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My Journey by Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei #BookReview #AmReading #FindingTheVoices

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My Journey by Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei

A book review by Monica Ingudam

Book Title: My Journey

Author: Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei

Publisher: International Meeteis Forum, Yaiskul, Moirangthem, Imphal West, Manipur 795001

 

My Journey is the autobiography of Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei, Mr World 2013 in bodybuilding INBA, born in Manipur and presently teaching as an English Professor at Taiwan. This book captures his journey of his life starting from Manipur to Delhi and his migration to Taiwan.

Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei, author of the book “My Journey”

Mr.Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei had mentioned about his book when I took his interview during Season 1 of FindingTheVoices and I really wanted to read it. I contacted International Meeteis Forum to get a copy of this book during one of my previous trip in Imphal, Manipur. And to my surprise, I received a complimentary copy from Mr. A. Anilkumar, advisor of IMF and I bought another copy.

This book was lying in my ever increasing “To Read” pile and finally last week I picked it up. I started reading it and I just couldn’t stop turning the pages.

Reading the first 3 chapters which covers his childhood and growing up, I felt such love and remembrance for his mother. He wrote in simple English with a good story telling flow and I could feel the little boy’s voice as the book progressed. So much hunger and poverty for a young little boy filled with dreams bringing tears as I read. No one should be as hungry as he had experienced.

He has touched upon many aspects of life and articulated his dreams, love, adventure, poverty, education, family relations and racism very well. And in his narration, I could feel the honesty where he balanced and mentioned both his low and high points of his journey. I love the photographs added in the book that aided the narration very well. It’s interesting to read the chapter covering about meeting his wife and his thoughts on love at first sight versus learning to love. He shared his comparison of infrastructure and system of Manipur and Taiwan. He shared about the intense support system amongst family members, and also shared about the complexities, fall out and family dynamics of relationship amongst family members after marriage.

The book could use some editing in correcting some of the spelling mistakes. I don’t think it’s fair to generalize as a culture that wives in Manipur control the money matters of the family (page 97). Also I differ to agree on his opinion on classifying individuals opting trends of same-sex, no marriage, no children to be individuals who don’t care much about society or the future (page 288).

To me, this book is about love and attachment to your mother and motherland, chasing your dream, being adventurous, having an open mind to face life and never giving up. This book is also about hard work, struggles, pains, frustrations, disappointments before tasting success and winning.

I would definitely recommend you to read this book to both Manipuri and Non Manipuri readers.

Non Manipuri readers will get a glimpse on the background, adjustments and homesickness the students and people coming out of Manipur go through, staying in other parts of India, their fears and insecurity giving you a different perspective on how some of the words and incidents however trivial it may sound gets into the psyche of a person.

 

 

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Book reviews by Monica Ingudam

Born in Manipur (India), based in Maryland (USA) patent holder for identifying Caller ID, with Computer Science Engineering background, you will find Monica Ingudam crunching numbers and data as an Analyst.  During the weekends you will find her hosting FindingTheVoices talk-show featuring authors, artists and people who inspire, empower, educate and entertain with the vision to connect and spread positivity. You will find her reading, writing and painting in her quiet time.

 

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S02E20 FindingTheVoices: Leishangthem Kumarjit Meitei of Manipur Police Sports Club

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S02E20: FindingTheVoices Leishangthem Kumarjit Meitei of Manipur Police Sports Club

Guest Speaker : Leishangthem Kumarjit Meitei of Manipur Police Sports Club

Interview Location: Maryland, USA

Language: Podcast in Meiteilon/Manipuri.

It’s a great opportunity to meet Mr. Leishangthem Kumarjit Meitei of Manipur Police Sports Club. He has come from Manipur to participate in 2015 World Police & Fire Games hosted at Fairfax, VA under the category of Body Building and wrist wrestling.  He won a gold and silver medal under the category of wrist wrestling.

He shares his experience and opportunity of pursuing his interest in body building, being a part of the Manipur Police sports club. It was a great learning to learn about the career option and growth in joining the Manipur Police under the sports category.

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MI_5Born 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/

 

046 FindingTheVoices Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei sharing his experience of being a Father

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments
Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei sharing his journey of being a Father. When I spoke to him about his experience of being a Father, it reminded me of my father and my experiences as a child.
Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei is a Ph.D., Professor of English and a world bodybuilder champion, Mr. world 2013.
In the previous Episode 40 and Episode 41  Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei shared about how he grew up and never gave up to get his education against all the odds he faced growing up in poverty and spoke about his experiences in body building.
He won 1st positions: Mr. Sub-Junior Manipur(1 time), Mr. Delhi(4 times), Mr. Northern India(3 times), Mr. Northern India Overall title winner(1 time), Mr. Taiwan National(13 times), Taiwan National Games(3 times), Mr. Hong Kong Invitation(1 time), Mr. East Asia(1 time), Mr Senior Asia(1), and most recently, in this month, July 5/6 Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei beat the whole world and brought Gold medal for Manipur.
Also, He had competed East Asia (4 times), Senior Asian( 7 times), Asian Games( 2 times, 6th position twice, and Mr. Universe 6 times(2 times 9th place, 3 times 10th place and 1 time 14th place).

041 FindingTheVoices Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei sharing his journey of getting into the world of BodyBuilding

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei sharing his journey of getting into the world of BodyBuilding and his experience participating in many body building activities including Mr. Universe and Mr. World competition. He shares about diet, exercise and a wonderful message of being a natural body builder and not to use drugs or steroids.
Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei is a Ph.D., Professor of English and a world bodybuilder champion, Mr. world 2013.
In the previous Episode Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei shared about how he grew up and never gave up to get his education against all the odds he faced growing up in poverty.
He won 1st positions: Mr. Sub-Junior Manipur(1 time), Mr. Delhi(4 times), Mr. Northern India(3 times), Mr. Northern India Overall title winner(1 time), Mr. Taiwan National(13 times), Taiwan National Games(3 times), Mr. Hong Kong Invitation(1 time), Mr. East Asia(1 time), Mr Senior Asia(1), and most recently, in this month, July 5/6 Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei beat the whole world and brought Gold medal for Manipur.
Also, He had competed East Asia (4 times), Senior Asian( 7 times), Asian Games( 2 times, 6th position twice, and Mr. Universe 6 times(2 times 9th place, 3 times 10th place and 1 time 14th place).

Clip 1 041 FindingTheVoices How does Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei balance his work, body building and family ?

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
How does Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei balance his work, body building and family ? Listen to how he is supporting body builders in Manipur.
Full episode coming up this Friday where Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei talks about his journey of getting into the world of BodyBuilding and his experience participating in many body building activities including Mr. Universe and Mr. World competition. He shares about diet, exercise and a wonderful message of being a natural body builder and not to use drugs or steroids.

040 FindingTheVoices Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei, Mr World sharing his journey of getting Education growing up in poverty.

/ Monica Ingudam / 5 Comments
Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei is a Ph.D., Professor of English and a world bodybuilder champion, Mr. world 2013.
Presenting the podcast of Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei and in this episode he shares how he grew up and never gave up to get his education against all the odds he faced growing up in poverty.
This podcast is dedicated to all our student listeners. Listen to how much of struggle and hard work Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei went through, never giving up despite his poverty, taking up part-time jobs for minimal pay to get through and support himself focusing to get his education. Again, one of my best story to emphasis that education is very important.
Please continue tuning in, next week we will be releasing his podcast about his journey in body building.
He won 1st positions: Mr. Sub-Junior Manipur(1 time), Mr. Delhi(4 times), Mr. Northern India(3 times), Mr. Northern India Overall title winner(1 time), Mr. Taiwan National(13 times), Taiwan National Games(3 times), Mr. Hong Kong Invitation(1 time), Mr. East Asia(1 time), Mr Senior Asia(1), and most recently, in this month, July 5/6 Dr. Ngangbam Shantikumar Meetei beat the whole world and brought Gold medal for Manipur.
Also, He had competed East Asia (4 times), Senior Asian( 7 times), Asian Games( 2 times, 6th position twice, and Mr. Universe 6 times(2 times 9th place, 3 times 10th place and 1 time 14th place).