There is a proverb -- Every man creates his own destiny !! But some maxims may go wrong.
Here truly, we have a different story !!
Those who die may have the rights – they deserve mourning,
But those who survive and were abandoned deserve a home and parents who would love and care and share.
This blog is all about that spirit.
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| Mother of the House - With a few "apples of her eyes" |
This is a fable about a family with 18 children .... the eldest being around 15 years old. On the outskirts of Imphal, state capital of violence-hit Manipur, is their home.
Seems normal ? But there is an underlining theme in the family -- and they fight
struggle ...and live together .... but the score is always LOVE ALL !!
The uniqueness and peculiarity in their family does not matter much. Rather it may be an advantage. Mom is a Meitei lady and the 'Hepa' (mass father) of the home is a Kuki.
"Social service is also like an intoxication," says an Assam Rifles official who guided me to the orphanage - EMA Foundation.
It's located in a hillock - New Keithelmanbi -- Opposite DAV Ashram --- about an hour journey from Imphal.
"Who says Kukis and Meiteis no longer trust each other...,?" questions the AR official unable to conceal his emotion as he finds the "happy family" enjoying their Sunday post-breakfast session in total harmony with nature and with each other.
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| Dad and kids |
Like every 'good home' (Bongs would call Bhalo Basha - also means Love) -- Mother is the spinal cord behind the entire family.
Mrs Rebati was a Meitei damsel prior to her marriage. Now she is "my wife and mother of all our children Rebati Haokip", says the father of the house -- Douzalal Haokip. He may sound a typical male chauvanist -- generally trying to tell the visitors that he is the 'father' -- that is the head of the family.
But behind the exterior -- he is a soft-hearted gentleman.
"I always thought about running an orphange and when we got married .... by God's grace, even Rebati liked the idea and today we are proud parents," says Douzalal.
You may be a hardcore seasoned journo -- often ruthless dealing with statistics and causes when 'dead bodies' are counted --- be that be Bhuj quake of 2000 or any other man-made havoc --- here spending abut 20 odd minutes -- one my realise the power of 'service' and the spirit behind it.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you," -- goes a Biblical saying and here the 'Haokip couple' are delivering so.
"Individual losses" during a conflict should not matter much.
"Even prior to the ethnic conflict of 2023, the orphanage was functioning.... In fact, the eldest son of our family -- Lal Mincho is 15 and is in Class 10," says Douzalal.
Lal Mincho smiles modestly as he seeks permission from his 'hepa (dad)' to speak to a news reporter.
He is innocent but a smarty and is already understanding the "importance" of being the eldest son in the family.
I (this blogger) is too the eldest son. But at 15 -- I was of course unlike him !!
"I need a decent job .... maybe I should join the army and help my parents", - says the young man.
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| Sunday morning Cockfight session !! |
Of course the 2023 ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kukis have been subsumed by a broader tussle over whether Kukis should get an administrative unit of their own or whether Meiteis should start searching for a new Meitei Chief Minister to replace -- the incumbent.
People also debate in the TV studios both in the north east and in Delhi -- whether "the killings" were justified or even necessary !!
And the debate will go on.
Hundreds both in Meitei-dominated Imphal region and Kukis and Zo people in Churachandpur or Hmars in Jiribam areas are still by no means out of mortal danger, their future -- uncertain.
But this orphanage presents a different story as stated above.
Two children joined the Ema Foundation home after the 2023 conflict. However as the shy looking -- otherwise affectionate and yet a strict mother Mrs Rebati says -- "We do not discuss bad things about life....With 18 kids we have birthdays every month and sometime more than once in a month.... So I tell the kids ... enjoy more.... be positive and life will give you more".
What a lesson of life !!
But once you are out from the orphanage and draw out plans with those guiding you and providing you 'security' as you are a Mayang (outsider); -- somewhere we are again compelled to discuss ----
The horror is not just that many children and people died. But how they died !
Some bodies were pulled out dusted ....
Some died in pain, as lack of anaesthetic. Others perished as they had heart attacks and stress related challenges. But the painkiller is found in the Ema Foundation.
Understanding the challenges faced, the Assam Rifles extended support by distributing winter clothing and shoes to all the children in November 2024, thereby ensuring their comfort during the harsh winter months.
(In a display of solidarity, all 18 children from the Ema Foundation are being sponsored by the Assam Rifles and are receiving education at the Assam Rifles Public School in Keithalmanbi.
This initiative underscores the Assam Rifles’ unwavering commitment to nurturing the future of Manipur’s youth, regardless of their background.)
A building is also coming up to help ensure adequate accommodation.
The diagnosis of the malady may be pretty tough -- but the prescription is simple -Tablet L-3 --
Live, Let Live .... and when you find someone abandoned by the destiny.... render him the Love.
ends
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