Talk Show by Monica Ingudam (2012- till now)

A Talk show by Monica Ingudam presenting voices from different parts of the globe with the vision to promote and spread Inspiring, Educative, Empowering and Entertaining stories in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur.

Episode 015 FindingTheVoices : 015 FindingTheVoices Sameeta Angom founder of Sameeta’s Spa & Salon and Sameeta’s Nails & Pedispa at Texas, USA

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015 FindingTheVoices Sameeta Angom founder of Sameeta’s Spa & Salon and Sameeta’s Nails & Pedispa at Texas, USA

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Presenting Sameeta Angom originally from Manipur, a mother of 2 wonderful kids, started Sameeta’s Spa and Salon and Sameeta’s Nails & Pedispa at Houston, Texas, USA. She has many people working for her and she plans to expand her business adding more location in future. We had a very interesting talk which shows the importance of partnership, support and teamwork from your better half, balancing work and family life, glimpse of life running a Salon finding different strategy of marketing, employee management, customer services etc. a wonderful journey going through interesting turns in life from being a stay at home mom to starting a business of her own. Who would know a Botony Major would end up being a Cosmetologist?

Her Salon offers very reasonable prices for many different Spa, Salon, Nails and Pedispa services and has very interesting deals always, check out the price at her website.

Episode 014 FindingTheVoices : Assault of Manipuri film actress Momoco Khangembam by NSCN-IM cadre Livingstone Anal

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014 FindingTheVoices Assault of Manipuri film actress Momoco by NSCN-IM cadre Livingstone

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Today I am with Khangembam Rosnia, popularly known as Momoco, Manipuri Film Actress. She is only 21 years old now but had to step up taking responsibility of helping out financially at a very young age when she was in 11th Grade  after her father became sick.  It is very important to note that Artists in Manipur are not paid very well, it cannot be compared with Bollywood or Hollywood at all. The meager income she gets from acting in movies, Video musical songs and hosting helps in running her family supporting her father who is struggling back and forth from Hospital.

The best thing I like about her is that , in spite of all these heavy responsibilities at a young age, she continued  juggling with Studies and Acting and has graduated BSc(BioChemistry & Botany) from DM college, Manipur and plan to continue with Her Masters. I strongly believe in education and I am glad to see that she is pursuing her education.

Momoco was hosting as programme announcer for a fund raising musical concert at Chandel district by Mahamani Women’s Society. NSCN-IM cadre Livingstone Anal pulled her down from the chair and started kicking her continuously towards her face.  Livingstone tried to kill another two artistes (Singer Prakash Soraisham & Actor Guna who came running to rescue her). Livingstone fired at point blank range but they escaped unhurt.  All this because Momoco didn’t encourage his behaviour of talking, touching her hair and body. Momoco went there to do her work to support her livelihood and not to sell her body. What is chilling to hear is that when these terrible incident happened there were police personnel and more than 100 people were present but nobody came to help except some womenfolks. All the men were standing like a statue.

We strongly condemned the brutal act of Livingstone and want necessary legal actions is taken against him.

Today Momoca shares with us the incident in detail …

Episode 013 FindingTheVoices : Dr. Sohini Ray, Lecturer in Anthropology at Santa Monica College and Founder/Artistic Director of Manipuri Dance Visions located in California, USA.

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SohiniRay

013 FindingTheVoices Dr. Sohini Ray Lecturer in Anthropology at Santa Monica College ,Founder and Artistic Director of Manipuri Dance Visions located in California, USA

Today I have a very special Guest, Dr. Sohini Ray, Lecturer in Anthropology at Santa Monica College and Founder/Artistic Director of Manipuri Dance Visions, training center of classical Manipuri dance in Los Angeles, California, USA. When I saw that we have a training center to learn Manipur Dance in California, I got very excited and had to hear the voice of the person behind it. And I found more interesting details, In addition to promoting Manipuri Dance, She has written a dissertation essay on the Meetei Mayek script (also Meitei Mayek, Manipuri script). Yes, she is a Bengali, a non-Manipuri promoting Manipuri dance and Manipur through her research work. I really admire her work and am so proud to present her voice.

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Dr. Ray, a rare combination of an outstanding performer and a prolific scholar, has won the prestigious Lestor Horton award in 2008 for her production “Gita Govinda”.  (Lestor Horton award is the equivalent of the Grammy. It is given for live concert dance.) And, has received two more Horton nominations in 2007 and 2011.  She won the Los Angeles Treasures award in 2007, and numerous other grants and fellowships. A Ph. D. in anthropology from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Ray has held fellowships in Harvard University and has taught both academic and practical dance classes in several American Universities.

Her research on Manipuri dance won the prestigious J.B. Donne prize in anthropology of art from the Royal Anthropological Institute, UK in 2009; she being the first dance-researcher in the world ever to have achieved this rare accolade, also the first Asian and the first woman.

Dr. Ray was identified as a child prodigy by the legendary Manipuri dance maestero late Guru Bipin Singh at age seven and was trained by him and his senior disciples, the Jhaveri sisters for more than twenty-five years. She received the prestigious national scholarship in Manipuri dance from the Government of India at age fourteen and numerous prizes and awards as a young performer in India, and was a lead dancer in Jhaveri sisters dance troupe for several years. Concurrently, while dancing professionally full-time through her college and university careers she stood first class first in Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in anthropology from University of Calcutta. In 1992 she chose to move to United States to pursue an MA in dance in University of California at Los Angeles, and has lived and worked there since.

Dr. Ray has travelled and researched in remote regions of Manipur for the past twenty years and has one of the finest collection of audio-visual materials on Manipuri dance in the world.

Dr. Sohini Ray, the world-renowned master-artiste of classical Manipuri dance will be touring India from Dec 27 to Jan 12. Please find the details of the schedule at https://findingthevoices.com/2012/12/12/sohiniraysolodancetourindia/

This podcast was featured by Manipur Times.

We have a surprise host, Please welcome Monindro Ingudam.

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments

We have a surprise host for this week, Please welcome Monindro Ingudam, Architect by profession, core board member and adviser for FindingTheVoices. Tamo, Thank you, Thank you for all your support. We love your humorous and unique style of podcasting.

It is indeed an honour for FindingTheVoices to present Episode 12 from 2 special and great personalities.

Khagemba Sanabam

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Episode 012 FindingTheVoices : Khagemba Sanabam, Entrepreneur starting Manipur’s own production of packaged drinking water and oxygen.

012 FindingTheVoices Khagemba Sanabam, Entrepreneur starting Manipur’s own production of packaged drinking water and oxygen

We have a special Guest Speaker Khagemba Sanabam, Entrepreneur, who have started Manipur’s own production of packaged drinking water and oxygen. Yes, production in Manipur.

Khagemba shares his journey of his struggles and experiences in starting Reliable Hydrotech and Oxygen Plant in Manipur. I am so proud to see such initiatives which will help people in Manipur and we don’t have to depend to get these items from other states in India. He shares his struggles, challenges in getting finance (Loan only if you have Assets !!! No room for innovation without money !!!), lack of basic infrastructure (Electricity, Roads/Transportation, experienced Human Resources) to support production plant in Manipur. And most importantly the experience in doing business in Manipur where the market is mostly dominated by non manipuri.

Thanks to Khagemba Sanabam for sharing your story. Tamo, I am so proud to hear about the products manufactured by your company right there in Manipur and that We don’t have to import packaged bottled water and oxygen from other states of India. Please support such wonderful initiatives by buying products produced in Manipur.

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Marina Spring is the brand name of the packaged drinking water produced by Reliable Hydrotech, a proprietorship firm at Joypur Khunou , Bishnupur District in Manipur.

Oxygen plant has completed installation and awaiting finishing touch for trial run. This plant will fulfill all the requirements for both clinical and industrial oxygen at a very cheap cost. This will really help people in Manipur.

Hosting today’s Show is Monindro Ingudam, Architect by profession, core board member and adviser for FindingTheVoices. Tamo, Thank you, Thank you for all your support. We love your humorous and unique style of podcasting.

It is indeed an honour for FindingTheVoices to present today’s show from 2 special and great personalities.

Episode 011 FindingTheVoices: Part 2 Armstrong Pame IAS officer from Tamenglong sharing the journey in making the 100 KM Road in Manipur without any help or funding from the Government

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011 FindingTheVoices Part 2 Armstrong Pame IAS officer from Tamenglong sharing the journey in making the 100 KM Road in Manipur without any help or funding from the Government

Today I am with Armstrong Pame from Tousem sub-division, tamenglong district in Manipur, India. He is an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer serving as Sub-divisional Officer. He also was an assistant commissioner In the Indian Revenue Service.

And most recently he has initiated a very inspiring initiative of making a 100 km road in Manipur with no funding or help coming from the government, a story which have touched people’s heart all over the world …

This year, with the outbreak of diseases like typhoid and malaria, It took two days for anyone in the village to make it to the nearest hospital on foot in the absence of a motorable road. Hundreds of patients were carried on bamboo stretchers, and very few made it to the town alive.  And town doctors were unwilling to come to the village because of its inaccessible terrain. Frustrated with the situation with no response from the government, Armstrong Pame turned to his family and well wishers and initiated the project of making the 100 km Tamenglong – Haflong Road Construction in August this year and targeted to be completed by Christmas this year.

I am proud to present the voice of Armstrong Pame, the voice requested by many listeners of FindingTheVoices, the VOICE we want to hear and should be heard. The podcast is devided into 2 parts. Please listen to Part 1  which focuses on his introduction and journey from Tamenlong to becoming an IAS officer, an episode is dedicated to all the student listeners of FindingTheVoices particularly students from North East India where the parents work very hard, sacrificing and struggling to send money to get their children educated in other parts of India.

This is Part 2 which focuses on details about the making a 100 km road in Manipur with no funding or help coming from the government, a story which have touched people’s heart all over the world. It is touching to hear how he started the project and how people all over the world responded, a story which makes us believe that there are still good people in this world and we still have hope. He is so humble and gives all the credit of this project to his Villagers and thanks to everyone for the support received.

Please contribute and help in making the wish of Armstrong Pame in giving the gift of the Road this christmas for all the villagers and children. Please refer to the facebook group  Tamenglong – Haflong Road Construction for more details or contact 91 9953029135.

Episode 010 FindingTheVoices : Part 1 Armstrong Pame, IAS officer from Tamenglong sharing the journey in making the 100 KM Road in Manipur without any help or funding from the Government

/ Monica Ingudam / 14 Comments

010 FindingTheVoices Part 1 Armstrong Pame IAS officer from Tamenglong sharing the journey in making the 100 KM Road in Manipur without any help or funding from the Government

Today I am with Armstrong Pame from Tousem sub-division, tamenglong district in Manipur, India. He is an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer serving as Sub-divisional Officer. He also was an assistant commissioner In the Indian Revenue Service. And most recently he has initiated a very inspiring initiative of making a 100 km road in Manipur with no funding or help coming from the government, a story which have touched people’s heart all over the world …

This year, with the outbreak of diseases like typhoid and malaria, It took two days for anyone in the village to make it to the nearest hospital on foot in the absence of a motorable road. Hundreds of patients were carried on bamboo stretchers, and very few made it to the town alive.  And town doctors were unwilling to come to the village because of its inaccessible terrain. Frustrated with the situation with no response from the government, Armstrong Pame turned to his family and well wishers and initiated the project of making the 100 km Tamenglong – Haflong Road Construction in August this year and targeted to be completed by Christmas this year.

Please contribute and help in making the wish of Armstrong Pame in giving the gift of the Road this christmas for all the villagers and childrens. Please refer to the facebook group for more details or contact 91 9953029135. 

I am proud to present the voice of Armstrong Pame, the voice requested by many listeners of FindingTheVoices, the VOICE we want to hear and should be heard. The podcast is divided into 2 parts. This episode, Part 1 focuses on his introduction and journey from Tamenlong to becoming an IAS officer.

This episode is dedicated to all the student listeners of FindingTheVoices. Read at this article Armstrong had written at http://www.northeasterner.in/ sharing his journey becoming an IAS Officer from Tamenglong.

Please watch out for upcoming Part 2 where he talks in details about the  making of the 100 km Tamenglong – Haflong Road Construction

Thanks to Manas Maisnam, famous modern cartoonist from Manipur who have contributed Armstrong Pame’s cartoon in support and appreciation for his work. It is an honour that Tamo Manas Maisnam have drawn this cartoon for FindingTheVoices for the release of this episode of Armstrong Pame’s podcast.

Thanks to Hanubi Hanuba for the music (Lai Haraoba with Dotara) used in this podcast.

Episode 009 FindingTheVoices : Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talks about her teaching experience in Manipur and about “Ningol Chakouba”

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009 FindingTheVoices Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talks about her teaching experience in Manipur and about Ningol Chakouba

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Wishing all the Ningols all over the world a very Happy Ningol Chakouba. ‘Ningol Chakouba‘ is one of the popular festival, where married sisters and daughters are invited for lunch to the parental house. It is a very special day where the family gets to spent the day and have the meal together just like it was before the sisters/daughters got married …

This is my very 1st podcast in Meitei-lon. Please enjoy the interview with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam, Retired Senior Grade Lecturer in Manipuri language and Literature from Thambal Marik College, Oinam, popularly known by Students of St. Joseph School and HRD Academy. She shares a very interesting journey of her experience being a teacher in Manipur comparing education system between Govt. School and private/mission School in Manipur. She shares little bit about the history of Ningol Chakouba and the changing trend with modern time. Did you know that initially Ningol Chakouba was Ningol na Chakouba (Invitation was from Sister to Brother) ?

Thanks to Hanubi Hanuba for the music (Lai Haraoba with Dotara) used in this podcast.

Episode 008 Manipuri Food: Bobby Soram sharing recipe of Nganum (steamed/baked fish) with herbs

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Episode 008 FindingTheVoices Bobby Soram sharing recipe of Manipuri Food Nganum 

Today we are going to talk about Food & cooking with Bobby Soram originally from Manipur and now based in Delhi. Bobby is sharing a recipe for making one of the authentic Manipuri food “Nganum” which is baked fish with herbs. Bobby is mother of 2 wonderful kids. Thanks to Bobby for sharing the recipe, pictures and content of this post. If you try this recipe, please let us know how it came out for you.

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Nganum recipe:

Preparation and cooking time – 40-45 minutes

Ingredients-:

1. Small fish- mukkak nga or nga- sang or any small fish- 250 gms

2. Turmeric leaves, 4-5

3. Banana leaves, half the leaf

4. Maroi napaakpi ( a small bunch say 10-15 of them) or onion/spring onion- cut into small pieces. One small onion or two small spring onions.

4. 4-5 Green chillies sliced into halves

5. Turmeric powder- one teaspoon

6. Mustard oil ( optional)

7. Salt to taste one  teaspoon.

wash the fish gently and drain the excess water

Clean the banana and turmeric leaves with a wet cloth and spread it on a plate, Banana leaves layered with turmeric leaves on top.

In the meantime, boil  some water in a rice cooker putting  the steamer on top. You can do this while cooking rice too.  when the water while cooking rice starts boiling

Gently Mix the fish, cut chillies maroi napakpi or onions, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Some people pour a teaspoon of mustard oil so that the fishes does not stick. But that is optional.

After mixing it, spread the mixture on the leaves. Wrap it up properly and put it on a steel or aluminum  quarter plate. Place the plate with the wrapped fishes on the steamer and close the lid.Steam it for about 15 minutes.

Remove the wrapped fish with a big spatula from the steamer and place it on a tawa on the gas stove. Place a heavy utensil, a heavy plate or toksu on top of it. Heat it on low flame for about 15 minutes turning sides carefully. This is to remove excess water from the leaves.

Now open the  wrapped fish and check. Your aromatic Nganum is ready.

* traditional method in Manipur is to bake it on low flame  without steaming.I prefer steaming it first.

* you can try this recipe with fresh mackerel, tuna, Elish fish or pomphret too.

Customization of Nganum’s recipe using Hilsa fish and spring onions instead of maroi Napakpi shared by our listener Sairem Surjarani from Montreal. Also turmeric leaf used was from dried one. Thanks to Surjarani for sharing the picture.