Show Racism the Red Card

Shilpa Shetty became the victim of racial abuse on the sets of Celebrity Big Brother. And she became the symbol of the global war against racism. We sympathise with her.

Indians cry foul against this abuse and condemnations have poured in from all quarters. But before pointing our fingers at others, let us first look at our own backyard. Racism has been going on for a long time before our very own eyes. Whether or not we want to admit it is another matter altogether.

What Shilpa Shetty went through on the sets of Celebrity Big Brother is what many Indians go through everyday in their own country. Especially people from the northeastern part of India.

Northeasterners are discriminated against in every walk of life and everywhere they are. Be it in the metros or other cities and towns in mainland India: the person who (intentionally) mistook you to be from a certain Himalayan country and call you names. The autorickshaw wallah who is out there to fleece you and increases the fare the moment he sees your face. The neighbourhood shopkeeper who attends to you later even if you had come before the other fellow. The landlord who eyes you suspiciously and asks you strange and uncomfortable questions when you go searching for a room. And your boss at the office who jumps at every opportunity to pull you down. All this because you happen to be born in a certain part of the country.

On the one hand we talk of national integrity, unity in diversity, One-India and what not. But on the other hand our actions smack of racism and alienation. If we want to accuse others of being racists, first we should stop being racists ourselves. Show racism the red card. Practice what you preach. After all, actions speak louder than words.

Who the hell do I think I am

Most of you will be wondering who the hell is this blogger? Well I am still figuring that out myself.

As far as my biography is concerned I am still working on that. Anyway, my official bio goes something like this: I was born in a small hamlet in Lamka/ Churachandpur District of Manipur. And I was educated , if you want to call it that, in private schools in Lamka. I graduated from Delhi University with a degree in political science which qualifies me to whatever it is that I do now.

Since a very young age, I have always been interested in books, magazines and newspapers-especially novels. I have always had the secret ambition/dream to be a great writer . For years, I did little about this wish except moan and groan and feel envious of great writers and novelists. And for years, I wrote in my head, too afraid to expose my thoughts on paper. Now I am slowly walking my way up to some real and serious writing. This blog is an attempt at trying my hand in writing and expressing my thoughts and feelings about something on anything that I am interested in.

So, that’s it. I have gone on way too long so I’ll just stop now.

Do fell free to leave your comments and do check in occasionally for further updates.

Snapshots From Hell-Peter Robinson

Finished reading “Snapshots From Hell: The Making of an MBA” by Peter Robinson which I had borrowed from a friend of mine who is an MBA aspirant. Well, in the first place I am not an MBA nor do I aspire to become one. I read this book out of sheer curiosity-wanting to know what life is like in a B-school. And I do not regret reading this book.

The book is about the author’s life as a first-year MBA student at the prestigious Stanford University. It chronicles the difficulties and challenges he faces there as a “poet” (a term referring to those who are not good in Maths). This book is a must-read for all MBA aspirants as it gives an insight into what B-school is like.

Reading this book reminds of my graduation years. I, at one point in my life, had contemplated seriously preparing myself for MBA entrance exams. I had even appeared for FMS MBA (MS) entrace test when this course was first started by FMS. But I had not prepared well for the test and had not got through the test. Looking back in retrospect I am not really disappointed that I had not passed the test becuase I do not think this is my passion. MBA is not for me. The rigours of pursuing the course and the long hours MBAs put in when they are working just does not attract me. No matter how much money they are earning. After all, money is not everything in life.

And also I would really like to read Scott Turrow’s One L, the book which is the inspiration behind this book “Snapshots From Hell.” It is about life as a first year student at the famed Harvard Law School.

Elections-Ends or Means

This article has been published on Lamka Post, www.zogam.com, www.zogamonline.com, www.e-pao.net and www.youthejournalist.com

With Manipur going to the polls in February, every other day newspapers carry reports of the MLAs visiting/touring their constituencies and handing out goodies to the populace. Unfortunately the people lapping them up in cheerful glee. And fall for these cheap election gimmicks of the sly politicians. This is nothing new in Manipur especially in the hills where politicians are exploiting the innocent and gullible masses to the hilt.

Elections are really hard times for the people and serve little or no purpose in improving the plight of the people. It is a time when alliances are made and unmade, a time for making a quick buck, a time when your next-door neighbour becomes your enemy. It is a time when friendships are broken and trusts are betrayed. Booth capturing and poll riggings have become the norm. And underground organizations are known to openly support their own choice of candidates. And the whole process of elections has become a farce – a mockery of democracy.

Let us see in the context of Churachandpur. I was personally there at the time of the Assembly Election in 2000. And I have been to election campaigns of the two main contenders. What I have seen there is not an election campaign. It is pure character assisination. The candidates did, never once, outlined their policies and programmes (manifestoes) but just launched personal attacks on their rivals. This is just ridiculous. And the crowed seems to enjoy these to the hilt. There were loud cheers and clapping of hands for the all the personal attacks that the candidates indulged in. The situation may not be so different this time round.

The public is no better. I have seen some cases of sheer madness – there was a case where one family did not allow its neighbours to draw water from their well because the neighbours were supporting the rival party and neighbours were not even on talking terms. I do not blame the candidates for these trivial things. It is their supporters who in moments of madness resorted to such foolish practices.

Elections have become an end in itself and not the means to an end. Politicians are out to exploit the people and the people are making every opportunity to grab a few thousand bucks from the politicians. It is a vicious cycle from which there seems to be no escape in the near future.
It is time that we moved on. We have been through enough of this - petty politics, quick bucks and narrow-mindedness. Let us try to expand our horizons and look at the big picture. Elections are times to frame policies and programs. A time to think of our future and work towards the larger good of the society. Elections should be the means to an end and not an end in itself. The end being good governance, development, growth, empowerment and general well being of the public at large and not only a section of the populace.

How long are we going to fall for the cheap political gimmicks of our politicians? When are we going to let them face the music? How long will we be content with just a few thousand bucks at the time of elections? When will we all work together for the betterment of our society and not just run around for personal gains? As we go to the polls once again, let these questions be in the minds of all and let us strive to work together for our future – a more prosperous and developed society. Lest we face the consequences.