By Donn Morgan KipgenAll around the civilised world, there exist few nation-states with unique geo-political and multi-culture history. Their environments, colourful natural resources and social structure of unknown quantities baffling the neighbours and the outside world down through the ages. One such unique nation-state with unity in diversi-ty is a paradise lost and compromised called Manipur. She has not been called the Switzerland of India and the Jewel of India for nothing. Though not as serene, rich and peaceful as Switzerland, Manipur possesses unhe-ralded and unsung colourful heritage, curious environmental records and vibrant natural resources not found altogether in such other small princely state anywhere in the world. A near-perfect natural fortress, a sunny vale guarded on all sides by law mountain range-which completely halted the speedy advances of the all-conquering Japanese Imperial Army. In fact, the historic Battle of Imphal (1945) was the second most decisive battle during WWII in the Burma Front, next to that of the epic Battle of Kohima.
Whereas the famous Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland is an integral part of international tourist site, war cemeteries in Manipur are not recognised as such since the State Government gives little importance in this money making business. Till date nothing is done to mark the final resting place of the legendary Maj Gen Orde Wingate of Burma fame in Ukhrul district though the remains/wreckage of his last airtrip on Dakota DCIII was officially found by an AR expedition team 10 years ago. This Godfather of combined Commando Brigade, the Chindits, has no official burial site, i.e memorial stone, in Manipur’s WWII cemeteries. It is just unbelievable.
Atleast 25 percent of the State of Manipur still remains unexplored. There would surely be some rare species, flora and fauna plus other valuable natural resources in these uncharted areas according to the Law of Average. We have the one and only Brow Antlered Deer, i.e the Sangai (not related to the daily express) which in turn lives in the world’s only floating National Park, Keibul Lamjao, in one of the largest fresh water lakes i.e the Loktak Lake, of the nation.
We have the magnificent rolling fields of the one and only Siroi Lily, not found anywhere on earth like the Sangai. Then there is the hanging Poppy Gardens and breath-takingly colourful Dzukou Valley which is not as contentious as the grand Kabow Valley (as important as the strategic Golan Height). The multiple species Orchid botanical garden in Imphal area which bloom so brightly to blow away the blues for any weary tourist. The majestic water fall of Tameng-long is on par with any other famous waterfall but the treatment given to its importance is pathetic to say the least. Besides, the mouth watering orange fields are an added bonus to Tamenglong district. Our liquified fruit products are so natural and un-tampered, that’s why they are well-known internationally. Well, what about the dizzying Spirit of Sekmai? If the Russians could and did gain lots of national income from their traditional Vodkas, what prevents the mighty Spirit of Sekmai to be refined and exported? The Indian mantu bidis (unfiltered cigarettes) have a good market in the Uni-ted States. Do we lose out on something?
A lady friend of mine, a German, once asked me about the mysterious Yellow Rain of Manipur (c 1970s) during high school days, but answer was rather hard to explain. It’s in the school’s Geography book but here in Manipur the famous Yellow Rain phenomenon has been hardly mentioned at all. Though that girlfriend thought Manipur was an independent country, she did secure 4th position in Standard XII Examination. Such rarest of the rare phenomenon needs to be well-re-examined for scientifical and academical posterity. It could be a ‘trapped sand storm’ from the Gobi Desert. Manipur is a land of ‘mythical facts’ and epic folklores very distinct from other parts of the world, but our literature is still not able to exploit the wonders of them all. Only few historical monuments and historical sites are protected and our rich multi-cultural heritage left as it was, as in the past. The world’s oldest existing pologround, Mapal Kangjeibung, is the pride of the nation, but are we? In games and sports, the athletes from Manipur won their battles on the highest stages, the ladies outgunned the gentlemen - a point to note down by local Rambos. We introduced the game of Polo only to be refined by Persians as their own.
There are other records which beat others hands down. In this land of fire-brand Meira Paibis, there are more bandhs, blockades, general strikes etc and far more student and social organisations than in any other state. Of course, the astounding number of UG militant outfits is a problem by itself. The tackling of westernisation with modernised western equipments is hard to digest. War against westernization by means of Talibanisation may prove to be a very risky business in the long run. The presence of so many private police, organised vigilantes, UG detectives, vice-squads etc has down graded the professional image of the state law enforcement agencies. Perhaps, it would be most advisable to downsize the police investigation sections since half of their jobs have been done free of cost nowadays, a tonic for state’s dwindling economy. In area wise classification, the State of Manipur has the world’s highest peacetime deployment of armed forces personnel on active duty. It is the only place on earth where the general public and social organisations burnt down the State’s Central Library, the Legislative Assembly Hall, the Chief Executive (i.e the CM) residence, Govt building complex, quarters in maximum security areas etc right under the nose of the law enforcement and armed forces personnel in modern history.
However, that’s the people’s power of absolute nature which would be done so courageously by the enraged public not easily found anywhere in the world. The underlying message, though given in rawest medium, is: don’t mess with ordinary citizen of Manipur when it comes to their socio-political existence now and in future. If only all citizens of all ethnic groups could sincerely come together as one single voice, the fate and future of Manipur would surely turn favourably around overnight. Total unity in integrity is much more than half the weary and bloody job well done. As such the future of Manipur’s socio-political status would be in the hands of the people themselves and not in the hands of desi-politicians, armed forces and the judiciary, once the dice is cast. But then, the united citizens of Manipur must have to authoritatively maintain resources to the fullest, a standing army and well-oiled law enforcement system and independent judiciary, plus well-established diplomatic channel to be run by qualified citizens of Manipur themselves. Otherwise, there would be an inevitable civil war like in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, the Bloody Balkans, etc for the lack of required resources, ethnic-unity, judiciary and the law enforcement to assist the Legislature. Well, anything can happen as it did happen in the past. The question is: do we have them in us? Nothing comes free of cost.
Whereas the famous Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland is an integral part of international tourist site, war cemeteries in Manipur are not recognised as such since the State Government gives little importance in this money making business. Till date nothing is done to mark the final resting place of the legendary Maj Gen Orde Wingate of Burma fame in Ukhrul district though the remains/wreckage of his last airtrip on Dakota DCIII was officially found by an AR expedition team 10 years ago. This Godfather of combined Commando Brigade, the Chindits, has no official burial site, i.e memorial stone, in Manipur’s WWII cemeteries. It is just unbelievable.
Atleast 25 percent of the State of Manipur still remains unexplored. There would surely be some rare species, flora and fauna plus other valuable natural resources in these uncharted areas according to the Law of Average. We have the one and only Brow Antlered Deer, i.e the Sangai (not related to the daily express) which in turn lives in the world’s only floating National Park, Keibul Lamjao, in one of the largest fresh water lakes i.e the Loktak Lake, of the nation.
We have the magnificent rolling fields of the one and only Siroi Lily, not found anywhere on earth like the Sangai. Then there is the hanging Poppy Gardens and breath-takingly colourful Dzukou Valley which is not as contentious as the grand Kabow Valley (as important as the strategic Golan Height). The multiple species Orchid botanical garden in Imphal area which bloom so brightly to blow away the blues for any weary tourist. The majestic water fall of Tameng-long is on par with any other famous waterfall but the treatment given to its importance is pathetic to say the least. Besides, the mouth watering orange fields are an added bonus to Tamenglong district. Our liquified fruit products are so natural and un-tampered, that’s why they are well-known internationally. Well, what about the dizzying Spirit of Sekmai? If the Russians could and did gain lots of national income from their traditional Vodkas, what prevents the mighty Spirit of Sekmai to be refined and exported? The Indian mantu bidis (unfiltered cigarettes) have a good market in the Uni-ted States. Do we lose out on something?
A lady friend of mine, a German, once asked me about the mysterious Yellow Rain of Manipur (c 1970s) during high school days, but answer was rather hard to explain. It’s in the school’s Geography book but here in Manipur the famous Yellow Rain phenomenon has been hardly mentioned at all. Though that girlfriend thought Manipur was an independent country, she did secure 4th position in Standard XII Examination. Such rarest of the rare phenomenon needs to be well-re-examined for scientifical and academical posterity. It could be a ‘trapped sand storm’ from the Gobi Desert. Manipur is a land of ‘mythical facts’ and epic folklores very distinct from other parts of the world, but our literature is still not able to exploit the wonders of them all. Only few historical monuments and historical sites are protected and our rich multi-cultural heritage left as it was, as in the past. The world’s oldest existing pologround, Mapal Kangjeibung, is the pride of the nation, but are we? In games and sports, the athletes from Manipur won their battles on the highest stages, the ladies outgunned the gentlemen - a point to note down by local Rambos. We introduced the game of Polo only to be refined by Persians as their own.
There are other records which beat others hands down. In this land of fire-brand Meira Paibis, there are more bandhs, blockades, general strikes etc and far more student and social organisations than in any other state. Of course, the astounding number of UG militant outfits is a problem by itself. The tackling of westernisation with modernised western equipments is hard to digest. War against westernization by means of Talibanisation may prove to be a very risky business in the long run. The presence of so many private police, organised vigilantes, UG detectives, vice-squads etc has down graded the professional image of the state law enforcement agencies. Perhaps, it would be most advisable to downsize the police investigation sections since half of their jobs have been done free of cost nowadays, a tonic for state’s dwindling economy. In area wise classification, the State of Manipur has the world’s highest peacetime deployment of armed forces personnel on active duty. It is the only place on earth where the general public and social organisations burnt down the State’s Central Library, the Legislative Assembly Hall, the Chief Executive (i.e the CM) residence, Govt building complex, quarters in maximum security areas etc right under the nose of the law enforcement and armed forces personnel in modern history.
However, that’s the people’s power of absolute nature which would be done so courageously by the enraged public not easily found anywhere in the world. The underlying message, though given in rawest medium, is: don’t mess with ordinary citizen of Manipur when it comes to their socio-political existence now and in future. If only all citizens of all ethnic groups could sincerely come together as one single voice, the fate and future of Manipur would surely turn favourably around overnight. Total unity in integrity is much more than half the weary and bloody job well done. As such the future of Manipur’s socio-political status would be in the hands of the people themselves and not in the hands of desi-politicians, armed forces and the judiciary, once the dice is cast. But then, the united citizens of Manipur must have to authoritatively maintain resources to the fullest, a standing army and well-oiled law enforcement system and independent judiciary, plus well-established diplomatic channel to be run by qualified citizens of Manipur themselves. Otherwise, there would be an inevitable civil war like in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, the Bloody Balkans, etc for the lack of required resources, ethnic-unity, judiciary and the law enforcement to assist the Legislature. Well, anything can happen as it did happen in the past. The question is: do we have them in us? Nothing comes free of cost.
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