Page 30 - 1 to 18 August 2020

Imphal Times Supplementary issue Page No. 2
Why the idea of reservation within reservation
for North- Eastern STs makes sense!
Is the MSPDCL taking securing nil; Meghalaya, Arunachal education, housing, electricity, and past many generations. Arguments
like this have failed to consider the
all-weather roads are yet to make its
Pradesh, and Mizoram. While
due advantage of Nagaland and Tripuraare contented mark. While representation in conditions of how tribals were
legislation exists, the lack of NE
with one successful candidate each,
subjugated for centuries; most
importantly, it is an indirect
ST candidates from Manipur where
tribals in the top executive echelon,
COVID-19 pandemic? 40 % of the state population belongs where policies are drafted could be justification to do away with
to STscored zero. The sum of all the
reservation altogether, ignoring the
one factor for the region to be
Tribal communities from NE India alienated from the showers of fundamental cause and concerns
During this challenging time of COVID-19 pandemic, clearing UPSC exam 2019 is less development India is supposedly which first necessitated an
electricity plays an important role. Whether it is work from home than 20% of those qualified drenched with. affirmative action of equality.
or for any other activities depends on electricity. Everyone heave By: T S Haokip candidates from a single Tribal Creamy-layer concept among The percentage of opportunity
a sigh of relief with the coming of Prepaid Electric and with the community outside NE- The tribals? In the same way, 7.5 % of
conversion of Manipur Electricity Department to Manipur State The just declared UPSC 2019 Meenas. Since long, the said Some people have mooted the vacancies are reserved for the
Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) and Manipur results have seen a particular ST community has occupied the idea of introducing creamy layers scheduled tribes, at least 20% of
majority share of Tribal vacancies
those ST seats should be reserved
among the STs in the same manner
community outside the North-
State Power Company Limited(MSPCL) in 2012. Gone were the Eastern region grabbing nearly 40% in various recruitment process. and fashion as done among the for the NE STs. This will ensure at
days of regular load shedding and irregular power supply. Most of the total ST seats reserved. This Nevertheless, it is not the particular OBCs. The move, while it may be the least, that the benefits of
of the people are now paying their Bills regularly and using power is not the first instance and not the community’s fault; the system has feasible for mainland tribals, who reservation are not reaped by a
economically , all thanks to the prepaid system. only type of examinations inherent flaws, if we are to consider have communities with many single affluent community - all in the
dominated by the said particular that the affirmative action in generations of advancement, name of scheduled Tribes, of which
Albeit, for the past few weeks most of the consumers are community; SSC, IBPS, and recruitment is intended in true spirit upliftmentand development the NE tribal have been the
experiencing frequent power cuts. When contacted to the Railways- the largest recruiter for to uplift the tribal community as a initiatives, will not be feasible among marginalized lots. The intention here
concerned authority about the reason of the power outage, there Govt and Public sector enterprises whole. NE tribals as most of those is not to be mistaken for advocating
seems to be always a reason or two for the power cut. One time, it too have similar pictures. The Peculiar Concerns of NE Tribals individuals to be categorized as a rigid solution but rather exploring
will be a particular division feeder tripping or jungle cutting or founding fathers of our The promise for equality creamy layers are first-generation the possibilities to ensure that the
some other reasons. constitution having felt the genuine enshrined in Article 15 and 16 of the achievers. For the 1st whole purpose of reservation is not
need for an idea of equality in terms Indian constitution, which is the generationindividuals ofNE STs that defeated as is possible in the
It is acceptable to have power outages due to a problem or
two but to have power outages everyday, is not acceptable. We of employment and opportunities basis that allows the Government could be classified as creamy layer, present system.
Tatkal solution
their responsibilities are huge and
to formulate a system that ensures
apart from politics had envisaged
understand that the people at the Power Department is working in the constitution the provision for that the socially, historically and their dependents are vast- Reservation within reservation
day and night to curb such problems, but at times feels like there the state to reserve seats for certain currently underprivileged groups sometimes a whole village. If their seems to be the only ideal option to
is something wrong as the frequency of the power outages has sections of the society who were are represented well in politics, jobs, ward(s) are excluded from the ensure that our goal of upliftingthe
increased manifold. Is it because of outdated or faulty underprivileged, backward and cut and education cannot be said to be opportunity of availing ST tribal people is achieved in a holistic
infrastrcuture being used for power distribution or is it because of out from social, political and successful without NE tribals reservation, the odds of that family manner. The present system rather
the increase in power load as people are staying at home and economic developments not just represented adequately in the returning to the same situation presents a picture of the mere
using more power? One way or the other, this need to be addressed. under the British Raj but for system. The argument is all the more where their parents first begin- all fulfillment of a statute i.e the
centuries altogether. While many valid when one considers the criteria in a span of one generation, is existence of a scheme for the
Also, few days back there was complaint from some consumers argued that the idea of positive to which a community can be listed imminently high. It is therefore not upliftment of tribal people by way
about the problem of recharging their account, as the process of discrimination is against equality, it in ST and the instances of which advisable to cream them out at least of providing special opportunity in
Online recharge is too confusing for some users. The portal for is in practice an initiative to ensure there have been periodical addition for now. jobs and recruitment. Serious
recharging online was down for quite few days and many were left equality on a larger perspective. of communities in the scheduled list Argument of efforts concerns like the unmistakable
in the dark as how to recharge their account. Yes, they did The idea of the importance of while the size of the piece of cake to Amid the trending discussion on disproportionate division of shares,
developed a portal where one can send a recharge request and representation in legislation has be shared remains the same. Graver the performance of NE Tribals in where the majority of it is benefited
wait for the people from MSPDCL to send them manually the among many- a geographically is the situation when one considers UPSC exams, some voices opined by only a section or a particular
recharge voucher. One has to wait like 3 to 4 hours in order to get earmarked constituency and as a situation where a more that it is efforts that matter and that community have been overlooked
their recharge voucher whereas in some worse case scenario, one such has met its intended purpose. advantageous community is added it is the lack of efforts among NE by our policy-makers as well as
has to wait like 24hrs. A big company like MSPDCL unable to However, in the case of job to the scheduled Tribe list; as tribal candidatesthat eventually those implementing it. Reservation
then,many
backward
is a magnificent tool to draw the gap,
have resulted in their dismal
opportunities, there is a systematic
tribal
develop a fully automated and efficient portal for recharging is flaw; it does not guarantee equitable communities will find it tougher to performances. The argument might which is only widening, between
such a big shame. On the bright side, the old recharge portal that opportunities to all as more avail the opportunity, thereby partially hold for many non- the tribal people and other general
enables consumers to generate voucher instantly seems to be backward communities in the STs defeating the whole purpose of serious contenders. However, that communities. If we truly believe in
working fine as of now. are yet to taste the fruit of reservation itself. That seems to be does not justify the underlying our commitment to uplift the tribal
reservation. the case at present. concerns why irrespective of people, the reservation policy for
People are asking if we are going back to those dark days of
Already the people of North East
frequent load shedding and many are sceptical if power are being Performance scene in 2019-2020 India, especially the tribals have rendering in their 100 percent, STs with regards to NE tribals has
The number of successful ST
from
many
people
to be relooked.
the
misused. MSPDCL need to evaluate and work on to provide candidates from North East India in faced innumerable social stigmas underprivileged ST communities
efficient power supply to the people, otherwise there may come a the UPSC exam 2019 is just 4 even after 70 years of Independence. will never match when they are (The writer is a freelance writer
time when people will refuse to pay their bills like old days and use candidates with three states having Development is still a far cry in most judged with the same yardstick as and author of the book HILLY
unscrupulous means. predominant tribal population areas where things as basic as those in a better position since the DREAMS)
Good girls don’t drink
By- Chanda Ashani men and women consuming not? It sounds absurd but the brand that depicted two well- men folk, bars in which women the story of the film. Yet, there
alcohol and a entire episode has been so known models appearing to wear danced to please these men were has been no demand that all
Why is it that whenever there is few couples dancing and kissing completely farcical that one can nothing else apart from the closed down. And thousands of such “item” numbers be banned.
any talk of values, it is women’s at a private party, behind closed hardly believe that it took place shoes they were selling. Charges women, as well as some men, Many more people watch films
behaviour, their dress, their doors, in a posh hotel, were at all. of obscenity were were put out of work. Whether than visit dance bars. Hence,
attitude that comes into question, printed in newspapers. Advertisement for a shoe brand leveled against the models and this has contributed to raising why the double standard?
even though there are more men This blatant intrusion into the it is also notable that there has the makers of the advertisement the “moral standards” of the men Societal values and morality
than women in India? Societal privacy of individuals was been hardly any protest from by some groups in Mumbai. But who frequented these bars is a should apply to everyone, men
values and morality should apply completely overlooked as the women about this attack on them over and above this, some moot and women. And they must
to everyone, men and women, police, Chennai’s very “moral” by the police and by political women were particularly question. But once again the extend beyond the way people
says Kalpana Sharma. police, got into action and parties. Why incensed that the female model, a debate has raised many dress or behave to a whole
21 October 2005 - We always cancelled the hotel’s license. For are the women in Tamil Nadu Maharashtrian, should questions. gamut of other issues and
knew women were capable, those of us who do not live in silent? Do they accept that men be seen in such a pose with a In licensed dance bars, women attitudes. Is it “moral” that our
strong,responsible, caring. But Chennai, the incident seemed must police their morals? Maharashtrian man to whom she performed for men who society continues to discriminate
must they for all time to come incredulous. Could this be The issue highlights a deeper was engaged to be married. expressed their satisfaction by against people on the basis of
also be the only ones to carry happening in a democracy? In a division between women’s Maharashtrian “values” were throwing money at them. This is their caste or community? Is it
the burden of upholding societal country not ruled by the Taliban groups that has a history. It offended, we were told, an echo not the best way for a woman to “moral” that children die every
“values”, whatever these are? or its equivalent? keeps surfacing every now and of the Tamil values currently earn money. But neither is day in India from starvation
Why is it that whenever there is Where under the Constitution then, usually centring on issues being offended in Chennai. A prostitution. Yet, there is no while we boast of our economic
any talk of “values”, it is men and women are equal? of women’s bodies, women’s case was filed against the two demand to outlaw prostitution. growth rate? Is it “moral”
women’s behaviour, their dress, Where kissing in private or in sexuality and women’s models and, after all these years, Nor is there a demand that there that medical technology is used
their attitude that comes into public is not a crime? Where right to choose. In the 1980s, for it is still pending in court. It was should be prohibition to eliminate girls even before
question? How come that when drinking alcohol in private or in instance, there was considerable not clear what was considered throughout India. Yet, the they are born?
there are more men than women public is not a crime, with the difference on the portrayal of obscene ¡ª the fact that the combination of alcohol and These are some of the
in India, and their numbers will exception of a few women in the media. While some couple appeared nude, or that women flaunting their bodies questions we should ask, not
continue to grow as the trend to States that have a specific women, usually belonging to the they were Maharashtrians who and earning money has been whether a small elite group
eliminate girls before birth also policy? more conservative right wing had posed for such an banned. So why are dance bars in our society is
keeps pace, they are not asked What is even more extraordinary parties, advertisement. considered a corrupting “misbehaving” behind
to think about their attitudes, is that the ire of the morality folk attacked hoardings and The dance bars a similar debate influence if both prostitution closed doors. ¨’
their behaviour? was directed entirely at women. advertisements that displayed has sprung up around the and alcohol are not banned? Kalpana Sharma is Chief of
The incident in Chennai The Men can drink, apparently, but women’s bodies to sell products dancing bars issue in Mumbai. The women who dance in the the Mumbai Bureau and
provocation for these thoughts, women should not. By the same and argued that such depictions Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. bars would perform the identical Deputy Editor with The
naturally, is the incident in measure, are we to presume that were against “Indian values”, Patil justified the ban on these “item” numbers that you see in Hindu, and a regular
Chennai where photographs of men can kiss but women should other women’s groups were more bars saying that scores of most Hindi films. Bollywood has contributor to India Together.
concerned about stereotyping women had petitioned him to do used the “item” number ploy to Her opinions, which appear in
Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ and negative images of women so attract men to the theatre. There a regular column with The
can be sent to our e-mail : imphaltimes@gmail.com. For advertisement that the media perpetuated. because these bars were is never Hindu, are concurrently
kindy contact: - 0385-3590330 (O). For time being readers can reach the One instance of the former was corrupting their men. So in order any connection between the published on India Together
office at Cell Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. the advertisement for a shoe to preserve the “values” of their suggestive dance number and with permission.