IMPHAL, April 6: A Road Opening Party of the 27 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) detected two suspected IEDs today while sanitizing part of the Kakching-Sugnu road, informed a press release of the PRO IGAR (S).
The statement said the suspicious IED was placed on side of a bridge near Wabagai village.
The area was immediately cordoned off and police bomb disposal squad was called who destroyed the IED, it said.
The second suspected IED was only circuitry without any explosive and was found between village waikhong & Kakching Khunou, it claimed.
Meanwhile, troops of the 41 AR of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) apprehended one individual alongwith two smoke grenades on April 5, it said.
The apprehendee has been identified as KS Lumi, 21 resident of A Kasom, Ukhrul who along with the recoveries was handed over to the Ukhrul PS, the statement said.
ARTICLES
The Colour Of Yaoshang
By Bobo Khuraijam
People and vehicles, more people – more vehicles: and more noise. Khwairamband was noisier than usual that day. Yes, it was the day before the Yaoshang festival. A festival considered to be one of the biggest festivals in the valley. The traffic was crawling with fumes and horns. It seemed the entire valley had gathered at the Khwairamband. One had to move at a snail’s pace. People were shopping as if it was the last day of shopping on the planet. And shopkeepers were making hay while the shopper’s brow was shining with sweat.
SPORTS FESTIVAL: We would say the noise during the festival is of a different noise. And many would not agree with the tag of ‘noise’ on it. “Akhoigi … Loina-loinana … Asigumlaba … Yaragadi … Hanna-hanna Ningsingjari … imagine all these flowery words flowing over the PA system from every direction all at a time. These words become ultra-stereophonic, reverberating cyclically into the ear drums punctuated by songs from the Manipuri Desk-Top Video Dramas. A Yaoshang sports is not complete without the loud speakers playing at its loudest level. No matter how colorfully you decorate the leikai club with flag and festoons, with lime powder and logos, without the loud speakers; the festival would look like a Meitei bride without make-up and jewellery. If not with the mike how are we going to let the world know the names of the individuals and the money contributed by them for the sports? Besides, one has to update the program in and around the Leikai cheerfully, complemented by a series of Tombola draws. The old and the sick near the Leikai club would have to bear with the decibels. After all, it is the Leikai Yaoshang Sports. This year saw an unprecedented turn out of local clubs along with the children who had come to get their torches kindled from the sacred fire of Kangla. The authorities permitted only four/five representatives inside the premise. And lo, we have the finest commentaries about good health, youth and sports, sports and Manipur, Kangla and Manipur etc. over the loud speakers. Not to mention that the commentaries hurt our ears when the men with the microphone started pumping rhetorical doses of Olympic vitamins. The saving grace was the children. All lined up in colorful shirts and shorts waiting for the torch, they charged the morning with vitality. It was a sight to behold. As we have pointed earlier as well. We cannot abide to the romantic claim that Yaoshang sports are bedrock for the Olympic Games. Just look around. How many of the clubs have got proper playgrounds? Don’t you let the children to run on the hard Tar surface? In its place, why not we admit it as an entertainment? An entertainment of five days; a time when Ta-da, Ma-ma, Ema-Eben and Echil-Enao mingle together with fun and frolic. The Leikai working woman Mou (s), the home maker Mou (s), Mou (s) who had just moved in, they find little time to unwind themselves. Where and when do they socialize to know each other? And the children, to find time from the rat race of school and tuitions. We believe Yaoshang sports is also a school where they could enjoy and also learn many things. We do not have words for those families who live within the high concrete walls in a Leikai, who take pride in cocooning themselves in their familial island; who discourage their children from mingling with the leikai. Prosperity be with them.
THE HUNT: for a good Thabal Chongba could be perhaps one of the important parts of Yaoshang. So many of our Leipung members have claimed that Thabal has lost its charm. There is no wholesome participation among the young. One sad member attributed it to the coming of the mobile phone. He claimed that Thabal is primarily a socially endorsed avenue where boys and girls could intermingle. In fact, a fertile ground where love and romance are born. Our songs and literature are evident to it. Now, mobile phones have snatched away that space. Gone are the days of love letters. You have instant Short Messages, any moment – anywhere. It hardly matters whether they know each other or not. Another member shared her disenchantment over the format of the Thabal itself. The music has got a sea change. We agree that it is inevitable with the changing time. Although the beat and the rhythm remains the same, the electronic instruments that have come to the fore yield loud music. But the melody of a Thabal is undeniably missing. Moreover, our ‘Gentlemen’ and ‘Ladies’ have changed drastically in fashion and outlook. Boys with their pants hanging loosely to the bottoms; visible underclothing, with metal chains attached to their pocket, s like hairstyles – perfect gentleman they are without any definition. Girls with the mandatory Phaneks, scrolled up to the knee with stockings and canvas boots. They dance without holding hands in their own style. One of our members claimed that sooner or later, it will be dicey to identify a Thabal from a discotheque. There was a Thabal when one has to dance in tandem with the Makok Chingba. Today, everyone is a Makok and they dance in their own styles – caring or knowing little of the beauty of harmony. We would say, today’s Thabal is very much a reflection of Manipur’s social milieu. Should we demand a seminar on Thabal from the Akhang-Aheis! Yes, without noise.
FOOTNOTE: We are not surprised to see a restrained security force this time in Yaoshang. We have seen them in detestable avatars in the pasts Yaoshang. The recent Yaoshang saw them taking out duties, keeping a vigil over any untoward incident in an appropriate fashion. Leipung Ningthou calls it, “Inquiry Commission gi Lichei gi Lipoon”.
“Hypertension Is A Silent Killer” “Most Common Chronic Illness In The United States”
Dr. Kshetrimayum Kala Singh
This year the World Health Day is Celebrated on 7th April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO (World Health Organisation) in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of Public health Concern in the world.
The theme for 2013 is “HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE” also known as hypertension. We call it “SILENT KILLER”.
What is high blood Pressure or Hypertension ?
Blood Pressure is merely the Pressure that the Blood exerts on the blood vessels, while circulating. It is measured with an instrument called Sphygmomanometer. The normal Blood Pressure is 119/79 mmHg. If it is 120-139/80-89 mmHg, it is Prehypertension. When it reaches 140/90 mmHg, it is called Stage 1 Hypertension.
There are two types of hypertension, Essential (Primary) & Secondary. The exact etiology of Primary is unknown and there are definitely causes in Secondary hypertension. Many factors are responsible for the Primary Cause. They are.
a) Hereditary :- Most experts believe that hereditary does play a role in causing high blood pressure.
b) Excess intake of Salt :- That an excessive intake of common salt (Sodium Chloride) elevates the blood pressure is an indisputable.
c) Mental tension and approach :- All researchers accept the role of menial tension and negative thinking in the development of blood Pressure.
d) Obesity (Excessive Weight):- The incidence of high blood Pressure is 2 ½ times more in obese than in normal personal.
e) Sedentary life :- The incidence of high blood pressure is much higher in sedentary persons than in Physical laborers.
f) Smoking :- The incidence of high blood Pressure has been found to be higher in smokers. Smokers more often fall Victims to atherosclerosis, heart attack and cerebral hemorrhages.
g) Alcohol Consumption :- The incidence of high blood pressure in drinking is 2½ times higher than that in non – drinkers.
h) Age :- High blood pressure is common in older age group.
Prevalence : One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age from 1 in 10 people in their 20s & 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. 70 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure. The global burden of hypertension is rising and Projected to affect 1.5 billion persons, one third of the world’s population by the year 2025.
In India, it was reported on 1995 from Jaipur, the incidence of Hypertension was 30% in male and 33% in female. Again on 1999 the incidence at Mumbai was 44% in male and 45% in Female. In Manipur there is no clear cut study report but many Hypertensive patients are brought to the hospitals with severe complications.
Signs and Symptoms
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it often does not produce any signs or symptoms to some patients. Patient may have headache, dizziness or nosebleeding, palpitation, muscle cramps, giddiness, burning of eyes, distended neck veins, insomnia, neck pain & vertigo. But some patients have high blood pressure for years without every knowing it. Sign and symptoms typically don’t occur until high blood pressure has advanced to a higher possibility of life threatening-stage.
Hazards of High Blood Pressure
In patients of high blood pressure the blood vessels are narrow, hard and brittle. This disorder is term atherosclerosis. Heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and cerebral haemorrhage are the natural consequences of high blood pressure. Also it shortens the life and drags its victim to a premature death.
Prevention of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is preventable and treatable. The old adage, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is especially true for high blood pressure.
• Reducing salt intake 2-4 gms/day, avoid salty foods as much as possible.
• Eating a balance diet.
• Avoiding harmful use of alcohol.
• Taking regular physical activity at least 1 hr per day.
• Avoid tobacco use.
• Control Blood cholesterol and blood sugar.
• Sound sleep at night. Sleep 2 hrs gap after dinner.
The ultimate goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes
The books that made it!
By Tinky Ningombam
“We live for Books” said Umberto Eco once and how right he was, even for small time bibliomaniacs like me. Of course, my work and my daily internet obsession leaves little time for me to finish a book a day (sic) but I try to read at least once before I hit the sack. Indeed, what better sleeping draughts than the flipping of fresh pages. So like all book-lovers, I love to have my bedside constantly filled with a fresh lot of books that I would doze off with and maybe manage to complete before they dog-ear to shatters.
For me novels have been a constant companion and have offered me solace many a times when everything else failed to reconcile my wandering mind. I believe in the power of the word, that there is no book from which we do not learn a thing. But for my biased love I will add that a book will always hold a deeper meaning for you and will surprise you with greater truths every time you read it anew.
All book-lovers will fondly recount the phenomenal books that have shaped the person they are today. And even though it is a never ending list, I will take you through the 10 books that I fondly recall as the most memorable in my life till now.
#1 The Bible
Brought up in a Christian school like Nirmalabas, I started reading excerpts from the Bible and monthly series of stories of biblical characters. Besides being fascinated by the simple anecdotes and the grand narrative of the birth of life as we know it, I could connect to the concept of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost in a more metaphysical level than was deemed possible in my tiny head. For me, my existential questions about “why we came to this world?” and “what happens next?” seemed to have been answered in the testaments that I would gingerly brush through. What happened in the next 10 agnostic years have surely made me unlearn most of it but fundamentally this was a book that made me believe in the fear of evil and the triumph of the good.
#2 As you Like it – Shakespeare
Shakespeare came to me like a blessing in disguise. My sheer love of all things Shakespeare lead me to borrow the graphic abridged version of the play “As you like it” in my eight grade and this is when I discovered my love for the liberal arts and the art of performance.
“All the world`s a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts …”
#3 The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead succeeded all my young obsessions. I found true love in the guise of Howard Roark, the genius architect who would not compromise on his artistic creativity and “stood against the world” defending his singular purpose of life that he believed in : the idealistic worship of the heroic human spirit –
“…Look at history. Everything thing we have, every great achievement has come from the independent work of some independent mind. Every horror and destruction came from attempts to force men into a herd of brainless, soulless robots. Without personal rights, without personal ambition, without will, hope, or dignity. It is an ancient conflict. It has another name: the individual against the collective”.”
#4 The Shadow Lines – Amitav Ghosh
My first year in college introduced me to a host of amazing Indian writers, Amitav Ghosh being one of them. Through the story of the protagonist, I found myself asking the same questions of self-identity and like him went through a self-introspection of my own indigenous roots.
#5 Through the Looking Glass – Lewis Caroll
I have always loved Alice but this book reached the deep recesses of my mind and struck a chord in the interrogative and questioning child in me. And unlike what others like to believe it to be, as a simple child’s story-book in the stories of Alice in Wonderland, this book held innumerous puzzles and deeper meanings. Many believe that the author intended it to be encrypted and unraveled only with clues that each reader would unveil. Suddenly I too wanted to be “not understood in my own lifetime”. Being mysterious and cryptic was never this alluring and I started seeing more of me in Alice and more of Alice in me. And honestly hoped that my life should be someone else’ dream.
#6 The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
`And, when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.` The first time I read the book, it brought so many beautiful insights that I had overlooked in life. More anecdotal and preachy than others, this story of the boy Santiago of finding his symbolic destiny managed to leave behind optimistic thoughts about human life and the spiritual and cosmic realities that we constantly question.
“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked.
“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.”
#7 The Awakening – Kate Chopin
Edna Pontellier is an obedient wife and mother but through the book, she begins to unravel her inner self to find the independent distinctive female voice that she had stifled for years. This classic story of her strong character and the re-discovery of herself should be every feminist’s favorite. This definitely became mine.
#8 The Secret – Rhonda Bryne
More a self-help book, this book talks about how “like attracts like” and that people can attract whatever they desire into their lives, be it fame, success or happiness. For me, it created the seed for an optimistic path for personal goal-setting. While many critics opposed the idea of an easy route to success and an exaggeration of the power of will, if read with clear reasoning The Secret manages to build positive thoughts for a better day to look ahead to.
#9 1984- George Orwell
If Pink Floyd gets inspired from Orwell, there can be no buts about it. 1984 is coined as the masterpiece that killed Orwell and uncannily so, I do believe that it would be hard predecessor to top with another book. The book is set in a dystopian society called Oceania which is terrorized by a totalitarian regime and by the all-pervasive “Big Brother”. It is the beauty of this world and the impossible fight of the righteous against oppression that grips the hearts of the million fans such as me, who even though in the grim ambience of the novel finds hope in the one voice that stands up against it.
#10 The Book of Laughter and Forgetting – Milan Kundera
If George Orwell and Gabriel García Márquez had evoked my love for social satire and magic realism, Kundera managed to impress the amicable bright-eye imaginative rebel that I pride myself to be. Kundera’s book was strange and yet fascinating that it left a question mark that I can only answer when I read more of him. For him laughter was ironically the most bitter form of human emotion and “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting”.
(Tinky is an avid experimental reader but has a fond weakness for murder mystery novels and conspiracy theories. She also has the annoying habit of judging other readers by their choice of books, however discreetly.)
The Hidden Truth
By M.C. Linthoingambee
How often do we find ourselves searching for the truth and end up being clueless? “Very often”, would seem likely as an answer. In an occasion, I find myself as lame witness to a group of people protesting in front of Mr. B’s (a doctor) house. On being inquired, the people said the doctor end up the life of an innocent baby, result being “Medical Negligence” or was it what it really was? In our society, the general mass turns a blind eye on the aspect of investigation and often jumps to hefty conclusions playing judges to their own assumptions. The principle of serving justice seems a connotation of a silent whisper where we very much fail to understand the legal backdrop. So, here are some aspects that can help decide the matter. If you ever find yourself a victim to a case of “Medical Negligence”, remember there are always two sides to a story. So both sides will be presumed innocent until proven guilty whether it is the medical practitioner or the patient who would be termed as a consumer, being a person who has acquired service from a doctor. In a general sense, this case is the result of a mistake or a fatal error done by the medical practitioner causing injury or harm to the patient resulting in some irreparable loss.
Pertaining to a legal knowhow, this particular clause is dealt under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 terming patients as “Consumers” under Section (1) (g) and the services so rendered by a medical practitioner under the provisions of Section (1) (o). In minimum facilities so far available in our state, Manipur holds trials at the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Sangaiprou coming into existence fulfilling a State’s necessity, pertaining to the complaints of the general consumers although it is not necessary to limit such claims to this Forum only, cases of the same nature may follow suit even in the Civil or the Criminal Courts. While dealing so, a case comes into occurrence in matters of Hina (name changed) versus. Sandhya (name changed) and Sonia (name changed)., bearing in no relation to a real life incident. Let us assume Sandhya as a certified nurse although only certified to assist a real medical practitioner; she was practicing independently and even had a clinic in her name. In the course of events, Hina, being pregnant for seven months and twenty—five days, had been due for delivery at the so called Clinic, where she visited regularly. Hina was rushed over to the clinic managed by Sandhya following Hina’s complaint of the minor pains she suffered, hearing so, several injections were administered and in the course of such so called malpractice, Hina had to have a pre mature delivery. Since Sandhya did not have the necessary equipments to deliver the baby, she brought Hina to her friend Sonia, a senior nurse in her department. And thereafter, as a result of the perquisites of the condition the two nurses started treating Hina without medical know-how, resulting lost a lot of blood and finally the baby was lost. Luckily, Hina survived, blamed the two nurses and a suit came into existence.
When such an action arises, we are at a lost not being able to judge the results. And hence, so forth a lawyer comes into the picture in the hope of delivering justice to both sides. Here, the various issues would be to determine whether the two nurses were guilty of their act, upto what range are they liable for their actions, was it right for them to take matters to themselves, is it right in Sandhya opening up a clinic to practice independently, etc. Although properly abiding by law, it is also more or less a great impact to look at the social predicaments and so the judge provoked the nurse to cease from maintaining an independent clinic and so compensation was also rewarded to Hina for all the torment she faced on both mental and physical terms. The general outlook seems easy since the story tells a job well done.
A complainant, a person filing the complaint is given an entire setback of responsibilities resulting from the first outlook of “Burden of Proof,” wherein the complainant has to prove that the other party has caused due injury as a result of a reason. Determining a right or a wrong is not an easy task, so Firstly, we can start by advising that in medical negligence whosoever, has any complaint/grievance against a medical practitioner must consult someone who is actually an expert in the same field.
But if the actions had so occurred in the face of a certified medical practitioner, a doctor or within the boundaries of a hospital one must firstly go to the Medical Superintendent (M.S) of that Hospital where the patient was admitted with a copy of the complaint to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of her area. And if the concerned hospital does not reply to the same then that is where the Medical Councils step in. The patient may first approach the State Medical Council of her residence in free of cost. And if so however, the patient finds their reply unsatisfactory then the Medical Council of India (MCI) comes into rescue where they charge a fee of Rs. 500/- as processing fee. If the complaint is to be made for something criminal in nature then, the patient can also file a complaint with the Local Police Station near her residence where an opinion of an expert will be called for to further examine the case. So, even though the Judge makes the final call, the judgment faces trial in the hands of further practitioners in the particular field of medical sciences.
By now, the victims to the result of “Medical Negligence” has increased terribly and so there are only some who are heard of otherwise, the others just poof up the smoke validating their non-existence. Today, our democratically led government should try to fill up these gaps and have a better environment calling safety measures for health. And therefore, the story ends.
(M.C. Linthoingambee is an undergraduate pursuing B.Com. LL.B(H). An avid blogger, poet, a seasonal artist and a foodie, she is also a life member to the Indian Society of the Red Cross.)
Joint Cultural Event At Bangalore
By Pinky Okram
Holi is the only festival which brings happiness and smile within us. All over India, Holi is been celebrated wonderfully. Colorful faces are extremely happy. But most of the people does not know why Holi is celebrated, therefore for those who are interested to know I m giving few information here.
The celebration of Holi is very ancient in its origin. And by its very origin, it celebrates an ultimate triumph of the `good` over the `evil`. While, a feast of colors associated with the Holi, is the face of this celebration, the original reason of celebrating Holi, lies in its soul. And this gives us the `why` of this ancient festival. Literally “Holi” signifies “burning” in Indian language. But, how it came to be associated with ‘burning’ is a story. The reference is found only in ancient Indian mythology. And it is the legend of Hiranyakashipu, to whom the celebration of Holi is associated.
Way back in the pre-Christian era, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India. He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother. The brother, also a demon, had been killed by Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme trios, monitoring the life and death in the universe, (according to the Hindu belief). To take on Vishnu, the tyrant king wanted to become the king of the heaven, earth and the underworld. He performed severe penance and prayer for many years to gain enough power. Finally he was granted a boon. Powered by the boon, Hiranyakshipu thought he had become invincible. Arrogant, he ordered all in his kingdom to worship him, instead of God. The demon king, however, had a very young son, named Prahalad. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Despite his father`s order, Prahalad continued to pray to Vishnu. So the demon king wanted to kill his son. He asked the favor of his sister Holika who, because of a boon, was immune to fire. They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death. A pyre was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad. Yet, at the end Prahalad emerged unscathed by the fire, And Holika, the demon, was burned to ashes. The earnest devotion and complete submission to Lord Vishnu saved young Prahlad. Thus was the triumph of Prahlad, the representative of good spirits. Thus, defeated Holika. Later, even the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu. But that is quite a different story. It is from Holika, that the Holi originated. This legend is relived even today on the Holi-eve when the pyre is re-lit in the form of bonfires. Even today, people celebrate this occasion. Huge bonfires are lit up every year on the eve of the full moon night of the Holi to burn the spirit of the evils. Hence the story associated with the soul of the celebration.
Now, let us look into the face of it. How did the celebration of Holi assume a colorful face? Well, it is linked to yet another legend, the legends of Krishna. Though of much later origin, still, it was in the pre-Christian era. According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of lord Vishnu himself. It was Krishna, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularized the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna. It all came up as part of his pranks; he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan. Situated in north India, these are the places where he spent his childhood. It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away. And, it did not take long for other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village. Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colors to Krishna`s legendary love life. The legend of Krishna`s courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the `Gopi`s. The girls in the `dairy` village of Gokul were mostly milkmaids, and, hence locally known as the Gopis. The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent.
Hope this short information helped you to know why exactly Holi is celebrated. Everybody deserves to know the origin and I have done a bit of mine. Holi (Yaosang) is also celebrated by Manipuries in Bangalore. The heartfelt credit goes to Manipuri Meitei association Bangalore (MMAB) And Bangalore Manipuri Student association (BMSA). Yaosang Sport was held on 24th feb, 2013 at Country Club Lakeside, Anekal Taluk, Attibele Hobli, Geddannahalli, Bangalore. All types of sports were held for women, men and children namely chaphu thugai bi, Marbal race, thouri chingnabi, football, music chair, Carom, Chess, race for different categories etc. At the end of the day prizes were distributed to the winners. On 30th, March 2013, Joint Cultural event was held and it was organized by the same above mentioned Associations at Sirur Park, Opposite to Mantri Mall, Bangalore. Mr. Ginesh Gundu Rao, MLA of Ganghi Nagar Constituency Bangalore, Dr. W. Bhudhendra Singh and Mr Umesh babu, Ganhi Ngar youth congress president were the chief guest, president and guest of honor of the event respectively. Cultural dance performed by Sony Nongmaithem was amazing. The newly form Bangalore Manipur Student`s members were introduced to the crowd present on the day. The last program of the event was the only most eagerly awaited program, which is the “Grand Thabal Thongba”. Chief guest Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated the Thabal and all the beautiful ladies and gentlemen joined along with him. When the Music started for a moment we forgot, we are in Bangalore. The homely feeling was all around. Small kids were running here and there. Ladies with beautiful cultural dresses were looking stunning.
All of us had a magical night; we were surrounded with the happiness which we deserve. The emptiness of missing home was filled with all homely feelings for few hours. Thanks to all the concern persons who have made this day possible?
Book Review: Amanba Yum
By Dr Th.Munindro Singh, Director Planning, Govt. Of Manipur
I have been reading Dr Th. Munindro’s ‘Amanba Yum’, his own collection of Poems, for some months now. May be I am not an anthologist or a poet myself, but I do have a taste for poems that provoke my heart and soul; that awaken me; that reminds me of things that is sleeping into oblivion. To confess, I am not a mad fan of poems and have never collected them regularly except when I am recommended and referred to. But, one reason I like to read poems is to understand the ‘cause’ of the poem that turns me on as I just said earlier .
Yes, the cause of the poem! In 19 century, Victor Hugo’s cause for his poem was mostly ‘freedom’ e.g. The Grave and the Rose; W.B.Yeats about ‘Irish Nationalism’ e.g. A Dream of Deaths; and Rabindranath Tagor for ‘freedom and liberty, Indian nationalism’, e.g. The Geetanjali. Among the contemporary international poets, Billy Collins poems in ‘Candle Hat’ are interesting for his random thoughts, plain and simplicity. Not to forget to mention is Elizabeth Alexander’s poems, Autumn Passage that bristle with irresistible quality of a world seen fresh. Last but not the least I also like the poems written by Dr Daisaku Ikeda of Japan, ‘Like the Sun rising’ and Dr Robert Schuler of USA, ‘God Always Answers Prayers’, for their works that uplift my entire being completely to a different state.
Due to my work and life situation, I have not had the good fortune of reading and absorbing many of colourful Manipuri poems, both classical and contemporary. But, solely on my own reflection and experience of few that I had read long ago, I found this own collections of poems by Dr Munindro a fascinating manifestation of his own perspective of life; ‘the cause of a life’ in essence. To read with understanding, the peculiar personal, historical and philosophical contexts of Dr Munindro and Manipur are essential for a greater appreciation of the poems. His poems was born out when the left brain meets the right brain: Dr Munindro, a mathematician, the incumbent planning director of Manipur, wrote his heart out in a creative poem, ‘Amanba Yum’, in his own self reflection about the ‘life’ our society , our people and our environment.
The poet ooze out his heart against the defilement of what he saw as culturally and socially vital, and which came to form a vision of personal dissonance with the characters of his time. Dr Munindro’s poem shows the evolution, underneath the surface of Manipur’s society, that is loosening the fabrics of our culture and the bonds that should be, all for the cause of ‘harmonious’ society, environment and life everyone is entitled to. Manipur, a harmonious state, is what we need now. The poet, solemnly, yet very indirectly cries for this cause with great mild intensity and passion. To some readers, this may sound un-spirited, dull or lifeless, but to me the very cause of the collection is to say what it is, at the least it captures my imagination this way.
The poet, perhaps, felt very little about the need to use conventional rules of writing a poem as his instinct was to go uninterrupted, undisturbed and say simply what he wanted to say. Breaking the law of classical rules for poetry writing, Dr Munindro has presented his sublime thoughts in a most unconventional but kind of contemporary form. Every poem lovers must try this collection for a different taste of unconventional, contemporary poetries; there is a unique music in it still: a fusion of logic and creativity.