By Avner Pariat
I would like to begin this article by quoting the philosopher Paul Virilio:
“Speed now illuminates reality whereas light once gave objects of the world their shape.”
What does he mean by this rather poetic statement? Well one interpretation must surely be: that in this (new) world, it is “speed” and not light that defines what we see in front of us. But what is “speed” here then? It is the velocity of a runaway world without a fixed direction. It is a world created by policies but unrecognised by people. It is a world which must move fast and knows only speed and nothing else beyond that. Let us consider this: Have you ever noticed how fast things need to be for us to consider them modern and relevant? Conversely, slow internet connections, traffic jams that hinder speed, people not up to speed with our “wavelengths” irk us tremendously. The world and all of us within it are rushing through a tunnel and we have very little idea about what is at the other end.
The Act East Policy is one such tunnel. I differ with the rulers of this state about the benefits and boons that this policy is supposed to confer upon us. I have heard only big talk and read only big words. And yes, though it is true that within the past 12 months we have seen a flurry of activities related to Act East, all-in-all it seems to hold nothing substantial for the local people of Meghalaya especially the rural poor. The infrastructure and the techno-structure that the Act East policy seeks to install is very problematic. The vastness and scale of Look East is what we must worry about. The jobs and the economic promises are great if they come but for short-term gains we must not sacrifice long-term goals. How much control do we give up for prosperity and wealth? That is the question.
Act East, I think it is safe to say, would have continued to be Look East if it were not for foreign funders, especially the Japanese. During the “looking” days, much time was given at every seminar and conference to the Stillwell Road meant to link up India and China. With recent turns in international relations between the two countries though it seems that this road will be lying still (bad joke, but I couldn’t resist). Now all focus and drive is on South East, not Far East, Asia. Japan it is interesting to note is going all out in furthering this goal through various agencies particularly JICA. I am unsure about the real motives behind it but it must surely have something to do with countering the Road and Belt Initiative of the Chinese Government. So from the get-go it is clear that these policies and their subsequent actions are all at such a high level that we – local mortals – can scarce fathom their scope and depth. Such things are worrisome and frankly dangerous. The break-neck acceleration of this development makes it very hard to control and question. Our leaders are rewarded for efficiency and speedy delivery but what do we really gain and more importantly what is it that we lose?
The Japanese might be much nicer than the Chinese. They are portrayed as being more courteous, they seem to smile more, they might be much cooler than the Chinese but their involvement in the region will have real consequences and not all of it might be positive. Their development agencies like JICA are not giving us free money, these are loans and loans always need to be repaid WITH interest. What will we, the local people, have to pay for this development? Now everyone from UC Berkeley to Reliance is interested in the “potential” of the NER. Suddenly there are now geriatric-care service-providers in Assam where the language of instruction is Japanese, NGOS are scrambling to create “investment opportunities” for Laotian and Thai businessmen. These are not necessarily bad things, but again I don’t know right now how any of these activities will effect us. A lot of them are inorganic (not homegrown) and that is always a source of concern.
One of the very real effects that I can already see happening is that with this new money coming in (and it is BIG money to the tune of billions of dollars) corruption and inequality is set to take off in the region on a scale we have never seen before. Let us face it: Do you think there is no pecking order to this boom especially in construction and infrastructure? Of course not! Conrad Sangma will have to ensure that his financial backers are happy, so will Sonowal and so on. This will mean that contracts will need to be signed in favour of certain people and that means the concentration of more wealth into fewer hands. The system the NPP, BJP, INC and others believe in demands this “sacrifice”, which is why they are all in a race to the bottom. I shudder to think what awaits our people while no real alternatives are available. Act East means nothing to the vast majority in its current form, it just means that the NPP, BJP, INC chamchas will swell up more and more, land rates will continue to be exorbitant, more crimes will be committed in the name of money and eventually inequality will destroy the so-called egalitarian “tribal” societies of the NER. We are, in short, doomed.
On that note, I would like to end with an old poem I wrote a few years ago entitled “Look East” :-
Look East but not if this highway brings middlemen and murder;
Look East but not for the sake of nation or Delhi;
Look East but not if this highway takes from you, your health;
Look East but not for the sake of anything but your village;
Look East but not if this highway brings dust and drunk driving;
Look East but not for the sake of companies or tycoons;
Look East but not if this highway takes from you, your rice fields;
If these should happen: look west, look south, look north,
Look anywhere but east.