My First Visit to Manipur Bhavan in National Capital — A Personal Account

It is perhaps ironic that although I hail from Manipur and have been residing in New Delhi for several years, my first visit to Manipur Bhavan occurred only on 20 November 2007. This delay itself may reflect a broader disconnect that many people from the Northeast experience while living in the national capital - physically present in Delhi, yet often distanced from the institutional spaces meant to represent their home states. I arrived at Manipur Bhavan around 9:00 a.m. for an official engagement. As one would reasonably expect from a state government establishment in the heart of the capital, I anticipated an orderly reception process. Instead, I was greeted by an empty reception desk. There was no staff member present to guide visitors or respond to enquiries. After waiting for nearly thirty minutes, a receptionist finally appeared. Upon asking about the officers I was scheduled to meet, I was told that they had not yet arrived and would do so shortly.

Another half-hour passed, but there was still no sign of the concerned officials. By then, impatience had given way to mild amusement. I could not help but remark to myself - half in jest - that “Manipur Standard Time” seemed to be operational even in New Delhi. While such delays may be brushed aside as trivial, they nevertheless raise questions about institutional efficiency and professionalism, particularly in offices that represent a state before the Union Government and the wider public.

With time on my hands and no clarity on when my meeting might commence, I decided to explore the Bhavan. As I made my way down to the basement, I noticed an elderly woman seated alone in a small cabin. The moment I approached, she spoke to me in Meitei, instinctively recognising me as someone from Manipur. That brief exchange immediately dissolved the anonymity of the capital city. We soon discovered that we shared not only a common language but also a common locality in Imphal.

What followed was a candid and emotionally charged conversation. The woman spoke at length about her experiences working within Manipur Bhavan. Her account revealed a deep sense of frustration and disappointment. According to her, many Manipuri staff members felt marginalised within their own institution. She alleged that non-Manipuri colleagues - often referred to colloquially as Mayangs - dominated decision-making and workplace culture, sometimes treating local staff with indifference or even hostility.

More troubling was her perception that some non-local staff members preferred a workplace with minimal Manipuri presence, as though the very people for whom the Bhavan existed were unwelcome within its walls. Whether these sentiments reflect systemic discrimination or isolated personal grievances, they nonetheless point to an unhealthy institutional environment - one that contradicts the purpose of a state guest house meant to serve and represent the people of Manipur.

Such conversations are uncomfortable, but they are necessary. State Bhavans in Delhi are not merely lodging facilities; they are symbolic extensions of state identity. For students seeking assistance, patients referred to Delhi hospitals, officials on duty, and ordinary citizens navigating the complexities of the capital, these Bhavans often serve as the first and most direct interface with their state government. When that interface is marked by inefficiency, alienation, or internal discord, it reflects poorly not only on administration but also on governance priorities.

Manipur Bhavan, located at 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, is a three-storey structure with twenty-five guest rooms, including a reserved floor for ministers and senior officials. A newer annexe, Manipur Tikendrajit House, provides additional accommodation for students and groups. On paper, these facilities are adequate and thoughtfully planned. In practice, however, infrastructure alone cannot compensate for lapses in management, sensitivity, and accountability.

My first visit to Manipur Bhavan, therefore, was more than a routine official call. It became an eye-opening experience - one that revealed the subtle yet significant challenges faced by people from the Northeast even within institutions meant to serve them. It underscored the urgent need for administrative reforms, staff sensitisation, and a renewed commitment to professionalism.

If state Bhavans are to function as true homes away from home, they must embody efficiency, dignity, and inclusiveness. Anything less diminishes their role and undermines the trust of the very people they are meant to support.

Symbolic Importance

Beyond its physical role, Manipur Bhavan carries deep symbolic value. For many Manipuris in Delhi, it represents:

• A sense of belonging in an otherwise distant capital

• The presence of the state within the Union structure

• A reminder of Manipur’s historical journey from a princely kingdom to a full-fledged state within the Indian Union

Contemporary Relevance

Today, Manipur Bhavan continues to operate as a vital institution, though it faces challenges common to many state guest houses—capacity constraints, administrative efficiency, and the need for modernisation. Nevertheless, its historical role as a bridge between Manipur and New Delhi remains central to its identity.

I shall be visiting someday, sometime again!