And then I would strive hard to get it back. Gosh!! how happy was I when my timeout ended and my mom handed me back my precious possession of these clippings and other unusual news items of a scrapbook. I would work harder to please her and be on her good books!

Since my folks could not afford to buy books for us to read other than school books, I used to go the Imphal Central Library to read or just browse through the rows of books there. I had to babysit my little sister Geeta ( Neo.. as we nicknamed her..for her tiny frame!) at the same time.

I put her on my back and carried her with a Naophi (** Cloth sling used to carry small kids) to the library. We would sit there for hours either reading comics ( which I loved very much!) or any other interesting books while my sister played quietly by my side. She is such a sweet heart!!

She would just be playing with a little doll or some books to keep her occupied and busy. I tell you ..she is the quietest and calmest sister amongst us!! Bless her heart!! I could read so much books in a day without any disturbance from her !!!

Anyway my childhood Punjabi friend and classmate Suman Bhatia from my Nirmalabas School days, was very instrumental in my love of books because we got to read a lot at their place as they had so much new books and comics all the time.

This family is a wonderful one for me especially because we grew up together and her mom would always feed us parathas, sabjees and any sweets for any festivals.

They always welcomed us all the time. We went to school together.

On our way back from school ,we ate Gol-gappas or Paanipuris ( puffed bread filled with peas and other seasonings dipped in hot and sweet tamarind sauce) at the roadside "Thelawala".

She went on to become so proficient in Manipuri language that she became a Lecturer in Oinam College. I admire her guts because she being a non-Manipuri can become such a Lecturer at a College and get married to a Meetei guy, to boot!! Hats off to her!!

I was very happy to meet her and her family a few years ago after ..God knows how long!!!She had become more Manipuri than any others!! She had all her Chandon-chava , wearing a Phanek Mayek Naibi (** special variety of Sarong) and any other stuffs to fit the typical Manipuri Mou (daughter-in-law).

I was amazed at her transformation!! Good for her and her hubby too!!

And most of all my Salaam Namaste...to her!!!