H. Dongminthang Simte
The Author:
H. Dongminthang Simte, Matriculation: 1984 (CT High School), P. U. C : 1986 (CCpur Govt. College), B. A. Pol. Sc. (Hons) : 1990 (Ramjas College, D. U), M. A. ( Pol. Sc.): 1992 (D. U), Service: Inspector, Income Tax (1993), Promoted to Income Tax Officer (2001), Married: 1995 (one son and one daughter), With ZCF (D): As per record of ZCF, Present Add. 111-A, L-2, DDA Flats, Kalkaji, New Delhi – 19, Permanent Add (Parents): Sim Veng, CCpur. He is the former Secretary of the Zomi Christian Fellowship, Delhi.
I feel greatly privilege to have been invited by the Editorial Board to contribute an article for the Silver Jubilee Souvenir. Having been associated with the ZCF for s decade or so, I take this opportunity to jot down a few lines by taking a trip down the memory lane.
The Genesis:
I feel greatly privilege to have been invited by the Editorial Board to contribute an article for the Silver Jubilee Souvenir. Having been associated with the ZCF for s decade or so, I take this opportunity to jot down a few lines by taking a trip down the memory lane.
The Genesis:
Conscious of our common identical genesis and understanding the complexity of living in a multi-facet metropolitan city like Delhi, our pioneers started the Zomi Fellowship (the word Christian was later added) in 1982. Initially, a more or less weekly evening prayer meeting of a handful of persons, the fellowship has grown in number and strength over the years. Crossing the imagination of our founding fathers, the member had increased by leaps and bounds and within a decade of its commencement, it reached it zenith in the beginning of 1990s. Afterwards, it began to tumble leaving behind the sterner stuff who should be able to withstand the wind of secession.
The Pinnacle:
The Pinnacle:
The end of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s witnessed a large-scale influx of our people to Delhi in search of greener pastures and better education driven by either pull or push factors or both. This had far-reaching consequences on the future course of ZCF. Until the late 1980s, ZCF was more or less a household gathering, meeting in few numbers on Sunday in one house after another facilitated by some generous persons except on special occasions like Advent Christmas or Freshers’ Meet when members flocked in a big number. The beginning of the last decade of the 20th century, however, changed the landscape of the ZCF tremendously. Since then, the ZCF has been meeting in a Church, in the real sense of the term, in a big central located Church Building at Parliament Street, which continues until today. Credit for finding such a good place should go to Pu T Gwite, IPS retired, Pu P Gangte and Pu LT Ngaihte who always kept a watchful eyes for such a place, which could accommodate the growing numbers. After this, there was no looking back for the ZCF.
I can recall, in a twinkling of an eye, some of the unfading fond memories of those days: our beloved advisor, Pu T. Gwite skillfully playing on his key-board while Ngaihman was presenting her sweet numbers; the large gatherings on the days of advent Christmas and Freshers’ Meet when spirit of love and affection was being exchanged which made one feel ‘home away from home’ followed by a grand feast; the Christmas rendezvous at Pu L.T. Ngaihte’s residence with the whole night community singing(leengkhawm) to name a few, were, which marked those days that were gone by. Unfortunately, these things became things of the past. It was the ZCF that was! I call this period as the ‘Golden Period’ in the history of the ZCF when the pinnacle of the fellowship was reached, not in terms of what historians called it but in terms of the INCLUSIVESNESS of the fellowship when everyone could called it as his / her own. Recalling of those days cannot but make one feel nostalgic and void.
The Exodus:
I can recall, in a twinkling of an eye, some of the unfading fond memories of those days: our beloved advisor, Pu T. Gwite skillfully playing on his key-board while Ngaihman was presenting her sweet numbers; the large gatherings on the days of advent Christmas and Freshers’ Meet when spirit of love and affection was being exchanged which made one feel ‘home away from home’ followed by a grand feast; the Christmas rendezvous at Pu L.T. Ngaihte’s residence with the whole night community singing(leengkhawm) to name a few, were, which marked those days that were gone by. Unfortunately, these things became things of the past. It was the ZCF that was! I call this period as the ‘Golden Period’ in the history of the ZCF when the pinnacle of the fellowship was reached, not in terms of what historians called it but in terms of the INCLUSIVESNESS of the fellowship when everyone could called it as his / her own. Recalling of those days cannot but make one feel nostalgic and void.
The Exodus:
As if the law of diminishing returns or utility was operating in the case of ZCF as well, the atmosphere of common brother was short-lived which started withdrawing from the common fold. In fact, the late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed the mushrooming of various students organisations in Delhi which provided the fertile ground for the subsequent sprouting up of various fellowships/ churches based on tribe, language (or dialect) and denomination as is the practice in the home state. This was followed by the exodus of one group after another from the main fellowship. This happened despite the fact that it runs anti- thesis to Christian teachings and the crying in agony of Christ on the cross. Thus, the original purpose of the founding fathers for a common ground is thwarted. Some people call this as the price of number as the number has grown so much so that it reached the unmanageable limits.
There is, however something deeper inside to be reflected upon rather than seeing at its face value. Why had all these things happened? Is it because the leaders of those days had not done what they ought to have done or had done what they ought not to have done? Or is it because narrow parochialism, denominationalism or linguistic chauvinism over-rides Christ teachings on the Mount Olive? Or is it because of a sense of insecurity being prevailed among the people? Or are we more concerned with the name than its value?
The attempt here is neither to point accusing fingers at somebody nor provides the answer to these questions. The answer lies with each one on the basis of one’s inclination and way of thinking which one is subscribed to. At best, it is complacently called as the ZCF becoming of age which like a mother (tree) has started bearing children (fruits) and enabling them to establish their own homes (branches). At worst, it exposes our real Colors willing to serve SELF before others. Old habits die hard. The bottom-line is that we are still what we are irrespective of where we are. This is a sad moment in the history of the ZCF and a sad commentary on it.
The survival:
There is, however something deeper inside to be reflected upon rather than seeing at its face value. Why had all these things happened? Is it because the leaders of those days had not done what they ought to have done or had done what they ought not to have done? Or is it because narrow parochialism, denominationalism or linguistic chauvinism over-rides Christ teachings on the Mount Olive? Or is it because of a sense of insecurity being prevailed among the people? Or are we more concerned with the name than its value?
The attempt here is neither to point accusing fingers at somebody nor provides the answer to these questions. The answer lies with each one on the basis of one’s inclination and way of thinking which one is subscribed to. At best, it is complacently called as the ZCF becoming of age which like a mother (tree) has started bearing children (fruits) and enabling them to establish their own homes (branches). At worst, it exposes our real Colors willing to serve SELF before others. Old habits die hard. The bottom-line is that we are still what we are irrespective of where we are. This is a sad moment in the history of the ZCF and a sad commentary on it.
The survival:
Despite all odds and falls, the ZCF has survived. And it must. However, in order to not only survive but continue as a viable and effective instrument of God’s ministry, the fellowship has to re-orient itself with renewed vigor. The beginning of the 21st century has witnessed the ZCF being re-oriented itself into a full- scale Christian ministry. The engagement of a full-time Pastor is a case in point which is a move in the right direction. The ZCF has to not only survive as a symbol of a socio- culturally homogeneous groups of people but also as a symbol of a universal fellowship/church which is willing to reach the un-reach and providing new hope to the hopeless. The focus should be more on evangelization and soul- winning while edifying the saints. It is the ‘Sine quanon’ for its survival and continuity and is the ‘raison d etre’ of every Christian organisation. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come”. 1 Tim.4:8. Gospel alone can heal our dying land. It is the crying need of the hour. Herein lies our survival and revival.
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