North East Indian

Broken

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
Broken
An article by Monica Ingudam

Everyone goes through a phase leaving you completely broken. The reason why you reached that state may be different but the feeling of being broken is the same. You try to be strong on the outside picking yourself up trying to fix yourself going through a multitude of feelings. You go through loosing your self respect, a terrible heartache and a sense of feeling worthless leaving you empty.

At times when you are alone, you can’t control such strong emotions and even try resorting to hurting yourself. And when you come to that state you have to divert your mind to things you love doing. There has to be something you love doing. You have to promise yourself never to come to that state. It’s all in your mind. Let your mind take control over what you feel, over your heart. If you hurt yourself and die, you will be just another news in a small section, people will say “Oh so sad” “Nungaiteda” probably some sharing/comments in Facebook and other social media places. But you will soon be forgotten and people will move on with their life.

Nothing or nobody is worth hurting yourself. Learn to love and care for yourself. Be a survivor and not a victim, make your own story and start living. Look into the mirror and say “I am a survivor” “I am not a victim” “I will not be a victim” and see the strength in you, the strength no one can take away. It is yours and only yours. Get the strength, fix yourself and continue blooming beautifully.

~The End~

Dedicated to everyone where the thought of harming yourself ever crossed your mind. Nothing or nobody is worth hurting yourself. Learn to love and care for yourself. Be a survivor and not a victim, make your own story and start living.

Rejections

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
Rejections
An article by Monica Ingudam

Everyone goes through rejections at some point of their life. It may rejections in love, in friendship, in work or any form of human relationships. Whatever form it may be, you will be hurt, really hurt making your heart ache so bad that you will cry. And it’s ok to cry. You are only human to cry. And nothing or no one can help you ease your heart ache. It’s only you, your solitude and time that can heal you.

Sometimes you come out emerging strong but loosing your belief in love, life, friendship or relationship. Sometimes you come out weak loosing your belief in yourself and remain broken. And sometimes you are stuck and in the moment of weakness you will loose yourself. Now the question is how to come out strong and drive towards the bright light from the dark tunnel, believing in yourself, transitioning from being a victim to a survivor to living your life.

No matter what advice you get from people or what you have read, it’s you and only you who have to step out of the darkness. Take the time you need but be sure to come out of the darkness you have been in. Open your eyes, look in all directions, directions which pulls you in, which makes you happy, which makes you smile and you will be surprised. Surprised in finding beautiful things in life which you have never seen before and will question yourself on how blinded you were not to notice it earlier. And you will start to see that there is no reason to waste your time in wallowing yourself with people or things who takes you to the dark tunnel, time and again. It is your choice, and only you can choose to move to beautiful things in life and find yourself. But find yourself, for you are special, precious and you deserve it.

Once you have found your place, place filled with your beautiful things bringing out your best smile, you will realize that you actually missed the light. And you can see events from a different perspective and move on with your life, with a stronger you.

It’s easy to fall back even after you found your place. But you should never give up. Once you know you are falling towards the dark tunnel, be quick to turn yourself to your space, your space of beautiful things. The space is different and unique for each of you. For some it may be reading, for some it may be music or writing or photography or gardening or walking or running or movies. There are tons of options, just open your eyes and you will know what pulls you in. Bringing you to a place where you, only you can control your state of mind and no one will ever drive you back in the dark tunnel. You are a survivor and you will find your way to living a beautiful life.

~The End~

Dedicated to everyone scratched by Rejections.

 

Episode 061 FindingTheVoices Robert Naorem, Fashion Designer, stylist, Makeup artist sharing about his career (Part 3)

/ Monica Ingudam / 1 Comment

Episode 061 FindingTheVoices : Robert Naorem, Fashion Designer, stylist, Makeup artist sharing about his career choice

Proud to present 3rd part of Robert Naorem’s podcast where we talk in details about his journey as a Fashion Designer and details about his career. Listen to the podcast to hear the details of his career choice detailing about being a make-up artist and aspiration to being a designer, an established designer. He currently employs 15 people, all from Manipur giving them training, grooming them and offering a different life and live with dignity and respect. His belief echos with my belief on Education. He shares about his own experience and struggle with his own parents on his choice of career path. Mostly parent’s don’t consider a career path based on the child’s interest. It’s time for parents to change their mindset and widen their support on career choice other than the traditional acceptable career. Any parents listening to our show ?

You can catch up the 1st part of his podcast where he shared about his conflicting childhood and 2nd part of his podcast where he shared about his first show, Manipur Fashion Extravaganza 2013.

Picture Courtesy : Tiken Thockchom (Tiken Photography) Pictures of the 2nd show of Robert Naorem ‘s Manipur Fashion Extravaganza 2014

Video Courtesy: Youtube ANImultimedia

025 It’s all in the mind : The Drive just after the snow!

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment
The Drive just after the snow!

It’s a cold snowy day,
Your hands and face frozen after cleaning the snow off your car,
Roads are slippery and icy,
The visibility is low with ice on your windshield.

You see accidents of cars on the way,
You see frozen river giving you the chill thinking how cold it must be,
With all the dangers associated,
There is a certain charm driving just after the snow.

Driving on an abandoned road,
Once filled with traffic,
Making you feel you own it,
Driving at your own speed with your favorite songs played.

As you enjoy the beautiful sight,
All the dirt covered with pure white snow,
The barren tree, now covered with snow making it glow,
Snowflakes falling as the wind blows.

Even the sun won’t miss this sight,
But this beauty is short lived,
As It melts quickly,
Bringing you back to reality with slippery icy road.

Cars stained by the dirt,
Biting you with the bitter cold as you walk by,
When people ask you why bother to drive in such a bad weather,
You smile thinking you wouldn’t miss the beautiful sight and will drive yet again.

~The End~

Picture of George Washington memorial Parkway today.

An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.

Episode 059 FindingTheVoices : Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his experiences of Manipur Movie Industry (Part2)

/ Monica Ingudam / 2 Comments

Presenting the second part of the podcast (in Meitei-lon) of Romi Meitei, Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his experience working in Manipur Movie Industry for the last 10 years. He is one of the eminent Manipuri movie director having more than 10 years of experience working in Manipur movie industry as a Director, script writing and even writing lyrics of songs (including one of my favorite Inga Nonglakta). He shares interesting aspect of the work culture and talent of artists which raises the question, Are the actors and actresses in Manipur reading the script ? Is Manipur keeping up with the technology change with the basic infrastructure and challenges in making a movie ? We also spoke about piracy and how that impacts the Manipur movie Industry.

Episode 059 FindingTheVoices Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies sharing his experiences working in Manipur Movie Industry (Part2)

Catch up with Part 1 of the podcast where Romi Meitei shared his experience and vision of Manipuri movie industry. Listen to his podcast to hear his thoughts on “Have the movies in Manipur Industry changed in the last 10 years ? How is the infrastructure ? Are we equipped with a studio ? Are there any government policy or incentives for promoting the movie industry ? We spoke about the immense talents but lack of sponsors for quality movie production. The movies right now are more market driven to get back the investment.

Watch his short movies Noong Amadi Yeroom (Rock And Egg) and Kaangkhada Lin (Snake under the Bed)

Happy New Year 2014

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment

Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2014.

FindingTheVoices continues to bring insights into the lives of talented, amazing, interesting and inspiring people all over the world. It is a talk show presented by Monica Ingudam with the vision to promote and spread positive, hopeful, inspiring & entertaining stories in the violence-torn landscape of Manipur.

Thanks for all your support and contributions. This is your show to promote your talent & work, share your experiences and voice what you stand for, what you believe in, what you want people to know & talk about.

We are so touched with the amazing response we have received from all our listeners and viewers making FindingTheVoices your show, your platform.

Let’s get together and bring voices and story that Inspire, Empower, Educate & Entertain us from people all over the world.

Thank you and a Happy New Year 2014.

Sharing a picture which will remain in the history of FindingTheVoices, the very first recording for Video Talk show, we had the host, the Guest Speaker, the audience, the story told straight from the heart by the guest speaker bringing tears, laughter. It was a great way to step into the world of Video Talk Show. Please continue tuning in as we add more to FindingTheVoices.

024 It’s all in the mind : I am wandering but am not lost

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment

I am wandering but am not lost

It’s a cold and windy day,
But that didn’t stop her from stopping by to see the river on her way,
She hurried and walked by the river,
She sat and watched the view.

Then continued with her walk,
Following where her feet takes her,
Soon she was on the bridge,
She stood on the bridge all by herself and watched the view.

It was getting colder with the winds from the almost frozen river,
But she continued with her walk,
Crossing the bridge,
And she walked and watched the view from the other side.

All the views was different and unique,
And it’s the view of the same river,
She continued walking back,
Rubbing her hands to keep herself warm.

Suddenly an old man sitting in the nearby bench calls out asking if she was lost and if she needed help,
She smiled and replied “I am just wandering but I am not lost”,
He points to a flask he is holding asking her “Coffee ?”

She couldn’t resist the invitation in the freezing cold,
She could use a warm drink before her walk back,
She nodded and sat next to him,
Unscrewing the cap he pours piping hot black coffee.

Sipping coffee they chatted about their favorite view of the river,
He loves his Miracle river from where he is sitting right then,
She loves the Potomac river when she sees from the middle of the bridge,
They spoke passionately about why they like what they love about each view.

They parted shaking hands,
She thanking him for the coffee and him thanking her for the company,
With a look they both knew,
What they spoke had deeper meaning than just the view.

She walked back hurriedly,
But stopped by in the middle of the bridge to see her view,
And waves to the old man still sitting on the bench,
And she continues back with her walk questioning if she is wandering or lost.

~The End~

Picture : Bridge across the Potomac River by George Washington Parkway, Washington DC.

An Experimental attempt to put thoughts in writing by Monica Ingudam.

For Dog lovers as pet : Dedicated to “Ruby the dog” and all Missing dogs in Manipur

/ Monica Ingudam / Leave a comment

This Album is dedicated to “Ruby the dog”, all dog lovers as pet and all dogs who went missing in Manipur landing up in people’s plate, without giving a chance to the owner to say Good bye.

STOP stealing people’s pet. STOP eating people’s pet. If you want to eat, buy it, raise your own and eat it but STOP eating by stealing people’s pet.

Ruby The Dog

Such an adorable little dog, With soft black and white fur, And expressive beautiful eyes, Winning everyone’s heart, The minute she walked in our home.

She guarded the house, Welcoming family and friends with her wagging tail, And barking notoriously warning us of strangers, She practically grew up with us, Witnessing every milestones of our life.

She gets older, bony and almost blind, And one fine day she went for a walk never to return back, Words spread that Ruby was hit by a truck, But no trace of her and no body found, And we never got a chance to say goodbye.

It’s a small community, Where you always know who is doing what, But no one will say anything about Ruby’s truck accident, Time went by, Searches continues without any success.

Mr. Mei fully drunk walks by our and his “Leirak” (road leading to home), Swaying and barely able to walk, As though he had the last ounce of guilt left in drunken body, He confessed that he ate one and only “Matum” (piece)of Ruby, As the others are gobbled up by the other drunks.

I am Ngangba,If you meet me I will surely brighten your day,And you will agree with my Master’s choice of my name.Picture Courtesy : Sagolsem Romeo
Meet Petty and (Late) Pluto, eleven years old. Unfortunately, Pluto died on Sept 29 this year due to cancer after trying chemo 2 years back. Blessed to have a wonderful Miss who gives us so much love. Picture courtesy : Elizabeth Okram
I am Milo, Lives beside Biotechnology Department, Assam University, I don’t have a master but love by all the Scholars of the Department, I enjoy coffee every evening in the Canteen with them,Homeless but living happily…Picture courtesy : Gautam Seram
I am Boobaa and am adopted by my Master and I love playing with Puchu the cat. Picture Courtesy : Ingudam Manoranjan
Loves to eat, annoy and sleep like any other yet pertaining. Can’t do without her. That’s my Candace, my best friend. Lots of love. Picture courtesy : Sneha Thapa
It was really a scorching day. We had exhausted all our water supplies, no one was willing to be adventurous. So we just walked into a monastery. Beside the heavy gilded door was a large pot filled up to its brim with water, it was where the dog was spotted. He knew that the lens was on him. For a while I thought I had just disturbed someone, then the expression, the guilty, made me capture this. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
Little Anhiya playing with Maria and we are best friends ever. Photo Courtesy : Ronald Meitei
I am adopted and named Pirate by my Master because of my eyes. I am quite friendly but could be scary and annoying if you are a stranger. If you are a stranger but approved by my Master I could be your best friend.
It’s lonely to be home less; I could be a good company; And I will keep looking for my home.Picture Courtesy : Bimal Thongam
This is the moment I wait for, to be with my Master. Picture Courtesy : Laynyn Laithangbam
We are just 5 weeks old; Waiting to be named; Playing at Khuman Lampak. Picture courtesy : Jin So Athokpam
I have been fed and trained, trained to do their bidding. I am a mere pet; if I didn’t have a master, I would have been one of those vulnerable ones. It was hard, but rigorous practice makes one get used to it. I am a mere animal who wants to live. And I do this, for I want to live. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
I am BG and I am calm, come play with me. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
I am Brando and love swimming. Want to watch me swim? Photo Courtesy : Geetanjali Naorem.
My lazy Raja, always occupying my space.. Picture courtesy : James Soibam
I am Brando and love swimming. Want to watch me swim? Photo Courtesy : Geetanjali Naorem.
I am a little late but I am looking to join my clans to join against people who steals dog. My teeths are sharp very very sharp. Picture courtesy : Bimal Thongam
Many people don’t like the Dachshund breed but this one has given me so many memories to cherish, he is quite the cunning one. His name is Willy Boy. Picture Courtesy : Dayrik Nemo Kh
I have no master, I have no name but the love of my kids are unconditional. Picture courtesy : Amit Sharma Kongbrailatpam
I had many affairs with so many dogs in my life, earlier with lots of Desis and later with the videshis, but that also a GSD gone, a Dobb gone, a Labb stolen few days back and at present having an affair with my latest Weiler – Rocky Picture Courtesy : Loyangamba Khundongbam
Gollu and Tingting during good times. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
How can I complain when I am adopted by my beautiful Miss and I look forward our fun time together. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
I am waiting for my Master; The wait is long but it will be all worth it; Picture Courtesy : Bimal Thongam
I want a real dog as my pet, My Mama gets one of these every time, But I want a real dog, She says I can have it when I am big and can take care of of the dog all by myself, I am ready but she wouldn’t listen. Picture courtesy : Monica Ingudam
I am Chaoba and when I was just 2 months old my mother went missing, stolen by someone and I still wait for her.Picture courtesy : Shyamo Ingudam
Our beautiful Mom’s name is Black and wild Dad’s name is Vodka; It’s time to move out and we are looking for a home.Picture Courtesy : Ronel Seram
Summers could be terrible; in a crowded place like this place to look for a shelter isn’t easy. When the temperature soars we could be wild. But at a time like this, when the bright hot ball has gone down, I feel again that I am alive. May it’s the spongy surface, sometimes the breeze and then the edible litters. Picture courtesy : Bobo Meitei
I am Ngangba,If you meet me I will surely brighten your day, And you will agree with my Master’s choice of my name. Picture Courtesy : Sagolsem Romeo
Master sends Lots of love from his core of heart and always missing every moment….!!!Picture courtesy : Nelson Khundrakpam
My paper boy- Loya who brings in my morning paper everyday.. Picture courtesy : Devendra Hijam
I love pets, specially dogs, as the saying goes ‘A dog is a man’s best friend’ and I do find that to be very true. I took inspiration from the context of ‘friendship and relationships’, the foundation or core of which I feel is/should be based on loyalty, faithfulness and willingness to ‘wait’, to brave through the ups and downs of life.. Picture Courtesy : RÏĸa Guite
Reacts fondly with love to her master, maybe weak but dangerous to strangers, no one dares to enter her teritory…Her name is SHONBI..feeding her cute puppies… Picture courtesy : Gobin Sapam
My beloved Tingting left me but I will never ever forget you Tinku. Picture Courtesy : Yaishana Huidrom
How lucky am I to have a little Master as my best friend. Picture Courtesy : Putulu Ningombam
I’m Kitty, 1.9years old. A CARING Mother, A Watchdog, And I love my Family very much. What I like the most apart from meat is MANGO and BANANA. I eat a lot of fruits and CHAMFUT as well. Picture courtesy : Denis Takhellambam
The Dog Whisperer in Manipur. Tell me about your fear and insecurity of walking freely in the streets of Manipur. Picture courtesy : Birosh Junior
My name is Black; I am a proud mommy of 8 puppies; I have an awesome Master; Life is good. Photo Courtesy : Ronel Seram
We are part of your family, love and pamper us. We love to snuggle on a cold winter day in Manipur. A picture for dog lovers as pet. A photograph by Bimal Thongam
Nothing beats napping in our favorite cozy place, My owner doesn’t eat chicken but when people offer her chicken, She saves it for us , calling us Bonee and Bonee Cha with her sweet voice we know we are having a big treat. Picture courtesy : Bimal Thongam

Thanks everyone for sharing these beautiful pictures of your dog and sharing about your dog.

Episode 058 FindingTheVoices : Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry (Part1)

/ Monica Ingudam / 3 Comments

Presenting the first part of the podcast (in Meitei-lon) of Romi Meitei, Director of Manipuri Movies, sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry. He is one of the eminent Manipuri movie director having more than 10 years of experience working in Manipur movie industry as a Director, script writer and even writing lyrics of songs (including one of my favorite Inga Nonglakta).

Episode 058 FindingTheVoices Romi Meitei Director of Manipuri Movies sharing his vision of Manipur Movie Industry (Part1)

This was a very interesting discussion where Romi Meitei shared his experience and vision of Manipuri movie industry. Listen to his podcast to hear his thoughts on “Have the movies in Manipur Industry changed in the last 10 years ? How is the infrastructure ? Are we equipped with a studio ? Are there any government policy or incentives for promoting the movie industry ?

We spoke about the immense talents but lack of sponsors for quality movie production. The movies right now are more market driven to get back the investment.

Watch his short movies Noong Amadi Yeroom (Rock And Egg) and Kaangkhada Lin (Snake under the Bed)