We, the people
Manipur will undergo a sea change if the promises made by the parties and candidates are fulfilled. There will be no defection, Manipur will not break up, the economy will revive, we will have better health care facilities, quality education, more electric supply, more productivity in the agricultural sector, better road networks, the law and order situation will improve, there will be no corruption and favoritism, erring officials will be punished, the fund given to the MLAs for development of their constituencies will not be misused etc.etc.
In short, Manipur will become a far better place to live as our leaders "are going to work for enhancing the living condition of the poor and traumatized masses."
But here is a problem. These are the same promises made in the last many elections. We do not still have doctors in the primary health Center. Even if doctors and nurses are posted they are not available when their services are called for, the law and order situation is worsening by the day, policing is not effective, scams continue to rock the state, defections continue to hold center stage, our leaders are still hankering after power, the numbers of unemployed youth is rising at an alarming rate, prices of essential commodities are unchecked, rice continue to vanish from the Government godowns to mention only a few of the factors that have made life miserable for the poor and common people.
To rub salt to the wounds our leaders and their coterie in the Government and contractor circle have only
benefited, which means that the parties and candidates had lied to the voters in the last many elections.
Do we get enough reasons to believe that this time around the candidates or for that matter the parties mean business? Will they really serve the people this time? Do the voters realize the value of the stamp he or she is going to put? Do the voters really want a corruption free and transparent administration? What do the agents and the workers who are working overtime to ensure the success of their candidates really want? Do the candidates have memory good enough to remember what they said before the election? These are some of the questions that must have been disturbing the minds of many of the concerned citizens.
But one should not expect them to change over night. It will take time to bring them back to the mainstream. Our leaders alone cannot deliver the goods either even if they are committed. They will be taking only decisions. Are the officers who will be doing all the jobs ready or for that matter willing to make Manipur a better place? No prizes for guessing the right answers. But it is we the people who should play the most important role. Are we ready to shoulder the responsibility?
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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