FindingTheVoices

S03E44 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, sharing about the ground reality of Manipur.

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FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, sharing about the ground reality of Manipur. (Part 4)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
And the ground reality is Manipur doesn’t have a Human Rights commission.

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/

 

S03E43 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, writing against corruption, exposing high profile personalities of Manipur

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FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, writing against corruption, exposing high profile personalities of Manipur. (Part 3)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist, Ashoka fellow and a social entrepreneur is indeed a walking knowledge bank of Manipur.
He has been contributing his share in a number of social events and undertakings and interviewing people from all segments including insurgents and such groups. The senior journalist has been around for quite a long time in this field and has heard stories from both sides. We ask our guest how he manages to balance and if they affect him personally in any way in his life. He has written a number of columns against corruption, exposing a series of high profile personalities of Manipur, and has received a fair share of threats as counter effect. Every week while writing for a column called Acute Angle published in the English daily, Imphal Free Press, he used to expose a minister or a bureaucrat or somebody who was involved in nefarious activities, giving a very stringent view of what was happening in the state. As a matter of fact, his first article in the column was entitled “Portrait of a Minister as a Con-Man”.

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/

 

S03E42 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, Journalism and Manipur.

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FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, Journalism and Manipur. (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
Mr. Yambem Laba is the founder of the movement of Human Rights in Manipur and was instrumental in filing the first ever petition at the Supreme Court of India challenging the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Assam-Manipur), 1958 in the year 1980.
Mr. Yambem Laba was honoured with the Ashoka fellowship in 1988 for his
role as a social entrepreneur mobilizing the youths of poor and neglected Manipur for community and environmental projects. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London; President of Kanjenglei, a centre for Manipur Art and Culture, Bangalore; member of India International Centre and Indian Mountaineering Foundation; former chairperson in charge of State Human Rights Commission, Manipur; and a former director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. As of today, he is currently working as a senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.

When we arrived at the residence of veteran journalist Mr. Yambem Laba, we were greeted by a very friendly and handsome German shepherd named Kaiser, who was a little vocal during certain moments of the interview. So dear viewers, please excuse the energetic chap for being so curious and exploring! In this episode, we talk about how Mr. Yambem Laba started off with his journalism career from the early days. The senior journalist says that although he learnt economics in the Delhi School of Economics, he learnt all about journalism in the streets of Kolkata. He talks about how journalism used to be just a hobby before it became a passion for him. In 1982, he left his teaching job at his alma mater and later went to Lachen, Sikkim in 1983. There, he worked on his first ever story and published it under the title “Sikkim – The Lost Shangri-la”. His second storyentitled “New Wave of Insurgency in Manipur” was published in The Week, a magazine published in South India. After this, he had a short stint in Leh district and Sopore town in Jammu & Kashmir.

He came back to Imphal in September, 1983 and joined the English weekly called Resistance, published by the Pan Manipuri Youth League as Chief Reporter-cum-Asst. Editor.During this period, Mr. Yambem Laba began realizing that the future of the state of Manipur was evidently shaped by the youth of today. Thus began the movement for Social Entrepreneurship mobilizing the youths of Manipur. His main objective was to impart four attributes into each of the youths – endurance, courage, sense of fraternity and personal excellence. Watch this episode to learn more and find out how our fearless journalist’s question might have saved the life of a teenaged girl from a vigilant act of an insurgent group.

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/

 

S03E41 FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, the walking knowledge bank of Manipur.

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
FindingTheVoices with Mr. Yambem Laba, the walking knowledge bank of Manipur. (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Yambem Laba, senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.
Language: Interview in English
Location: Imphal, Manipur, India
After numerous requests from intent viewers of our favorite talk show of Manipur, FindingTheVoices has finally managed to land an interview session with senior journalist and profound personality of Manipur, Mr. Yambem Laba.
He is the founder of the movement of Human Rights in Manipur and was
instrumental in filing the first ever petition at the Supreme Court of India challenging the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Assam-Manipur), 1958 in the year 1980.
He is the fourth of five sons to parents whom he describes as pioneer professionals of Manipur; his father being the first engineering graduate of Manipur and his mother being the first lady doctor of Manipur. He studied in Little Flower School and Don Bosco School in Imphal before shifting to St. Joseph’s College, North Point, Darjeeling at the age of 14. There, he was exposed to art and literature of the finest and was imparted the sense of dedication, sacrifice, sense of care and also to be stern when required. He did his bachelors in Economics (honours) and then pursued for Master’s degree at the Delhi School of Economics.
The humble and fearless journalist recounts that the idea to challenge the AFSPA (1958) was born while he and two other friends were hanging out at a cafeteria in Delhi University. It was during this moment that they decided the platform for the challenge should be Human Rights. He felt the need to expose the ruthless situations of Manipur to the world, to show what was happening in the state.
Mr. Yambem Laba was honoured with the Ashoka fellowship in 1988 for his
role as a social entrepreneur mobilizing the youths of poor and neglected Manipur for community and environmental projects. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London; President of Kanjenglei, a centre for Manipur Art and Culture, Bangalore; member of India International Centre and Indian Mountaineering Foundation; former chairperson in charge of State Human Rights Commission, Manipur; and a former director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. As of today, he is currently working as a senior journalist at The Statesman Pvt. Ltd.

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/

 

S03E40 FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur and Irom Sharmila

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FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur and Irom Sharmila (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Ms. Anubha Bhonsle, Executive editor of CNN IBN, Journalist and author of “Mother, Where is My Country?”
Language: Interview in English
Location: Washington DC
Catch up the 1st part of the interview at  Manipur through the eyes of Ms. Anubha Bhonsle. (Part 1)
Our guest today is Anubha Bhonsle, recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, 2009 and the author of the extensively researched book on one of the most ignored state of India titled “Mother, Where is My Country?”. She also received the Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person in the year 2014 for her body of work. Anubha Bhonsle has been a founding member of CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18). In her role as Executive Editor, she led the channels’ coverage of major news events reporting from the ground and has anchored several flagship news, prime time discussions and documentaries.
In the first part of her interview, she shared her story about how she began her career in journalism. This is the second part of her interview.

Anubha Bhonsle’s book “Mother, Where is my Country?” published in January, 2016 is a result of 10 years of research in Manipur. It covers stories of injustice suffered by the people and violation of human rights amongst others.

The book is centered around Irom Sharmila and covers her life, goals and her struggle against the draconian law, Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The iron lady ended her 16 years long hunger strike on 9th August, 2016 to take up the fight from another angle. Anubha Bhonsle expresses her views about this new turn of events in this episode. There has been wide media coverage about the people of Manipur shunning Irom Sharmila’s decision to end her fast, but very little has been covered about the people who have come out in support of her. Anubha Bhonsle says that it took Irom Sharmila more courage to take up the decision to end her fast than she did when she started the hunger strike. She says that although this is not a positive situation, it can be taken as an opportunity for the people in other parts of the country to know more about the ignored state of Manipur and also be a turning point for anyone interested in the anti-AFSPA campaign. Anubha Bhonsle also shares about the experience of her time in Manipur from the perspective of mingling with the people, food and places she has visited. We talk about some of the challenges she faced when she came to Manipur doing her research going from one place to the other.

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/

 

S03E39 FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Mother, Where is My Country?

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment
FindingTheVoices with Ms. Anubha Bhonsle: Manipur through the eyes of Ms. Anubha Bhonsle. Mother, Where is My Country? (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Ms. Anubha Bhonsle, Executive editor of CNN IBN, Journalist and author of “Mother, Where is My Country?”
Language: Interview in English
Location: Washington DC
Our guest today is Anubha Bhonsle, recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, 2009 and the author of the extensively researched book on one of the most ignored state of India titled “Mother, Where is My Country?”. She also received the Chameli Devi Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person in the year 2014 for her body of work. Anubha Bhonsle has been a founding member of CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18). In her role as Executive Editor, she led the channels’ coverage of major news events reporting from the ground and has anchored several flagship news, prime time discussions and documentaries.
In this episode, she shares her story about how she began her career in journalism. She says that she was one of those who didn’t know what they wanted to do and found her calling very late in life. Her first prolonged assignment was to cover Irom Sharmila when she was in Delhi in 2006. She says that she had to go “undercover” for the assignment and spent many days and nights in the hospital where Irom Sharmila was kept confined.
We also talk about her book which is a result of 10 years of hard work and research. The book covers heartbreaking stories not only of Irom Sharmila, but also of all citizens of Manipur. It has reports about the people’s protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, National Highway blockades in the North Eastern states, Human Rights violations, underground groups and political turmoil in the Manipur. She also talks about the reaction and feedback she has received so far from the readers.

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/

 

Who says there is no hope for Manipur?

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Who says there is no hope for Manipur?

I started the New year with such strong hope, the much needed hope for Manipur after hearing the voices of the people of Manipur as I watched Impact TV’s Mega Manung Hutna show on the idea of Manipur and bridging the gap.

Firstly I want to thank and appreciate the team of Impact TV Manipur in getting such eloquent Panelists. This is one of the best initiative of discussion which included different ethnic groups creating a platform for everyone to express their views in a very civil way with words. Such discussions including all the groups are much needed to understand the views and issues of Manipur. The choice of Panelists to include representations from different segment of Manipur considering ethnicity, backgrounds and Institutions is very much appreciated. The questioning, presentation and moderation was very well executed. This will go a long way to peace and progress for Manipur. Thanks to Impact TV for stepping up and taking ownership to fill in this big gap to bring the people of Manipur together.

Secondly a big thanks to each and everyone amongst the Panelists for sharing historical events, experiences, your thoughts and views. I could feel the voices coming from the heart giving goose bump at times. I could feel the sadness of the idea of disintegration of Manipur in each voice spoken. They spoke with such love for Manipur, for peace and reconciliation leaving me inspired, empowered and enriched with their sharings.

Love the reinforcing story shared of how Muslims got assimiliated into the Manipuri society and the then King’s approach to protect and respect, giving the religious and cultural freedom to the Manipuri Muslim community. It was interesting to learn about the Royal feast and value sharing platform between the valley and hill people of Manipur much earlier keeping the peace and love amongst the people. The personal experiences shared by the Panelist members of the Valley and hill people coming together were touching. These experiences may be small but it goes a long way to connecting us.

Also the lack of good governance, corruption, the feeling of alienation of tribals in Manipur, misunderstanding of the word Manipuri(language or the people) and lots more were covered. You have to watch the discussion and be informed.

Sir Amu Kamei remains my star of the discussion. His response is awesome, love the way he spoke and expressed, straight and direct. I would love to meet him someday.

I invite all of you to listen to the full discussion of Impact TV’s Mega Manung Hutna. For those who can’t understand Manipuri and is asking for subtitle, you should ask the Indian National TV Channels to feature such discussions bringing up the voices of the people of Manipur, and the North East at the National level.

When we have such strong voices with such good intent and thoughts for unity, peace and progress of Manipur, Who says there is no hope for Manipur?

Now everyone of us have a responsibility and ownership to contribute in the idea of Manipur. There are many takeaways from this discussion which needs to be addressed. Ask yourself how are you going to contribute? Let’s focus on your individual contribution.

Happy New Year 2017. To love, peace and progress for 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.

 

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.