There is a place where….
…A bunch of Tribes live their proud and pathetic lives. Where every tribe claims their small hamlet as their homeland and asks for Independence or statehood. Gunslingers they are, each tribe have their own small Army for their protection from other tribe or are they rather a drug lord or mercenaries; one tribe going at the other tribe is a common happening while others just don’t seem to care.
…Extortion is a livelihood not an illegal activity, so is bartering money for one’s life. A Grenade lobbed at your house just simply means you have been ‘marked’, to be killed for being so rich!!... If you haven’t met their monetary demand.
…News of Dead bodies, shot-at, murdered, kidnap, Grenade lobbed, UG’s arrested etc. are not even making it to the headlines of a news paper, it’s just someone’s daily chore, a daily affair, and used-to news for the people.
…Bandh, Protest, Rally are yet another way or the only way they showcase their anger at the Government, killers, Extortionists etc. The best part is that the Govt. didn’t give a Damn neither the people themselves; maybe it is way too common that the Govt. too, got used-to it. In a way, how will the Govt. meet all the long list of demands made through the Protest Rallies, Bandh etc. That’s a point to ponder.
…Presidents are abundant ! Every street, every colony has a President not to mention endless number of clubs and Organizations who can always declare bandh on their own free-will. Funding their tiny little Club/Org. by selling - calendars, T-shirts, Iodized-salt door-to-door and what not. People sometime end-up hanging 9-10 Calendars in their house! One for the Toilet too.. Maybe! Ha-ha!
…Corruption is always in vogue, so is Bribery. One needs to buy a signature for certificates or bribe them to get things done, in Banks too!
…Roads can be very confusing. It’s not six lane, it’s not 3 lane or two…It’s Neutral Lane- a lane where you drive in zigzag as per your convenience. Dusty roads in winter and muddy/puddle road in summer.
…Electricity is a far-cry for them, so is Developments. Load shedding is a common word that laymen could understand that there will be no electricity today, tomorrow and the next day.
Aiiyooo….You know What?
Well…That’s my Home- Manipur, Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru paid a fitting tribute by describing it as "Jewel of India", It indeed is. No place is Perfectamundo! Home is Home and Always the Best.
...and of Course Lamka! Come what may.. It will not deter me from going Home this Christmas. I kind of miss that chaotic environment not to mention the scenic beauty, the Christmas Feast, the people, the drinks (It can also be water ya’ll!), the cold evening, kom kuva… I just Love it all!
Yippee-Kay- Yay!!! ‘Am Comin’ Home this Christmas!! Home! Mama..
