Season 3 of FindingTheVoices

Season 3 of FindingTheVoices, Washington DC (April 2016- )

A talk show by Monica Ingudam, originally from Manipur, India. Presenting voices about Manipur highlighting on Inspiration, Education, Empowerment and Entertainment. Voices of people with a vision to promote positivity in the violence-torn land of Manipur. A platform for the people, by the people. A platform where we have come together despite the diversity of ethnicity or religion connecting us by humanity.

S03E36 FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art of invitation using Banana leaves in Manipur. (Part 2)

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FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art of invitation using Banana leaves in Manipur (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam, Retired Lecturer, Thmabal Marik College, Oinam, Manipur .
Language: Interview in Meitei-lon/Manipuri
Location: Imphal, Manipur

Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam presented a paper on the use of banana leaves in 1987-88 during her M. Phil course as she felt that the traditional custom of using banana leaves were slowly fading in Manipur. Her paper was made possible with the help of a few learned scholars and practitioners of the art form and was very well received at Manipur University. In this second episode, Madam Saroj describes how banana leaves are used along with betel leaf, coconut, ginger and flowers as a form of invitation for traditional ceremonies in Manipur. The different arrangements of the invitations for different persons are show with the help of pictures in this episode. Just by looking at the form of arrangement, one would be able to tell whether the invitation was for the King, Queen or other members of the royal family. Different structural arrangements are also available for Arangbham, Brahmins and the common people.

Madam Saroj also talks about the form of society during the reign of monarchs. She says that the justice system in those days was very different from the one that we have today, which is very slow in delivering judgments. She feels that there has been a rise in crime in the present society because of the slow pace of the justice system.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

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S03E35 FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art form of Banana leaves in Manipur. (Part 1)

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FindingTheVoices with Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam talking about the art form of Banana leaves in Manipur (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam, Retired Lecturer, Thmabal Marik College, Oinam, Manipur .
Language: Interview in Meitei-lon/Manipuri
Location: Imphal, Manipur

Banana leaves are used in a number of occasions in various regions of India. In Manipur, these leaves are used during religious rituals as well as a form of invitation for certain traditional customs. This episode is dedicated to the significance of banana leaves in Manipur, a documentation of the art form that has been practiced since the time of Kings and Queens. Madam Saroj Nalini Ingudam presents very thorough information on this practice with the help of her M. Phil paper from 1987-88. Banana leaves are used in every major ritual in a person’s life; starting from birth ceremonies (Swasti Puja, Yupan Thaba), “Na Hutpa”, marriage ceremonies, and also during funeral rituals. There have been a few changes in the way the leaves are used during rituals, for example, the “Tang Yatpa” came into practice only after the arrival of Hindu religion in Manipur. However, the same old practices are still followed without any change in traditional Meitei festivals like “Lai Haraoba”.

Madam Saroj also talks about the different variety of banana leaves and their purposes; Leihou La, Leiyai La, Changbi La, Noney La to mention a few. The most commonly used is the Noney La, which is suitable for use in feasts because of its odorless quality. Madam Saroj also describes a little about how these leaves were so commonly used as invitations before the printed version of invitations came out. A description of how banana leaves are used as invitation for Shri Govindaji is shown towards the end of this episode.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E34 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.

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FindingTheVoices with Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur
Our guest for today’s episode is Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing, Health Minister of Manipur. He was born in Bungpilon village in Churachandpur district, Manipur in 1937. He shares with us about how he grew up in the village and how he was taught valuable life lessons by his parents to become a hardworking and responsible person. He passed his matriculate exam from Churachandpur Government High School in 1960. He then served as a teacher at Bungpilon Government Junior High School from 1961 till 1971.
After retiring as a teacher from the school, he joined politics and contested in the District Council elections for Thanlon constituency, where was elected unopposed in 1972. Mr. Tonsing worked as a district council member upto 1976 and later on became chairman in 1977. Later on, he contested in the Assembly elections and won three times in a row from 1980 to 1990. He was however defeated in the elections of 1995 and 2000, but again got elected in 2002, where he became a minister.
We ask Mr. Phungzathang Tonsing why he became a politician and what changes he has brought about for the people. Manipur has become a place where there are frequent bandhs, blockades and strikes and this situation has made the state unable to function like any other state in the country. In this
context, Mr. Tonsing says that citizens should take up their issues with
the Government in a democratic manner. He says that even if bandhs or blockades are called, there should be a limitation; they should not be called indefinitely. We also talk about the advantages of social media and the lack of transparency from the side of the Government to the public in Manipur.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E33 FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta: Status of artists in Manipur. (Part 3)

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FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Status of artists in Manipur. (Part 3)
Guest Speaker : Mr. RK Budhimanta
Language: Interview in English

Location: RKCS Art Gallery, Imphal, Manipur, India

Catch up the 1st part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, learning about RKCS Art Gallery, Manipur.

Catch up the 2nd part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Art and creativity in Manipur. (Part 2)

Apart from being a painter and a sculptor, 4th generation artist of the RKCS family, RK Budhimanta also makes topiaries, creating animals and birds shaped structures from bushes and plants. His works can be seen at their garden and also along the bank of the Nambul River. The artist was also once a flora devotee, collecting varieties of flowers and winning a few prizes in flower exhibitions. Along with recreating paintings that were previously done by his father, Rajkumar Chandrajit Sana, Mr. Budhimanta also creates his own paintings to express his thoughts and send messages though the paintings. One such painting is a portrayal of skulls depicting the devastating consequences of war; another is a painting illustrating the gruesome nature of starvation in Somalia; and another is a crafty portrait of Irom Sharmila that also reveals a map of Manipur when closely examined.

Most of the paintings done by RKCS are collected and in more demand among the non-Manipuris than the people of Manipur themselves. Mr. Budhimanta says that he actually appreciates this trend and feels proud about the fact that more and more people outside of Manipur are interested in collecting and studying about the culture of Manipur. Although, he wishes that the people of Manipur would also follow this trend of collecting paintings and become a little more passionate about art. He says that there are many talented artists in Manipur but lack exposure. He wishes to bring all these artists together under one roof and establish a hub for displaying and selling their beautiful paintings for the tourists and art lovers. The artist also stresses about the difficulties they face whenever they participate in exhibitions held outside Manipur because of the lack of sponsorships from both Government and private bodies.

About FindingTheVoices:

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

S03E32 FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta: Art and creativity in Manipur (Part 2)

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, Art and creativity in Manipur. (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Mr. RK Budhimanta
Language: Interview in English

Location: RKCS Art Gallery, Imphal, Manipur, India

Catch up the 1st part of his interview at FindingTheVoices with Mr. RK Budhimanta, learning about RKCS Art Gallery, Manipur.

RK Budhimanta, a 4th generation artist of the RKCS family and one of the most prominent artists of the state, has been carrying on the longest tradition of painting in Manipur. He has been taking the lead in showcasing and exhibiting the beautiful portrayals of history, culture and traditions of Manipur in various parts of India. Mr. Budhimanta has plans to extend their presence at the international level although he says that lately he has been fairly occupied with delivering the numerous orders they have been receiving. He says that there has been quite a demand for their paintings even by the Manipuris settled abroad. The RKCS Museum of Arts and Crafts is a place of attraction both for the locals and tourists alike. Many dignitaries of the state and nation have already visited the museum and is one of the most acclaimed tourist attractions in Manipur. The curator says that they have been able to maintain the museum because of the generous donations made by the visitors at the museum.

Besides paintings, the RKCS family also organizes other activities like painting competitions for children and has also published a few books about art and collection of literatures by the legendary artist, Rajkumar Chandrajitsana. Our guest also talks about his miniature paintings of famous personalities of the world. He started making the 1cmx1cm sized paintings in 2001 and so far he has created about 270 of such. The first miniature paintings he ever made were of Osama Bin Laden and George W. Bush!

About FindingTheVoices:

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

S03E31 FindingTheVoices with Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam, Volunteering and building community spirit in Manipur

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FindingTheVoices with Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon Volunteering and building community spirit in Manipur (Part 4)
Guest Speaker : Dr Jugindra Sorokhabam, Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospitals.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Healthcity Langol, Imphal-West, Manipur
Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Healthcity Langol, Imphal-West, Manipur. He is a General Surgeon by profession with an appreciable practice as a minimal access surgeon.

Besides being instrumental in setting up one of the most advanced and sophisticated laparoscopic surgeries, endo-urology and endoscopic facilities for the first time in Manipur and the North East region, he is credited with performing some of the most advanced and sophisticated laparoscopic surgeries for the first time in the state and the region.

In the 1st part of Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam ’s interview, he shared about his early life on how he got his aspiration to follow his dream of becoming a surgeon. We also spoke about the scene of healthcare and healthcare IT in Manipur.

In the 2nd part of his interview he shared about the initiative of Palliative care in Manipur and founded Palliative Care Society, Imphal, Manipur. He saw the need of Palliative Care in Manipur and started a pilot phase in Thangmeiband, Imphal, Manipur. It’s amazing to hear how many individuals from Physicians, medical staffs to students getting together, volunteering, pledging financially for Palliative Care. This is the first of it’s kind in Manipur, an initiative in building a community together, bringing people closer to face such hard times, a time where family members aren’t equipped on how to handle the medical as well as the emotional care and support for the near end.

In the 3rd part of Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam‘s interview where we spoke about details of running Shija Hospitals in Manipur in the midst of conflicts. He also explained about the cost and maintaining quality of Healthcare at Shija.

This is the 4th part of Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam’s interview where we spoke about volunteering and building community spirit in Manipur. I salute Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam as a leader, who is forward thinking and progressive in seeing the need of the people of Manipur. He stepped up in building a system without waiting for a government initiative, bringing people together under his leadership. I welcome and encourage you to join him in his initiative of Palliative care to reach all the nook and corner of Manipur in building such profound community spirit.

Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam shared such inspirational and empowering incidents and stories on how volunteering for Palliative Care have changed the people, a life changing experience for both the family and the volunteers. Such a profound interview.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care provides those with a serious or chronic illness – from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of treatment – care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and managing suffering. It is delivered by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and social workers to address the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.

The interview left me with such inspirations to hear about the incredible work and initiative of Shija hospitals in providing healthcare services improving the quality of health and saving lives. I have the utmost respect and remain thankful to such initiative defining the progress of Manipur bringing change in the quality of healthcare for the people.

 

 Source: Shija Hospitals

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E29 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Koijam Vasunraz, Scaling the handloom and textile industry beyond Manipur.

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FindingTheVoices with Koijam Vasunraz: Scaling the handloom and textile industry beyond Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Koijam Vasunraz, Textile entrepreneur, Founder of Manipur Creations.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Manipur Creations, Imphal, Manipur, India
Konsam Vasunraj, textile entrepreneur and founder of Manipur Creations, has come a long way from working as a sweeper to becoming one of the most influential people in the handloom and textile industry of Manipur. He has established a number of showrooms in different districts in Manipur and
sells good quality products at low prices affordable by the common
people.
He says that the principle policy of Manipur Creations is that whatever products they manufacture should be affordable even by a vegetable seller.
In this episode, we talk about the innovative way of how he brought
down the cost of bed sheets. Even though most Manipuri handloom products are of good quality and have very beautiful designs, they are not very popular and widespread in the country.
Mr. Vasunraj says that repurposing authentic Manipuri raw materials and transforming them into mainstream every day wear is one of the ways to tackle this deficit in demand and popularity in India. He also says that while repurposing, one needs to take certain precautions so as not to hurt the sentiments of the people as the remodeling of traditional wear is often accompanied by an uproar from certain sections of the people.
The entrepreneur hopes that a lot more people of Manipur would come into this line of work as Manipur Creations alone would not be able to fight in the textile market which is flooded with imported clothing brands. He also wishes that there would be such a shopping complex where all those who manufacture Manipuri products would come together and sell their products.
As a message to the viewers of FindingTheVoices, Mr. Vasunraj requests all parents to allow their children to follow their dreams. He believes that the best child from a family should work towards becoming an entrepreneur.
We end the episode with a few kind words from our guest about our show.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E28 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Koijam Vasunraz, Building a factory during the conflict of ILP in Manipur.

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FindingTheVoices with Koijam Vasunraz: Building a factory during the conflict of ILP in Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Koijam Vasunraz, Textile entrepreneur, Founder of Manipur Creations.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Manipur Creations, Imphal, Manipur, India

In this episode, Konsam Vasunraj describes the early stages of the development of his textile industry Manipur Creations. He shares about the difficult journey he faced while shifting from Chennai to Manipur, bringing all his heavy machinery on the road. He talks about the numerous unofficial tax particular groups imposed on them on the road from Dimapur to Imphal.

The horrific condition of the National Highway also added to his hardship. He calls this experience as one of the worst experiences in his life! He somehow reached Imphal safely along with all the laborers and machineries but unfortunately that was not the end to his problems. It was the time when the state of Manipur was burning and tension was riling high because of the ongoing issue of Inner Line Permit System. People came out to the streets and highways to protest and many roads were blocked as a result. Konsam Vasunraj describes how he had to take alternative routes in order to avoid the burning blockades on the roads and the infuriated mob.
He shares about how he managed to save his 11 non-Manipuri workers even without help from the local police station.
After dealing with all the turmoil, he was able to get his factory operational and has been functioning smoothly ever since. He talks about the Manipur Creations showrooms he has opened so far and says that he has plans to open at least one showroom in each district of Manipur. He says that he also wants to open stores in small towns even though the idea is not financially advisable.

He believes in the principle that everyone in Manipur has the right to buy and use his products. He is also targeting to sell his products at 40% less than market price so that everyone will be able to afford.

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/

 

S03E26 FindingTheVoices with Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam, Shija Hospitals in Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
FindingTheVoices with Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon sharing about Shija Hospitals in Manipur (Part 3)
Guest Speaker : Dr Jugindra Sorokhabam, Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospitals.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Healthcity Langol, Imphal-West, Manipur
Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Healthcity Langol, Imphal-West, Manipur. He is a General Surgeon by profession with an appreciable practice as a minimal access surgeon.

Besides being instrumental in setting up one of the most advanced and sophisticated laparoscopic surgeries, endo-urology and endoscopic facilities for the first time in Manipur and the North East region, he is credited with performing some of the most advanced and sophisticated laparoscopic surgeries for the first time in the state and the region.

In the 1st part of Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam ’s interview, he shared about his early life on how he got his aspiration to follow his dream of becoming a surgeon. We also spoke about the scene of healthcare and healthcare IT in Manipur.

In the 2nd part of his interview he shared about the initiative of Palliative care in Manipur and founded Palliative Care Society, Imphal, Manipur. He saw the need of Palliative Care in Manipur and started a pilot phase in Thangmeiband, Imphal, Manipur. It’s amazing to hear how many individuals from Physicians, medical staffs to students getting together, volunteering, pledging financially for Palliative Care. This is the first of it’s kind in Manipur, an initiative in building a community together, bringing people closer to face such hard times, a time where family members aren’t equipped on how to handle the medical as well as the emotional care and support for the near end.

This is the 3rd part of Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam’s interview where we spoke about details of running Shija Hospitals in Manipur in the midst of conflicts. He also explained about the cost and maintaining quality of Healthcare at Shija.

The interview left me with such inspirations to hear about the incredible work and initiative of Shija hospitals in providing healthcare services improving the quality of health and saving lives. I have the utmost respect and remain thankful to such initiative defining the progress of Manipur bringing change in the quality of healthcare for the people.

 

 Source: Shija Hospitals

About FindingTheVoices:Monica Ingudam, Founder of FindingTheVoices

Born and raised in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe that we can create contents bringing the positive side of Manipur. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of our own people, people of Manipur and well-wishers of Manipur. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

I welcome you to join me in my journey to finding the voices at Http://FindingTheVoices.com/