Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Gau rakshak, fake and genuine: Did Narendra Modi Imphal, Monday, August 8, 2016 just sanction marauders to maraud? By : Bikram Vohra I have to be thrashed at least let it so you can can shove your foot on viral and the state Chief The pursuit for What is the code of conduct for a be by a sanctioned officially- my face or are you beating me Minister, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind genuine gau rakshak as compared certified gau rakshak not one of standing up. Oh! You want to Kejriwal and a gaggle of to a counterfeit ‘guy?’ your common garden variety types.” whack the soles of my feet, could I opportunists are rushing to the sporting excellence While it is heartening to hear the Are we going to have a gau see your GR licence again, please, hospital to hold hands with the After what seems to be an exhaustive wait, the curtains have Prime Minister of India finally speak rakshak ministry that issues just to confirm? victim what if he (and who’s to say once again been raised for the world’s most anticipated sporting out on this issue of self-styled certificates like degrees? Do But if you seriously consider it won’t be a woman tomorrow) extravaganza- the 31st edition of the at Rio, Brazil. protectors and their bloated bovine- candidates pass a test before they Modi’s speech on this subject, it is decides to complain to the cops. The world will, for a few days at least, turn its collective attention inspired bravado, it is worrying that can be given a pass to go create scary. He tells us that out there are If the cops weigh the evidence and to the exploits of the finest athletes and sportsmen in the world. in calling for a disrobing of the mayhem? After all, the PM has bands of brigands faking it but in discover this is a genuine 24 carat While the spectators will be feasting on the extraordinary show of fake sevaks he has actually saluted the valiant work of the doing so he accepts that ‘gau cow protector, is he safe from talents and skills being displayed by the competitors spanning 39 sanctified the vigilantes by saying protectors. raksha’ brigades are something we prosecution? He is the elected vice- events over sixteen days, for the athletes, it is a display of the it is fine to be one just have to make Once you do that they will be need and in this verbal balancing president of the Gau Rakshak culmination of years of the relentless pursuit for sporting sure you are the real article. crawling out of the woodwork in act we fail to understand why, what Samiti and he ordered the attack excellence- a trial of strength, character, discipline and And with no attempt whatsoever at their thousands. for, and most importantly, who on these vile Indians because there determination and an opportunity to push oneself beyond the humour, I am thinking the next step These are very real constitutes this religious police and were cows and a partridge in a pear acceptable and expected limits- hence the motto: Citius, Altius, could be equally genuine lynch- questions, because now the seven the authority they have, by proxy? tree in their van. Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger). Being in the Olympics is the squads for suspected rapists or or eight hoodlums are coming in Those pundit types who come on What if the stick wielder had an ultimate hope for any athlete, and winning a medal at the Olympics those cheeky little sods who dare closer and asking for a pancard or TV and bleat piety. epiphany and just converted from a realization of the wildest dream. But the dream every athlete to marry ‘downcaste’ and expect our anAadhar card as an identification The so-called upper caste twits being a gangster to gau dream is unlike the ones ordinary humans do. They have to dream regal upper castes to swallow this proof will be a feeble defence who believe their blue blood gives rakshak the night before...does without sleeping, to carry their dream every breathing moment, insult. because they may not be in the them the right to intimidate the rest. that count? He has taken his vows and to subjugate everything else towards its realization. But hold that thought for now, and mood to listen. It is not just Dalits who are at risk or whatever it is you have to do by But to realize the dream of an Olympic medal, the sheer let’s go back to the cow and Consequently, unless the PM is here, so that angle doesn’t wash way of ritual to make the grade. determination and relentless effort of an athlete alone is not motherhood. What is the real prepared to go a step further and totally. Anyone buying or eating Come tomorrow, we will have a enough. For a sportsperson to be the best in the world and perform article. Let’s say you or I are explain why he would laud the true beef, even an innocent non- cottage industry selling GR (gau at its peak, a well orchestrated and synchronized support system suddenly surrounded by a bunch ‘gau rakshak’ and also have it vegetarian is at a risk from these rakshak) honours degree. needs to be in place working around the clock to make sure that of men armed with lathis and other explained, in torturous detail, what hoods. Can the cop, in his wisdom, decide the athlete can focus on the single goal of improving and bettering such implements of power because actions they can take, the spurious And instead of banning all that the attack was justified the techniques, skills and physical abilities to perfection. This is you could be eating beef (enemy at cow boy is going to be tough to these rakshaks in toto and because the fellow is asli where the country, and indeed the state regarded as the sporting the farm gate) or transporting a cow counter and this whole issue of bringing sanity back into the (genuine). powerhouse of the country come up dismally short. The fault lies and now you are outnumbered and separating the wheat from the chaff invasion of privacy we are now By creating a gau rakshak caste not in the total absence of such a system, but rather in the inability your options limited. is moo(t). faced with confirming credentials. system (superior and inferior) we to organize and implement such a system in time and in the correct Before they strip you naked and put Yo, you are a fake, you don’t even No one has told me how to prove have actually given the signal for manner. Time, or rather age is the greatest enemy of an athlete, their shoe on your neck or beat you have a card, put away that lathi and that the men coming at me with marauders to maraud and gangsters and the time period during which the best athlete can maintain with righteousness for a couple of get lost, you cannot beat me. weapons are Made in Taiwan. to engage in this ‘take that’ tamasha performing at the top is very limited. hours - here’s what you say. ”Sir He can. He’s for real. Here, give me Let’s take this a step further on this with impunity. Showering accolades, prizes, awards and other material and moral can you show me your ID, please, a minute to strip. My button is illogical path. After the This can only get worse. incentives is all very good- an effective enticement and so I know you are genuine?” OR ”If stuck. You want me to lie down here thrashing, when the video is going (Courtesy: First Post) encouragement for youngsters to follow suit. There is however the apparent lack of enthusiasm or interest in shoring up a sporting culture at the grassroot level in the country including our very Rio Olympics 2016 own state. One very important and influencing factor for such an unfortunate situation is the existence of duality of interests in the sporting management. Almost all the sporting events have, Playing first Olympic hockey match in 36 years, at the least, two state level associations or organizations claiming the right to govern or administer their respective events. Manipur Olympic Association, the apex state body entrusted with the India’s women make bright start important task of promoting and regulating sporting events included in the Olympics in the state have allowed the rot to fester Thirty-six years after they last walked With the equaliser in, the match was by refusing to put its foot down and take a strict stand in resonance on an Olympic pitch, the Indian alive once again. The fourth quarter of its parent national body. On the contrary and reflecting the women’s hockey team took on Japan proved to be a tense affair; the ignorant or dismissive mentality of the individuals running the on Sunday in the opening match of counter-attacks kept the fans and show in the state, emphasis has continued to be given towards their 2016 Rio Olympics campaign. defenders on their feet. Both personal ties and future political prospects totally unrelated to Keeping with the occasion, they coaches chose to gamble at this sports. Such continued disregard for the real concerns and pressing made a spirited comeback after being point — Japan’s Yuji Nagai chose issues are raising uncomfortable questions regarding the progress 0-2 down to draw 2-2. to go all out first. There were times and well-being of sports and sportspersons of the state in the India were distinctly unlucky in not when there were as many as seven days to come. There is only black and white, ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in earning full points; in the last minute, Japanese players trying to breach sports. Ambiguities and personal favours should not be allowed to a hard shot by Vandana Katariya was the Indian defence. But Savita creep in if sports and sportspersons of the state are to have any saved by the Japanese goalkeeper Punia had a good match. fighting chance of excelling at the international arena. Asano Sakiyo. Having soaked up the pressure Japan scored in the first two quarters until that point, India had the best through Emi Nishikori (14) and Mie chance of the match in the final Contd. from page 1 Nakashima (27). India made a minute, but Vandana Katariya had comeback after the break, getting a good clean look at goal both the goals in the third quarter The second quarter was all Japan, as required to change the tempo of a before Sakiyo saved her shot. Sharmila ...... continue your struggle through Rani Rampal (30) and Lilima they stretched the Indian defence to match, and India did so by bringing Neither coach would complain too Now, the time has come to reconsider sincerely, we appeal him to ask Sharmila Minz (39). With the draw, both teams the limit. Unlike the Indians who back a shot we thought was long much about the final scoreline, but your decision to contest election by not to wind up her struggle in true spirit now have a point each. played in tight groups, the Japanese forgotten. Rampal, with all the time in with bigger matches coming up, both sidelining the sanctity of your struggle from outside by contributing his mite to The draw would be hugely satisfying played on both flanks giving the world, took a step forward and teams would need to improve their as it would make a mockery of each and repeal the AFSPA, 1958. Desmond may for the Indians, for no team wants to themselves space to rotate the ball. hit a straight shot that beat the standards. The Indian women’s team everybody’s struggle against AFSPA, remind of how Dr. Michael Aris helped losing its opening game. But they did The second goal from Japan was a goalkeeper; it was Rani Rampal’s 88th has secured the ‘Olympian’ tag, and 1958 in future. No one can infringe upon Aung San Suu Kyi in her struggle for play some extremely loose hockey in classic example of excellent poaching. international goal, and it came off a it is now time to ensure they qualify an individual’s right to have a family. Democracy even though he was denied the first two quarters. Perhaps Mie Nakashima had the ball off a cross straight hit. The scores were now 1- for the quarter-finals. But doing the right thing in the wrong entry into Burma since December 1995 nervousness crept in, as they were from the left and she hoodwinked the 2. India wasted their second penalty time would only invite a coward’s even with the intervention of Kofi playing their first Olympics match in Indian defence with a lovely corner, but soon earned a third. This Kosovo’s Majlinda remarks. We must learn from the life of Annan, the then UN Secretary General, 36 years. But Preeti Dubey had two deflection. The Indian goalkeeper was a period where they were Mother Teresa who never married for Pope John Paul II and many other weak shots after having the ball in didn’t have a clue. From the Indian pushing aggressively through the Kelmendi wins the cause of humanity. The people of international prominent figures. Sharmila the circle. Even Poonam Rani, who standpoint, it was a soft goal. But centre, inducing chaos in the country’s first Manipur know the great service for must also see the possibility to sacrifice had a good match, couldn’t strike the Japan was 2-0 up. Japanese defence. The third penalty humanity you have been delivering for her love for Desmond not to derail her ball powerfully enough to stretch the India needed something special in the corner was weak, but the raised ball Olympic medal the last 15 years and 9 months and do struggle against AFSPA, 1958. Sharmila Japanese goalkeeper. Rani Rampal third and fourth quarters to quell the was taken on the glove by Japanese Majlinda Kelmendi became not want it to be lost in thin air. Your must also know the love for her people also had a look at goal, but delayed. tide. Considering they weren’t finding goalkeeper Asano Sakiyo. But the Kosovo’s first Olympic medallist as struggle should be like Gautama or her motherland is the SUPREME So when Japan took the lead with 10 their rhythm, it would be a tall task. defence failed to clear the ball she took gold in the women’s -52kg Buddha’s struggle for getting SACRIFICE she can make rather than seconds left in the first quarter, it was But within 30 seconds of the restart, and Minz smashed it tennis style into in Rio SALVATION, leaving behind his family, making a meek resolution for a simple against the run of play. It was also India were on the attack again and had the goal. Japan went for the referral, Kelmendi, 25, overpowered Italy’s near and dear ones. person. their first penalty corner and Nishikori their first penalty corner of the match. but video umpire Lisa Roach gave Odette Giuffrida with a yuko to claim We, at MIYC respect the great love We make this appeal to Sharmila to was on target. Sometimes, unusual methods are the goal to India. victory at her second Games, having between Desmond Coutinho and you continue her struggle if she still loves represented Albania at but strongly condemn it if Sharmila the People of Manipur. We want to see 2012. decides to wind up this people’s struggle the moment people all over the world For Dipa Karmakar, ‘deadly’ Produnova is just There was a surprise in the men’s - in the chemistry of their romance with crown you the “Queen of Peace” when 66kg as Fabio Basile of Italy beat unidentified espionages and reactionary you acquire the highest position of another hurdle in quest for glory South Korea’s in emphatic catalysts. If Mr. Desmond loves Sharmila peace in the world. fashion. By : Sandipan Sharma analogy: Imagine her as a another day when she became the The unseeded Basile dominated his Pass book lost , Aug 8: Every time batsman facing Jeff Thomson – first Indian to qualify for the opponent to win Italy’s first gold Dipa Karmakar goes airborne, she considered by many as the fastest Individual vault finals in medal of these Games. I, the undersigned have lost my pass book of SBI Imphal Branch, puts her most valuable asset at bowler of all time – without any Gymnastics. Japan’s Misato Nakamura and MG Avenue bearing account no. 30413269835 on the way between risk for the sake of individual protective gear, standing half-way Dipa’s achievement is huge. No Khuyathong to Thangal Bazar on 5/08/2016. Russia’s Natalia Kuziutina won Finders are requested to kindly hand over it to the undersigned. glory and a nation’s pride: her down the pitch. And the bowler is Indian woman before her had bronze in the women’s event, while life. allowed to target her skull. qualified for a Gymnastics event Sd/- Masashi Ebinuma of Japan and Laishram Basanta Singh Her life and death gamble tells us If Dipa misses, she pays a heavy at the Olympics. But now, Dipa Uzbekistan’s Rishod Sobirov also Khurai Angom Leikai a story of a brave girl who would price. Her vault isn’t a leap of faith, has a chance to win a medal at Rio. secured bronze in the men’s. Imphal, East rather go for broke than lead a it is like jumping from an aircraft Dipa landed her ‘Produnova’ Kosovo’s Olympic Committee was life of anonymity in spite of heavy without a parachute, hoping to perfectly enough to emerge established in 1992 but only Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ odds, lack of money and facilities. land safely on her feet on a piece among the top eight. She will now recognised by the International can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. Since most of us look at sports of mat. strive to make her ‘vault of death’ Olympic Committee in 2014. The For advertisement kindy contact: - through a cricket-lens, let me But, on Sunday morning, the 22- better on 14 August, hoping for a disputed territory declared 0385-2452159 (O) explain Dipa’s daring act with an year-old from Tripura lived to fight podium finish. independence from Serbia in 2008.

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