The Dos and Don’ts

By V L Renga Hriler

Much has been talked and written about the recent dos and don’ts written by senior IPS officer Robin Hibu, DCP, West Delhi for North East students in Delhi. Some oldies of North Easterner subscribed to his views whereas youngsters protest the dictation of their lifestyles, and few people even dubbed as publicity gimmick. Indeed it’s a mixed response. Even though I haven’t seen the so called pamphlets “A tips for North Eastern Students/Visitors in Delhi”, I assume that there are certain points to raise an eyebrow- ‘Why only for North Eastern Students? Why this doubled standards? Being his junior in JNU, I have met Robin on a few occasions. In fact, he was a best buddy of (Rev now) KK Hangnung, bro-in-law of Elder (Dr) L Pulamte and our former Delhi student’s leader Dr L Khobung. He was a man of integrity, having a good sense of humour and friendly nature. He has the credit of being the first IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh and had also been deputed at Inter Pol Hq., London. He was always concerned about the well being of North East people in Delhi. When he was ACP, Hauz Khas, Delhi, he once told us that one fateful night he received a call that a brawl has been broken out in one private party in the local area. When he reaches there, he felt so humiliated to see that most of the girls are North East girls and some of them were highly drunk. By issuing these tips, I believe that what Robin intended to do was to speak from experience and with the credibility of being an insider. However, it turns out to be a good intention that gone awry.

Majority of the North Easterners are the ‘Johnny Come Lately’ in Delhi. In fact, maximum of us have flock to metropolitan cities like Delhi recently due to the push factors in our home state and pull factors of opportunities in Delhi. The highly exaggerated figures of salary of people working in private establishment had been beckoned irresistibly all folks from N E India, illiterate and semi illiterate, alike in Delhi. North East peoples are simple, honest, frank but short temper and careless is the general description given by our brethrens folks in Delhi. Yet, our simplicity and carelessness has always bogged us down. The recent air ticket scam of one air line involving high-tech crime has got entangled many of our folks. I am also one of the victims. The scam has unfolded our lack of discernment and sense of inquiry – ‘look before you jump’. This scam is only one of the so many instances where our simplicity has been exploited. Hence, the need of tips, guidance, suggestions and orientation for new comers in their own interest as also is preserving and maintaining descent image of North Eastern folks. Unlike the Hmar community, who have a strong and active organization like HCF, Delhi, DHWA and HSA, who guide us and look after us in times of need and despair, many communities do not have the same. As a matter of fact, advises and guidance to fresher are not a new thing for us, rather, it has been the main focus in fresher’s meets, year after years.

In this ultra modern world not only the juniors but also the seniors need a lot of tips and advice. A few days back I have visited my e-mail after a long time. I was welcomed by quite a few unread messages. A good friend thlawngate@rediffmail.com has sent me valuable information about certain reputed banks; telecom services, etc who were indulging in cheating, overcharging and harassing their simple customers. One doesn’t need to be rocket scientist to know that our world today is full of what Lady Caroline Lamb described her lover Lord Byron “Mad, bad and dangerous to know”, similarly Delhites are rude, ill mannered brood and dangerous to know! Thus, the need for constant guidance, advice and alertness for all of us. Let me conclude here with one Afrikan proverb “we may not know where we are going, but at least we can know where we have come from and where we are now”.


Source: Delhi Thurawn (Organ of the Hmar Students Association, Joint Headquarters, Delhi)
http://delhithurawn.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1070&Itemid=78