New Year For Manipur

By: T Mangminthang Gangte

Not what we give, but what we share For the gift without the giver is bare.
- JR Lowell, in Vision of Sir Launfal
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Even if the sun of New Year shone its brightest face over the Baruni Hills to announce the dawn of circa 2007, Manipur and its restless populace still spiralled and stagnated to its old cocoon of trouble and whatnots. By asserting it, there is no point going deeper the issues which it had confronted, precisely in the recent times. As it appears, the burden of the government that be grew heavier with the addition or replacement of another Calender in our respective households wall.

New Year wishes and greetings were not uncommon between lovers, friends, family, et al. But the most visible sign to express how we care, love and concern, nonetheless happens to be the present or gift we afford howsoever for that special and unique occassion. Likewise, to go in tune with time, everybody had a gift for someone, or get something for someone who had occupied special den in our hearts. If not, in other ways. As a whole, the people of Manipur, Hillites or Valleyians alike, as if New Year present sent down from above got a precious gift in which all are made to embrace notwithstanding our likeness or not. While we are onto it so, the punchline- old troubles in New Year is fittingly befitting the description here in Manipur as we are onto the barque.

For us, the denizens of Manipur, we needs no introduction, either briefing about where we are into; nor do we need to stress the present state of affairs. The AFSPA issue still hold good to decry the government's stance. The presence of numerous civil orgnisations is being felt with no remorse; either even when those orgn come to loggerhead.

Welcome Year 2007: If we are to go by the sayings of JL Nehru, who put it- the newspapers are the reflections of a nations' ideal and actions, we are for sure, compelled to judge from what we see in the daily papers report. With the beginning of the year, three irksome issues rock the state and aghastingly caught the people's reaction by storm. One, the appeal made by various sundry organisations to the captors of two childs in Senapati for their safe release. Two, the assassination of MNF's head Chingsubam Akaba by unknown assailant. The third, the bandh called by ATSUM and the subsequent imposition of economic blockade along the two National Highways by the same students' outfit. These threesome issues still hold its validity even if we are to pass off the first month of 2007. But, there is no guaranteeing the fact that this should fade at the earliest. None is for sure to bet that this could be a 'brought forward' account to the coming year next. Remarkably, what was perturbing for us is the traditional nature of inheriting troubles in our own styles and tastes.

The outrageous kidnapping of two child, Muhini Martin and Hrini Hubert on December 15 last still remain an unsolve mystery even as a month had elapse. To whom should we fixated the onus? Or shall we turned the duo to another Lungnila Elizabeth? Or another victim of terrorism, which make higher the statistic, simply? Do we need the likes of Sherlock Holmes to trace down the captors? Or do we felt the need to hire a kamikaze to bust the gangs of captors? If the answer is emphatic no, then why not we swing to action now?
There is general speculation that, perhaps all concern citizens prefers to live with troubles. If the case is true then, then the verdict is clearer than crystal. If in the negative then, is it not the time something which can secure the release of the two child needs to be done? In other sense you could construed whatever way you like. Is anybody listening?

Moving closer to the end, the assasination of MEELAL's chief Chingsubam Akaba is still an event which perplex every Manipuri. Hence in both the case, things speaks volume itself about the state of affairs which we are in in Manipur.

The other issue which confront the state with the dawn of a New Year was ATSUMs bandh and blockade. The genuinity of the point in which ATSUM contnded to impose bandh and blockade needs no deeper analysis. But these were just the opening notes for year 2007. We are doubtful that alot more are in store for us for the remaining 11 months.

If those were the opening line for 2007, we are doing no better than the preceeding year thet was 2006. Yet the SPF ministry headed by Okram Ibobi Singh, which create history by completing full five consecutive years in office, achieve great amount of success. To say the least, remaining full term in office itself is a testimony of their commitment shown to the people of Manipur. Despite remaining in office for that long, they miserably failed to push things upto the limit, however. A retrospection from the past one year was there to prove it all. And with malice to none, this is never an attempts of launching a charged diatribe against none.

A Ray Of Hope In 2007:

But all doesn't end here. 2007 could very well be a blessed for us, Manipuri. With assembly election due in February next, the hope and aspiration of Manipuri of peaceful Manipur could well be materialise. If past mistakes and old troubles were the result of bad governance, then, there is every reason that every Manipuri has to smile. We have that God-given opportunity to elect our choicest and sent it to the assembly of our state. What more do we need then? But time is there to witnessed! Hark, sending the right person to the rightful place would be the best present we give to ourself, our society, our nation, our brotherhood.

Dept Of Journalism & Mass Com. MU.