LET ME AVER SOMETHING

Malsawm Kipgen

In one of my write-ups in Sangai Express, I quoted Manipur as ‘mini – India with its diverse culture and religion. (Manipur of my dreams, Dated 13 April 2010). Sometime later, I read about our CM using the same quote in one of his public speeches published in various newspapers. Shall we call it natural to have problems in our state because it is very diverse in nature?

Congress stronghold lies in the meticulous use of Unity in Diversity. It is the very ideology that let Congress win the heart of minority communities like Muslims and Christians in India. Manipur being a land of diversity, congress party seems to be enjoying the fact. Our CM and congress party never leave the stone unturned when it comes to getting the opportunity to speak about peaceful co-existence among different communities. The idea of ‘mini India’ with its unity in diversity is as sweet as the honey.

Where does Manipur go wrong if the state government endorsed ‘unity in diversity’? Why do we see diverse opinions if peaceful co-existence and equal development are the essence of state government? For me, ‘unity in diversity’ is a mere joke if we do not profess oneness in equal opportunity. No doubt, the people of hills and valleys are treated equally by the government but the disparity of opportunity between the two is immense. With all those trash, reeking drains, potholes, uneven road and powder like dust particle hovering in the air as a result of bad road condition, indeed Imphal city needs a lot of fund to develop. Nevertheless, some hill people coming down from the remotest areas to Imphal are in awe when they see Imphal because it has infrastructures that these hill and remote people have never seen in their lifetime. Shall we call it their fate to not have that kind of infrastructures in their areas? Is it a crime to offer them some developmental infrastructures for their well being? Why is government silent? For sure, Manipur is not another Sikkim. Manipur government is not only weak in governance but also lack the heart of a good Samaritan to bring about development for justice in the hills. What is the point of boasting about our beautiful face when the rest of our body is shabby and dirty? We need to come out of unending cycle of blame game. (Local MLAs gobble the fund, centre does not sanction the fund and this and that).

If government is committed to upholding ‘unity in diversity’, major tribal languages have to be given the status of compulsory subject for high school? In addition to Meitei Mayek, an approved syllabus and compulsory subject for high school students irrespective of region or community, major tribal languages such as Tangkhul Naga and Thadou Kuki must be promoted and included as compulsory subject for all students in high school. Is it not a sheer selfishness on the part of the state government to promote only one language while ignoring others if it stands by unity in diversity? Promotion of other tribal languages should also be taken up phase by phase. Tribal these days are language conscious. If implemented in school, this may add an extra burden to students but this type of endeavor will surely bring some respect for tribal language among young students. This may seem a pipe dream or herculean task but this is the very foundation on which ‘unity in diversity’ must be built. There are so many things apart from these that government must give their ears to remove disparity and barriers in the social fabric of unity in diversity.

 As the long as the state government do not start from the grass root level, as long as the government endorse ‘unity in diversity’ in spirit only in our so called mini India, the notion of yours and ours will continue to haunt us. For a change to take place in the path of understanding and strong relationship, let the government understanding the ground reality and put all nice idea into practice. Lastly, unity in oneness (common playground) is the stepping stone for unity in diversity.