IPOs (Indian Police officers) meet Ratan Thiyam, discuss varied issues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 30 2012: Indian Police officers who are on attachment with CRPF to study 'conflict scenario' in Manipur met Ratan Thiyam, the renowned theatre personality at Chrous repertory, Samushang, in Imphal today.

Interacting with the IPS probationers, attached with 69 Battalion of CRPF, Padmashree Ratan Thiyam said that, "Art is vehicle of expression which has thematic content; it portrays aesthetic beauty and is non-violent reflection of the concerns of the people.

It also displays the protest against the wrong doings in the system" .

Stressing upon the need of building trust with the people, he said that it should be the prime concern of the government at large in general and security forces in particular.

"This requires sensitive approach towards the local conditions including customs, traditions, art and culture," said Ratan Thiyam while confiding that the young police officers have a pivotal role to play in this regard.

Police probationers also got the implicit message of Ratan Thiyam that 'theatre is a platform which is to be used as a bridge between people and government where the demands, grievances and relevant opinions of the people are projected through plays which requires the state to take pro-active steps to address the situation.

He further impressed upon the probationers that because of violence in the last few decades "footprints of modern time could not reach Manipur in the desired fashion" .

He defined the role of Art by saying that "The nature of the art is to protest the wrong systems of society and government" .

In philosophical way he said "Beauty and Truth go together but the truth is bitter." The police officers agreeing to it promised that they will respect genuine differences and diversity amongst people.

Commandant 69 Bn CRPF Rakesh Kumar Singh, who was also present during the brief interaction, agreed with Ratan Thiyam that there is need for more structured and organised cultural interaction for peace building process in Manipur.

The Commandant also expressed that such collaboration between representatives of the soil and the most visible organ of the government, that is police, will certainly bring positive vibes in Manipur.

Ratan Thiyam, on the otherhand, opined that the role of artistes in building trust among security forces and the local people is vital, and said that "If SFs respect the culture and traditions of local people and work with genuine interests, it will be easy for them to garner people's support" .

Probationers who had witnessed the just concluded Manipur International Polo tournament and the Manipur sangai Festival agreed with the award-winning theatre personality that the full potential of tourism in the state has not been explored properly yet.

Once the people from the other parts of the country come to know about the rich cultural and traditional diversity of the state, tourism is bound to flourish and bring prosperity to the people of Manipur, the officers opined.

Ratan Thiyam also delved into the developmental and economic aspects and emphasised that job creation is the pre requisite for inclusive development in which fruits of development would reach to the grass root level.

Owing to the indifference of the people, who matter the most in developmental process, prosperity is still eluding Manipur, he expressed.

He also mentioned about promotion of culture and art of Manipur at both Government and private level and suggested that police forces take part in it and behave decently with people to establish good rapport with the local populace.

In response, Rakesh Kumar singh assured that the police officers will be developed to be more sensitive and care for the people.

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