Responsible actions in context of 'Individual'--- (Part I)

They say ‘United we stand and divided we fall’. Let’s put this in the context of Manipur and see where we as a State and citizens stand today. I am sure, almost all, who read this piece, will agree when I say ‘Manipur is divided in unity and will no more stand and hence fall’. We may still agree to disagree, otherwise no worries I am only expressing my views and not intending to preach any self-claimed 'Responsible individuals' out there .

Manipur, today, is at crucial juncture. We have taken decades to build these traditions of corruption, militancy, nepotism, kidnapping, ‘third class education system’, gang culture, pathetic health care system and so forth and I am confident when I say it will take the same number of decades or more, if you and I do not act collectively through responsible individual actions. My intention is not to complicate you and myself here but, rather discover the essence of individual's responsibility in making a place like Manipur, a better place to live in. These essence have been unlearned by all of us and it's time we remind ourselves about its importance. These individual actions are really unmeasurable when compared to large visible collective actions in terms of magnitude but the lasting effect they (responsible individual actions) have on building a sensitive and cohesive community goes uncontested. 

When I say ‘Responsible individual actions’ Lets look into ourselves ‘first’ as a separate entity but also as a contributing factor to the society at large. I am asking you and asking myself here 'what at individual level can  we do' to make Manipur a better place to live in??? Start asking that in all spheres of your presence in context of Manipur. I can assure you that there is positive scope in some unforeseen days ahead for making Manipur a better place for you and me, only if we start acting at individual level now. I am not trying to be individualistic here but am trying to emphasize the 'principle of individuality' in evoking responsible actions within ourselves and transcend the principle into society at large, thereafter. 

Lets see what we can do:

• Love thy neighbor through learning to love yourself first. 
• Learn and share good manners to your near and dear ones.
• Promote equality among your brother boy and sister girl through changing your perceptions about a particular gender.
• Always extend your helping hand without any expectations. Your absence will be recognized then.
• Do not smoke in public as it not only harms you but also causes caner to others around.
• Do not spit in public as that makes you look like a 'bloody fool' in front of others.
• Follow the traffic signals to make others stop tagging you as 'Dumb' and "Rule breaker'.
• Wear helmets to protect your head and IQ as they goes waste once it gets crushed.
• Follow the queue and wait for your turn as you are not only the one 'Busy' and others have work too.
• Avoid using mobiles on driving/riding as you just does not look cool on that style. If the other person on the other side insist you on taking the calls then trust me he/she is not the one who cares for you. 
• Be the first to offer your seat to vulnerable people while travelling on public transport, etc.
• Have the guts and the humility to accept your faults as it increases your standing.
• Drink to your limit and not to make joke of yourself in front of others.
• Avoid drugs and teach to say 'No to Drugs' to others too.
• Play games and sports for your well-being.
• Promote merit and pay no money for jobs, etc. If you deserve you get through and if not you give chance for others.
• Use your consciousness and accept no money your franchise as it's not worth for the 'useless governance' that the politicians are to give you back.
• Hear and think 'No bad' and remain positive.
• Be firm and face challenges through hard work and take no short cuts. There are many out there in Manipur ready to make your journey short through unfair means.
• Let Guns be with legalized agents and not play them like many gangs/groups/militants do in Manipur.

I can go on and on endlessly but I guess we all are aware of it. Therefore, without saying much I plead 'Lets act at our level first' and the rest will follow. Please remember you and I are no supreme being and not immortal as GOD and staying grounded on our roots will do good to ourselves as well to State of Manipur. If we are sensitive in every step we take trust me 'We will see the fruits sooner than later'......

Overwhelmed with thoughts??? I am too...so will share more in days to come.

These are personal reflections

Cheers!!!

 Romen

Then!!!

That was the day

I saw you

I smelt of sweat

And looked tanned

You walked out

And I lost sense of self

We admired each other then

Destiny is weird

Met again

And hit off

On the path unknown

The path we carved then

Every little bit of steps

Were etched in eternal ink

To remain ever imprint

On the path we carved out

Only to realised I faltered half way then!

I pulled up self

Gathered strength to catch up

With your steps

Watch my steps carefully

To never falter again

Huge margin existed

Between us, and I was slow

Thank GOD you waited then!

Caught up with the steps

Started re-carving the path

I faltered again midway

This time you have gone far away

And, you will not wait

Never talked why I faltered

Nor, why u have gone far away

Time is a friend

Time will heal

And, I will cope up those lost steps

Being more careful

In the steps I take now

While I hope u have

Chosen the right path

To not falter as I did then!!

But you are a special one I hold close then

And memories will last a lifetime!! Ever

(An Ode to a special friend)

One Day Health Check ups and quality time with children at Carmel Jyoti, Manipur on 16th October' 2010

Children expressing themselves

Children expressing themselves

Nutritionist counseling a child

Nutritionist seeing the skin rash

Paediatrician examining a child

Children at their best

Doctor examining a child

Members, People First Initiative handing over some cash

A member and ART Counselor with the children

A drawing by a child

A child showcasing his talent

Another drawing

An expression of feelings by a child

Another expression by a child

Another

Another drawing

Activity time

Contributions to Carmel Jyoti- a home for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dear Members/Friends/Well wishers,

Greetings from People First Initiatives!

It is with great pleasure to let you all know that I, A. Romendro Singh, on behalf of People First Initiatives handed over a sum of Rs. 11,400/- in cash of Rs.2,400/-, SBI Cheque of Rs. 8,000/- and Citibank Cheque of Rs. 1,000/- on the 25^th of January’ 2011 at Carmel Jyoti, Manipur. I was in Manipur for official work and hence, had managed to take out few minutes to visit the home at Mantripukhri, Manipur. I, also, handed over some basic medicines contributed by the Paediatric ART Centre, JN Hospital, Manipur.

I am honest to myself when I say this that, it has been possible with the constant support and encouragement that each of you have provided since the time People First Initiatives was born. The contributions have not been very much to bring about a paradigm shift in the issue of HIV/AIDS in the state of Manipur but we all should be proud of the fact that we are doing our best in little that we do to bring about little change among these children that matters to us the most.  I am very positive of the good things to come in years and I hope you are too.

It was shared to the Sisters that the above amount should be utilised only for ‘purchasing basic emergency medicines’ for children in need.  

We all are bonded by the ‘feeling for the cause’ and that we have a long way to go. The People First Initiatives would need your constant support and encouragement in days and years to come. We will also appreciate if each one of you are also able to throw open ideas on strengthening the group further.

If you or anybody (you know) wants to make contributions on monthly/half year/Annual basis the Carmel Jyoti will be more than happy to accept as the home is in dire need of support. Also, if any of you wants certification of the contributions you make I can facilitate the process in obtaining the same.

Kindly contact at:                                                                          

peoplefirstinitiatives@gmail.com

Or, Leave comments/suggestions/ideas at:

www.peoplefirstinitiatives.blogspot.com

At the same time, I, as member of People First Initiatives, take the honour to thank all the contributors for the above amount.

1.       Mr. Aditya Nabial, Bangalore- Rs. 1,500/-

2.       Mr. Mayank Goyal, Chennai- Rs. 1,500/-

3.       Mr. Udit Kumar, Delhi- Rs. 1,000/-

4.       Ms. Matouleibi, Agartala- Rs. 3,000/-

5.       Mr. Romendro, Guwahati- Rs. 1,000/-

6.       Mr. Aman Malik, Delhi- Rs. 1,000/-

7.       Ms. Monota Devi, Manipur- Rs. 500/-

8.       Ms. Randhoni, Manipur- Rs. 500/-

9.       Mr. Imo Singh, Manipur- Rs. 500/-

10.   Ms. Rina Salam, Manipur- Rs. 500/-

11.   Mr. Romeo, Manipur- Rs. 100/-

12.   Mr. Pradeep, Manipur- Rs. 200/-

13.   Ms. Chandrama, Manipur- Rs. 200/-

I also thank Ms. Bembem, Nutritionist, JN Hospital, for her initiative in contributing some medicines related to fever, diahorrea and OIs (Opportunistic Infections).

Togetherness is strength

With regards,

A. Romendro Singh

People First Initiatives

Bye Bye old days!!!

As I eagerly wait for the 'new days to come' to be marked by the coming of a New year 2011, I sit back and look in retrospection of the days to become 'bygones'. The enthusiasm, excitement and celebrations associated with the coming of of the new year re-affirms  the ending of what I called 'a remarkable year'. The decade to be gone was significant as that was the time that moulded me to be the person, that I am today. I helped me grow through helping me understand my 'own', people and environment better. Starting from making choice and deciding what I wanna pursue in life to going back Manipur for work to experiencing family hardships to passing through personal emotional turmoil, HUH! I guess I have been through it all and have done quiet well in managing it (all). When I look back I got no regret and today, I am able to accept that as part of the growing phase. I got no doubt now and feel grateful that I experienced what I experienced. Life is never a roller coaster ride and it will never be. Never. Trust me. If there was no right here would have been no left, no up then no down, no failure then no success, no negative then no positive, no hate then no love..U guys know better than me......The decade to the me has been special and it has left on me permanent  imprints ...on my grey cells....

Everybody around me is making plans for the new year 2011. OH! I prefer to call it 'unseen year; and not new year, as I wanna see it what it has in store for me. My friend 'Madhusudan' rightly said  that my grey cells look for newer thoughts and crazier ideas to get that orgasmic bliss that I have been getting since time unseen from my mental masturbation....So here I go again...I am waiting to unwrap the coming unseen with tinge of some personal touch to it...Happy New Year everybody....

Memoirs series (3rd and 4th October' 2006)

The bus ride is as usual- many thoughts lingering in my mind of what to expect and what not to expect. The cool breeze touches my skin as I keep the window little open and helps me stay awake on the way to Chandel (a hill district) in Manipur for work. The roadside is scenic as I see only green plants and trees- greenery of paddy fields, mountains and hills.  It stood strong and has everlasting imprint on my mind. I also had the book by Shobha De called the Spouse in my hands, flipping pages periodically. I have been reading it for ages.

The Bus suddenly stops. Everybody wondered what transpired, but learnt that Assam Rifles have halted all the vehicles. They claimed that they were attacked (supposedly attacked as they claimed) by elements known best to them. The first thing that came across my mind was- ‘Oh fuck!! Hope they do not start pulling people from the vehicles and start beating up. I thought it would not be a lucky day for any youth including me when such claims happened or actually happens. There were enough examples of their past misdeeds on similar instances or many occasions, by virtue of the power given under the Arm Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. Almost all the drivers of the public transport who had lined up were negotiating with the forces to allow the vehicles to pass through. They paid no attention and hence, the buses turned back including ours. We had to take another route.

I feel relieved when I reached my colleague’s place in a village called Khangshim at Kakching Lamkhai. It’s a small village inhabited mostly by small Naga tribe called the Khoibu. It also had small share of people from other communities. The village is full of activity and people worked hard for living. It’s always a good feeling to be seeing and learning other’s culture.  How often can one imagine the cohesiveness in existence especially when there are various dynamics moulding the societal orders and structures? Least we say about the vested interests, the better.

We took few bites and headed for our final destination, Chandel HQ. Oh God! The road was terrible. You could see the worst possible potholes of the world. Do believe me. The ride was difficult one as we did not get seats to sit. It’s a sad reality of pathetic conditions of hill districts in Manipur. I took up the challenge though. The road repair from Pallel to Chandel HQ seems to have been going on for ages too.

My idea of office is about innovation, and also about bringing some of the wonderful system that I had seen outside the state. Transparency has almost been very important for me and I tried living by that principle and setting examples for other colleagues. But the truth is I m working in Manipur and hardly anybody seems to have been acquainted with that word. Any issues you raised about the financial matters with people concerning finance in the department, you get vague answers and further you probed, it becomes personal. I am frustrated, desperate and sometimes want to open their brains and shout till my lungs blows that ‘I am there for no fun but for a purpose and to bring about a change’ (I did not like TISS as a place but still follow the certain principles it taught me).  The work do not provide me with much time and space to think whether what I do is right or wrong but all I know is I do it as it is my profession and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. I do not know if I am being hyper-sensitive to what I do and the people around but all I know is that if you are able to bring about some change in this ‘fucked up system’, then that’s an achievement.

I do understand that many officials in Manipur work under tremendous pressure but many a time it’s an exaggeration. On 4^th of every month when there is this monthly meeting at DC’s office chamber, I f***k’in see new faces every time coming to attend the meeting.  What is the purpose of the meeting anyways, everybody just talks- Assholes!!!. I thought rather than talking people should come down at the reality and do some action as action speaks more than words. I believe the DC has to show the way and lead by example. I was so bored to death that I escaped the meeting and performed a facility survey at the District Hospital, Chandel. It gave me immense satisfaction to be with those who really ran the show. There was nothing actually in the facility, and hence many columns remained empty.

What I understand of is that field and theories do go hand in hand but it’s always a mismatch. The reality is that ‘those who formulates theory has no ‘Balls’ to implement it at the field level and those who are involved in implementation at the field do not understand the theory. That’s where the gap creeps in and the public at large have to bear the brunt of these conflicts.

Manipur as a state has come a long way in terms of corruption, militancy, violence, unemployment, etc and it has taken decades to reach the state at its present form. It will again take the same number of decades to unwind the hard rooted ‘above mentioned issues’ from its face and restore sense to each one of its people. There are people who are content with the present fiasco and propagates further, but who bears the brunt------YOU and me and the People of Manipur.

'Voice within'- a true friend indeed!!!!

If it was not for you
I do not know what
I would have been today
What I would have been doing
U have been there all through out
The good times and the bad times
U always existed in me
U cannot be felt or be touched
But I always felt your presence
Through the words that u whispered
Softly through my sensory organs
Giving me feel of clarity and connectivity
Leading to momentary serene existence

If it was not for you
I would have been lost
In this wicked world
You gave me the courage to question the existence
You helped me to take decisions
You brought meaning to everyday existence
For if it was not you
I could have been a gangster
I could have been a drug user
I could been a militant
But you showed me the path
The path I am to take

For if it was not you
I would have not enjoyed
Spending time with myself
Not sing a song to myself
Not read a book to myself
Not enjoy the food I cook
Not pursue the passions
Be humane to other humane existent

The advice that u rendered
When I am about to take more pegs
The support that you provided
When I am about to fall off the ground
The reassurance that you provide
When things does not go my way
The confidence u instil when
I sit for an interview or an exam
The choice u helped me take
In persons I wanna be with
For if it was not you
I could have been of bizarre souless soul

For if it was not you
I would have been cursing my existence
But it's for you
That I exist today
As you have brought me so far
And will take me further
For forever I remain indebted in you
To the best friend 'The voice within'

My dear friend, please keep knocking on my inner doors when I am about to go ashtray.

(The views are personal)