From Churachandpur District to Zogam District

Tuesday, 10 August 2010 19:59

Written by Kam Khansiam Ngaihte

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Infact, BRANDING OF ZOGAM has already started as I know of 17 years before (before I was born). We have zogam.com, zogamonline.com; zogamnuam.com, ZOGAM TRAVELS, ZOGAM CENTRE etc.. Unfortunately though, ZOGAM/ZOMI is widely accepted the irony is the unfortunate fact that, there is not a single piece of land that is recognized/registered as ZOGAM (in reference to Southern Manipur/entire Manipur)

Some of my fellow ZOMIS are still embracing the notion that creation of ZOGAM or popularizing the brand ZOMI/ZOGAM  will succeed only when TRIBE based organizations get abolished and only  ZOMI COUNCIL  is accepted. I strongly disagreed, because the TRIBES are the roots of ZOMI/ZOGAM from where ZOGAM derives the required minerals/strength much like the strength of INDIA is derived from the combined force of the various states. Bangalore is the SILICON VALLEY for INDIA, whereas the products of PUNJAB & UTTAR PRADESH is feeding the entire country with rice and wheat. The   power/energy needs of INDIA are extensively sourced from BIHAR, JHARKHAND & ORISSA. The  opportunities provided by Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai and many other cities contributed to the growth of INDIA’s GDP. The success of the CONGRESS PARTY and its re-emergence as the most dependable political party in INDIA under the visionary leadership of Rahul Gandhi is being foundated by strengthening its LOCAL branches  and by inducting enthusiastic young and dependable party workers. And not to forget: MOBILISATION – HUMANE TOUCH TO THE PEOPLE – EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION OF PROGRAMME AND POLICIES – CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTORATES IN REAL LIFE.

The strength and progress of each TRIBE heavily depend on the welfare-for-society-work done by the various branches of organization and individuals within the TRIBE. The faster the progress of the tribes will indicate the progess amongst the ZOMIS or (Progress in ZOGAM). One is a fool to dream of a common language for INDIA. The same implies for the ZOMIS. So that each tribe will progress, emancipation from perennial exploitations by the valley people is the need of the hour. Most importantly, giving opportunity to each TRIBES for  progress in POLITICS, that their SOCIO-ECONOMICS issues can be better addressed.

Having said that, Churachandpur District be given its rightfull name i.e. ZOGAM/ZORAM DISTRICT, I’m sure certain sections within the TRIBES will be hell-bent against the idea.  There is a general concern that those who propose TUITAPHAI and LAMKA will be at another CIVIL WAR. It might hold true as both are signifant to both the Champions of TRIBE/CLAN Politics who has been playing COLD WAR in Teddim Road these days! I’m not denying the fact that TRIBE Politics is important – however high  its importance and significance might be to us, we must also be ready to sacrifice for the larger interests and for the progressive changes that we dream for future generations. Mrs. INDIRA GANDHI knew very well the danger to her life! SHE dared to decide and sacrifice her life to preserve the NATIONAL INTERGRITY OF INDIA and  to a large extent -  revive the CONGRESS PARTY.

Re-naming Churachandpur District as ZOGAM DISTRICT will not be the end. ZOGAM DISTRICT, being representing the various TRIBES, the various sub-divisional districts must represent the different TRIBES/ZOSUAN who are co-existing in the DISTRICT. It will be important to respect and protect the identity and interests of each of the TRIBES/ZOSUANs. For that matter, re-naming the names of the SUB-DIVISIONAL DISTRICTS based on the recognized TRIBE NAMES will be of great significance and also be competitive in terms of development in the days to come. Each of us being the Champions of our CLAN/TRIBES, ushering in a fair-fierce-competition for progress might work wonders in implementation of development works.

Each of the current SUB-DIVISIONAL DISTRICT and the Assembly Constituency will bear the name of each of the TRIBES as for instance:

From PARBUNG/TIPAIMUKH to HMAR RAM/ SINLUNG DISTRICT with District Centre PARBUNG.

From THANLON DISTRICT to SIMTE DISTRICT with District Centre THANLON.

From SINGNGAT DISTRICT to ZOU DISTRICT with District Centre SINGNGAT.

From HENGLEP DISTRICT to VAIPHEI DISTRICT with District Centre HENGLEP.

From Churachandpur to LAMKA DISTRICT with District Centre LAMKA/TUIBUONG/NGATHAL - THINGKANGPHAI.

From Churachandpur Govt. College to Dr. L.S. Gangte Govt. College.

Seventeen years extended!! long-enough-to-have-consensus–built-and-implemented. Therefore, leaders of community – particularly, those  who proclaim ZOMI RE-UNIFCATION must remember that “there is no salvation for ZOGAM unless they strip themselves off the jewellery and hold it in trust for the ZOSUANS in ZOGAM”. It is time for nationalist army to start pondering and decide how one wants/choses to be remembered.

Many a Zo nationalists has sacrificed their lives in protecting OUR LANDS and were/will be remembered as ZOGAM HERO. However, it is a concern today that, despite a nationalist soldier dedicating life for ZOGAM, one may be only remembered or retired from their services as a “CORRUPTED  SOLDIER”.

OR, worst, “NATIONALIST–TURNED–CONTRACTOR–BUSINESSMAN”. The time is nearing when ZOSUANS will hesitate to mourn-over-your-death-body. However, simply rejoice as if the –day-is-their-long-awaited-ZOGAM INDEPENDENCE DAY.

YOUR DEATH BODY CAN PRODUCE ANOTHER THOUSAND BETTER ZO NATIONALISTS.
THE DAY YOU DIE – COULD ALSO HARBINGER TORMENTED LIFE TO YOUR DESCENDANTS.
YOU ARE NOT ONLY THE MAKER OF YOUR DESTINY BUT, YOUR DESCENDANTS.
LEADERS HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE  HISTORY.

AND KEEP ALIVE THE SPIRIT OF  WHAT THEY LIVE–PROCLAIM-DIE–FOR-for-CENTURIES.