Two UG cadres surrender
IMPHAL, Jun 17: An active cadre of KCP, identified as SS Maj Angom Ibochouba alias Punshiba alias Shelungba s/o Ibomcha Singh of Moirang, Bishnupur district surrendered to the troops of Red Shield Division at Moirang Khunou with a .32 mm Pistol and two .....
Heart camp
IMPHAL, Jun 17: A five-day long heart camp organised by Sky Hospital and Research Centre in association with Manipur Heart Foundation at the hospital concluded today. Altogether 250 heart patients including 35 children between one to 10 years were exam.....
Two officers suspended in controversial Moreh land deal
IMPHAL, Jun 17 : In connection with the controversial sale of 160 acres of land located near Kondong Lairembi complex, Moreh to the Assam Rifles, SDC Ibohal and Assistant Settlement Officer Imocha have been suspended from service. This was stated by Re.....
Manipur PMT fiasco AG fails to produce SC verdict before Court
Imphal, Jun 17 : Even as the State Cabinet recently cancelled the current year’s PMT citing a Supreme Court’s verdict issued on May 15, the State Advocate General could not produce a copy of the same when the matter was heard before the Manipur high C.....
Process on for visa on arrival at Moreh
IMPHAL, Jun 17: Indian authorities have initiated due process for opening an office for issuing visa on arrival to Myanmarese nationals coming to Manipur through Moreh, particularly those coming for medical treatment. According to an official source, .....
Decks Cleared To Pay Fitting Homage To Martyrs Of June 18 Traffic arrangement for June 18 laid down
IMPHAL, Jun 17: In order to ensure smooth traffic regulation, SP Imphal West District has made some arrangements for the commuters on June 18. On the other hand, volunteers joined hands in sprucing up Kekrupat where homage would be paid to the martyrs .....
Ministry reshuffle effected Kharge made Railways Minister, 8 inducted as Ministers
New Delhi, Jun 17 : In perhaps the last reshuffle and expansion of the Union Council of Ministers, Mallikarjun Kharge was today made the Railways Minister as eight more were inducted with veterans Sis Ram Ola and Oscar Fernandes making a comeback. Aft.....
State to have own medical council
IMPHAL, June 17: Manipur will soon have its own medical council. Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing informed the House on Monday that approval for setting up of state medical council has been given to the State Government and efforts are underway to .....
Army not misusing AFSPA: Parnaik
Udhampur Jun 17 : Insisting that the revocation of AFSPA might put at stake the “fragile” peace existing in Jammu and Kashmir, Army today said it has given advice to the Centre on the issue and it was for the government to take a call. “It is a m.....
Bandh against ‘taxes’
DIMAPUR, Jun 17: Unable to bear the rampant imposition of ‘taxes’ on the business community and also on the general public any longer, the denizens of Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland are all set to enforce a bandh on June 18 from 6 am to 6 pm......
New recruits to add to man power
IMPHAL, Jun 17: The State Government is planning to make up security shortfalls in hill districts by chalking out an adjustment formula once the recruitment process of 2000 police personnel is completed. Taking part in the discussion of demands at the .....
AITSA demands
IMPHAL, Jun 17: The All India Tribal Students’ Association, (AITSA) Delhi, a branch of the Mongoloid Peoples Forum, Delhi, has termed the deliberate sale of application forms for PMT exam for the session 2013-2014 by the Directorate of Health Services, .....
Capital punishment
IMPHAL, Jun 17: The JAC constituted against the gang-rape of an u-morok trader has demanded that the culprits be awarded capital punishment. The trial Court convicted four accused persons in the case on June 12. The Court will announce the quantum o.....
Ramlal Paul HSS
IMPHAL, Jun 17: The Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School Students’ Union has opposed the State Government’s move to admit students of TG Higher Secondary School at the school. It may be mentioned that the State Government decided to turn Ramlal Paul.....
Hongmahn refutes
IMPHAL, Jun 17: Reacting to the allegations raised by the chief of Thingjang village and which was published in the June 15 edition of this paper, the Hongmahn (Khongbal) Tangkhul Village Authority has clarified that the land which the Thingjang village c.....
The politics in name: Myanmar versus Burma
A three-day long of the 22nd World Economic Forum for East Asia concluded on June 7 in Nay Pyi Taw. It was the first time Myanmar hosted an international gathering of such magnitude. The event was attended by around 900 participants from over 50 countries.....
Solar Power in Manipur
Editor’s note : This article is being repeated as the one published earlier contained a number of erraneous figures, particularly with reference to the power units, brought about by the change in the character of the words once it was transferred to our.....
Frequently asked questions on blood donation-III
28. What are benefits of voluntary blood donation? a. General benefits: * Blood donation a goodwill act, one of the noblest and selfless of all deeds. After donation you experience a feeling of contentment saving somebody’s life the feeli.....
Dust kicked up by peace processes Politics of ceasing hostility
Ceasing hostility followed by negotiation. So is this the beginning of the journey towards a solution ? In political speak, the answer will undoubtedly be a big yes but take a closer look and the answer may not be this simple. An example of politics not e.....
Sit in
IMPHAL, Jun 17: As part of the agitation demanding the enforcement of ILPS in the State, a sit in was held today at Nongmeibung Bazar. The demonstration was organised jointly by Eastern Students' Club, Nongmeibung and Nongmeibung Women Development Meir.....
Manipur Masala
By : Sanatombi Angomcha
The return of the native
There is not a slightest intention to plagiarise Thomas Hardy’s characters or plots through my column. It’s just a name of his work that I have borrowed otherwise the entire content is but a narrowed version of my own views about returning home after several years of a self-imposed exile.
Well, many of us know not the reason(s) why we are not reluctant to decide on something that has a close connection with our heart. We just make the decision sans any second thought about how or what its impact would be. I did make one such decision — to return home, leaving many lucrative career opportunities and amenities of the capital city. Many ask me if I have found a decent job back in Imphal; many also ask me if I am finally tying the knots. I find it funny yet appreciate their intention to know my relocation plan at home.
Life in a metropolitan city like Delhi is perhaps something that many people, especially from small towns, fancy about. When you have time and money you can buy ‘fun’ in a big city. Yes I mean it. I am not sure about happiness but fun comes at an affordable rate. The night life or day life, there is always something for someone in this city. From the gardens to the various historical monuments, from a gamut of eating outlets to clubs and pubs, one has a plethora of choices when it comes to unwinding a good time. And if that’s not enough, fairs and festivals are frequently held throughout the year. People can choose and select their own menu of having fun. I must admit that people lead a vibrant lifestyle here.
The twist of the entire tale is in the irony of staying here. Despite all the facilities and technologies we are availed of, most of us end up with an empty feeling at the end of the day in the metro. We feel as if we are on a paid-exile that only accentuates the nostalgia of home. It is also a matter of luck to find good friends or companions in the city. People whom you have known for quite a long time change their colour like chameleons. And mind me, telling this, that it is true that if you have the dough, friends swarm around you. Let me put it this way: ‘Feeraal mamai chumlingei marup waatey meeramlenda (khoiradi khangde)”.
The scenario back in our state is a complete contrast to the one in Delhi. Life starts at 4 AM and ends almost at 4 PM. During weekends or on special occasions, there is hardly any place where friends and families can have a good time. Besides the special premiere shows at BOAT, for example, there isn’t any nice movie theatre that screens evening shows. We know clearly, for there are only a few ways, how we can plan to spend quality time, such as feasting, sightseeing and visits to the new-fangled eco-parks; otherwise, there isn’t a life back in our hometown.
Compare and contrast the life in a metropolitan city and the life in Manipur. Even if there are glaring issues that make life so dull, the latter has got the better edge for the time being and that’s why I am relocating away from Delhi. However, I am not really sure how long this decision is going to last. I may get pestered by my own plans and may head for some other city or country in the near future. I may get used to everything and even become immune to the ennui or brouhaha, which marks our life at home. It’s like a test drive of a new vehicle. If I like the test drive, I will plan to stay forever. If not, I will pack my bags and leave for some other destination.
Come rain or shine, I am mentally prepared for everything in store for me in Kangleipak that includes load shedding, long queues at petrol pumps, the accident-prone potholes, untimely flood, cheap bomb blasts etc. As I earlier mentioned, I don’t know why I am no more reluctant to be a part of the ennui or dismantled sense of happiness at home. I am, at times, tempted to give up the relocation plan. But my temptation has been conquered; I have already packed my bags. My last word for Delhi (in a typical manner) is that I have miles to go before I sleep.
PS: Adios Delhi and Hola Kangleipak!
Anantaraj
Same condition here....5+ years in Kolkata...want to go home...leave louraga marak marakta chatpasidi pellaktre...maybe one day hope to return home PERMANENTLY.........
Zen
refreshing article in quite a long time , kudos Chanu. Yaifarasanu
