Smt SS Olish, MLA feted with pomp and grandeur at Khopijang

Lunminthang Haokip *

FELICITATION OF THE VICTOR: Chandel District has five distinct areas that overlap with TD Block demarcations. They are Chandel DHQ area, CKG-Sugnu area, Dingpi area, Border area and Sajik Tampak area. On 17 March, 2022, the jubilant voters of Sugnu area feted the newly elected Legislator from 41-CDL AC at Khopijang near Serou Lamkhai.

The felicitation event was stage-managed by functionaries of CEC - Central Election Committee - for the triumphant candidate who has just been sworn in as a law-maker. The hosting CEC had co-ordinated Madam Olish's election campaign in the Kuki-in-habited areas of Khengjoy and Chakpikarong Blocks in the concluded SAE-2022.

As expected, the joy of having had the person they voted for win with the highest margin in the State's Assembly election history, had the CSOs of the said area erupt in celebration mode. The up-beat CSOs included KCA-Cdl, KWHR, KSO/Cdl, Zouma, and UZO. The CSO leaders went ballistic on stage as to how the battle of the ballot-2022 was won. It was Voters' Day Out.

ONE DAY AT A TIME: The felicitation programme was conducted by G1 Seitinlal Khongsai. Following invocation prayer by Pu Hemmang Mate of Teijang village, Rev Onthang Haokip, Pastor KBC No. 21 offered blessing prayer for the feted MLA elect. Song items were rendered in turns by G1 Paominlun Haokip and Ng Themneihoi Khongsai.

The latter's cover version of Merina Bellina's 'One Day at a Time' was effusively appreciated by the feted dignitary because the same happened to be her fave number. Smt Olish, in her own words, said, “This is the song I hum when I felt low and moody. Humming it used to lift up my spirit.''

The welcome address was to have been delivered by the Chairman of the CEC, Mr Shokhomang Haokip. But it was rearranged and delivered by Mr Thangminzam Taithul, the Vice Chairman, CEC instead. The reps of the CSOs took time to express their happiness over the super success of their candidate in the concluded election in 41-CDL AC. It indeed was the height of 'Voter-Voted' mutual-praise period.

1ST PUBLIC SPEECH OF SMT OLISH AS MLA: The MLA elect began the much-awaited speech from her with a word of prayer.

Excerpts of the speech: “I stand here before you all as an elected representative from 41-Cdl AC because of the selfless love and affection you all showered upon me. You are a blessed community. Your prayer for me through out the electoral process, from the beginning of the campaign to the day of result declaration, had power. The power of your prayer helped me a great deal. It really gave me the zeal and the zest to fight on.

The final victory is yours as well as mine. We got it done together. In the previous battle of the ballot, our friend from Aihang, Mr Letpao Haokip won in 41-CDL Assembly segment. He became a Minister overnight. This year round, he met success as a contestant from 42-TPL AC too. I'm happy for him. Lamkang tribe is the weakest. But your support made me strong. I am maha grateful to you all. Our team-up combo was a trend-setter. Together we created magic".

THE COMMUNTIES-UNIFYING POLITICO: The candidate who got 19000 votes out of 30000 Naga votes in Chandel AC and 17000 Kuki-Zou combo votes out of 19000, in the same AC, went senti over her electoral struggle of the past. Twice beaten in the hustings, and third time lucky, the new Woman Legislator broke many records. First. She is the first woman candidate who came out triumphant from Chandel AC.

Second, the lady contestant from the minority Lamkang community managed to also get the maximum number of votes from across all communities of the AC. She also happened to be the first political figure to cobble up some sort of electoral likemindedness of the 11 communities of the AC. This is no mean feat by any standard.

It also proves that the former district leader of BJP Mahila Morcha perfectly understood the nuances of the complications of inter-tribe and clan equations. Her achievement lies in having brought contradictory elements to vote together in her favour.

That's why, as a stakeholder village chief, I said in the Khopijang meeting, “Once Moreh had 'Touba ngamba Ngamkhai (Former MDC);' CCPur has 'Khaiba ngamba Khaipao (Former Chairman CADC);' and now, Chandel has 'Onba ngamhanbi Olish".

LET'S PUT DEVELOPMENT ON FAST TRACK: Madam Olish, in her speech, candidly admitted that she was brought up in a Mantripantha family where she had to wear the pant because her mom died early. She may be a little 'temperamental' in her dealings but that was the end-result of her bid to keep her family members under control.

She also said, “I was there when flood ravaged CKG bridge in 2015 as a social do-gooder. I distributed rice and other foodstuff to the victims. Being a woman myself, I can understand the pain womenfolk go through in domestic circles,” the first-time law-maker continued, “I wept and wept when I was told that Kuki and Zou Women CSOs were on their knees praying for me. I felt humbled.

I am indebted to you all. I will come back to you all dear sisters. I will meet womenfolk separately. I also know pretty well as to how my Election Committee workers worked hard day and night in the campaign trail.

They had to push vehicles on dirt-track with hunger gnawing at their vitals. Thank you all. One Day at a time, as the song goes, together, we will put development of Chandel District on fast-track.

May God bless you all".