Sachin Couldn’t but Manipur blockade hit 100

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Whole India was looking towards Kotla for the 100^th Century of Sachin and in parallel waiting for Aishwarya's baby to come. We Indians live in great hope and become happy in small things be it another cricket win after 5-0 whitewash or celebrity’s baby. We become joyful in smallest relieve after great demise that why we are pillaged and embittered for years. But if you look closely there are not scores of thing that can make a common man happy in India so living with cricket and bollywood are the best ways of forgetting the sorrow.

I read the book 80-20 rule and infact at some level its factual, why 80% wealthy and power are with 80 % people but in India its 99-1 rule. I guess in a while news papers would have to bestow additional pages for DigVijay Singh & other such people who speak the ‘truth’ always.

Last night I saw AajTak/Start News after many many days and amazed to see the top 100 news of the day. I felt very happy to know how ‘brilliantly’ they did cover the news of one barasingha entering a house in Haryana Village. Kudos media. Long way to go.

Today morning the cell woke me up before usual time. It’s a B’day alarm, a friend from Manipur whom I had met in Trains years back while travelling from Delhi to Guwahati.  I called her immediately in case I forget later which is very likely these days for me.

She was at her hometown when I called and she narrated a story which many people like me are unaware because the media is too busy with Aishwarya's baby ,Sachin’s century, if Ra-One can be called a hit , what look Amir khan wearing in new movie and which culprit gats bail. The media forgot that same time another state of India is suffering blocked for last 100 days. A state of India, where a LPG cylinder sells for 2000 Rs.

Its Manipur.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh warned of “harsh action” against protestors as the economic blockade on the national highway entered its 100th day in the north eastern state.

“The government has waited and watched the blockade stir that has taken a toll on the common people. Our tolerance limit has exceeded” Singh told reporters.

WTF, he is waiting for last 100 days and still watching?

The Manipur blockade has entered its 100th day and the situation in the state is desperate. Hospitals have run out of essential medicines and basic lifesaving amenities such as oxygen. Essential items are at insupportably high prices. A Manipuri citizen has to pay between Rs. 1800- 2000/ cylinder for LPG, and Rs.200/litre for petrol. Potatoes cost Rs.40/kg, onions cost Rs.70/kg, sugar costs Rs.60/ kg .

The blockade was launched on 1 August on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway and the Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar by the minority Kuki group, who are demanding a separate district be carved out the Kuki-majority Sadar Hills. The Sadar Hills are situated inside the Naga-majority Senapati district. The Kukis and the Nagas have a bloody history of ethnic conflict. Almost immediately the United Naga Committee opposed the Kuki demand and launched a blockade of their own.

In the meantime people continue to suffer intolerable hardship. Hospitals are crippled due to lack of supplies and forced to function on a day to day basis, not knowing whether or not they will have adequate supplies to last more than a day. Oxygen, IV drips, and essential medicines have run out, and many hospitals are being forced to turn away patients so that they will have enough for those already admitted into their care. Some have resorted to sending private vehicles to get medicines, but even then there is uncertainty on as to whether the vehicles will be able to return.

Who gains out of all these? A handful ministers and crooks?

And who pays for all these? Are not this we?

The question in her voice was clear and loud but will that travel all the way to Delhi?


- PRitam

Update on 17th Nov '11 :  Launching new New Album : God of Small Things  (in Beta Phase)

Update : The blockade that entered its 121st day on Monday on NH-2 and NH-37 will come to an end on Tuesday, on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposed visit to the state on December 3.