A new strategy to repeal AFSPA in Manipur, with food, marriage and politics from Irom Sharmila

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A new strategy to repeal AFSPA in Manipur, with food, marriage and politics from Irom Sharmila

Today my news-feed is filled with the multiple coverage of Irom Sharmila’s decision to end her 16 years of fasting on 9th August 2016. Indian Express, BBC, Reuters, The Hindu, Times Of India, NDTV, Economic Times and many others have featured her story, one of the few times I cannot complain about the media not picking up news of Manipur.

Most people seem surprised with her announcement including her own family members. I am equally surprised but surprised that it took her this long. And more than being surprised, some people seem to be disappointed, very disappointed by her decision passing judgemental remarks, questioning and criticizing her decision, her capability of joining politics and her choice of personal life.

Why do you question her decision to end the fast? What is the guarantee that the outcome will be any different than what we see now, even if she continues fasting? Would you rather she continue with the fast till the very end and then type “RIP” or join the long queue for the floral tribute donning the white mourning dress?

Why do you think politics is not for her? Which political figure of Manipur would you prefer? You supported and accepted her as she was fasting sitting in a corner, building up the image of the Iron lady, but the idea of her becoming a leader is repelling? Or Is it that the political scene in Manipur has become so muddied that you have given up hope on any change in that front?

You seeked out to her for giving statements and comments for the issues/causes time brought on, which are many in a state like Manipur but you forgot to ask about her? Maybe you did ask her, maybe she did share on her own, in her frail voice but her thoughts which are not in line with the cause was hushed or edited out. Why is the idea of her getting married questionable? Or is it her choice that is not acceptable?

16 years is a long time, must be even longer for someone who is fasting and living in solitude for the most part. When I met Eche Sharmila back in 2015, I saw a woman who wants to live her life beyond the movement she is standing for, a woman very much in love, and a very lonely woman who didn’t anticipate such a long journey. We cried together talking about her situations, even giggled over simple things in the short visit I had.

It must have taken a lot of courage to make this decision, and not fulfil a promise she had made publicly. As per the reports, she indicated that she will continue with the movement and is only changing the strategy as it’s clearly not working even after 16 years. Why alienate her with all these judgmental and criticizing comments after all the sacrifices she has made so far? Why not get together and support her?

I am very happy for her, for this potential alternative of living.  A new chapter with a new strategy to repeal AFSPA with food, marriage and politics for Irom Sharmila. Go for it, Eche!

MI_S03_withlogoMonica Ingudam, founder of FindingTheVoices, a talk show 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.

 

S03E15 FindingTheVoices with Dr. Nabakanta Sharma: Family planning, abortion and woman’s heath in Manipur.
Guest Speaker :Dr. Nabakanta Sharma, specialist in family planning.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

Dr. Nabakanta Sharma is a specialist in family planning and one of the most dedicated doctors today. He was kind enough to share his story and many important facts about family planning. Family planning is the practice of controlling the number of children one has and the intervals between their births, particularly by means of contraception or voluntary sterilization. It reduces the need for unsafe abortion and prevents unintended pregnancy. It even prevents the death of mothers and children.

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/

 

S03E15 FindingTheVoices with Dr. Nabakanta Sharma: Family planning, abortion and woman’s heath in Manipur.

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S03E14 FindingTheVoices with Irom Sharmila Chanu: “I am a human being and I want to live”
Guest Speaker :Irom Sharmila Chanu, a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. She is on her 16th years of fasting to repeal AFSPA from Manipur.
Language: Interview in Meteilon, subtitled in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
On 2nd November, 2000, ten civilians, including a 62-year-old woman, were killed in an indiscriminate firing by personnel of the 8th Assam Rifles at Malom, Manipur. Having encountered numerous other such incidents where innocent civilians were tortured and executed by the army, Irom Sharmila Chanu
decided that such monstrous acts of the army can only be stopped by taking extreme measures. The Iron Lady of Manipur, who was 28 years old at the time of the Malom Massacre, decided to fast-unto-death until the Armed Forces Special Powers Act gets withdrawn from Manipur. It has already been 16
years of her non-violent protest but the draconian law still exists in the state.
She has been arrested multiple times on the charge of “attempt to commit suicide ” and released after the end of each penalty every year. It is only during this time that she gets the chance to come out and protest in public. But she is deeply saddened because the people have just been mere spectators. What
she really wants is for the people to use their rights and powers, being citizens of a democratic country and step in when something wrong and unjust happens in the society.
Irom Sharmila also shares from her heart about her dreams and aspirations from a personal perspective.
We all know about her cause which is well covered but I have always wanted to know her as a person. We had very less time but lots to talk, and in that short time Eche Sharmila Irom opened her heart and shared her story. We cried and and laughed together and I knew I cannot give up, I have to continue FindingTheVoices and bringing out the voices of Manipur.
 Picture Source: Google search

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/

S03E14 FindingTheVoices with Irom Sharmila Chanu: “I am a human being and I want to live”

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S03E13 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: Why did he leave the Indian Air Force and go back to Manipur ? (Part 2)
Guest Speaker :RK Ranendrajit, Social Activist, a former fighter pilot of the IAF and former editor of Freedom in Manipur.
Language: Interview in Meteilon
Location: Bir Tikendrajit Memorial complex, Manipur, India
Presenting the second part of RK Ranendrajit ’s interview. In this episode, we go in detail about RK Ranendrajit’s education and his experience of being a fighter pilot in the IAF. After studying till 10th standard in Manipur, he pursued for further studies in Kolkata and then in Shillong. He then applied
to join the IAF as a fighter pilot during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. After 2 years of training, he was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF in 1964. He performed his patriotic duties valiantly as a bomber fighter pilot during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 and 1971. But sadly, he decided to resign from the IAF as he couldn’t work under the constant surveillance by the organization and his integrity questioned. RK Meghen alias Sanayaima, the chairman of the banned insurgent group United National Liberation Front is the brother of RK Ranendrajit.
After coming back to Manipur, he tried farming and then opened a school for children who were deprived of education. But unfortunately, the school was raided by the Assam Rifles because the then Government suspected the school to be a revolutionary school. Including extra-curricular activities such as mountaineering, horse riding, martial arts etc. are being questioned. The raid in the middle of the night pointing guns on these young children tainted the reputation of the school and trust of the parents.
He also shares a brief detail of how the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex was constructed. He also tells us about the incident where around 200 homes were evicted in and around the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

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/

S03E13 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: Why did he leave the Indian Air Force and go back to Manipur ?

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments

Beautiful Dzukou lily blooming at Dzukou Valley, Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

Another year have passed, another season gone by. But without fail, the beautiful Dzukou lily appeared blooming beautifully at the expected time at Dzukou valley, Manipur, India. Many from far and near travelled and walked to get a glimpse of the beauty. And I still couldn’t make it this year too. Maybe another year, another season. I saw these pictures of Simon Laishram and he has kindly agreed to share with FindingTheVoices.

Dzukou Valley of Manipur. Photographer: Simon Laishram

Dzukou Valley of Manipur. Photographer: Simon Laishram

Dzukou lily blooming in Manipur. Photographer: Simon Laishram

Dzukou lily blooming in Manipur. Photographer: Simon Laishram

Dzukou lily blooming in Manipur. Photographer: Simon Laishram

And I hope that I will go to this beautiful spot someday …

S03E12 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit, knowing your cultural roots and Identity of Manipur.
Guest Speaker :RK Ranendrajit, Social Activist, a former fighter pilot of the IAF and former editor of Freedom in Manipur.
Language: Interview in Meteilon
Location: Bir Tikendrajit Memorial complex, Manipur, India
We are at the residence of RK Ranendrajit, a former fighter pilot of the IAF and former editor of Freedom, an audacious newspaper of Manipur during the 90’s. In this episode, RK Ranendrajit expresses the need to teach the children more about the history of Manipur and the importance of building a good character. He also shared his concern about the fact that the children of today are slowly getting drifted away from their cultural roots. Although the children today have gained a good amount of knowledge in the field of science and technology, they certainly lack knowledge of the history of their own state. He says that a good character needs to be imparted to the growing children to teach them about the correct way of life and to provide them with not only education, but also wisdom and patriotism. He stresses the importance of knowing one’s cultural roots and history as this will give the children a sense of belongingness and understand their rights. This will in turn give them self-confidence and a reason to be proud of the state and country. RK Ranendrajit says that there are not many properly organized institutions that have a collection of information concerning the history Manipur, including which king ruled when and where. But a few local clubs and a few schools and colleges have started adopting the idea of teaching about the history of Manipur and hopefully more will follow.

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/

S03E12 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: knowing your cultural roots and Identity of Manipur.

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments
S03E11 FindingTheVoices with Tampha Oinam Gupta, going international with Grandma’s hand woven towels in Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Tampha Oinam Gupta, founder of Kone Wovens.
Language: Interview in English

Location: Video Interview with our Guest Speaker joining in from London.

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/

S03E11 FindingTheVoices with Tampha Oinam Gupta founder of Kone Wovens: Going international with Grandma’s hand woven towels in Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
S03E10 FindingTheVoices with Devakishor Soraisam, Changing lives, volunteers connecting with the people of Manipur and rising together in the midst of natural disaster.
Guest Speaker : Devakishor Soraisam, founder of Mangaal Sustainable Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English

Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

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/

S03E10 FindingTheVoices with Devakishor Soraisam: Changing lives and volunteers connecting with the people of Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
S03E09 FindingTheVoices with Devakishor Soraisam sharing about providing sustainable energy solutions in Manipur.
Guest Speaker : Devakishor Soraisam, founder of Mangaal Sustainable Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English

Location: Imphal, Manipur, India

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/

S03E09 FindingTheVoices with Devakishor Soraisam: Providing sustainable energy solutions in Manipur.

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment