About Manipur

HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY Joymala Rajkumari

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FindingTheVoices Mother's Day 2013 Joyraj Waikhom

Somebody said it correctly, “God couldn’t be everywhere, so He created Mother!” So is my mom, and I thank God for the mom he has given me. I, Joyraj Waikhom, was borne to Rajesh Waikhom & Joymala Rajkumari. And I’m proud to be my momma’s boy. I always have loved my mom and the way she have taken care of me and my sisters. By profession she’s a teacher. And she does it very well with the primary and kindergarten kids. She understands child psychology perfectly, and that’s what I appreciate the most.  Almost every kid at Thangmeiband knows her as Madam Joymala.

But the best thing I love about my mom is her cooking. I remember those days when my home was more famous than any fast-food or restaurant in Imphal. My mom and granny were a threat to any chef. We never bought cakes in our birthday, she used to bake us the best cake. She made a Mickey Mouse cake on my sister’s birthday and I was just 14-15 then. That was pretty awesome. Today we have many Cake-n-Bake shops in Imphal, but I bet my mom’s cake was the best. She and my granny would, always, do jugal-bandi with their cooking in the kitchen. On Diwali, the aroma of hot Gulab Jamuns  and Chahao kheer getting ready in the kitchen would make everyone green with envy because of the mom and granny I have got. But after my Granpa’s demise they lost the passion of cooking. And today granny is no more too, and so Mumma has lost all the passion. Sad! But at times, when I’m home she surprises me with her cooking. I miss those good days and food, mumma!

Mom has always been strict. She has groomed us with discipline and has garnished with many rules and regulations, which we still follow today. Many kids and my friends in the school use to nickname her Hitler! Sorry about that Maa. But everyone was scared of you. But I thank you for having me brought up that way. I’m here today because of what you had been. Today I’m earning good, and have got an identity which would have not been possible, had you not given us the care and love you have showered on us. Today, on this Mothers’ Day I take the opportunity to thank you for being my Mom. I also thank the FindingTheVoice, for giving me this grand opportunity to express a small thought about my mom through your podcast. I’m feeling good to finally open an MS Word on my system in office and write something on my Mom, rather than everyday’s software and portal I work with.

Thank-you Mumma! Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Your Only Beloved Son

Appu (She calls me by this name)

Submitted by : Joyraj Waikhom, Chief Compliance Officer at for MARV e-Solutions (P) Ltd, Kolkata, India.

HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY Aruna Thangjam

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Mom’s Name & profession: Aruna Thangjam,  home-maker and a very active Social Activist.
I want to appreciate all the qualities that make Her a perfect woman, a wife and a mother. Throughout my life, She have bestowed so many gifts upon me I scarcely know where to begin. She have always been at my side, and have always been my biggest defender and ally, no matter what the odds. She have always been my cheering section, my therapist, my shoulder to cry on. She give so much, never once asking for anything in return. Having a mother like Her while growing up was the greatest gift and biggest advantage anyone could ever have given me. It is because of the confidence and values that she instilled in me that made me who I am today. I want to thank her for shaping me into a person who I like and am proud to be. And also want to thank her for letting us believe that we could be whoever we wanted to be, do whatever we wanted to do, there were no limitations except our drive, ambition and creativity.
Thank you mom for being so smart, so beautiful, so wise and so talented. It’s nice to know that I have the potential somewhere in my genetics to possibly one day be as special as you.
Mom, the words “I love you” are not adequate enough to express how grateful I am to be your Son, how much you are appreciated or how much you will always mean to me, so I will simply say: Thank you mom for being my Mother.

Submitted by : Bijou Thaangjam – Freelance Stylist, Actor and Self-taught Chef. Mumbai, India.

HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY Laitonjam Leibaklotpi Devi

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Mom’s Name & profession: Laitonjam (o) Leibaklotpi Devi, Cashier at Manipur Rural Bank, Imphal

What do you appreciate in your MOM and want to say Thank you for?

I just want to thank her for being there for me. She doubts if she’s a good mother coz at times she finds it hard to have family time coz of her work but as I grew up I know how much she has inspired me to strive for the best. Thank you for molding me into the woman I am today, for being such a powerful and empowered woman, for being an inspiration.

Any moment you want to say sorry about?

Well, it is indeed a blessing to know that there’s always this one person who bears no grudge and always hold on to me inspite of all the awful things I said. Being this impatient person that I am, I often lose patience and speak many things which I regret later. I just want to say sorry for all the impulsive words and for spilling over my frustrations to you.

“I love you Mama, Thank you for the miracle of life!”

Submitted by :Laitonjam Valentina, PhD Scholar (Human Development) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India.

HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY Mankhanniang Zou

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“My Mom kept a garden for me”

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it’s start. 
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem… 
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I’d need to stand up strong and tough. 
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long. 
I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me 

Mom’s Name & profession: Mankhanniang Zou, House Wife (My Mom is good in cooking and she is a responsible Mother)

My appreciation being my mom is that she never gives up in me and to my brother and sisters. The love that my mom owed to us is the treasures which no one can discover she is always my hero. The words that my mom taught me, the courage that she offered me, the boundless love that she gave, the desire my mom have in me is incredible. I love her so much; my mom is my Worldly God.

Even when I makes a mistakes she don’t ignored me nor she rejected me and encourage me to be a better person through my mistakes. She struggle her life only for us (her 2 son’s and 4 daughters’). My mom is the one who feel the most pain when I am failures, and she is the one who can be happy at the most when I am success in life.

Nothing is comparable with my mom. When no one loves me, when no one wants to accompany with me, when no one forgive me, Mom is still there for me; hug me and say “ its ok my dear”!!!

The most things I would like to give thanks to my mom is that “a prayer to God that she always pray for me and for my brothers’ and sisters’ which she still keep praying till today” and “thanks God for blessing my Mom and Dad; living with us till today”

I am sorry mom to make you suffer; your sacrifice for my educations till today. But I promise I will make you happy someday, I pray to God Mom and Dad will live long and pluck the fruit that you planned on me. We may be from rural places, a farmer family (where there is no electricity, no mobile network, and no puce road) but someday your son’s will lead you to urban life where everything will work with electronic. I am not a shame to be what I am today,; Its cuz of you Mom, I am proud to have such a Mother Like you…!!!

“I LOVE YOU MOM”

Submitted by :Khamlianlal (Khams Zotal), Student social worker from Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

Complimentary Gift from our Guest Speaker Shanti Thokchom to our Listeners

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Shanti Thokchom has been so kind to let us know that she will be providing a surprise gift for 2 of our listeners for all the support and response we have received. Congratulations to our listener Valentina Laitonjam from Ludhiana, India and Sapam Shyamananda from Cincinnati, Ohio for agreeing to accept the complimentary gift.
It is always really tough to select only 2 listeners !! But we will have more …

Please continue sharing and promoting FindingTheVoices. And Yes we love all your feedback, comments, message and suggestions for Guest Speakers. This is your show !!We appreciate your support for FindingTheVoices.

Thanks ! Please continue tuning in at https://findingthevoices.com/and sharing with friends and family.

If you haven’t heard Shanti Thokchom’s podcast, here is the link …

Part 1 Shanti Thokchom originally from Manipur sharing her struggles, lost, healing and life in America as a Single Mother  

Part 2  Shanti Thokchom originally from Manipur sharing her struggles, lost, healing and life in America as a Single Mother

And the surprise gifts are 2 THADOU – KUKI SHAWL called “MANG VOM”, Congratulations to  Valentina Laitonjam  and Sapam Shyamananda. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Thanks Shanti Thokchom !!

Complimentary Gift from our Guest Speaker Mali Phonpadith to our Listeners

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Congratulations to our listener Budhachandra Kh located in Quebec, Canada and Maisnam Arnapal based in Delhi, India for winning the complimentary gift of Mali’s book “A Million Fireflies”. We appreciate your support for FindingTheVoices. Thanks ! Please continue tuning in at https://findingthevoices.com/ and sharing with friends and family.

A Million Fireflies, all the way from USA to India ! It was a great pleasure to personally hand over the book and meet our special listeners of FindingTheVoices. Congratulations to our listener Maisnam Arnapal based in Delhi, India for winning the complimentary gift of Mali’s book “A Million Fireflies”. Thanks to Arnapal and Lilyma for taking your time to come and meet me at Delhi, India.

Great to see that Budhachandra Kh received his complimentary copy of “A Million Fireflies”, all the way to Canada, Thanks Mali Phonpadith. Thanks for sharing the picture.

Congratulations once again !!! Thanks for all your support for FindingTheVoices.

If you haven’t heard Mali’s podcast, here is the link …

Mali Phonpadith, a poet, author and entrepreneur all the way from Laos to America

Good Bites : “Aloo Kanghou & Bora” Potato Fry, crispy fry peas with potato/chives/onions fritters

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It is raining here at Washington DC and it will be nice to have “Aloo Kanghou & Bora” Potato Fry, crispy fry peas with potato/chives/onions fritters with “Cha Angangba” red tea (on the sweeter side please !!) flavored with bay leaf & ginger. Perfect for any afternoon tea !!

Episode 025 FindingTheVoices Part 2 Shanti Thokchom originally from Manipur sharing her struggles, lost, healing and life in America as a Single Mother

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This podcast is a continuation of last week’s podcast with Shanti Thokchom, who is working as a Nursing Assistant in an old age Home in Oklahoma in United States. In part 1 she shared about going through very hard times with her journey from Manipur all the way to America, going through her separation and lost of her husband.

In this episode, she shares about her life as a single Mother. She is a strong single mother, the rock for her precious little boy working very hard to secure the best future for her son.

She shares very interesting story of learning how to drive in America, her travelling experience within America as a healing process coping up with her loss.

Many immigrants in America can associated the struggle and fear in learning and driving in the freeways in America. And this lady travels all over without a GPS (still using paper Maps!!), sleeps in the car, travels with basic needs. It is a great learning experience to learn from her that you don’t need a lot of money to travel if you are passionate about travelling and seeing different places. All you need is the Gas money. She shares that she lives within her means and don’t need to dine in any fancy restaurants or stay in expensive Hotels or wear any branded clothes.

It was a great honour to talk with Eche Shanti, such a wonderful woman with so much positive vibes.

Music: Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko from yaadon ki baraat (This was a very popular songs during the time Eche Shanti was growing up and her favorite song)

Episode 024 FindingTheVoices Part 1 Shanti Thokchom originally from Manipur sharing her struggles, lost, healing and life in America as a Single Mother

/ Monica Ingudam / 23 Comments

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Today I am with Shanti Thokchom, who is working as a Nursing Assistant in an old age Home in Oklahoma in the United States. I really admire her strength and positive attitude towards life even after having gone through very hard times with her journey from Manipur all the way to America, going through different jobs of a private nurse, nanny, working in a daycare, working as a waitress, her separation and lost of her husband. Inspite of all the hardship, she pursued to get license to work as Nursing Assistant. She is a strong single mother, the rock for her precious little boy working very hard to secure the best future for her son.

She has a very interesting diverse background with a Hindu Meitei father and a Christian Kuki mother and she married an American. She shares her story about living with the differences in diversity and having stayed and travelled in different places in the world.

It was a great honour to talk with Eche Shanti, such a wonderful woman with so much positive vibes.

Music: Louri Chatpi by P Chandrakumar (This was a very popular songs during the time Eche Shanti was growing up and her favorite song)