Human intellect is by far the most sophisticated gadget on this planet. In fact, it is the primary resource of all creations and innovations. As such, we have the capability to perceive things in our own ways. Be it science, literature or politics, we are either appreciative or critical to almost anything that happens around us. With the approaching 2019 general election (Lok Sabha and Bidhan Sabha), our Facebook wall has started getting flooded with critical post whereby mainstream parties allege each other to prove their credibility (not by doing something earnest but by portraying their rival in a bad image).Polarization taking place on the basis of blame- war between political parties in never an unheard news. The scenario in Sikkim stands nowhere inferior. The two mainstream parties of Sikkim, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) seems to be at dagger dawn with the advent of election season. In addition, there are other petty political parties who pop up occasionally on the political stage with their substitute role. Comprehending the present juncture of Sikkim’s political scenario, it seems rather provocative to decide as to whether it the government who are to be blamed or the people who make the government. Almost every individual comes up with their self- generated narrative regardless of authenticity of the issue raised. As one would go to all those post with varied statement and justification, the outcome would be nothing more than a moral ambivalence.
WE
WANT CHANGE is perhaps the present outcry of many people who are apparently fed
up with the prolong SDF regime and desperately awaits some radical change in
the political front. Change is inevitable, it is the law of nature, no matter
how much ever we try we can never limit the squall of time, But do we have the
logical mechanism to measure the change that we are longing for, is worthy
enough? Or are we craving for CHANGE just for the sake of CHANGE? Or for that
matter, is the change a product of our bigoted mind? There are many countries
like Pakistan that have staked the nation’s integrity, as a result of such
change people had desired for. Likewise, Nepal is still struggling under the
wave of political change that the taste of a good governance and a good
constitution seems a distant dream. The situation of our own brothers in our
neighboring state can be taken into account. With every change that has taken
place, their struggling to achieve GORKHALAND seems to run further away.
Creation of Gorkhaland could indeed manifest the lost identity, present
necessity and their future prosperity though.
WE
CANNOT UNDERMINE the quantum leap Sikkim has made in term of development. I
still can remember during my childhood days, people commuted on foot from
distant places for making household errands and other purposes, but today I can
see heavy convoys of luxurious vehicles plying through the road of my vicinity.
Within not less than a decade or two, my place, which was indeed a small hamlet
with few mud and wooden houses has now turned into a town mushrooming with
gigantic structures. Similarly, there has been subsequent development in term
of education, public health and other public works. The index of our lifestyle
has considerable gone high as no more do we have to venture our life for basic
amenities. Few month back, in one of the political campaigns, a speaker form an
opposition party, alleged that poor Sikkimese are never provided opportunities,
as most of the opportunities were availed by the children of privileged
classes. “Has any child of this constituency ever got opportunity to pursue
his/ her education in London?” within a week, a mocking counter post with a
picture of a girl student appeared on my Facebook wall, informing that the
student from a place called Rhenock Khamdong under Chujachen Constituency has
been pursuing scholarship to study at Oxford University in London funded by the
state government.
ORGANIC
MISSION as a concept that was initiated by the chief minister has done wonders.
It has elevated the name of Sikkim not only in a national level but has branded
the state with a hallmark in a global scenario. I may not be right to say that
organic farming in Sikkim is self-sufficient and the mission is hundred percent
successful. However, it has opened multiple avenues for the local stakeholders
to enhance foreign investment. Furthermore, the organic state also has every
proximity to boom tourism industry in the days to come. We may not ignore
government schemes that have been implemented for the upliftment of the poorer
section. Multiplicity of such plans and policies are brought to the surface of
public domain. Highly impressed with the progress made by Sikkim under the
leadership of Chief Minister, Mr. Pawan Chamling, and Sikkim winning this
year's Gold Award (2018) UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Future Policy
for its achievement in becoming the world's first totally organic agriculture
state, Mr. Saikat Kumar Basu from Lethbridge, Canada writes “The state of
Sikkim today not only stands high and above all the states of the republic of
India, but also has transformed herself to an imperative global stature;
serving as a live international model of sustainable, environment- friendly
living livelihood concept” (Sikkim Express Letter to the Editor 15/10/2018)
It
is obvious that the existing government does have certain ambiguities. There
are genuine issues relating to the aspiration of people which needs to be
addressed strongly, unemployment ranking the first among all. But on the contrary,
if compared to the other states of India, the progress made by Sikkim within a
short span of time cannot be ignored.
My
discourse, to a reader who has affiliation with political parity and who is
seeking for change, may sound rather skeptic. But politics, as we understand,
is the life line of our country as such it is something which should not be
trifled with.
Quoting
the ominous word of “The Architect of Indian Constitution”, Dr. B. R. Ambedker
in his address in a constituent assembly remarks “however good a constitution
may be, it would eventually turn out to be bad if the people exercising it are
bad. Connoting the undercurrent where government are usually held responsible
for all the political turmoil, a deep ponder would reveal the fact that much of
the problem arises when people fail to realize their responsibility. Many
anthropologist believe that a society begets corruption when people themselves
are corrupt. For instance, one of the causes for corruption is bribery which is
encouraged by people to get their work done in an easy way.
A
leader is bad because people are bad, people are bad because the leader is bad,
well! The answer is as intricate as answering the chicken – egg riddle. The
government- people paradox may someday be interpreted when we as a people would
ponder with an unbiased mind. Moreover, a rational mind with subjective and
objective contemplation may perhaps be a reliable means to unearth the real
political issue. Generalizing any form of governance with personal, religious
or self-generated assumptions may hamper the overall integrity of a nation in
the long run.
Meanwhile,
the question that awaits immediate answer at the backdrop is... Are we really
certain that the CHANGE we are longing for is worthy enough to sacrifice our
present glory?
