Students staging sit-in-protest demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur on Monday

You read it right. This admission season, it’s not just about enrolling for courses in Arts, Science or Commerce stream; but you can also try for a course on anti-corruption for which you don’t have to pay any fee. The free anti-corruption classes will be conducted at various study centres across the state. Individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of age, profession or race, can join this course.

The Non-Existing Council of Free and Fair Moral Education Department, Manipur has come up with this noble plan to encourage the countless corrupted individuals in our state to lead a peaceful and corruption-free life. A selection committee has also been formed to choose the eligible candidates for the first semester.

Considering the lack of mental solace and frustration they come across at several critical points of their lives, this is a special study program to promote their interest in leading a peaceful life, to encourage them to stop taking bribes and to allow them to live a life free from corruption.

Many officials and non-officials will be provided free anti-corruption classes across the state. The prime targets for these classes are the mantri mandols, officers of all ranks, thikadaars, presidents and secretaries of various clubs and NGOs and other organisations, plus anyone who has taken bribe in any of its dirtiest forms.

There are a couple of must-have qualities for those candidates who want to enrol for the anti-corruption educational program:

1. Those who have relentlessly taken bribe without any shame. The manner of taking bribe could be official or unofficial in nature. Irrespective of when, where or how the note-chabun was accepted, the candidate can simply attach an experience certificate of bribery and submit it to the admission counter.

2. Those who were reluctant to take bribes earlier but later succumbed to it out of temptation or helplessness. The course will be like a rehabilitation course to encourage them to give up taking bribes. They will be counselled on bribery and its ill effects by experience anti-corruption faculty members.

The course structure is roughly divided into four parts:

1. The origin, growth and practice of bribery — Who were the culprits behind its practice, how it became a raging practice in our society and how it has numbed the common sense of our mass?

2. Socio-cultural impact of corruption — How people have set it as a norm and how they are deeply affected by this social trauma?

3. Means and measures to fight corruption — this includes valuable suggestions from Anna-Siki Hazare, encouraging holy speech by Baba Ramu-Dev and others

4. Free counselling for underprivileged candidates who have so far started taking bribes from their own siblings or members of family.

Mr. Oidaba-ngaangdabamayum Luchingba, the brain behind this project remarks: ‘It is easy to talk about problems in our society, but it is a difficult task to even discuss about the probable solutions to fight the various perils that directly or indirectly affect us. This project is a small initiative to ensure that we are not mute spectators and that we want to see a corruption-free world.

‘The Sarkargi loisangs in our state are the main targets of this education project. Irrespective of your posts at the respective departments, please spare some of your valuable time to attend this free class’, further adds Luchingba.

Many officials have so far submitted their forms for this course. However, the leaders of the various political parties have not yet responded to the notice of this project. It may also be noted that this course is meant only for those who have some hope of improvement.

Our latest source reported that a few forms have been received from some ineligible candidates. Among the rejected forms, one particular form that was filled with an initial O was turned down with no particular reason. The counselling committee strongly appeals to the selection wing not to ever make such mistake in the near future.

Luchingba also says, ‘We are strict with our procedures of choosing the right candidates. We are extremely sorry to acknowledge everyone that this course is not open for those who have excessively taken bribes. We will keep them under observation this year and will decide whether they will be eligible to join this course next semester’.

News and views about this project are spreading far and wide. Many honest civilians have earnestly supported this project. Perhaps, change is finally on its way. Perhaps this particular study program will encourage many young government officials to stop taking bribes in the near future.

‘Otherwise, what use is of twenty years of formal education,’ Luchingba asked.

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I do not deny that racism exists in every corner of India; I do not even deny the very fact that in Loitam Richard’s case, the college authorities and the concerned department are tackling the issue with a racial attitude. However, my counter question is why they should have the will to resolve the case when our state government is least bothered about it? We were shocked to read that our government had contacted their Karnataka counterparts and their diabolical lies. How can we dare to blame others when our own government is careless, unreliable and grossly irresponsible? Richard’s case is just another mundane murder case that can be left safely covered up, so the government think. Is the notoriously-short public memory the government’s best weapon? The fight for justice has been reduced to a pathetic farce. The government is supposedly prepared to lose more Richards in the future. But we should not give them the chance.

Now, can our collective voice against racism fight this cause? We pray – racism or not – Richard’s murderers must be sent to jail and must be given the most fitting punishment. But what do we want to prove when we admit the existence of racism everywhere? Will there be an anti-racism law, especially for the Northeast? In any case, will it give solace to Richard’s departed soul? Will it really end the era of racial discrimination and profiling against the Northeast people? These are a few open questions that are more bewildering than the law against racism, which some scholars have pointed out that it has taken an institutional form.

From Our Archives: Protest against the murder of Loitam Richard at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on April 29

Our first priority is to drag our state government out of its Delhi-dreaming slumber and ask them to get involved in this issue. Let there be more pressure groups. Let there be a one-goal focus from all corners. This is one way to fight the justice for Richard. And in general cases, we should not let our crummy egos and arrogance interfere in our fight against racism and injustice. And yes, we should also stop being mute spectators and mere commentators affluent with free comments. If you feed the troll, it gets more energy of trolling people around it. Let us first stop feeding the trolls. Let us also be a little bit more practical. It would take many years, for example, to pass an anti-racism bill in this country. We should not waste our time feeding racism and making it a redundant topic that the public memory would get the better of. There is also a bigger problem in us having a facial look which is un-India in a country where the society is structured on caste system. Then we have a larger mission to fight the prejudices of the mainland people against us without negative emotions.

If we accept racism in this country, we become the law un-abiding citizens, because we are admitting to a view, which the government does not. If we deny it, we are nevertheless not different. If you want your voices to be heard, have the guts to drag out your own MLAs or political leaders from your very kendra. Ask them to join the fight in a politically-correct, though restless approach. Seek suggestions from the law makers and keepers. Yelling on social networking sites as keyboard warriors, hammering keyboards to discuss issues, displaying our arrogant badges to others – all of these are so damn pestering. Most importantly we should leave our attitude at home and flush it down somewhere before we commit ourselves to a cause. We should not take the advantage of playing the lead roles of a particular cause, if not in some extreme conditions. One may fathom himself/herself as the hero for a cause, but the ugly truth is s/he often gets tagged as a zero in other’s view. Precisely this is a textbook case of the utter failure of leaders and the lack of real leaders in Manipur.

We should not accept racism, in its raw toleration, because by accepting it we are indirectly providing legitimacy to its very practice in the society. But we should accept it and know the problems inherent in this barbaric social mores. Especially in a not so fascinating country like ours, there are many grave issues that need our attention. As compared to mainlanders, we the people from the Northeast have many things to be proud of. This statement is not about claiming superiority, but that we have a reason which the mainland people should know, we are not the children of lesser god, and that we have a lesson to teach the insensitive India. It is never too late to give up prejudices.

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Home is a place where you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. ~ John Ed Pearce.

I cannot agree more on the above quote. When we were teens we thought it was a trend to leave home to pursue our studies and later to shape our career, staying outside Manipur. The lucrative career opportunities, the glitz of big city life, the big fat salary we would earn every month and most importantly, an escapade from the ennui of restlessness and hoo-hah in the state — all of these are a few accountable reasons why most of us prefer to stay out of home for all the years. ‘Yumda leiba bheebhula chudro… toufam chaafam keim khangdabani, meisuu suklaak laakte amambaduda matha sai…’: these are some of the most heard comments from those of us who prefer to stay out of home. We pretend to sound so cool while telling all these but deep in our hearts we know what we are craving for; we know what we want but since there is a big gap between our wants and means, we console ourselves with such make belief melodramatic dialogues.

But for an insane fellow, no one wants to leave home and settle outside Manipur. It has become a drift among most of the Manipuris to stay out of home, either to pursue higher studies or to settle with some lucrative careers. In pursuit of success, most of us reconcile with almost everything that we come across. We often miss everything about our home yet seldom admit it because we the outsourced lots are expected to be strong-hearted creatures. We are expected to be rational most of the time. Emotion should be always checked as it ruins our logic. All these are nonetheless not true as I have mentioned earlier too. The truth as I understand is that we miss home every single day right from dawn to dusk. From a very personal experience, at the outbreak of dawn, when the chirps of morning birds wake me up, I miss the sound of numberless sendrang. Come numidangwairam, I cannot help missing the similar chirps of sembrang and when it is lai-dhoop time, I miss the sight of that dimly-lit lantern (read laaten) at our maangon and the fragrance of burning mekruuk that spreads across the home, making us feel more blessed and pious.

Well, it does not mater whether you live in a big mansion or a thatched khaangpoksung, home is home and it is the best place on the earth, not just because it’s the place where our heart is, but also because it’s where our root belongs to. We cherish everything about our home and its surroundings. From a local perspective, the mundane of the most mundane things are found sweet or nostalgic when it comes to our very leikai. The lamjao sorok, the pukhri beside the road, the pan dukan or Pokfham where we buy singju or achapot (it could also be a kwa matap), the hotel where one enjoys ideal chit-chats with leikai friends, the community hall, the leikai lampak etc.  — all of these evoke nostalgia on our mind. Taking a golden chance of homesickness, I am filling up the remaining part of this column today with the same homely recipe.  It’s about a very special penchant for a place in Manipur where most of my memorable childhood days were spent. So here is a bicycling trip down a memory lane through my lens that justifies the title of my column—‘From Wangkhei, With Love’

Wangkhei , Imphal, Manipur as seen on Google Maps

The beautiful ruins of Sana Konung, the sacred Govindaji Temple, the vast spreading  Ningthem Pukhri, not to forget the quaint presence of Ramji Prabhu, the hub of hockey and football: the Eastern Ground, once a mini market: Keithel Asangbi, the famous Panthoibi  and Durga Puja Lampak, one of the Government run schools for Girls in Imphal: Wangkhei Girls’, and of course Kaka Chaoba’s Pork Vendor at Thangapat, Rani Handloom at Lourembam Leirak, the faklaang segaiba school: Wangkhei Boys’ High School, one of the most happening clubs in the city:  Lizard Library at Meihoupham Lampak, one of the mission schools in Imphal East: St George High School and one of the popular caterers: ACGRU tent house — these are some of the vivid pictures that continuously strike my mind whenever I remember Wangkhei, the very place where I was born and brought up, the place where most of my friends, family and saagei natei live. Nostalgia is a seasoned disease in my heart when it comes to Wangkhei and anything associated with the place. Call it the ‘frog in the well mentality’ or anything, but I am a typical Wangkhei Ningol who loves to flaunt as much as she can about this very place in Manipur.

I must not forget to mention that Wangkhei is also the place which is authentically associated with the origin of Wangkhei Phee. Small-scale handloom industry is a booming sector in this area at Imphal East district. Wangkhei maidens are always famous for their hard work and diligence. I have come across a very funny local saying ‘Wangkhei Nupada Leirunu, Wangkhei Ningol di Louba yai’. I am not sure if this random saying reflects the ideal image of a Wangkhei Ningol as if she is the epitome of all womanly virtues or otherwise it’s just a saying.

By the way, I am extremely sorry to hear about the news of (Late) Chungkham Rani.   She was the one, who created a signature brand in Manipur handloom industry commonly known as Rani-Phee. Earlier known as the ‘Engineer-Phee’, Rani-Phee is an exclusive collection for every Manipuri woman. Thanks to that great lady who set her own trend in handloom industry in the state, she will always be remembered.  She had been and will always be one of the ‘Prides of Wangkhei’. It’s a great loss that she is no more. May many innovators join her league in the future and make the place proud.  And may God bless her soul to rest in peace!

Before I conclude this write up, I heartily want to thank all those individuals from Wangkhei from different fields who had made me proud in the past and who make me proud at present. This is to all the ‘Prides of Wangkhei’. Cheers!

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By: Sanatombi Angomcha

It was just another bomb blast right?

Rupees 50,000 each for the injured victims and Rupees 1 lakh as ‘Asiman’ for those innocent victims of the recent Sangaakpham bomb blast who are no more with us. Many ‘lups’ will probably call for a Manipur bandh, many will organize protest rallies (holding festoons that would read something like ‘meehatpa puthok u’), the commandos will throng around each and every ‘leirak khulak’ of Imphal city, rubber bullets and tear gases will be kept ready, the worst that can ever happen is ‘curfew’ in and around Imphal sehar so that things are under control, Is it something new in Manipur? This has happened for all these years (this will further happen in the future). Great Going Kangleipaak! Hats off to our two-faced POTENT RULERS too (yes rulers).

Have you ever given a thought about the real problem with you, him or everyone in our state in such matters? The real problem with every single Manipuri is something very absurd. I am not sure if we are goddam aware about it or not but this is the real problem – a deep- rooted one. Until and unless we uproot this problem and thwart it away, we cannot really dream of a terror-free Manipur. Every single day we live with fear in our hearts. This fear somehow compels us to seek an escapade route and we run away like cowards. If running away is the solution, should every Manipuri not run out of Manipur and forsake the state forever? Not really right? Well, why don’t we invade what they infected in our hearts and minds for all these years? Why the heck should we fear them? If majority rules the roost in every state, why don’t people in our state give a thought about it and let the petty two-faced FELONS learn their lesson? I may sound like a boring social/political activist (that I am not). I don’t even have an iota of idea about the social or political norms prevailing in Manipur. All I know is that ‘we are infected with the disease of FEAR’. We live with fear every day and kill ourselves over and over again before the real death. We are sans any solution how to cure this FEAR. Another bomb would be fitted somewhere in Imphal, some more lives will be lost, some will get injured, more JACs will be formed, compensations (Asiman) will be provided to the victims of the families, the same old bandhs, protest rallies and the gimmicks of commandos will continue……. after all who cares?

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By: Sanatombi Angomcha

Dear God Alah/Jesus/ Krishna/ Lainingthou (To Whom It May Concern),

They call you by different names. They build different homes for you and keep you there. They even have different hymns to offer you. They dress you up in their own styles (not yours). They even half-undress you when they desire to do so (as in the case of the Hindu God Shiv Mahadev). They offer you fruits, candles, incense sticks and even money. Some of them even offer you cooked or baked sweets and snacks. Do you relish them all? Can you really see or smell the candles being lighted up or the burning incense sticks, can you also listen or interpret those hymns, prayers or mantras.

In your name, they abhor and even kill one another. Do you provide them license to kill one another? Don’t you mind when people die? I honestly hate to admit this but I earnestly believe ‘You are being made fun of by none other than those who call themselves your true followers’. I have so far started to believe not to believe what i see, not to hear what i hear, not to know what I know. I even wish my senses stop working. I am pretty pestered by the marathon race of ‘hatred trophy’ that the world is enthusiastically taking part, it’s a long marathon, and many are to be slogged during the race. There won’t be winners or losers either as the race is never going to come to an end. (ew)

Well, I often wish/pray (read it used to), that the world is a better place to reside. I wish to see smokes flaring up from chimney pots that announces the arrival of dusk, and inside the tiny cottages (homes), the ‘moms’ cooking for her family, while the grannies telling tales to her grandchildren while Old John enjoying his cheroot at some corner of the living room, unwinding a relaxed evening like a happy contented man. Oh by the way, from our Manipur’s context, it would be simply an enticing ‘numidangwairam’ during which children return home after playing various games (such as swa, langri taang, u paibi etc) with their friends, and the ‘buboks’ narrating ‘funga waaris to her mashus’. But damn it! None of these happen these days. The world is becoming a threatened place to reside. Yes threatened is the word.Tsk Tsk! it’s a long list wish for me and maybe you will be bored to read them all. After all, you cannot even do anything at your own will right? So, I am shortening it. However, before I finally conclude, let me pass this message to you that ‘You are being fooled by your own children. So, I am bribing you not to trust them anymore through this letter’

Regards,

A confused child

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Dear All,

If you find this letter insensible, that is simply because I have lately been suffering from the pang of separation coupled with hunger. I have been surviving upon the left-over vegetables from the ‘Ema Keithel’. Those ladies were great indeed to feed me every day. Sometimes, they would offer me a sumptuous meal of freshly plucked cabbage leaves, sometimes they would feed me with love a plate a rice (mostly remnants though) Beggars can’t be choosers so, I had been satisfying my hunger with whatever food they would offer me. For my daily routines, I as usual, used to loiter around here and there in the entire Kwairambandh Keithel catching up with other Keithel buddies, sometimes leisurely taking an afternoon nap beside the ‘Maharani bridge’ until and unless those traffic polices shoo me.  Oh by the very way, let me introduce myself, I am the ‘Keithelgi Cow’ (if you remember) because I am almost historical now.  If you want me to explain myself- I am the one who has impressed every ‘Manipuri Mom’ to cite me as a classic example amongst her kids while scolding them. I was never the King of the Keithel, but I had this kingly manner and used to roam here, there, everywhere in and around the Keithel and its vicinities. Come evening, I would rush to the busiest spots in the Keithel wishing goodnight to my favourite ladies- those kind ladies who used to feed me every day with the left-over vegetables or rice. Sadly true but they don’t remember me anymore these days. They are now having their posh vendors at the newly built ‘Ema Keithel’. My heart burns in pain to see them every day but as strangers. I am a civilization-conscious cow, but I find it mindless and insensible when people change their colours like chameleon even at the faintest light or hope of civilization. Well, I bear in my heart no venomous feelings for anyone. I am infact happy for them about the new market where there are fans and tube lights as well. Sometimes, I heard annoying news about how the ceilings crack in the newly built market, but I know that is none of my business now. I got to move on, find a new sojourn for myself.

PS- If you hear about a Keithel cow mercilessly shot down by commandos somewhere at Imphal, please pray that my soul rest in peace.
Love
KC

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A famine has been affecting everyone’s life in Manipur for all these years. This famine is the most unnatural famine one has ever come across. It is ghastly, it is deadly and it can gradually ruin everything/everyone.  Intellectuals and mindless politicians are treated at par during this ongoing famine. Though the major victims are laymen- like me, like you or like everyone who is lurking or looking forward to see a better Manipur (maybe on a 32nd December eh). Our great great political leaders have given their (un)valuable opinions and (im) possible means and measures to fight this famine. And hopelessly by the end of this century or maybe next century (if there is time restraint this century), this famine shall be controlled and everything will (not) be back to normalcy. But my (dis)honest question is ‘can theoretical means fight practical problems?’ Whatever! My concern is not exactly anything I have mentioned so far.
I have a precious dream to become the first ever lady Chief (Cheap) Ministress of Manipur. I am planning to get many projects from Central Government buttering/sweet talking to those ‘achaar smelly’ lamebrains who treat us as step sons/daughters in our own country. OH! By the very way, let me mention it clearly beforehand that these projects shall benefit none but my own family and relatives. Who is anyways bothered to work free of cost for the state? Does the state exist at all (but in civics or history books)? I cannot share my remaining plans for I may become yet another endangered living creature as per some unmentionable pseudo- reformers (whatever).
Before I stop hammering my keyboard to finish this ‘whatever note’ I am typing, let me clarify the meaning of the famine I have mentioned at the opening line of this ‘whatever note’.  This famine can be anything- a famine of understanding, a famine of barbarism, a famine created out of misused law or power, a famine of unethical socio-political norms etc. etc. etc. Consider anything, give any name, but trust me this famine has but affected everyone’s life quite severely.

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By: Sanatombi Angomcha

I personally do not have any idea about the origin of chit-fund in Manipur- what we usually call ‘marup’ in Meiteilon. However, I find it one of the interesting cultural norms passed on from one generation to another since time immemorial. From my childhood’s memory bank, Leisabis (unmarried girls) used to start various chit-funds in and across the various leikais. Sometimes a fanek marup, sometimes a mompaak fidak marup or sometimes a paisa marup, I have personally come across many elderly leikai eche (s) helding many ‘marups’ on monthly basis. Ney Indira from Kshetrimayum Kolup of Wangkhei Meihoufam Lampak used to be one of the pioneer marup houbi leisabis in our leikai (as per my memory bank). I remember her visiting our koijam kolup almost every month to collect the marupki-senkhais. My mom even had two-three shares of marup that was held by ne Indira. If we minutely study the norms of marup culture in Manipur, it is an interesting and exciting subject of discussion. For an unmarried leisabi, marup is more or less a preparedness for her D-day- ‘the luhongba numit’. Luhongba Marups serve the purpose for various leisabis and their awunpot requirements. Though it would not mean much for a rich family, for a leisabi from a middle or below middle class, a luhongba marup or any marup means a lot to her as she cannot readily afford all the necessities during her ‘luhongba’.
In modern Manipur, Marup-culture has gone through various drastic changes. The essence of conventional marups has gradually faded. And there is a dearth of elderly leisabis who are keen to organize many marups. Modern chit funds are mostly official ones (held in the various offices amongst the employees mostly money-centric ones).Que sera sera, with whatever trails of this culture left behind, I am glad to associate myself with this passed-on norm of gathering up every month at a particular place, getting excited whether it would be one’s turn to take home the anticipated ‘amount or commodity’- what we call ‘marup faoba’. Once I am in Manipur, I am pretty sure to join many marups to be held amongst my ‘etas’.

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By -Sanatombi Angomcha

The beautiful ruins of the Old Kangla palace, the glorious plunk of the ‘Sana Konung’, the ever famous ‘Shamu Makhong’, the crowded ‘Ima keithel’ at Kwairambandh Bazaar, not to forget the one and only ‘Rup Mahal theatre’, the popular landmark- ‘neetyai bai chuthek’, the meandering Kanglapark brook, nostalgic Baruni hills etc. – these are some memories of ‘Old Imphal’ I am pretty fond of. Some of these have not yet been changed and I am glad for the same. However, it will never be a fallacy to admit that the essence of Old Imphal Sehar no more remains the same.

I still remember my mother relating me some memories about her college days. During her maiden days, having a bicycle was a matter of pride (or something to flaunt) whereas in our times driving a scooty or kinetic Honda became an in-demand fashion. Now kinetic Honda has again become an out fashioned vehicle replaced by Activa, Pleasure, Dio etc. From the perspective of fashion drifts, wearing a ‘bell bottom jeans/pant, jeans’ skirt’ or a dhangri pant/frock used to make us feel on top of the world. And of course the ‘Rangeela Boots’ darling, how can I forget that? If you ride a kinetic, wear any of the mentioned attires, and luckily has a pair of matching boots- the world was all yours. And mind you sweetheart, but it took only twenty rupees for an individual to join a ‘chaak chanaba’. Please note, the price rise issue at present has got nothing to do with ‘chaak chanabas’ organized by friends. I understand that money values change in due course of time. But I am excited to flaunt that just a five rupee note was enough for pocket money then. Those were indeed the best days!

Today, we can observe a drastic as well as dramatic change in the fashion and lifestyle trends of the city. The copy-pasted Korean fashion drifts in New Imphal City (amongst the teenagers) is quite a feast for our eyes. But somewhere in the deep corner of my heart, I feel sorry for these modern kids and their lifestyles (not just about the fashion trends). They have missed pretty good things of life that need no money to buy. The wannabe copy-cat trends, the early marriages, disoriented careers, drugs etc. to a great extent set the tone of Modern Imphal and they say ‘the youths are the pillar of the Nation’ Are they?

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