By Robert Hmingmuana*
BUILDING ON SOLID PEACE? The 'peaceful state' tag has been excessively exploited and the structures we have built over the years can easily crumble like the buildings in Aizawl. Pic: miyzone.blogspot.com
The pride we take in highlighting our condition of peace will more often than not baffle the keen observer. Not only do we stretch the word peace to its absolute limit but alongside it development is painted into a colourful and attractive scenery hung on a wall that can barely take its weight.
Study the details of the painting and you find the Millennium Center, 88 percent literacy, the average helpful and considerate citizen, a long and tidy list of associations of all strengths and sizes, the average man’s biblical vocabulary, the steady man of the church, the adidas, nike, puma etc showrooms, the latest bikes on the market, the trendy young and old in branded jeans and tee shirts, etc.
And the wall reflects generations of misguided policy, many incomplete projects of the past governments, the enormous unemployment, the huge gap between the rich and the others, the nonchalant attitude of the Christian public, the average man’s constant sacrifice of values for money, the lack of a scientific temperament, young parents who are still being parented, the vision of a 2-year old, the sense of a horse, the appetite of someone who has fasted for weeks, etc.
SYMBOL OF PEACE? Aizawl Millenium Center. Pic courtesy: miyzone.blogspot.com
That is why the painting on this dilapidated wall is such a huge consolation because there is no other way to make ourselves feel right or justified. So we glorify in the beauty of the painting which takes our attention away from the soon-to-crumble structure on which it rests.
Peace is not only a wonderful phenomenon to experience but extraordinary in the current state of affairs in the northeast. We are the only peaceful state in the whole of the northeast, oh wait there is Sikkim too. An amazing parallel between peace and development can be drawn and under most ordinary circumstances peace and development would be married but most unfortunately not in the case of Mizoram.
Over two decades of peace and there is a ghastly lack of reliable and dependable infrastructure. Several small time hydel projects most of which are gasping for breath to generate anything that resembles the light of day. The need for power in Mizoram stands at 120 MW and we have diesel engines chugging away alongside the hydel- based projects to generate a heart wrenching 20 MW. These are sights and sounds that you would probably come across in programmes like Fox history. Another 50 MW finds itself clambering over our territorial boundaries from states beyond. What about the remaining 70 MW? Well, 22 MW of this could have been easily covered by the 105 crore rupee thermal power plant planned, executed and successfully built at Bairabi. Don’t jump the gun yet! It was an amazing accomplishment just before our folks at the helm of affairs realized that the fuel to run a thermal plant doesn’t come with an annual budget that barely crosses the finishing line. Or is that doesn’t cross the finishing line. And the latest I have heard is Aizawl is going to get a ropeway! While most tourist friendly countries use it for attracting customers we are going to address the congested traffic problems of the state capital. By the way a ropeway needs power to run it and I wouldn’t be surprised if our citizens are found suspended midair during the peak traffic hours because of expected load shedding. And the last part of the missing MW puzzle is the load shedding. It sadly makes up for the missing 70 MW that we still don’t have the capacity to dream of or generate.
Our love for tobacco and all tobacco related products has made us top another infamous list. We have been declared the highest cancer producing state in the country, maybe even in the world looking at the percentage of our population affected by it. At one point, apart from cancer there were many other sicknesses that started pushing our referral cases outside the state into a huge exodus. As a result a brilliant scheme found itself knocking on the door of the authorities. Build a referral hospital in the state and why not just outside Aizawl, maybe a couple of kilometres away. Now the public will not have to make a trip outside the state; the referral cases will all happen within. The construction work at the site certainly, as one drives by, resembles hospital buildings but on a closer look you find that there are uniformed men with guns and not with medicines. If you want to get referred to this place, sickness is not likely to do it for you, probably you will have to try your hand at breaking the law.
Modernization has been so very crucial for every community and society. There are initiatives taken by governments to boost it up. And what better way to give it a serious launch than to arm your security personnel with socks that cost just a wee bit short of a thousand rupees a pair. Or to stock up the state with mobile toilet vehicles just in case you run a loose motion while driving or walking around the streets of your city or town. The cost of the mobile toilet vehicles run into crores only to be sold off as metal scraps to the local dealers at the kilo rate.
I can go on and on. Peace certainly we have and we are at PEACE with the paintings but the painting will not remain where it is when the wall comes tumbling down. Let us wake up from this nightmare that appears to be a sweet dream. We need to wake up and rebuild the wall so that we can save the PEACE that rests on it.
*About the author: The writer is a MA student in English.
Agree with you bro! The unaffected and disinterested attitude of the people is what bothers me most. People don’t show concern on issues that mean something. You hit the nail on the head!
The decay in the system is deep. It deteriorates further and further with each act of government mismanagement that is tolerated. Just a couple of hours ago Vanglaini had a news item where the salesman at MIZOFED was fired by the Chairman K Laldawngliana for doing his job right.
“Salesman chuan, Mizofed Chairman-in phone-a a biaknaah, amah bân theitu a nih thu leh, ACR-te pawh ziaktu a nih thu a hrilh tih a sawi a, “A mi rawn tirh hnenah hian phone hmanga invau chiam loin, a hmunahte pawh inbiaa ila tha ka tih thu hrilh turin kan ti a.”
“Chairman chu a lo kal a, a vawi hnihnaah pawh pe kim duh loah min puh a, kal chhunzawm tawh lo turin min ti ta a ni,” a ti.”
If this report is accurate then action must be taken against the Chairman for misusing his power and the salesman should be asked to continue for doing his job right. The Congress government should be held accountable for allowing such attitude to flaunted. The Chairman should be taught democratic principles and why he is a government SERVANT. Such attitude is what corrupts our system. The individual here Laldawngliana needs to separated from the attitude that the system promotes. But punitive measures must be taken to fix the ailing system.
He report hi chu a dik hlel deuh a ang. Mizofed Chairman hian banna thu a chhakchhuak lo ni awm tak a ni. tin, hepa hian vanglaini a an chhuahdan hi a dik loh thu vanglaini pawh a hrilhin tihdikna chhuah tur pawhin a ti ani awm e. Nimahsela chanchinbu lampang pawh hian thil an uluk ngai ni a ka hriatna chu front page ah meuh rawn tarlang tawh chuan thudik chu an rawn ziak chiang leh turah ka ngaih laiin a ngaihnawm lai chauh hi mipui hlui nuam an ti ni te pawhin a ngaih theih a ni. MIZOFED Chairman K.Laldawngliana hi pa fel tak ni in ka hria, keini ak zat hnih hnuai lam pawh pha lo hi a dinhmunah han ding ve ta ila, mahni staff te'n mualpho tak leh dawt chiang takin min ti ta se kan sa ve viau chuan ka ring. MIZOFED thuneitu te hian he pa hi chu awmdan an zirtir a ngai zawk ni in ka hre ve mai mai. Tin, chanchinbu a ziaktu pawh hian thudik tak chu mipui hnenah puangzar ngam se a tha in ka ring tichuan mi zahawm takah a ngaih theih ang a chuti a nih loh chuan kei chu hmanlai deuh a ramhuai leh pawngsual an chhuah uar lai ang lek quality ah khan ka ngai deuh mai a
Mizoboy, thil a fel hlel deuh in ka hria. Vanglaini ang chanchinbu in thu hre chiang mang lovin a chhuah chu pakhata chuan a mak hle mai. Tin, salesman chuan eng thu nge chhuah dik turin a ti. An thil chhuahdan a dik lo lai tak i hriat pui em? News item kha chun a chipchiar ang reng viau mai a. Vanglaini a biak lai hian kan salesman chu a rui a mi le? Chanchin thar lakhawmna kawnga Vanglaini hi an junior em mai kan ti thei em? Tin, mi kan lo hmelhriatna avanga fel leh tha a kan ngai hi an nun kawng hranga hranga an fel tluan kher ngai lo. Hei hi mihring nature ani. Chuvangin mi fel ani ti ringawtna hi, dik leh dik lo pawm nan kan hmang thei lo. A scientific tawk lo. Tin, Pu K Laldawngliana hi a problem leh a point a nilova, a point tak chu kan system kal hmang tawp lutuk hi a tul na lai ang ang a kan siam tha tur ani.
Wow ….food for thought! Amazing ..! Right on!
However, my friend you have missed on so called "Mizoram-The most peaceful State". I am sure you know how Mizoram treats its minorities like Brus, Chakmas, Maras, Hmars etc. Like many Mizos Pu Lalthanhawla claimed to be racialy discriminated (remember what he said last year in Singapore) and all of us were YESSS YESS, he is the man who dare to speak up for us (North-easterners). I am sure you are not unfamiliar with Chinky, Kancha, Nepali, Do you eat dogs…?, was charged 100 bucks by auto driver in Delhi for travelling 2 Kms, what smelly things do you eat (our delicacy), simple argument with shopkeeper turn to a ugly slur fight and every unfamiliar face or passer by held you wrong, women raped and blamed for it…the list is endless.
My friend every Mizo including Pu Lalthanhawla wants to live in a Free and Democratic World however should be outside Mizoram. Mizoram is only for Mizos and for Christians (Not Officialy though). We cannot imagine HINDI subject pass certificate made compulsory in order to compete in Civil Services and various other Govt. Jobs however we would like to impose compulsory Class VII pass certificate in Mizo subject in order to compete and get Govt. Jobs in Mizoram (see how democratic and free we are).
YMA & MZP can give ultimatum to anybody and everybody, they do not need to follow the Rule of Law (plz do not ask me to cite incidents). We all know Bengali bashing, Closing Schools for Burmese Refugee Children, Bru made Refugees from Mizoram, Maras cannot be forgiven for calling Saiha as SIAHA, Hmars problems are not Mizo Problems, Chakma Budhist Monks brutally beaten, bitten and humiliated (again we all Love Dalai Lama & his principles however only outside Mizoram), Threatened by SDO in Mamit district if the Bushist Chakma Villagers do not agree to build a Church, We all love Jesus teaching however only applicable among Mizos, Suspect Every Chakma citizen as Bangladeshi/Foreigner and ignore every Mizo illegal migrants (recently 10 illegal Mizo migrants caught by BSF while crossing from Bangladesh in Mamit District), Mizos are 1st Class Citizen rest are 2nd class and 3rd class (like tuikuk, takkam, vai etc read comments in misual.com), we do not support white calling black as Niggars however we do not have problem calling Brus as TUIKUK (I guess it has a meaning), the lists……not enough space. So, PEACEFUL MIZORAM is as much Imaginery Painting as the Developed Mizoram.
We all need to Develop ourselves in order to be a "PEACEFUL AND DEVEOPED STATE – MIZORAM". Else we will remain as you said "Imaginary Painting in the Wall."
Long Live Mizoram!
The lack or what you called "scientific temperament" among mizos is very true and until we have such interests we can never truly call ourselves a developed society. Thanks for showing such a good gloomy, and yet the real face of another Mizoram and mizo society
H. Larma I am not sure which community you belong to but I want to highlight a couple of points. Generalizations in such sensitive cases as the ones you have depicted does not help address these issues. Let us look at some examples:
1. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
2. The India-Pak partition
Who do we blame? Do we know who is justified? Acts unjustified have been committed by both sides and all in the heat of the moment and in passion.
Each side holds the other side responsible. You talk to an Israeli he will elaborate on the injustices of the Palestinians and talk to a Palestinian and you will hear just the opposite. And there is a tendency on both sides to exaggerate to make their points heard or stand justified. And every time we generalize the acts of the other side by labelling the whole community, the chances of resolution are driven further and further away. Israel – Palestinian resolution because of such an attitude almost beyond repair. Today PM Manmohan Singh realizes that there is a “trust deficit” between India and Pakistan. Talks have been derailed by extremists from both sides of the camp in the past. But establishing trust and carrying with an intelligent dialogue is found to be the best step after seeing years and years of other tactics and schemes.
Even in the case of Mizoram the same holds true and if we as Mizos held every Hmar, Bru, Chakma, Bangladeshi, Bengali etc. responsible for the act of an individual or a few people it would only deteriorate the situation and vice versa. Drawing up a long list can be done by both sides but what purpose would that serve. We must learn to act intelligently. So a mature dialogue needs to take place and acts or views of certain passionate individuals should not be generalized and the entire community should not be labelled for it. And mind you such individuals will be found on both sides of the fence. But I believe that such mature and committed steps are the door to a long standing resolution.
H. Larma I am not sure which community you belong to but I want to highlight a couple of points. Generalizations in such sensitive cases as the ones you have depicted does not help address these issues. Let us look at some examples:
1. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
2. The India-Pak partition
Who do we blame? Do we know who is justified? Acts unjustified have been committed by both sides and all in the heat of the moment and in passion.
Each side holds the other side responsible. You talk to an Israeli he will elaborate on the injustices of the Palestinians and talk to a Palestinian and you will hear just the opposite. And there is a tendency on both sides to exaggerate to make their points heard or stand justified. And every time we generalize the acts of the other side by labelling the whole community, the chances of resolution are driven further and further away. Israel – Palestinian resolution because of such an attitude almost beyond repair. Today PM Manmohan Singh realizes that there is a “trust deficit” between India and Pakistan. Talks have been derailed by extremists from both sides of the camp in the past. But establishing trust and carrying with an intelligent dialogue is found to be the best step after seeing years and years of other tactics and schemes.
Even in the case of Mizoram the same holds true and if we as Mizos held every Hmar, Bru, Chakma, Bangladeshi, Bengali etc. responsible for the act of an individual or a few people it would only deteriorate the situation and vice versa. Drawing up a long list can be done by both sides but what purpose would that serve. We must learn to act intelligently. So a mature dialogue needs to take place and acts or views of certain passionate individuals should not be generalized and the entire community should not be labelled for it. And mind you such individuals will be found on both sides of the fence. But I believe that such mature and committed steps are the door to a long standing resolution.
I am glad that we are begining to accept our shortcomings. But what is scientific temperament? One thing is for sure that it is not just plain academic excellence in subjects of the sciences. Though it may prove to be of help.
"Scientific temper involves the application of logic and reasoning, and the avoidance of bias and preconceived notions in arriving at decisions, and becomes particularly valuable while deciding what is best for the community or the nation. Discussion, argument and analysis are vital parts of scientific temper. It is thus necessarily open — admitting every point of view, however heterodox it might be, or where it comes from. Elements of fairness, equality and democracy are built-in."
newgenmizo, I could sense from your opinion you are definitely one of those New Generation Mizo who has travelled,lived,felt,experienced the world beyond Mizo(ness). I agree with your point of view to certain extent however, I would limit myself from believing that every problem will be resolved with Silence treatment. When I say Mizo I do not mean every Mizo, as matter fact there are exemplary Mizos. However, when minorities like Christians were prosecuted in Orissa, Karnataka etc. and if mainstream people do not condemn it, it is presumed that they subscribe to the idea if suppression. I have never witnessed any Individual Mizo or any Mizo Organization condemning attrocities, abuses and discrimination against the minorities (except this time in misual.com).
I also subscribe to your opinion of individual action should not be generalised. That is exactly the problem, even individual drunken brawl is being turned into a Mizo versus non Mizo (I can cite 100s of such example). About 10 months back when a Mizo and a Chakma fought after consuming alcohol in chawngthe and the next ;100s of YMA members (ofcourse they did not wear YMA badges) roamed around Chawngthe threatening Chakma residents and beating up Chakma patients at the Hospital. And the verbal statement of Police and Sr. doctors "Chakmas, you are here in Mizoram due to kindness of Mizos, it is Mizoland, so you should tolerate and learn to be like a Mizo (do not really know what is the meaning to be like a Mizo)".
So, the key is to stand firm, speak up against any wrong doing against any community,stop imposing discriminatory rules which we dont like to be imposed, Love and respect are reciprocatory. Please name 1 Policy of Govt. of Mizoram which encourages minorities' participation in Development and Governance. Rather there are numerous policies framed by Govt. to deny participation of minorities in Development etc.
INCLUSIVE is the Key, not EXCLUSIVE. I stand by what i said in my first comment, these are the realities of so called Peaceful Mizoram. However, I see light at the end of the dark tunnel when enlightened Mizos like you become vocal with your opinion.
Long Live Mizoram!
I think Larma is right when he says INCLUSIVE is the key to 'real peace' in Mizoram. Many a time i have come across my very own Lushai clan group who would say 'we are few people only…we must be like Tamils and Malayalis who favour their own community/clan."
After reading the political history of Mizoram, about how my Hmar brothers like H. Dohnuna, Bawichhuaka, etc were in the forefront for the formation of the present Mizoram, the present demands of the Hmar rebels seem more justified. Don't you think they have sacrificed too much. They were the voice of Mizo Union in Manipur and Assam. So was when Mizo National Front came they refused regional council from Manipur govt to be with their Mizo tribesmen. My question is why is the government now refusing to share political powers through decentralisation.
Likewaise, Brus and Chakmas have been living in Mizoram for years. Even though they are culturally and linguistically;ly different from Mizo tribes like Lushai, Sailo, Hmar, Ralte, Pawi, Lai, etc their interest must be protected.
Larma is right when you said that all govt policies are for mizo tribes tanrualna or impumkhatna, but they are actually planned in such that untill you speak "MIZO" (read Duhlian) these plans will never really benefit you.
I'm sorry to say these things, but as a true MIZO, and having been around the world, i can only support the truth.
H.Larma, in no way am I suggesting silence. A huge number of the Mizo public is fed up with the way the administration and the system is managed. It talks, discusses, debates, complains etc in confidence with people that fall within certain circles of trust. This I have noticed across the state. It will become more vocal and open as the days go by.
Though there is criticism on the lack of quality and adequate educational institutions in the state; the blessing in disguise is the very same reason forces hundreds of Mizos outside the state. This provides quality exposure and the new generation of Mizos are more than quick enough to catch on to the tricks and ineffective governance of the party in power and/or the indifferent bureaucracy.
In short don’t mistake the silence for an approval. Things change and there is going to be a strong movement from different quarters to raise levels of accountability within the system. More and more individuals will join in on a public level.
In the cases where there is established injustice, violation of fundamental rights, etc you need to address each case at the level that it is required. The Chakma community in this case has an autonomous district council and the council must raise its voice to the government. There is a Chakma MLA he should also take it up with the government too. A Public Interest Litigation can be filed if there are cases of rights being violated. This can go right up to the Supreme Court of India. You should not only voice your concern but also make use of all legal remedies available within the system.
My main contention earlier was treating each case individually and dealing with the individuals or group of individuals responsible in isolation from the community that they belong to. It does not matter which community the individual or the group of people responsible belong to they must abide by the law of the land. I am afraid we very often end up losing focus on the perpetration of injustice, violation of rights etc when the name of the whole community gets dragged in.
My fellow brothers Robert thanks for the insightful writing and sharing your analysis of opinion, Sanga & Newgenmizo thanks for encouraging my belief that there are finer Mizos and mizoramexpress thanks for giving the platform.
The DREAM should be MIZORAM! A peaceful and developed Mizoram. Be it decentralizing governance, conducive policies and platforms for everyone to participate and contribute. The point is not Some community ruling over some other communities, they key is putting people at the helm of affairs who can best manage our resources and bring the best out of every citizen of Mizoram irrespective of creed and culture. “No 2 key Notes of a musical instrument are similar, yet they are the essence to create a beautiful piece of music”. So, we can definitely create a beautiful Mizoram by taking positive advantage of our diversity (rather than fighting to assimilate/eliminate each other).
Newgenmizo, I absolutely agree with you, everyone including Chakmas should take the help of Law. However, it is easier said than done. Let me cite an example that happened abt 5-6 days back, Im sure you must have read about the brutal assault on Budhist monks. As late as yesterday, The assaulted monk was visited by Police Officers and recieved calls from some one claiming to be from CID. Hold on, they are not in touch with him to help catch the offenders. Though the monk refused to elaborate on the discussion, however he asked one of the Chakma Blogger to remove his comment about his brutal assault. Now he might leave Mizoram because he is worried about his safety. So, FIR, medical certificate is beyond comprehension and Chakma villagers are worried that they will be the next target for they have to Travel to Aizawl via many Mizo Villages. Rule of law is ditterent to a certain extent however the key is correction of Midset and Attitude and Principle of Jesus teachings not Christianity per se.
Let me put a classic example, In Delhi every other day women are being raped and molested (though majority of them are conservative and they preach women Goddess) and in Mizoram any woman can rome almost wearing anything like Hot pant and nipple popping tops and how many rape cases and assault have we heard? Almost nil. So the key is mindset and human principles and inclusive Government policies. "Scientific temperamental thoughts" will flourish if we do so. INCLUSIVE, LOVE, RESPECT are the Key to achieve DREAM MIZORAM.
Brothers, why don't we form an online group dedicated to Mizoram (not Mizos, Chakmas, Brus, Hmars, Maras etc.) where every sound minded citizen of Mizoram and Diaspora can converge, debate, discuss. The possibilities are boundless. May be the group could be called "Mizoram Youth Forum". Waiting for your affirmative response.
Long Live Mizoram!
Frankly speaking I am against all reservationists policies. The first and most important factor is we are human beings and citizens of the state, equal in all respect. It is important to use the judicial system to address such issues of criminal nature suppressing the fundamental rights of citizens. The Public Interest Litigation can be filed by anyone on behalf of another person if that person knows for certain that there is a violation of rights. Not making use of the judicial system only degrades the system further and further. What should be upheld is justice and fairness and no one should think they are above the law. The case of Ruchika was finally concluded with the conviction of DG Rathore after 20 years. But the important thing is someone at the level of Rathore, a powerful government officer, was brought to justice. The Jessica Lall case too saw the son of a powerful politician booked and forced to bow down before the judicial system. In such cases where the law of the land is being challenged it is the duty of each individual to perform his/her duties and those who flaunt their whims should be punished by the very law that they challenge. This is the only way to affect the mindset of people numbed by complacency and inaction. The legal processes available within the system must be invoked to deter potential acts of injustice from taking place in the future.
I strongly object to any policies that are framed to promote a mindset that makes one think like a second class citizen. This is the most damaging feature dealt out by the Indian constitution on the thought processes of certain sections of the Indian public. As Robert has pointed out peace and development are meant to go hand in hand. I ask why hasn’t that happened. One reason I believe is because the Mizo public have now accepted their status as a schedule tribe category of people that need to be supported in every which way we look. A policy of getting down on our knees and accepting whatever falls off the table as our rightful place. The Mizo public must learn to stand up and create a self reliant state. A people that does not respect itself can in no way respect the sentiments of another people.
The “scientific temperament” that is talked about has not been applied to the government policies and planning for the benefit of the state. The absence of the private sector and failure of government schemes/policies meant to generate employment has resulted in overstaffing the government workforce. The government just as it receives grants from the Center for free is more than happy to hand out the money in the same spirit of not expecting returns in the form successful project/scheme implementations. The Mizo public too is least bothered about the end objectives of such projects and schemes and generously spends the money on personal needs till it lasts.
The Mizo public has not driven the parties in power to proactively think of schemes/policies that drives the true growth of the state. As a consequence a genuine sense of ownership and accountability does not find its place within the system. I had seen a write up in one of the comments of a news article on this website that suggested bold measures for development. That was brilliant. The individual had suggested that certain essential items like eggs, tomatoes, potatoes etc. should be banned from being imported from neighbouring states. The example of eggs was taken. It was suggested that a ban on an essential item would create the market and incentives for interested poultry farmers in the state to take up businesses. We could keep living with the grants and favours doled out by the Center and continue to lose our dignity and self reliance or take the initiative to make the bold changes required. One learns the true value of money once one starts to earn it through one’s own means. Once one learns to respect oneself the same respect is upheld for a fellow human being. Until then no amount of love or wisdom in imparting the truth to the other than the use of legal means to punish and deter each act of wrong doing will change the ailing system.
Well, I second your analysis newgenmizo!
I guess, it is almost like a chakra (circle). The issues and solutions are in the same pond and they realy realy need to be addressed from all dierctions. So, I guess it has to start from You, Me and others who are reading these.
The problems become more acute when social organizations become part of politics and managed by half learned self proclaimed leaders and the majority people support such orgs blindly. IT is almost apperent certain organizations have been acting above the Law and no body dares to cricise or take action against them. Look at what's happening now at Mizoram University. The same practice, the VC of MU was sent noticed to resign and leave the state. I guess such power could be exercised only by Govt that too according to rule of Law. However, it has happened before and it is going to happen again and again and probably all we will be left with is to debate.
To change certain elements (Govt Policies, Half lerned people leading society, indignity, hateful, vengeful etc etc.)…Who is going to START?
H.Larma, I have already started. You have already started. But it is not just about us or a couple of others. It is every single member taking ownership and playing their individual part in fulfilling their responsibility. The change to the way the state functions will have to come from each individual member holding the government or administration responsible for every instance of injustice encouraged by acts of commission or omission.
The thought that one person or a group of people need to lead will only allow the system to deteriorate further and further. Because each act needs to be brought down the moment it occurs. Online platforms can go as far as perhaps influencing public opinion. But we should take up any form of illegal act or injustice on the ground with even greater fervour.
No individual or organization should be allowed to act above the law. If it happens then it must be taken up with the authorities concerned. As discussed earlier it can go right up to the Supreme Court if required. But the steps need to be taken by the people who are around to witness such acts of injustice or lawlessness.
The notice sent to the VC, I would certainly say is not only premature but immature too. But MSU has highlighted that certain hiring rules set by the VC of Mizoram University are unfair; we need to wait and see whether the allegations are true or not. MSU has alleged that hiring rules have been tweaked to add extra conditions or qualifications beyond what UGC has set as norms. I am not familiar with the actual UGC norms and cannot comment until the facts are established. There is also an allegation that the VC has been actively hiring people from his immediate circle of connections; to be precise from BHU. There shouldn’t be any problems with quality candidates coming from all over the country even from BHU but when the ones selected all belong to a university that the VC himself has very close connections with it can send a wrong message. The VC has not come out and justified his stand yet. Let’s hope he addresses the public and clears all doubts.
My take is when the people of Mizoram get economic justice then all other forms of justice will begin to take place. The government needs to provide the state with an economic policy that will allow the people the right to live in dignity. An economically empowered public has greater confidence in itself and will be more vocal in its criticism of the government. This will improve governance and bring about a greater level of accountability in the system. Let’s not mistake economically empowered with wealth that has been wrongly acquired and accumulated by certain sections of the population through the grant-in-aid system from the Center. That is just glorified acts of begging it gives no sense of achievement or self worth. This grant-in-aid system should be utilized wisely and not used as personal allowance. The empowerment I am speaking about is based on a self-reliant and self-dependent system that is dignified.
Hmar a minority in Mizoram ? I thought they are the richie rich of Aizawl people , the Hmar Brothers, Mana & Sons..etc..etc. As for the Chakmas, if we calculate the development fund received from CADC & normal Mizoram Govt Fund by the Chakma per head, it will be much more than the Mizos people. I do agree with the Brus, it will be better that the Central Govt put them under Primitive Tribes(I think certain people are working on this). It will be able to help their livelihood and all round development. I cannot agree with the three Autonomous District Council being less fortunate in Mizoram. It it time these people the Maras, Lai & the Chakmas check with their own leadership. In Mizoram except the Area around Aizawl is poorly developed. This has nothing to do with the Mizo not giving attention to the Minorities, But the Authority who are all settled in Aizawl, Love Aizawl too much and end up developing area around Aizawl only.
I am afraid I have to disgree with you on Hmar. We are not talking abt few elites in Aizawl, rather the concern is about the Hmars in Tipaimukh area whos existense itself in jeopardy. There are many Rich Mizos in Delhi, does that mean Central govt should stop giving priority to Mizoram?
If I go by your calculation Chakmas are 8-10% of Mizoram population, so 8-10% of state fund should be allocated for the development of Chakma areas, I am afraid they may not even get 0.5%, they do not even figure in the scheme of things for the State Govt. As for ADC more than half of the Chakmas are outside CADC. As for systemetic discriminationation against minorities please go through the above comments.