Mother’s Day Special: Dedicated to My Mother with her elder sister

My Mom with her Elder sister

THY NAME IS MOTHER

M - is for the million things she gave me,
O - means only that she's growing old,
T - is for the tears she shed to save me,
H - is for her heart of purest gold,
E - is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
R - means right, and right she'll always be.

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.
-Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
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Some Motherly Advice...

Always change your underwear; you never know when you'll have an accident.
Don't make that face or it'll freeze in that position.
Be careful or you'll put your eye out.
What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?
You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes!
Close that door! Were you born in a barn?
If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Don't put that in your mouth; you don't know where it's been!
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MORE THAN A MOTHER

When God set the world in place,when He hung the stars up in space,when He made the land and the sea,then He made you and me.
He sat back and saw all that was good,He saw things to be as they should.Just one more blessing He had in store;He created a mother, but whatever for?
He knew a mother would have a special placeto shine His reflection on her child's face.A mother will walk the extra milejust to see her children smile.She'll work her fingers to the boneto make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,a mother will stay right by your side.She'll be there through your pain and strife,she'll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping handuntil you have the strength to stand.She'll pick you up when you are down,when you need a friend she'll stick around.A mother is one who listens well,will keep her word; will never tell.A mother never pokes or priesbut stands quietly by your side,giving you the strength you need,encouraging you to succeed.A mother is one who can be strongwhen you need someone to lean on.
You're more than a mother to me;a reflection of Him in your face I see,a love that knows no boundaries.I'm glad that you chose to beall this and more to me.You share a love that knows no end,you're more than my mother,you are my friend.
~By Kari Keshmiry~

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MOTHER

If I could give you diamondsfor each tear you cried for me.if I could five you sapphiresfor each truth you’ve helped me see.If I could give you rubiesfor the heartache that you’ve knownIf I could give you pearlsfor the wisdom that you’ve shown.
Then you’ll have a treasure, mother,that would mount up to the skiesThat would almost matchthe sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,As I’m sure you’re well awareSo I’ll give you gifts more preciousMy devotion, love and care.
~Author Unknown~
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AS I LOOK BACK...

As I look back on my lifeI find myself wondering...Did I remember to thank youfor all that you have done for me?
For all of the times you were by my sideto help me celebrate my successesand accept my defeats?
Or for teaching me the value of hard work,good judgement, courage, and honesty?
I wonder if I've ever thanked youfor the simple things...The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?
If I have forgotten to express my gratitudeFor any of these things,I am thanking you now...and I am hoping that you've known all along,how very much you are loved and appreciated.
~Author Unknown~
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SAYINGS AND QUOTES

"God could not be everywhereand therefore he made mothers."~Jewish proverb~
"Of all the rights of women,the greatest is to be a mother."~By Lin Yutang~
"The heart of a mother is a deep abyssat the bottom of which you will alwaysfind forgiveness."~By Honore' de Balzac (1799-1850)~
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."~By Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)~
"Youth fades; love droops,the leaves of friendship fall;A mother's secret hope outlives them all."~By Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)~
"The joys of motherhoodare never fully experienceduntil the children are in bed."~~Author Unknown.~~

Where Is Manipur?

Ambika Nepram *

When for the first time I came out from Imphal for my higher studies way back in 2001- when I introduced myself to the new people I met in the hostel and elsewhere, the most common(and irritating) question people asked me when I said that I was from Imphal or Manipur was - WHERE IS MANIPUR?

I was surprised rather shocked that people elsewhere doesn't know MANIPUR. How possibly wouldn't they know a state which is a part of India? I used to think that time - maybe their knowledge concerning the geography of India or whatever was very poor.

(From my younger days, I knew all the states of India and the various capitals and important places). But I had this feeling of embarrassment and a feeling of sadness that filled my heart whenever people posed me with that question. I faced everything with a smile explaining them where Manipur is.

At present, I am doing my management course (MBA) and in my 2nd semester. In the 1st semester, we had a subject called Indian Society where the author has written a topic on the North Eastern states of India. When we were discussing the issues about the north-east, all the facts and problems concerning about the north-eastern states (where most people were ignorant) and Manipur came up.

I was quite embarrassed in front of the whole class though I had my own say about all the problems existing in Manipur. Incidentally, the teacher who was teaching us the subject happened to be the author of the same book and he had approached me to give him new insights and if I can, to write something more about Manipur and the north east and give it to him so that he can add in his next edition of the book. I never wrote - what would I write?

Another recent discussion about Manipur was with our HRM (Human Resource Management) teacher who happened to be in the Industry for more than 25 years and in his vast span of career have worked all over India including Manipur. This particular class, we were discussing about the nature of the people concerning work, in various parts of India.

He said that people in Manipur are not hard working and if given a chance, we try to run away from work. He asked whether it is true that all the offices and work places in Manipur except the shops and commercial centers closes by 4:00 pm. Everyone in my class were shocked and asked whether it was true. Our teacher discussed various points about the problems existing in Manipur and I can’t deny that I agreed to whatever he said.

He had a good knowledge about the problems existing out there and I thought there is no reason to get angry about frank and free discussions. He was also speaking about the north east as a whole and my colleagues from the whole belt of the north east felt bad and angry about the criticisms made by the teacher. I accepted whatever he said. He is an experienced person and whatever he spoke was not a perception the whole world has got for us-those were facts. And personally, I felt we shouldn't be so immature too, not to accept facts and get angry when people show us our faults instead of trying to change ourselves. And my respect for the teacher grew when he said that we have come so far from home to gain more knowledge, to gain new insights- to make a difference.

People’s perceptions about us are not at all wrong. We are one of the most economically backward states in the country. Maybe our geographical region and the landscape have something to do with making life difficult for us and cutting us out from the rest of the country. When the whole world is aiming for globalization and growth, we are still backward and growth is just out of the question.

There are no industries, no infrastructure and no development. How long are we going to stay like this? How long are we - you and me going to feel embarrassed when people ask where Manipur is and when discussions about Manipur come up? How long? - That is the question!

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* Ambika Nepram, an MBA student, writes for the first time to e-pao.netThe writer can be contacted at nepramambika@yahoo.co.in This article was webcasted on 30th April 2005

Are you from Nepal or Bihar or Pakistan?

By: R.B. Thohe Pou *

Do you have the etiquette to ask the question? If not, keep reading this small article. Do you think that asking, "Are you from Nepal, Bihar, Pakistan, Rajasthan, northeast etc" is a civilized question?" If yes then good. If not then what would be the most civilize or right question? What would you feel if some body ask you, "Are you from Pakistan" or Bihar"? What does this question epitomize or symbolize? Are you living in city at present? If yes, then you might have been quite familiar with this question, "Are you from Nepal?'.

Most the people from Northeast India look like they are from Korea, China, South east Asia etc. But since there are many Nepalis working as home guard, sweepers, Chinese fast food etc, we the people from Northeast are consider as one of those Nepali working some where in one hotel or some where.

There are many responses that people give according to different perceptions of each individual when this question, "Are you from Nepal?" is given to the northeasterners of India. Some guys and gals says, "I don't bother whatever they call me" Some other says, we need to treat them according to their treatment and question". The other says, ''just call them Bihari" another group says, "just call them Pakistani" (Because they look alike). Different person have different view and they response according to their view and mood. Once I was going with my friends in Delhi going to meat shop to purchase meat. One of the butcher called us, "Bahadur come here to and buy chicken" We just got wild but we cannot help it. We bought the chicken but lost the good mood. I was with one of my friends in Pune and one person sitting next to us asked me, "Are you from Nepal" I told him, yes we are from Nepal.

Then I asked him, "Are you from Bihar or Bangledesh or Pakistan?" He was shocked to my question. Why do you ask this? He asked me. Well, you look like Bihari and also look like from Pakistan ie. why I just want to know and I asked you. Then he replied, "I am from India only" Ok that is good. Well, we are also from Nagaland. Actually you only asked us, "Are you from Nepal" ie. why we also intentionally asked you, "Are you from Bihar or Pakistan?". We know that you are from India.

We may look like Nepali, Korean or Chinese but why do you ask in that way? You may look like Pakistan or Bihari but is it necessary to ask in that way? What is the different between the Bihari and Pakistani and other Indians in their looks? I don't find any different but I never ask anybody like, "Are you from Bihar or Pakistan or mentioning any particular state or region. We may be able to differentiate between the south Indian and North Indian, but why do you want to use this particular word, "Are you from south India or north India"

Do you have any other civilize question to ask more politely? Next time if you meet any people from northeast, make sure that you ask them question politely, if not you will annoy some one unintentionally. Are you surprise with this tip? If yes, you need to learn the culture and etiquette of other people. If not, you are a knowledgeable person who has good knowledge on other culture of different nations or people. "Education is nothing without having the good etiquette; there are many uneducated people having very good etiqutte" - thohe

Delhi: Manipur’s protest capital

By:- David Buhril *

Delhi has become the desired protest stage for the issues in Manipur. Is this because the issues are shelved in Manipur? Ignored ? Unaccomodated? Or is it because Delhi shelters the band of right authorities. But many a times the authorities at the Centre seem to be washing their Pilate hands, excusing on the Centre and State divide of powers and authorities.

One lawyer in Delhi also opines that it would have been more effective if the protesters instead of straining out in Delhi rather petition the Manipur government through the state high court. But the band of protesters from Manipur who protested in Delhi seems to find them “helpless” in Manipur. “Useless”, they find their resort to petitioning and appealing the authorities in Manipur. The reasons are best known to them. And for that matter, best known to everyone. The unwakeable Leviathan remains firm.

Last year, in April 4, about thousand students braved the heat in Delhi to protest against Tipaimukh rape, displacement, landmines, and the Government of Manipur’s silent irresponsibility. That was immediately followed by a protest against the proposed Tipaimukh dam. In the latter part of the same year, Irom Sharmila Chanu slipped out of the high security walls weaved for her in Manipur to continue her protest and demand for the repeal of AFSPA in Delhi. That was followed by a mass protest at ITO on October 11,2006. That altogether made four different protests from Manipur in Delhi in 2006.

This year, just one day after Sharmila left her protest stage in Delhi, Kuki leaders reached Delhi from Chandel, Manipur to protest. Their baggage of complaints weigh with issues and cases of landmines, internal displacement and other serious cases of human rights violations, which have been petitioned repeatedly to the concerned authorities in Manipur by the Kuki Chiefs Association and Kuki Students’ Organisation. These issues were raised in their first protest rally on March 5,2007 at Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street. Their memorandum with several demands and appeals were submitted to the highest authorities at the Centre.

Then again on March 23,2007, the Kuki protesters, besides the previous issues, rallied and protested against the abduction of 400 displaced Kukis from their grouping centre in TS Laijang, Chandel, which ended with the arrest and jailed of more than 150 Kuki students in Tihar. The rally ended injuring more than 20 Delhi Police personnel and also more than 20 Kuki students. Some were seriously injured. That again gave birth to another round of protest that took place on March 26 in front of Delhi Police Headquarter where the same unattended serious issues were raised again, besides also condemning the police atrocities meted to the protesting students.

The already popular culture should awake anyone to reflect on the truth, which has already become inconvenient for everyone. The language and expressions pregnating the slogans, placards and banners are full of unanswered questions. They are enough to wake the concerned authorities to become proactive from their irresponsible negligence. They are also enough to wake the reason and conscience of the silent spectators. Unfortunately, Chief Minister Ibobi’s effigy was burnt again. Last year the flames gulped it on April 4. Then again on March 23, 2007. He must have seen the reported news-photograph of his burning effigy on his recent Delhi’s trip to structure his powerhouse. Chief Minister Ibobi is yet to wake, after the victorious elections, to the many serious issues of extreme urgency awaiting government attention.

I used to wonder what Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist, who was very concerned about situations in Manipur, would say if she was updated about the recent developments in Manipur. She would blame everyone for the unfortunate situations in Manipur. She would have made the Prime Minister responsible. The President responsible. The military responsible. The Chief Minister responsible. His ministers responsible. The bands of non-state actors responsible. The press and journalists responsible. The Church responsible. Shirin Ebadi actually said, “Each one of you journalists is responsible because you did not do your duty. You never write about the innocent people dying in the North East.”

Jurgen Habermas would also be situating what he call “refeudalisation” from the stream of protesters who are carrying their burden baggage out of Manipur to Delhi. I don’t know if my concern for Manipur has led me to see this as our progress towards degeneration in the inevitable historical process, which is unfortunate. But the public sphere should be saved and maintained for the same people, which otherwise will lead everyone to hold the last thin straw. There are too many things that we need to be pragmatic with in such place and time of ours. What would that be then? It would be breaking the wall of silence, which we have successfully built. It would be to galvanise our efforts and stand for what is right sans who you are. It would be to break the cocoon of unquestioned attachment that we inherit in compartments and corners of community, ethnicity, language, and all those that define one from that “us and them.” The to-do list would be endless. But we must be collectively proactive. Otherwise, Delhi as the protest capital for Manipur will remain.