Their images jumped, like a poor quality VCD being played out and the lens having a hard time to read. Notwithstanding the poor video quality, dad's white hair and the wrinkles on mama's ageing face were conspicuous.

The audio wasn't great either (thanks to the dial up connection at Imphal). But hearing from them "Ibungo kamdouri, nungai yaifaridana?", despite the cracking, was one of the happiest moments of life.

There was no complaining about the poor video quality nor the wretched audio. Seeing them 'live' and speaking to them was more than enough. Thanks to Internet, and the younger brother who made all the effort to teach the two hexagenerians information technology in a very short time, one could feel the proximity with one's parents despite the thousand miles that separated us.

So, it was mission "Bridging The Generational Digital Divide", undertaken by two siblings, who longed to see and chat with their parents on a regular basis. Being in the software field himself, the 'young man' was able to easily convince parents on the importance of Internet in the modern world during his short holiday trip to home.

For dad, who had once upon a time used to do type writing, it wasn't as difficult to find the letters on the keyboard as mama had. Having spent most of her life getting us ready for school, college and later on for outstation trips and of her own efforts to be a decent teacher, she never had the chance to familiarise herself with computers.

Now retired, mostly free and above all with all her kids away from home working at different corners of Earth, it was inevitable that she mastered at least how to chat using yahoo messenger. The same applied to dad.

It took minutes waiting for a reply to "Maa kari enshang thongee?" but one could see mama franticaly searching for the letters on the keyboard.

And when finally the reply came: "Hangam Kangsoi and yongchak singju", one felt it was worth the wait. Mama has learnt how to chat!!!

As for dad he was quicker replying: "hoi hoi exercise nungtigi touri, walking chatli weight hengattanaba". Dad's smarter now:-)

Although one did wish if only they had a broadband conection at home how different would the chatting experience been. But it seems that needs to wait a bit more....

Thanks You to whosoever invented the Internet, and even a greater thanks to the guy who gave us Yahoo messenger. And yes, Hey Younger Brother....Good Job done!!!