imphal, Water bodies under pollution control programmes, sewerage constructions, Market complexes and sports complexes are the visible progress of the state, there is still lack of emphasis on sustainable, employment and income generating sectors.

Manipur may be termed the house of valuable herbals, just like its being a power house of sports. Many rich varieties of herbal products, which are not found anywhere in the world, are grown here at random and without any attention. Herbal medicine may be a nice business for the Manipuris. If we are able to scientifically research, grow, harvest and put the herbal plants for medicine manufacture, Manipur will become the richest place on the globe and Manipuris will be the wealthiest community on the earth.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Nothing is there, which human beings can't conquer. For all progress and growth, political commitment of rulers along with general will of the ruled will go together unanimously. People in general have lots of hope in the Okram Ibobi led SPF government. With the people's go-ahead signal and whole hearted support, the present regime will easily continue for another term. It should however be in the mind that people love self-sufficiency at all times to come.

(This article is filed under RK Maipaksana Journalist fellowship)