Today, as our ‘Sanaleibak’ Manipur is crippled by violence and gripped by fear and tension, the government claims that normalcy is returning to the state. But what about peace? Can we give peace a chance in Manipur?
A state known as the ‘Switzerland of The East’ for its scenic peace and its people, is in chaos today. The violence left several dead and several others injured. Houses, business establishments, and places of worship were burned to cinders. Thousands of people are rendered homeless and displaced. Families are separated, and there's no one to bury the dead and attend to the injured. Parents are crying for the safety of their children. This is not the Sana Leibak (Land of Jewels) one dreams of.
The Sanaleipak that one dreams of is a land where we all live as brothers and sisters, one family and children of Manipur though separated by different religious beliefs, customs, cultures or languages. Sanaleipak is a land of peace and not of conflicts and wars.
Well, nothing in life is certain but one: death. Death comes to us all, be it to the young, the old, the sick, the healthy, the rich, the poor, the black, the white, etc. It spares none. It is the universal equalizer. One may live in a multi-storied apartment, a hut, a penthouse or a cottage, but death will put us all under six-foot through burial or that we are cremated and the ashes spread at the Holy Ganga or the nearest holy river. And what are we, mortals? Nothing, but made of dust and to dust we all return, to be food for the worms, as some would say. And that short period between birth and death is what we call life.
And many would agree that life is short because it is uncertain when one will pass. Some live to be a hundred or more, while others have a shorter life. We are here today and we not know when we shall pass. Hence, we termed it ‘Life is Short’. So, in that short moment or period called life, can we life a peaceful and happy life? A life free from all the chaos, troubles and problems we see around.
It is a million-dollar question that cannot be answered in a monosyallable, as in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Yes, history has taught us that wars and battles have been fought through the centuries and that peace too existed for centuries. And history also taught us that every war and battle has been followed by talks and agreements for long-term peace.
Today, we are called to think for our brothers and sisters, to think for our home, Manipur, and give peace a chance. At this moment and time, peace is the need of the hour and the only way forward. So, let us give peace a chance in Sanaleibak Manipur.
