Certainly the time has come for us all to shed our inhibitions and egoism and to inspire and be inspired by one another for a better tomorrow rather than bemoan lack of opportunities. The State, for the past many years, has witnessed people bemoan every other action of the others and complained about being left out from the scheme of things. While the desire to succeed as an individual or promote one`™s own group should be cultivated and encouraged, it should not be at the expense of others. Considering this the reported statement of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister Francis Ngajokpa at a seminar that the people of our small State are still divided on so many issues comes as a welcome reflection. The minister`™s statement is all the more important as he was addressing students who are pillars of the future. During the same seminar, the Kuki Students`™ Organisation president had also observed that the mutual distrust, rivalry for preservation of identity, disparity in economic conditions or standard of living, and a sense of alienation now prevalent among the three main ethnic groups Meitei, Kukis, and Nagas have ruptured the idyllic social mosaic that Manipur was. He had also expressed that each group is not willing to see the larger picture of promoting their own culture and identity without compromising on social integration.
If we have anything to learn from these observations, it is to realise the depth of the crisis which is fast engulfing the State, before only the proverbial ashes remain of the State. Where distrust and alienation act as the guiding force for the people, survival and growth of the very society is very much at stake. For anyone who is remotely interested in the political or social developments in the State, it would be easy to point out that people are easily herded around by some towards wrongly interpreted goals. While it is important for every individual or group to think for the welfare of their own group and have all the fine visions for the future of their own, it is also equally important not to offend or be blind towards the interest of others and at the same time that of the larger society. The means to realise my own good and wants cannot at any cost affect the overall good of the society.
What has been done has been done and cannot be reverted, but it is never too late to restart anew if the desire is genuine and the inspiration is there. The first step could be to rebuild where there has been a trust deficit. Tolerance of one another`™s simple unintended blunders could also go a long way in paving a path for mutual trust to grow among the different groups. At the same time, let the government take the lead and encourage equal participation of all and promote social integration. Allow the minister to act on and continue in the same vibe as he had shown during the seminar and not allow it to rot like the many assurances and promises of our State leaders. The public unfortunately seems to have become accustomed to the failure of the leaders to honour their own assurances and promises. Unless we act together and drive out the dividing wedged amongst us, our own survival could become dubious.
Leader Writer: Wangkheimayum Bhupendra Singh