Andro

It was 1^st of July and my boss had been calling me up, insisting me to submit my report on field visit to various schools. I had almost completed my school inspections except for 2 and I knew I was going to be the first and most probably the only one who will be submitting this report as according to my colleagues it is not of much importance and they have better things to do rather than roam in the fields. Well, my thinking is different, I actually love going to the fields, talking to the students, teachers, headmasters. I love listening to their small issues which if I can, I solve it at the instance or maybe submit a concrete report to my bosses who sometime take up necessary actions or literally tend to forget some issues, well you know how boss can be..:)

Well, it seems I am drifting away from the topic but this is me, I just love talking, give me a topic and I can speak on it for hours, like those extempore speech. Anyway now let me begin the very thing that I have wanted to share with you friends for the last so many days. The 2 school that I haven’t visited yet situated in a very far away town of Manipur call Andro. And that day I intended to finish my field visit so I planned to go to Andro with some of my District Officials. It was going to be my second visit to Andro, last time I went there to conduct a streetplay with the famous Nokphadey party. I wasn’t able to explore the place but I had a tea which cost just 2 Rupees. I knew today was going to be different as I had only two schools to visit with mush lesser number of companions which includes one lady special teacher, one District coordinator and one male special teacher. I borrowed my Dad’s car for the day and we were off at 8 o’clock in the morning towards the famous town of Andro.

We drove for about 10 minutes and we crossed the beautiful Irilbung Bridge, the hills in front of the bridge looks mesmerizing, it looked so near, and I could see the roots of the trees on the hills. After crossing the bridge we drove towards the famous ngariyan hills. The road was smooth, thanks to Andro MLA. People who live or has visited hills will know the difficulty in driving on a hilly road, so many blind turns, the steepness and the speed of the other vehicles but thank God that day I wasn’t driving. Besides praying to god to make me land in Andro safely I just can’t help admiring the scenery, the valley was quite a site when looked down from a height of some thousands ft above the sea level. After about 10 minutes of drive the roads became narrower and what I can see was only heavy populated bushes in both sides of the road. Most of the plants grown there were eucalyptus, teak, castor, banana, some tall grasses, pine trees and bamboos. I could see 2-3 Bees hive on some trees. My dad once told me that a man died few years ago on this road, he met a swarm of bees and was bitten everywhere, he lost control of his steering and met with an accident. It was freaky and It gave me Goosebumps when I remember it, nearby that place we saw a bamboo made thatched roof shed where some old ladies were selling juicy pineapples. My colleagues told me Andro’s pineapples was the best in Manipur and every year they organise pineapple festivals where they sell more than 10,000 pineapples and it’s by products. After a while I saw a certain part of the hill covered by beautiful, fully grown Pine trees and in one clear area some women were selling cane products, handbags, mats, boxes of different size. The places were so quiet and cool, so opposite to my hometown. I felt sad and jealous for a while. After about 5 minutes I saw various yellow colour buildings on a hill top similar to some government quarters, my colleague told me they are constructing a Police Station. It was really depressing to know Guns can reach such a heavenly peaceful place. We reached Andro Lamkhai and from there we turned left for Andro. I could see big trees on the way which seems older than any man walking on the earth at that moment. Andro was plain area but covered with paddy hills, small ponds and streams. The smile on my face returned again after seeing nature’s beauty of such degree. Then we passed a beautiful gate made of bamboo and straw which was standing there to welcome any outsiders in Andro. We stopped in front of a school and when I opened the car door and stepped out, the first thing that greeted me was the smell of the atingba yoo(a local alcohol of which andro is very famous) as I follow the smell, I knew it was coming from the opposite house. A sense of curiosity grew on me and I couldn’t resist checking what was going on at that house. I opened the gate, there was a big dog lying at the courtyard, he seemed asleep, then I saw the room where they were brewing the alcohol, there were pile of woods, many big pots, some of them upside down and cooked rice scattered everywhere. It is rumoured that in Andro, people serve atingba instead of tea to the visitors, and in every ceremony atingba is a main ingredients. I took few more steps and was kinda inspecting the place when suddenly a woman came out and asked me what I want. I told her if they sell the andro pots, she said yes and asked me to come and choose. She showed me around 100s of pots, they were earthen pots but the texture was unique and the shapes were different. I asked her what’s the difference between Andro pot and the ordinary pot, she said they are long lasting and not easily broken. I paid 100 for two big pots and she gave me two small pots free. We left the place and headed straight towards Andro bazaar. On the way I saw many people wearing white dresses and walking on the road, it seemed some family was having a dead ceremony and they have invited the entire population of Andro, we met one of our staff, he was also wearing the ceremonial dress he was quite drunk and it was just 1 pm but he was so happy to see us. We left him and headed straight for the school. When the inspection was over we planned to have a cup of tea but all we can see were meat shops where they sell liquor too. The hotel where I had tea last time was also closed so we bought some juices and chips. The guys wanted to buy the atingba yoo so they went inside a house, one of my friend from Delhi called up when I told her I am in andro she insisted me to have the andro pork which according to her is really good. So I went to one of the meat shop and bought 5 piece for Rs 50. Our work was also over so we thought of just exploring the place for a while before going back. I opened the pork packet and took one bite of the biggest piece and oh my gosh! My mouth is still flooded when I remember the taste. According to my friend the meat was tastier because their animals are always roaming and feeding and their muscles are stronger, well! I don’t give a damn as long as they taste good. Then we visited the famous Andro temple where there is a fire which keeps on burning and will keep on burning forever. I don’t understand, how? According to them it was a sacred place but I think some Gas probably Methane must be emitting from the ground…if so? Then why haven’t anyone proved it. Andro is not so rural. They said the community people provide woods for the fire early in the morning every day. They didn’t allow us to take pictures or peek through the closed temple door but there was something about the place, some kind of energy and I felt it that day. We visited the two huts where they have stored the big pung. Again I wasn’t able to see the pungs but looking at the length of the huts, I was sure it must be a really big pung. Andro citizens accent are different from the Imphal meiteis. But they look so innocent, carefree and happy from the Imphal people. Honestly Andro was growing on me that day. We left Andro at around 3:30, our mind enriched with the sacred knowledge about Andro, its culture and its people. I bought a cane box and some pineapples on my way back home. The box I am using to store my tarot cards and the pineapples I shared with my friends. I am using that small pot which I received free from that lady as a flower vase and I have dropped it from the staircase few times but there was not a single scratch. I am looking forward to my next Andro Trip.

WHO AM I??

Someone called me narcissistic, someone called me whimsical, someone called me Sweet. According to my parents I am quite, introvert, ignorant and gentle. According to my best friend I am a free bird, independent, creative and someone who don’t give a shit about what people think. According to my colleagues I am hardworking, efficient and seductive…(hahaha). According to my ex- bf I am selfish who never care about other people’s happiness (coz I left him). Wow!! What a diversity of opinion about one particular subject. Regarding narcissistic- I love taking my own pictures, love taking care of my health, my looks and who doesn’t. I don’t think that make someone narcissistic so I am discarding this particular word from my description. Next whimsical- whenever I watched a good movie I am so motivated by it that I feel like doing the same thing the actor did or when I read any good article about an interesting topic I started getting obsessed with the same thing for quite some time. Apart from that I love doing so many things like singing, dancing, painting, reading, photography, writing, jogging, gymming, walking, etc etc…I think the better word that suit me is Jack of all trade rather than whimsical..:). My parents think I am vulnerable and I think they are just protective, when will parents realize that their kids are able to decide what is right and what is wrong. My best friend stayed with me in Delhi for 7 years and since I was living far away from home, I was highly independent and lived my life without looking back or worrying about what people will think about me. Now about my colleagues, I am the only female working in the same post in my department. The rest are male who are atleast 2-5 years older than me. Its hard for me to enjoy or do other things if I have some pending work so I prefer completing my job and then partying. Thank god they perceive me as efficient and not competitive,,,regarding seductive. I am not so tall nor have zero size, I never flirt so I am confuse with this comment…hehe. Ex boyfriend is ex boyfriend now why should I care about him after everything is over. I don’t have the habit of dragging a situation. Once over is over and I think even he should do the same. Anyway, this is me,,,seen through other people’s eyes. And if I ask myself who am I? just one word. I am simple.

My chicken Recipe

I always wanted to be a great cook. I love cooking and my level of happiness rise double when people appreciate my cooking…J Now, today I am going to share you a chicken recipe which I haven’t given any name yet, my friends use to call it Chicken Hungarian but it is quite different from the real Hungarian Chicken. This recipe will be very helpful for people who want to gain weight….:) The taste is unique, much different from the spicy Manipuri chicken recipe.

Best serve with rice, steamed Asparagus or steamed mustard.

Ingredients:-

1. 1 kg Chicken.

2. 100 gm Butter (you can add more if you like).

3. 2 piece of Green Capsicum (Shimla Mirch)

4. 4 piece of Onion.

5. 1 teaspoonful of red chilli powder for colour.

Directions:-

1. Put around 70 grams of the butter in a frying pan (Karhai/Khang)

2. Heat the butter for 1-2 minute, avoid burning it.

3. Add Jeera and chopped onions, cook it for 4-5 minutes till the onions are partially cooked.

4. Add the chopped capsicum and chicken, cook it for 10 minutes. Avoid stirring continuously (have some patience J)

5. Add the remaining butter, salt and the red chilli powder.

6. Cook it for another 20 minutes till the chicken is fully cook.

7. Now sprinkle some chopped coriander leaves and enjoy the chicken with rice or bread or smashed potatos

8. Don’t forget to give feedback

9. Take care and Keep smiling.

Why???

Why can’t people see the beauty inside a man’s heart? Why do people always go for outward appearance, how much bucks the person make or how powerful his family is?

He was perfect from outside and everyone admired him, liked him. He was too sweet, funny, rich, powerful, talented, witty, ravishing. In short, he was the kind of guy every girl asked for and prayed for. But in his heart he was a devil with an intention to savour any possible woman he come across. I trusted him and admired him like others but when I came to know the truth I dumped him even though I was left broken hearted. Now, I want to move on and I want to live a peaceful life free from all the agonies, heartache. I don’t want to make the same mistake again or worry what people will think, I just want to make the right decision.

But Why?? Why do they don’t understand? Why are they trying to drag me into the same earlier situation again? I have learned my lesson and now my eyes are wide open but why aren’t theirs. Why are they still blind with materials and money and power? I don’t want to agree with them, I don’t want to agree with anyone…. I Just want to do what I think is right. Fame is not what I want, money is not what I want, power is not what I want. I just want a truthful lover, a beautiful heart, a hand I can hold when I am scared, a shoulder I can lean on and cry when I am sad, a face which will make me forget all my problems and a heart I can proudly say it is mine….:(

My Confession

I should have written this note a long time ago but I felt so reluctant in jotting down what the truth is and what really happened that I hardly notice how deeply my soul or my conscience or my subconscious is hurt as days goes on. In the last so many years, it seem less important to me and my life. But today this idea stuck me since the morning and I have been thinking about it all the time, I even hit a rickshaw on my way to Office but still I can’ t get rid of this feeling. I can’t even confess to him because he is gone and he is never coming back. He is dead and is dead for the last 4 years. And I am left with no place to find solace. My heart seems to be bleeding and soul is shattered beyond repair. Wish I had one chance to say sorry, I know he don’t hate me but I know what I did was wrong and I wanted to let him know I can do anything to change the past and fix my fault. For now, I think the best think I can do both to myself and to him is to let people know the truth.

When I joined my school about 21 years back, he was the only guardian I had in the school. I was about 5 and half years old and he was about 8 years. He himself was suffering from this dilemma of his single parent family, adolescent stage and his school life but even then he treated me like his own sister, came to my class during recess with his friends, ask me is everything fine, helping me with many other things. I was proud that I have someone who cares for me in that new place which was full of strangers. We are not actually very close relatives. He is my mom’s elder sister’s husband’s cousin brother’s son. His father died when he was a baby and his mom in trying to run her family and bring up her children did lots of odd jobs and was sometime wrongly interpreted by many people in her neighbourhood. After 1 year, I was quite comfortable in my class and with my friends that I find him not so important in my life anymore. One day my mom was furious with his mom because of some elderly issue and I find it inappropriate to mention the issue in this blog. Anyway, when I came to know my mom was angry even I felt bad. I was just 6 years old and I didn’t know what was good and what was bad but I wanted to protect my mom and help my mom so I thought I should blame him for something, as a revenge for what his mom did. I told my mom, sorry let me correct it, I lied to my mom that he comes to my class often and drink all the waters from my bottle and eat my Tiffin, I also told her that sometimes he abuse me and her(my mom). When my mom came to know she was so angry that she call up my dad immediately and they had a long discussion with my mom’s elder sister. Finally my dad wrote a letter to the principal of our school. The next day, the principal call us to his room and we were asked in detailed about the letter. When we were standing in the Principal’s room he looked at me with a deeply hurt eyes which I can’t forget till now and asked me, “why did u lie? I didn’t do any of these”. I kept quite but I never had the courage to say the truth. I think he was punished but I never cared to check out. From that day we were like this unforgiveable enemy. We never talked and we always ignored when we see each other for the next 10 years. He never existed in my life anymore. But, when I completed my schooling, I had to go to delhi for my Graduation and my dad accompanied me for the admission. At that time, Things were fine between our families too. So, we met again in Delhi, he took me to the colleges for admission, gave us a big room till I get my own flat. I felt really ashamed of myself and I wanted to tell him I am sorry for what I did but I never got a chance. He was different now, he seems to care too less about life or career and he was like a free bird. I was worried about him because sometime he forgets lots of things like when he is going to pick me up or what I asked him to buy. I got admission and I shifted to a girl’s PG. He helped me in shifting, getting admission and visited me often to see if I was Ok. One day he told me he is going to another state for some work, 5 days after that I learnt from home that he died because of overdose. He was singing and playing guitar one night with his friends when he suddenly fell down and died at that spot. I cried for the whole day, skipped college too. His friends came to see me and console me. They asked me to come for his shraddha at their flat but I never went and I don’t know why. Wish I had one chance to tell you bro that I am sorry deep from my heart and I wish you can tell me it’s ok sister, I forgive you…..:(

Love in the time of Social Network.

Gone are the days when Dating proposals were sent through 2-3 pages long letters. The guys use to follow the girls at almost every place she was suppose to visit, then he use to finally took up the courage to go up to her and tell her what he feels about him. The girls were always shy and always use to reject the proposals in the beginning even if she like the guy more than anyone else, because easy acceptance was treated as not that valuable (Kinda Funny). The guys never give up and still keep on pursuing her even upto the level of imposing and stalking her everywhere. Then finally she said yes and hence the love story begins....They meet once in 1 month, get married after 5-6 years and finally settle down to have a loyal, very committed married life wherein they treat each other as their better half.
Things are too different these days, for the last 10-20 years, kids are exposed to so much violence, vulgar activities, MTV, Channel V, Video games, almost nude female models that its side-affects are easily visible in today's youth. Love is a word that brings humorous smile to some of the youths, for others love is just a means to bring an end to their sexual urge!! The changing mentality is again highly supported by the introduction of social networks like facebook, orkut, twitter, blah, blah. Finding love is in fact a matter of opening one social network account and adding few hot girls/guys. In each of these accounts, the users are given full freedom to upload any pictures that he/ she want to that can help her/him attract as many opposite sex as they want, apart from that they are also given full privacy to not only enable them for textual chat but also Video chat/ voice chat...God Knows what might be happening. In the whole process we tend to forget what is the real meaning of love and polygamy is getting widely accepted by our society.
Now, the most heartbreaking thing is not only single gals and boys but also married individuals are an equal part of such crime (For me it is a crime). Married man have extra marital affairs as it is much easier for them to find someone through internet and they can easily lie about their married status too. The readers might think I am some kind of Orthodox, old-fashioned person but the fact is the person whom you love might be doing the same, even if he/she dont...dont tell me you dont suspect it!! The changing trends has brought a wind of unstable relationshipsssss whose after effect can be disastrous than any other man made explosives!!

Valentine's Day 2011

Irrevocable is my love and obnoxious are your words.
My mind is brighter than the shining stars but, my heart is dumber than the dumbest guy.
Shall I make the logical decision or shall I pretend to be naive and ignorant.
If I hadn't love you, you would have be lying somewhere in a cheap little room, deeply hurt by my words and your face all blushed by my slap.
This was what I was thinking when I was getting ready to meet my date. But then I saw some great writers line " Love is blind". let it be then. My love is blind and I will also pretend to be blind. My words and this article is result of my continuous exposure to Beyonce's "Broken Hearted Girl".
God...I sound sick.