By Leivon Jimmy
When we talk about Globalization, connectivity is the basic need that really matters. In fact it is the origin of Globalisation itself. Connectivity like transports, roads and bridges, tele communications and other modern information technology etc. and with the advancement of connectivity in this era, it has shortened the gap between any two points on earth that the globe has been reduced to a single small room more especially due cutting information technology invention like computers, internet, mobile phone service and 3G telephony and what not. In short we could say that any distance is just a finger tip away from you.
Apparently, by and large, the term Globalisation is yet to find a right place or meaning in the context of Manipur, except in some part of the urban areas.
Amidst the race of Globalisation worldwide, what we have here is dissatisfaction over basic infrastructure shortcoming resulting in the usual way of demanding these basic needs in the form of protest and other forms of agitations which is apparently becoming a protocol for the people living in the region to draw the attention of the Governing body and to drag them into taking up pragmatic steps. Leaving aside other infrastructure and developmental works to be taken up, poor connectivity such as roads, bridges, communications and its blow, is the issue in die hard situation here. And an important and prolonged wants of the desperate people, especially in the hilly region.
Yet again the issue is currently taking centre stage, for instance the present fracas along the National Highway 39 the so called “life line of Manipur” due to imposition of Chaka Bandh followed by Economic Blockade by SDSA for not repairing the Highway which has been left alone for some magical work of fairy Godmother for over two decade, issue of the Guite Road in Churachandpur district and more interesting is the threats of agitation by a JAC of Khurai area for failure of the Government to complete a Bridge in the area. This doesn’t ends here.
More shocking is the recent news reports of collapsing of an inter village bridge at Monsangei area before its completion in Imphal, a grim reminder of mishaps of Beihang of Churachandpur district, wherein many innocent people were killed.
Forget about the so called lifeline of the people of the respective district, there are places where one could hardly access without a heavy horse power trucks, these remotes area are alienated from the rest of the state that one will have difficulties in communicating with this populace due to their poor Manipuri (Language) Knowledge.
So much for connectivity which is known to mankind right from the beginning of their existence in the planet, the subject of infrastructure of information technology generally, is still out of the world.
Amidst such a major set back, misunderstanding between the engineering department, works and telecom department etc continue exist, with their usual way of ‘one to construct and the others to destruct’ without proper planning. The very scene is a common sight around us creating lots of inconveniences besides to public moreover wasting time and money.
With development confined in a single place, inability of concerned departments and failure of the Government to take up prompt measures in delivering the basic needs of the people, Globalisation would be just a mere word and joining the world in the race of developed a far dream.