A radical musing on some Root Causes, Ice Berg and Problem Tree of The Kuki Society; by Mangneo Lhungdim

A radical musing on some Root Causes, Ice Berg and Problem Tree of The Kuki Society; by Mangneo Lhungdim

“I am delighted to read “Kuki Nampi Ekhehsuhnao” a very rarely discussed topic such as this has featured after a long time in the forum” Note: I wrote this small article in response to the discussion initiated by Mangboi Haokip on “KUKI NAMPI EKHEHSUHNAO..!!” on kukiforum

What Is Our Favorite past Time?
Politics has constantly topped the topics discussed in the kukiforum for last 1-2 years and while many of us are trigger-happy netters reacting instantly on issues of politics, of accusations, of counter-accusations and even stressing the discussions over personal trifle issues, but sadly whenever any discussion is initiated on socio-economic (poverty dynamics, village governance, NGOs, role of the Church, role of village chiefs, etc.) there are no takers.

With due respect to the sentiments of the forum members and the objectives guiding the forum founders; I would suggest we start addressing/discussing some of the common root causes of all the ‘problems’ we today live with. Experiences (history) tell us that many of our present problems are actually mere effects of the core or the tip of the iceberg. We should try understanding the “core” or the “iceberg” rather than struggling at the “effects/tips.”

Mangboi Haokip has started on the right note by listing/analyzing some of the causes - Corruption, lack of honest leaders, public mindset, and education. And mind you, this is not the entirety of the iceberg yet. If we are to construct a tree/iceberg using all the issues/problems afflicting our society as building blocs, ours will be no different from many counterparts in South Asia.

Be Grounded
My personal orientation is in redirecting all our efforts in identifying the micro-issues and thereby tackling them through micro level solutions and it does not take a Nobel laureate, social scientist/economist or a bigwig politician to do this. All it needs is the village women/men coming together in Self Help/Cooperative platforms to manage their local issues. There are handful of examples “success stories” in India and neighboring South Asian countries where communities have come out from the vicious cycle of abject poverty, conflicts/insurgency and, from all the forces Mangboi Haokip and Jesse John mentioned.

Once we are able to manage our micro level problems, most of the larger issues will find appropriate solutions through a spiraling effect. Well, few contentious macro issues such as the Kuki identity, Kuki autonomy or unification, re-unification do not really affect immediately the rozi roti (daily bread) of the common Kuki householder, while the family has to survive every single day on these basic needs.

Whose Issues and Whose Priority?
What issues/needs/aspirations would top if a common Kuki householder was asked to rank his priorities today? The householder who mortgaged his only livelihood (pension book, plot of land) away to the money lender, the widows of Naga-Kuki/Paite-Kuki conflict whose entire struggle is to feed her virtually-orphaned kids, the faceless Eimi boys in various Manipuri Hotels serving you mira mirch (Vegetarian dishes), the marginal Eimi farmer whose harvest is destroyed by Mautam, the thousands of landless Kukis who still languish under the dictates of whimsical hereditary ‘village chiefs’, the above average child in every family whose only dream is to study in a good college away from the killing field, etc….

All that the majority Kuki populace would list will be an overwhelmed BASIC NEEDS. And that’s it!

DFID’s paper on “Ending Poverty in India” categories the country into three Indias: The Global India, the Developing India and Poorest India. (http://www.dfid.gov.uk/consultations/three-indias.pdf) Whether one likes it served hot or cold, the Kuki society today is categorized into these similar classes in which more than 90 % population would fall under the third category. What is more appalling unfortunately is that few privileged Kukis have become so insensitive to the grassroots issues of Kuki village and are blatantly hogging the limelight with perceived ‘Kuki Issues/problems’ that do not touch-base with the priorities of the majority.

At the Church’s front
The Church in Kuki society has always stood behind the society during thick and thin and more than once rose to the occasions even in situations where civil administration, politicians, and social scientists failed miserably to dispense their legal duties. The first Theology College, the first Christian hospital, (KCC) the first state level development NGO, the first Peacebuilding institute (KBC), and so on and so forth…. though we can further improve by a thousand yard on this front. We may have a number rather too many denominations for a below 8 lakhs population in which most of the smaller denominations are overshadowed by bigger biggies like the KCC, KBC, ECA, TBA etc.

In other local churches like the Presbytery, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventists etc., social services /community development is given equal importance to that of evangelism. As such, through their social development departments these congregations create community assets, livelihoods, responds to humanitarian relief, health, education, all the way winning though both hearts and bodies.

All is not lost; but nothing is there
Yes, all is not lost if we survived thus far. Many Kuki development initiatives have been put in place at the micro level innovative and clusters approach that are working steadily and stealthily in improving access, livelihoods, create models, and motivate communities as strongly as the strong current blowing against such initiatives. Mentionable leading grassroots workers are Pu Thangsei, Pu Lamkhomang, Pu Thongsei, Pu Sem Haokip, Pu Zamlal & Pu Jamhen, Pu Thenkhogin, Pu Paojalen, Sangamuon Inn mothers, and hundred more women and men The yeoman’s’ services contributed by the above persons through their various not-for-profit organizations deserve to be acknowledged by the larger society. They can be role models for the younger generation for a sustainable Kuki nation.

We are said to be inflicted with the Bihari delima, Bihar like the NE is notoriously famous for all the wrong reasons - daylight murder, violation of rule of law, goondagiri, caste wars, corruptions etc. and at the same time is the janma bhoomi (breeding ground) of the bestest of civil servants, diplomats, politicians, scientists, and freedom fighters. Similarly the Kukis, despite being a minority (with not even a single ‘Kuki district’) in Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura or even in Myanmar, Bangladesh has produced the largest civil servants, diplomats, police officers, central servicemen, doctors, engineers, nurses, researchers and pastors.

While the society has also produced a surprisingly silent tribe of ‘development professionals’ whose expertise and resources remained under utilized both human and financial and they includes Rev. Dino Touthang, Paul Touthang, Hethong Haokip, Thongmang Kipgen, Kim Kipgen, Jamkholal Lhungdim, and few more names including the author himself.

What is not there?
Coordination, willingness to leave aside personal ego and saying in unison: “let’s do it for the nation/society”
For further reading:• Two Myths that keep the world poor: http://www.awakenedwoman.com/shiva_poverty_myths.htm
• Mountains Common: changing space & status at community levels in Himalayas (ICIMOD) http://www.indiana.edu/~iascp/bali/papers/Jodha_Narpat.pdf
• The Asia & Pacific Forum on Poverty: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Presentations/Health/AP-Forum-on-Poverty-J-Hunt.pdf
• The Kuki People; By PS Haokip http://www.kukiforum.com/whatsnew/the_kuki_people_march2005.htm
• http://www.kukiforum.com/whatsnew/the_kuki_people_march2005.htm
• http://www.karunacenter.org/reports/indiadec05.pdf
• Stagnant Development in NE http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/May2003/stagnantdevelopment31_3.htm
• An Ethnic Audit of Selected Poverty Reduction Strategy http://www.ilo.org/dyn/declaris/DECLARATIONWEB.DOWNLOAD_BLOB?Var_DocumentID=5776
• PRI V/S Traditional Governance by Mangneo Lhungdim

Christianity under fire

I recently visited a new site www.christianaggression.org expecting some fresh testimonials but was rudely shocked to discover www.christianaggression.org is a well disguished attack on Christianity.

No background information of the webmaster or organisation is available which strongly suggests a case of a propaganda by some well organised Hindu fundamentalist group.

Though I personally find the articles (all negatives side of Chistianity) a very good points for introspection.

Read on and do check the website on your own risk...


What Aggression?

You are probably wondering what is the aggression caused by Christians in India. You may wonder how can a minority religion that is only 3% of the population cause aggression in a nation of over 1,000,000,000 people. In the press, the aggresion and "persecution" of Christians is often publicized. However it is never publicized how Christian Fundamentalists often incite this cycle of violence and aggression.

The root cause of Christian aggression in India is caused by the fact that Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is the only son of god. He is supposed to have been sent to earth to wash away the sins of the people, and so redeem them. Of course, this happens only to those who accept him as the only son of god. All the others do not get the benefit who do not have this shared belief will be burnt in hell for all eternity.

Christianity says that it has a unique path to salvation, and all the other paths are false. While there is supposed to be some modification in these views, the acceptance is that all the other paths may at most be second best. Therefore, it is better if people accept Christianity and not take a chance.

Christians believe that they have been commanded by Christ to go and “save” (convert) the people of this world. This is also supposed to give them special merit when it comes to the day of final judgment.

While there are many Christians who today do not believe in this exclusivity, there are a still large number of misguided Christians who still believe that in the exclusivity of Christianity and the concept of saving souls.

It is this misguided belief that causes breeds a hatred and intolerance for other religions. and from this hatred, these Christian Fundamentalists begin their aggression to convert. And often they will go to any means to convert even if it means violence.

This website seeks to educate the world about the atrocities that conversions bring and to bring this aggressive nature of Christianity to an end.

I am back from self exile

It has taken me some reviews and redesigning of the blog to come back again. I found the contents and issues discussed on my blog too far away from me and hence went for this change. I hope you like it.

Much water has flown down river Brahmaputra ever since I wrote my last blog. I am committed to catch up with lost grounds by posting some very interesting articles and writings. I have also moved on from CRS to IGSSS.

Cheers

What is so particularly black about 14th Sept

Please share your thoughts directly here!

The Spirit of Christ according to Swami Ranganathananda

The Spirit of Christ according to Swami Ranganathananda

Recently I was browsing through some books in a Gita Press Bhandar, which sells Hindu religious books. Surprisingly I noticed amidst them a booklet ‘The Christ we adore’ with a picture of Christ, written by a Hindu monk. It was originally the text of a special lecture given by Swami Ranganathananda, a former vice-president of Ramakrishna Mission, on their Christmas Eve meeting in 1954. Published by Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, the booklet was in its eleventh edition.These days when religious fundamentalists fight against other religions, the revered swami teaches how we all can appreciate and learn from one another’s religion. “The reader will be struck by the depth of knowledge shown by the author and his fine perception of the inner subtleties of the teaching of Jesus which touch the chord of universal Truth present in every heart,” says the publisher. The teachings of Jesus Christ are viewed from the Vedanta background.Let me give here the substance of what Swami Ranganathananda says of Christ. At the outset the swami says: “We, in India, have learnt through our religion to look upon the great teachers with a heart open to the inspiration which they hold for all humanity. The approach of our people to the lives of all teachers has something refreshingly beautiful about it; it is hard for non- Hindus to understand how we professing a different religion, can open our hearts, with equal fervour, to receive the inspiration of this great Son of Man, Jesus.India’s approach to religion is experimental and not dogmatic. It is spirituality that India seeks in its religious quest and not a creed or a dogma. This is also the approach of Jesus Christ to religion. It is this approach that explains the spiritual hospitality of the Indian mind. This broad, all inclusive approach will be increasingly appreciated and accepted by the thinking people of the world in the coming years.“According to the swami, “We are familiar in our country with the idea that at the birth of divine personalities there is joyous cooperation of man and nature to welcome them: for it is an event heralding universal joy.” He quotes Narada Bhakti-Sutra, V.5: “Modante pitaro, nrtyanti devatah,sanatha ceyam bhurbhavati.” Very similar is the description of the birth of Christ as given in the four Gospels, he adds. We have enough indication, he says, to show that Jesus, very early in life, had become aware of the great purpose of his advent and set about it with a thoroughness that nothing could thwart. “He must have also spent long hours in silence and loneliness in the nearby mountains and communed with himself.”

KUKI ENTREPRENEURS IN GUWAHATI

This evening, Nengcha and I were successful in tracking down the much hyped "ELIZABETH All About Eve" the latest and fourth venture enterprises by Guwahati Kukis. Situated at the ever growing upmarket area of Beltola this speciality women garments showroom by Pui and Gary offers for the fashion-conscious citizens, latest designer women apparels, kids wears, latest gizmoz/Nikel, and some very innovative stickers.

With the launch of ELIZABETH, Kukis in Guwahati now can boast of four different enterprises (there are three general shops in Sachal VIP area).

Congrats to all the future Birlas and Tatas of Guwahati Kukis.

GUWAHATI TRIBALS AND SOME CRUCIAL SAFETY TIPS

GUWAHATI TRIBALS AND SOME CRUCIAL SAFETY TIPS
Mangneo Lhungdim®

There is an alarming increase of motivated crimes – robberies, robbery related physical assaults including rape, drugging cases in train and bus journeys, etc. The trend unmistakably suggests such crimes are being perpetuated against a particular ‘vulnerable’ target group of persons or communities. And the Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups perfectly come within this bracket.

The recent case where a pastor from Manipur was drugged early in the morning apparently by the rickshaw driver in connivance with the tea stall owner at Paltan Bazar, the two Kuki youth coming back from Diphu found unconscious at Guwahati railway station, the day-light gold snatching incidence of Beltola last Friday, the unfortunate and gory ambush at Dr. Niangngaihlians’ residence behind Down Town hospital, the lucky escape from near death of my cousin Hemkhomang Lhungdim (a lecturer with Changlang College AP) at Mariani Railways station, and many such more unknown/unreported cases every day.

On average 100-150 CHIKIM persons from the twin hills districts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram commute to & from Guwahati for various reasons related to hospitalization, scholarship/study related business, religious/NGO duties, government duties, etc. around 25% are always first-timers and more than 85% do not speak/understand Assamese, Hindi or English. Around 15-20 % is with family or relative. (Sources: roughly estimated from Downtown Hospital, CBCNEI Guest House register)

There is also an increasing population of the above conglomerate residing in Guwahati rather as a push factor from the uncertainties of law & order situation in Manipur. The student-family population ratio in 1998-99 probably was 75:25 which, today has reversed virtually to the opposite. Guwahati is one major destination for similar migration involving other communities from different other parts of the country and across the border has not made the city a safer place to live in.

Vulnerability of adjusting to fast track metro life Guwahati:
Guwahati today as the fastest growing cities in South Asia is struggling to keep pace with changes that come along as collateral with metro-culture. While the so-called locals (read Assamese) would subtly resent the assimilation, the changing face of the city, the divides between Assamese and non-Assamese seem to have been exploited to the hilt by gangsters, goons and some small time criminals in the city by targeting the ‘non-Assamese speaking’ communities and particularly those hailing from Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.

Though law and order is the responsibility of the police a person/community needs to take all precaution in crime prevention by identifying vulnerable aspects and doing something about these vulnerabilities.

While not writing off the primary responsibility of an individual for his/her personal security/safety, the various students and welfare organizations need to come together on few common issues and challenges including on this occasion. No body may come with a ready-made solution to the issue but by sharing solidarity and concerns there are few advantages; first, it provides solace to the victim family/individual, secondly it is a show of strength to the would-be perpetuator/criminal and lastly, it provides all concern an opportunity to prevent similar crime committed against her/him.


SAFETY OF RAIL PASSENGERS

During the period January to September 2006 in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year. According to entry No. 2 of the State List of the Constitution of India, ‘Police’ (including Railways and village Police), is a state subject. Registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are, therefore, the statutory responsibility of the State Police. The State Police have a separate wing called Government Railway Police (GRP) for dealing with all matters relating to law and order on the Railways. So, Railways have to depend largely on state police (GRP) for control of crime on Railways. Regular coordination meetings are being held by RPF and Railway officials with their counterparts in GRP and police of concerned states to highlight this problem and find out effective strategy to tackle the menace. To effectively supplement the efforts of the State Governments in controlling crime on the Railways, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are being deployed to escort many trains and also on access control duties in the passenger area to augment the efforts of the State Governments. RPF has also been empowered to deal with minor offences affecting train operations such as alarm chain pulling, roof travel, touting, ticket less travel, unauthorized entry into coaches earmarked for ladies etc. (except sabotage related offences under Sections 150 to 152) with the amendment to the Railways Act, 1989 w.e.f. July 2004. During the year 2006, RPF have apprehended 49 offenders responsible for looting of passengers after drugging them and forwarded to the concerned GRP for further legal action.

The following preventive measures are also being taken to combat such menace: -

• Repeated announcement is made at Railway Stations to create awareness amongst the passengers not to take any food / drink / tea from unknown passengers.

• Wide publicity in the local and leading newspapers as well as TV is also being given.

• Signages in local language are being displayed in trains as well as on station platforms.

• Pamphlets are also being distributed among the passengers to create awareness.

• Close coordination with GRP and local police are being maintained to exchange information regarding criminals indulging in such act.

• Photographs of habitual offenders are pasted at Stations platforms in Rogue’s Gallery.