About Manipur

S03E20 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: How are you going to define peace in Manipur?

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
S03E20 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: How are you going to define peace in Manipur?(Part 4)
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 4th part of RK Ranendrajit ’s interview.
In this episode, former fighter pilot and social activist, RK Ranendrajit talks about the conflict situations in Manipur, the notorious Armed Forces Special Powers Act prevalent in the state that has left the people getting alienated from the rest of the country. He says that even though there have been a few positive changes in the last few decades, the Right to Life for the people of Manipur has always been debatable.
Although there have been numerous protests by the citizens, the Government still remains to ignore the plea and cry of the people. As a result of these situations, the resistance from the people started as they began to worry about what kind of future their children are destined for in the state. He says that the Government of India has plans to exploit the resources and talents of the state as part of Indianzation and assimilation but they have failed in getting the people’s support and serving their needs.
When we asked RK Ranendrajit about our show and requested him for a little feedback and some advice, he responded by saying that the show has been doing a very good thing by bringing out the thoughts, ideas and views of the people and the ground reality. He says that the show brings out the notable personalities of Manipur and spread their knowledge. He also stressed the importance of documentation and archiving.
Lastly, he expressed his views on the peaceful forms of protests in Manipur against AFSPA and other conflicts citing Irom Sharmila Chanu as an example. He also mentioned about the fake encounters in Manipur that the armed forces carry out whenever they feel that the people are gaining momentum in the struggle against AFSPA. This is somehow similar to what senior journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee mentioned during his interview with us while speaking about his book on confessions of army officers.

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/

 

S03E19 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: Sedition and Freedom in Manipur.

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
S03E19 FindingTheVoices with RK Ranendrajit: Sedition and Freedom in Manipur (Part 3)
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 third part of RK Ranendrajit ’s interview..
Former fighter pilot and social activist,  RK Ranendrajit talks about the development of sports in Manipur and the need to hunt for young talent and groom the upcoming generations. He stressed the need to sustain a very good infrastructure in sports so that the level of competition is in par with international standards. He also emphasized the importance of providing sufficient funds in the sports department in Manipur so that there would be enough staffs and leaders who could carry on sports management and development for the future generations.
RK Ranendrajit also talks about the gutsy newspaper daily, Freedom. The press was established on 12th December, 1992 but discontinued from the first week of February, 2001 because of constant opposition by the Government of Manipur. He was charged of sedition by the Government citing an article that he published during the 90’s as being rebellious. However, he was acquitted and the sedition charges were dropped after 17 years by the court. He has faced similar situations in the past. During his time in the Indian Air Force serving as a fighter pilot, RK Ranendrajit’s integrity was questioned and he was put under constant surveillance by the organization as his brother, RK Meghen alias Sanayaima, was the chairman of the banned insurgent group United National Liberation Front. Then in Manipur, the Government tainted the reputation of the institute by getting the school raided in the middle of the night under suspicion of being a revolutionary school.
Tune in to this episode to listen to RK Ranendrajit expressing how he feels about all these incidents in his life. Apart from these dark spots, he also talks about the positive changes that have come about.

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/

 

Low ebb of humanity in Manipur? #IromSharmila

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

Portrayed Low ebb of humanity in Manipur?

It was supposed to be a day of celebration, a day of freedom for Irom Sharmila Chanu when she broke her 16 years of fast. I watched the news coverage with her smiling coyly as she expressed that she would prefer to break her fast with honey rather than the water people suggested. Media from all over the world flew to Manipur to cover this important moment, a date which will be marked in the history.

With her newfound freedom, she must have expected a very different experience moving around freely after 16 years. I cannot imagine her level of excitement at that moment. Growing up in Manipur my freedom was very limited within the walls of my parents house, my school and books. My parents accompanied me everywhere in the name of the conflicts and the situations. I experienced a simple rickshaw ride alone very recently and I felt free and was very excited. So I can only imagine how excited she must have felt to move freely after being confined for such a long time.

But the reaction and harsh unwelcoming words from some small section of people that evening broke her heart leaving a very very bad taste. It’s hard to watch her break down. This video (Courtesy:newslaundry) stuck with me and it’s in my head. She doesn’t deserve to cry like this specially on her day, a day which should have been filled with celebrations. And yes, I stand in shame for such treatment and humiliation she had to go through on the day she set herself free, a day she could walk around freely after 16 very long years.

Yes, there may be a difference of opinion. Yes some of her comments and the way she said or did, might have hurt many because you truly supported her from your perspective. But your immediate action of rejection and outrage makes everyone question your kind of support. She must have her reasons for what she said or did. Can’t we all put everything aside, be the bigger one for a bit and see her as a human? Did it need to be resolved or dissolve at her moment leaving such a bitter taste, hurting even more? Where has our empathy gone? Where has our patience gone?

And the words that followed. Such mockery belittling her honest and genuine effort making many question the existence of humanity in Manipur. And the discussions comparing her with Martyr with an open disapproving note of her decision clearing inferring the preference to die? What kind of example and precedence are we setting for the youth where we glorify and elevate the dead over the living? Does one have to die for the glory and elevation?

Such intolerance drives me to seek out my quest to feature kind, strong voices and gestures to get her strength and smile. Words can make or break a person. Kind encouraging words and gestures can be very powerful elevating the strength of a human soul. I hold to many words I received giving me the strength to go through trying times.

Also the wide-spread coverage of a blanket statement that Manipur has shunned Irom Sharmila have challenged me to seek out for her well wishers and change that narrative and prove them wrong. I don’t agree with the Media reporting that the whole of #Manipur is shunning Irom Sharmila .

We come from a society where we aren’t comfortable or encouraged to speaking out our feelings but now is the time to speak out. Eche Sharmila needs us and we need to change the narrative for Manipur.

Calling out to one and all to join me in Waakhal, The people speaks up!

“You are not alone” a series of FindingTheVoices dedicated to Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur. #ISupportIromSharmila

I want to believe in the strong presence of humanity in the people of Manipur, let’s change the portrayed low ebb of humanity in Manipur!

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.

 

Waakhal 004: Tampha Oinam Gupta “We need more people like Irom Sharmila for Manipur” #ISupportIromSharmila

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment 
"You are not alone" a series of FindingTheVoices 
dedicated to Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur. 
#ISupportIromSharmila
IromSharmilaChanu_Manipur (5-1)

Tampha Oinam Gupta "We need more people like Irom Sharmila for Manipur"
 Irom Sharmila Chanu says she is misunderstood by the people and she needs voice of moral support.

FindingTheVoices is reaching out to you for your voice, please contact us to participate in this series of  interviews.
MI_S03_withlogo
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/

S03E18 FindingTheVoices with Peraly Meyer: A journey of saying NO to corruption in Manipur.

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
S03E18 FindingTheVoices with Peraly Meyer: A journey of saying NO to corruption in Manipur to being a surgical assistant in Denton Regional Medical Centre, Texas, USA.
Guest Speaker : Peraly Meyer, surgical assistant in Denton Regional Medical Centre, Texas, USA
Language: Interview in English
Location: Video interview with Guest Speaker joining in from Texas, USA.

Peraly Meyer was born in Komla Thabi village of Chandel district, Manipur. She grew up in a destitute family where she had to take turns with her siblings to get formal education. Even though she started in such conditions, Peraly never gave up her education and kept focusing on building herself an honorary career. She is now working as a surgical assistant in Denton Regional Medical Centre, Texas, USA. Since the age of 12, Peraly was always passionate about helping the sick and she was always eager to help whenever her family and relatives got sick and admitted to hospitals.
Because of the open corruption that is prevalent in Manipur, Peraly opted out of paying bribe to get herself a job. She shares about her journey of how she began working towards her career, moving from one place to the other and gaining experience. She worked in various hospitals and soon discovered what she loved. She also gained a lot of experience working at AIIMS, Delhi. From her colleagues at AIIMS, she got to know about the opportunities about applying for jobs abroad.
Peraly also shares about her experience working in the hospitals and the challenges she faces at work. She shares about how she faces the jibes she sometimes receives from either the patients or the relatives and how she handles them by being gentle and calm.

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/

 

Waakhal 003: Joyraj Waikhom, Kolkata, India “Understand that there is another group of people who is supporting her” #ISupportIromSharmila

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment 
"You are not alone" a series of FindingTheVoices 
dedicated to Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur. 
#ISupportIromSharmila
IromSharmilaChanu_Manipur (5-1)

Joyraj Waikhom, Kolkata, India "Understand that there is another group of people who is supporting her"
 Irom Sharmila Chanu says she is misunderstood by the people and she needs voice of moral support.

FindingTheVoices is reaching out to you for your voice, please contact us to participate in this series of  interviews.
MI_S03_withlogo
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/

Waakhal 002: Chaoba Phuritshabam “We, as people of Manipur should be very shameful” #ISupportIromSharmila

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments 
"You are not alone" a series of FindingTheVoices 
dedicated to Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur. 
#ISupportIromSharmila
IromSharmilaChanu_Manipur (5-1)

Chaoba Phuritshabam, Delhi, India "We, as people of Manipur should be very shameful"
 Irom Sharmila Chanu says she is misunderstood by the people and she needs voice of moral support.

FindingTheVoices is reaching out to you for your voice, please contact us to participate in this series of  interviews.
MI_S03_withlogo
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/

Waakhal 001: Kishalay Bhattacharjee “We all are behind you Sharmila” #ISupportIromSharmila

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment 
"You are not alone" a series of FindingTheVoices 
dedicated to Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur. 
#ISupportIromSharmila
IromSharmilaChanu_Manipur (5-1)

Kishalay Bhattacharjee, New Delhi,  India "We all are behind you Sharmila"
 Irom Sharmila Chanu says she is misunderstood by the people and she needs voice of moral support.

FindingTheVoices is reaching out to you for your voice, please contact us to participate in this series of  interviews.
MI_S03_withlogo
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/

Accepting the real Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments

Accepting the real Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur

It’s heartbreaking to see Irom Sharmila Chanu in tears fighting for her basic right. She pleads for her right of choice, right to make her own decision. She wants to break free from the iconic image created by the people. She is more than the icon, she wants people to know her, the real her as a simple woman who loves peace. And now she is emotionally battered by the mental attack she received from the angry crowd and the reaction after she broke her 16 years of fasting. Does she deserve such kind of treatment at this juncture?

Many are showing disappointment that Sharmila hasn’t consulted them before she announced her decision and retorting back that they can fight for the cause with or without her. This will only alienate her even more widening the gap. Many are coming up quoting examples of instances of when and how they have supported her and it’s true that the people have supported her in their own way. However it’s a very long 16 years of struggle for her where she must have spent hours and hours in solitude and loneliness where her interaction with people are limited, very limited. It must be such a moment of loneliness where she saw no one around and said what she said sharing her thoughts. Don’t we all go through such moments? And don’t we expect that our love ones will stand by us during such times? By abandoning her aren’t we proving that her insecurity and fear of being alone is true? Isn’t it time to show our moral support for her?

It is a big question as to where she will be staying. It’s reported that Red Cross Society announced that they are ready to give her shelter with the condition that she cannot be involved in any political activities during her stay with them. That’s a BIG condition, considering her vision of joining politics. Can anyone accept the real Irom Sharmila Chanu without any conditions imposed?

Many are questioning on how Sharmila can succeed in politics but isn’t it an opportunity for the people to change the scenery of politics of Manipur? Why brush off with such negative criticism? Why not support and let her try? She has touched many people’s heart. She brought so much attention of the media and people at the national and international level getting AFSPA and Manipur the attention it needed. Maybe her presence in the political scene of Manipur will bring the much-needed attention of Manipur in India and internationally. In fact the Indian government should take this opportunity and offer her a platform to nurture and help her vision, the vision of a peace loving woman who have only strived for changes adopting peaceful non violent means.

As always most of the media digs and frame questions providing coverage to the sensational and controversial reaction portraying the rejection of the people. Just as Sharmila stated she knows that there are people, especially amongst the youth who are looking for change, change to a positive society, I believe that we have a lot of people who supports her and accepts her for what she is. I am seeking your voice for her. FindingTheVoices is inviting you to participate in a special episode we are making to consolidate your voice showing your stand for Irom Sharmila Chanu. Ready to change the narrative portraying the acceptance of the real Irom Sharmila Chanu? Because I know that those isolated cases reported by media doesn’t represent the overall reaction of the people.

I met Eche Sharmila just once and felt connected instantly, read and followed many of her coverage. I believe that she can bring a change, the much-needed change in Manipur. I believe that she can speak bravely and honestly on many of the topics people including myself are silenced to speak or write about.

Don’t let anyone say you can’t do it, Go for it, I am with you 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.