IMPHAL, November 23: Though lots of developmental works are in progress in the State, people living in outlying regions of the State, because of bad connectivity and transportation are still facing untold difficulties.
The Tousem sub division headquarters which covers 67 villages of around 16, 000 voters is one such place. The people of Tousem told a team of media persons who accompanied the area MLA Z Kikhonbou Newmai, on a tour on November 5, that Tousem is popular for being the most backward region of the State and for the absolute lack of development.
The sarcasm of the comment is not too farfetched. Tousem indeed has been suffering in silence, unheard of seen by the rest of the world.
As for instance, the locals are helpless to even face simple everyday illnesses as viral-fever and diarrhea. These simple ailments can sometimes even become life threatening for the lack of modern remedial treatments.
Goitre cases are also rampant, though there have been so much publicity that the simple intake of iodise salt is enough to prevent it. The truth is, because transportation is so bad, even iodised salt, cheap though it may be through government subsidies, is scarce in Tousem and its adjoining villages.
Tousem MLA Newmai is determined to uplift the situation. He is convinced only development can be the true cure to the population in his constituency and pledged to work toward this goal to the best of his ability.
He said various developments are now in the pipeline.
He called upon the people of Tousem to not desire spoon feeding. This is no formula for meaningful development, he told them, adding, if they only want spoon feeding and no real development happens in their region, they will continue to remain ignorant and ill equipped with skills that would make them fit for the opportunities the modern times throw up.
He said, the first and foremost developmental need for the place at this moment is connectivity. The geographical remoteness of their villages is a big hurdle and they must strive to overcome this difficulty to see the promise of an uplift to their isolated lifestyles.