LIFEISNOWHERE

  HOW UNIQUE IS BEING UNIQUE     Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction We live in an epoch of instantaneous copycat culture, severe competition and polarised ethnic identity politics. The idea of copyright, patent, DOI, etc., are all geared towards maintaining the uniqueness of something, an idea, an art, a music note, a literary piece, etc. Over the centuries, humans construct their patterns of categorization (Brosius et al, 1986), culture, language, worldview, vastly influenced by their past experiences and geographical locations. For example, people who settled near the oceans have myths connected with the sea; so also, people who have lived in the mountains carry myths related to trees, animals, mountains, streams and rivers. All these people (naively) think that their habits are (so) unique. At best, people who can trace their origin as distant as possible will be sensible as they possess some sort of scientific temper leading to social learning (Social learning th...

  FEAR TO DIFFER     Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction This article does not encourage people to shun from differing. If all are the same, there would not be advancement. The differences in life are useful for progress, an inexhaustible God’s gift for humanity. The psychological ailment of “fear to differ” to entertain people or be in the good book of higher-ups is an emerging condition. This is a mental disease that has permeated the bureaucracy, political arena, religious circles and even universities. It takes courage to differ. Have no fear to be different because each person is unique and important. If you have not been rejected, accepted, confronted and challenged in your life, probably you have not done anything worthwhile. All the above conditions come up when you do something extraordinary or perform feats that have not been completed by anyone. The tendency to agree with everything, anything and everyone is also a pointer that you have nothing unique in yo...

  FATHERING A NATION: OPTING NON-VIOLENT WAYS     Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction We live in a nation of seekers – seeking the divine, knowledge, philosophy, consciousness, awakening. While nature is given the title of ‘motherhood’, politics seems to hold its ‘fathers’ down the centuries. A patriarchal society like India has accorded Mahatma Gandhi - the ‘Father of the Nation’ as he was the was driving force behind the independence of India from foreign domination and the establishment of India as a free nation. This is indeed a kind and befitting gesture of gratitude shown to him. The whole world stands in awe to the Gandhian principle of non-violence. He led us from fear of colonial regime to think and reason for ourselves (freedom). Founding fathers of the Indian constitution More than seventy years ago, the founding fathers of the Indian republic - Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B. R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose and Vallabhbhai Patel - ...

  Can Indigenous People of Manipur Coexist?       Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction The broad classification of people into the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and General Category community are measures of the Government of India. The State/Union Territory-wise list of Scheduled Tribes in India has listed 34 recognized tribes in Manipur. In the long term, this classification has its positive and sectarian ramification as well. No law is sacrosanct or entirely unacceptable. There are grey sides in every endeavour. Many persons in Manipur still use the term “occupied territory” after the merger agreement effected on 15 October 1949 that has permanently led to the annexation of Manipur as an integral part of India and its subsequent statehood on 21 January 1972. Now, the occupants of this “occupied territory” are on cold war. If the 22,327 square kilometre Manipur is divided into parts ...

WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY:   Reflection for a local situation               Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction Soon after the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 nd May, the world is gearing up to meaningfully reflect, participate and pledge in the celebration of World Environmental Day on the 5 th June.   Human beings are one species of living things on this earth. Humans do not own the earth. They are part of this reality for some time. The theme for World Environmental Day 2020 is “Biodiversity – a concern that is both urgent and existential.” Human beings need to realize that environment is “not” one of the many areas to look into but the environment is “the” area to care for biodiversity survival, economic growth, human prosperity, historical development, scientific enhancement. We may not be able to physically celebrate this year's World Environmental Day, b...

SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING COVID-19 Rev. Fr Paul Lelen Haokip Introduction               At this time of COVID-19 pandemic, mass gathering of people is prohibited for community safety. Social distancing helps to avoid transmission of virus. This particular virus is lethal. Dr Duc Cong Vuong, a surgeon says, “this virus is called SARS Cov-2 which causes a disease called COVID-19. This is novel because there is no cure developed so far” (Vuong, 2020) . It is clear that “the pathological features of COVID-19 greatly resemble those seen in SARS and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus infection” (Zhe Xu*, 2020, p. 421) . Knowing the nature of this virus helps to combat it in the best way. Relevance of social distancing Government’s advisory note of not gathering is a needed measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. This is helpful and mandatory. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfar...