Monica Ingudam

S02E35 FindingTheVoices: Sanhita Ambast, International Legal Advisor talks about Silence On AFSPA

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FindingTheVoices: Sanhita Ambast, International Legal Advisor talks about Silence On AFSPA
Guest Speaker : Sanhita Ambast
A web Interview, with Sanhita Ambast joining in from Delhi, India.
Language: Interview in English

I read the article “The Undemocratic Silence On AFSPA” written by Sanhita Ambast and featured at http://www.huffingtonpost.in. This article highlights about the silence from the government of India, 10 years after the Jeevan Reddy Committee submitted its report. It has done nothing about its recommendations.

Sanhita shared about AFSPA in Manipur and status about the “Jeevan Reddy Committee” and the findings and recommendations. We spoke about national and international bodies that echoed the recommendations of the Jeevan Reddy Committee.

Several UN bodies and experts have called on the Indian government to repeal the AFSPA. However, the government of India – 10 years after the Jeevan Reddy Committee submitted its report – has done nothing about its recommendations. And, as the answer to the question in the Rajya Sabha indicates, it has provided little meaningful explanation about why.

When the system takes so long to provide justice, can there be peace ? Where is the justice ?  Where is the hope for people opting for peaceful protest seeking for the system to work ? There has been compensations but compensation cannot replace Justice, and it is justice, the people are waiting.

Sanhita Ambast is the International Legal Advisor (South Asia) at the International Commission of Jurists. Sanhita graduated from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. She has completed an LLM from Harvard Law School, and an MA in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, specializing in international human rights law.
AFSPA

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/

Lairik eebi, the lady writer, an acrylic painting

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The lady writer. Lairik eebi is the meiteilon word for a lady writer. Painted inspired by a story I heard of a Manipuri lady writer.

An acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam

PaintingsByMonicaIngudam

The Lady Writer, Lairik eebi

S02E34 FindingTheVoices: Mr. Arambam Boby (4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India) speaks out – Part 2

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FindingTheVoices: Mr. Arambam Boby, 4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India, a bodybuilder from Manipur speaks out (Part 2)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Arambam Boby
A Phone Interview, with Arambam Boby joining in from Guwahati, India.
Language: Interview in Meiteilon

Mr. Arambam Boby, bodybuilder from Manipur speaks out and shares his story with FindingTheVoices. He is 4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India and has bagged many other titles.

And yet Findingthevoices is the first to interview him. Another reason of why we are here, we believe in the power of Internet, Youtube and sharing by the public covering voices which the media haven’t found.

Mr. Arambam Boby laments that when the state government of Manipur have ignored his achievements, what can he expect from the rest of India ? We as a community still need to progress in the field of recognition, learning to clap to celebrate achievements of an individual. He expressed his thanks for the support, encouragement given by the Railway department in Guwahati, where he is currently posted. His team has been very instrumental in all his participations of the body building events.

This is the second part of his interview where he spoke about the coverage and recognition of any achievement in the field of Bodybuilding. He shared about where Bodybuilding stands in India as compared to cricket. We spoke in appreciation of the article “Did Indian media just ignore the Mr. World from Manipur?” and thank Bhargab Sarmah for highlighting this.

He shared very interesting perspective of travelling, international and local career perspective and charm that comes as part of participating Bodybuilding events, competition and shows. He spoke details of what he follows to maintain his body.

Do catch up the first part of his interview, where he shared about his story on how he got into body building, his journey and experiences on his winnings and his reflections and lamenting on the lack of encouragement and recognition.

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/

Faceless, an acrylic painting

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FacelessPaintingbyMonicaIngudam.jpg

Faceless

Faceless , probably apt for something I wrote sometime back 084 IT’S ALL IN THE MIND : FACELESS

I was scared,
I seeked your protection,
Only to be left damaged and faceless.

The fate of a painting which was meant for Colors, I wrote sometime back 032 IT’S ALL IN THE MIND : COLORS THROUGH YOUR EYES

How would I know of the beauty of the vibrant green color of the bamboo leaves ?
How would I know of the beautiful rich saffron color soil of the hill ?
How would I know the beauty of the golden sun as it rises and sets?
How would I know the beauty of flowers with colors ?
I am color blind,
I know “beautiful” and “colors” through your eyes and words,
Otherwise it’s a mere black and white sight.

APaintingByMonicaIngudam.jpg

Colors through your eyes

Music of the world 005: “Who am I?” Joel Ansett

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Joel Ansett  , singer and songwriter based in Denver wrote that the songs in his debut album “The NATURE OF US” are all about identity — “Who am I?” and that intrigued me to click through his songs. Don’t we all, at some point in our life search for identity and ask “Who am I?”

Joel Ansett ‘s song “She Walks in Beauty” is a tribute to his mother who has bravely battled breast cancer twice and his lyrics expressed the journey of pain but with strength so well “Oh an army rushes in to tear her flesh, to rob her strength and song, To dull her cheeks and take her hair, but she who walks in beauty walks on”

Going through his song, I was caught by his song “Already in Love” a song I can listen back to back and definitely adding in my playlist. Love the lyrics and the calmness.

What is not to love with a lyrics like this, makes one reflect on Love, unconditional love where one is accepted as is, in a world where you have to fight and stand for who you are, to retain your identity.

…

Even if you change I’ll still be loving on you

I’m in love with who you will be too

Even if there’s a past that you’re too afraid to show

Or a little something secret you don’t want me to know

Take your fears, take your shame, and all your scars

Watch them fade away inside the comfort of your home in my heart

So no matter what you’ve done

And no matter what you do

Feel the healing of a love that’s never leaving you

I’m already in love, with you

Already made you mine,

Never gonna leave your side

I’m already in love, with you.

…

I love his collection of songs, calm and soothing and would love to watch his live performance. Here is a link of my favorite song “Already in Love” in his album “The NATURE OF US”.

MI_S03_withlogoBorn and raised in the violence-torn landscape of the Indian state
Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of the people, people all over the world. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us. Presenting the voices in our series of “Music of the World” sharing music and the thoughts of the artist from all over the world. Contact us to be a part of this series.

 

Music of the world 004: An interview with Jim Wellman from England “Dawn To Dusk”

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Artist: Jim Wellman
Location: East Sussex, England
Styles: Jazz, Funk, Disco, Acid Jazz, Soul
Album Release: Dawn To Dusk : Feb 2016
The album is social commentary, but viewed through perspectives of human psychological evolution, and analysis of mass communication and propaganda. The core of the work is the understanding that Man lives in a world of amazing technological development, but is still encumbered with medieval forms of government by representatives who serve mainly the interests of the elite. Jim uses the mechanisms of human evolution to show how this is wrong for humanity, and instead advocates new forms of direct democracy and openness through an uncensored internet.
When I read about the background of Jim Wellman’s album, I wanted to hear more on his inspiration and thoughts on why and how he came up with the Album “Dawn to Dusk”. He shared very interesting details in this interview and spoke about why it’s important for everyone, particularly celebrity to speak up and voice opinions on social or political topics, and step up as a citizen. Also we spoke about the need for change and reforms to include the people in the decision making process of the system, as opposed to only during the election time.
I found the usage of dialogues in his songs different and interesting. I love the beats in the song “Let the People Rule Ya” and found it very catchy. “Happy song” is one of my favorite in his collection, featured at the end of this video, a song which is a plea for popular celebrity to express opinions. Do check out his upcoming release of the Album “Dawn To Dusk”.

MI_S03_withlogoBorn and raised in the violence-torn landscape of the Indian state
Manipur, I have a vision to promote and spread inspiring, empowering, educative & entertaining stories. I believe we can do this together by finding the voices, voices which needs to be heard and shared, voices of the people, people all over the world. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us. Presenting the voices in our series of “Music of the World” sharing music and the thoughts of the artist from all over the world. Contact us to be a part of this series.

 

 

S02E33 FindingTheVoices: Mr. Arambam Boby (4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India) speaks out – Part 1

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments
FindingTheVoices: Mr. Arambam Boby, 4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India, a bodybuilder from Manipur speaks out (Part 1)
Guest Speaker : Mr. Arambam Boby
A Phone Interview, with Arambam Boby joining in from Guwahati, India.
Language: Interview in Meiteilon

Mr. Arambam Boby, bodybuilder from Manipur speaks out and shares his story with FindingTheVoices. He is 4 times Mr. World, 12 times Mr. India and has bagged many other titles.

And yet Findingthevoices is the first to interview him. Another reason of why we are here, we beleive in the power of Internet, Youtube and sharing by the public covering voices which the media haven’t found.

Mr. Arambam Boby laments that when the state government of Manipur have ignored his achievements, what can he expect from the rest of India ? We as a community still need to progress in the field of recognition, learning to clap to celebrate achievements of an individual.

He expressed his thanks for the support, encouragement given by the Railway department in Guwahati, where he is currently posted. His team has been very instrumental in all his participations of the body building events.

This is the first part of his interview, where he shared about his story on how he got into body building, his journey and experiences on his winnings and his reflections and lamenting on the lack of encouragement and recognition.

Please do check out for the second part of the interview.

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/

Happy New Year 2016

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Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year 2016

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2016.

The picture in our 2016 Calendar is the beautiful Dzukou valley of my native place, Manipur. A beautiful photograph taken by Loyangamba Khundongbam capturing the Dzukou lily with the green luscious hills at the backdrop. The Calendar Format is from e-pao.net and printed at Lumen World in Imphal, Manipur, a small memento for the family of FindingTheVoices. For those away from Imphal and not able to get the hard copy of the Calendar, I will be very happy if you will download this Calendar and make this your Calendar for 2016.

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 the people, people all over the world. I believe that these voices will bring a change and connect all of us.

We are in our 4th year of pod casting and progressing our content and productions with time, we have had a tremendous positive response from our viewers and listeners. And from the messages received from various age groups, our programs continues to touch our vision of getting our listeners and viewers inspired, educated, empowered and entertained. I believe that these stories will bring a change and positive thinking to many individuals. I believe that this will definitely contribute to change the scenery of the conflict and violence-torn to peace and progress in our society.

Thanks to each and everyone for your support. Happy New Year 2016 and to more Finding The Voices.

Rani Karnavati, an acrylic painting

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When I read about Rani Karnavati, I was awed with her. I had to look up and know more about her. And the more I read about her, I was filled with her life, her bravery, her courage and strength, and I drew this acrylic painting. And someday, I wish to visit the land of Chittor.

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Rani Karnavati of Chittor, an Acrylic painting by Monica Ingudam

Rani Karnavati of Chittor, along with many other noble ladies of the court immolated themselves by fire known as Jauhar on March 8, 1535 A.D., while all the men donned saffron clothes committed saka, went out to fight to the death. The men choose to fight till death for their motherland rather than surrendering and be defeated. And the women choose to die in dignity, jumping in the fire rather than face whims and fancy of the enemy, after the defeat. It made me think, of the deepest extent of torture and humiliation of womenfolk they saw in the history of war for them to come up with the concept and implementation of Jauhar. These are women with such pride, whose body and soul wouldn’t be forced.

Also to be noted is the Rakhi story, the glorified story between Rani Karnavati and Mughal emperor Humayun. What I didn’t know, was that Rani Karnavati waited and waited for Humayun’s help when Mewar was under attack by Bahadur Shah. She waited with so much hope and expectations, which didn’t come on time, and finally facing the defeat, she and many others committed Jauhar. Humayun did come, but not on time, defeated Bahadur Shah and reinstated Karnavati’s son Vikramaditya Singh as the ruler of Mewar.And the question lingers “Did Rani Karnavati die with the feeling of betrayal ?” “Did Humayun live with the pain in his heart, that he could have prevented Jauhar, had he acted on time ?” “Did Humayun find his peace, that he tried his best given the circumstances, fighting against all odds ?”

Rani Karnavati was queen, a widow and the grandmother of Maharana Pratap.

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