Abhijit Chavda Podcast: What’s Exactly Happening In Manipur? (Transcript)

Here is the full transcript of Abhijit Chavda Podcast titled “What’s Exactly Happening In Manipur?” with Rami Desai & Dr. Bimol Akoijam.

TRANSCRIPT:

Abhijit Chavda: Rami Desai, Professor Bimol Akoijam, welcome to the Abhijit Chavda Podcast. Today we are discussing a very serious topic, the situation in Manipur. And we are going to do it in a very calm, composed manner, not like what’s typically done in TV debates.

So, let me give some perspective, personal perspective. I was in Manipur in February. I attended Aero Sports Festival in a place called Phubala, which is in the Imphal Valley itself.

Dr. Bimol Akoijam: This is on the way to Churachandpur.

Abhijit Chavda: It’s on the way to Churachandpur, right. And the very successful thing, the Chief Minister was there, Mr. Ramdas Athawaleji was there, the Union Minister and so on. And I could see a significant security presence. And Manipur of late has been doing very well economically and all. So, I was wondering why is there so much security here. And I had lunch with a bunch of very bright young army officers as well.

So, I was there in February. In May, just two and a half or so months later, Manipur is burning. So, that’s what I would like to talk about today. I would like to understand what’s happening from both of you.

So, one of the issues we in India face is the distortion of our history. Our history is distorted and that opens us up to all kinds of attacks and narratives made by foreigners and made by people who are against us. And when it comes to Manipur, we just don’t know the history. Nobody in India has taught Manipur history or the history of the North East of India.