Happy news of Osama Laden's end resonates
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02, 2011:
Even as the news about the reported death of the most wanted man in the world, Osama Bin Laden, was beamed live on TV channels across the world with a din of poignant celebration at ground zero in New York a family of September 11 victim in an unassuming urban city in the Northeast of India, Imphal, silently offered their supplication to gods for delivering justice to the 3000 plus deaths.
The cataclysmic attacks on twin tower in 2001 by Al Qaeda that left over 3000 people death connected the history of the world to certain Yambem family and the people of the tiny city of Imphal.
On that fateful morning of September 11, a Manipuri, Jupiter Yambem, left his American wife and 5-year-old son behind in what would be their last meeting ever.
He was one of the unlikeliest victims of the terrorist attacks.
Jupiter Yambem left for United States in the year 1981 on a youth exchange program as a councillor for Children Outdoor Coordinator on Camp America project.
With the expiry of the project, Jupiter found himself a job in the US and settled down, going on to marry an American citizen, Nancy.
His son who barely had an idea of what it means to be raised in America with the blood of a Manipuri father has grown up to be a 16-year-old now.
Sadly for the teenager, the disastrous event has etched an indelible mark in his mind, making him remember his father painfully through the event.
Nancy Yambem has been raising their son in New York , working as music therapist.
The elder brother of Jupiter, Yambem Laba, reacted to the news of the death of Osama with a sigh of achievement and ache.
"The soul of Jupiter can now rest in peace in heaven," he said to NNN.
He said that his friend from Delhi had broken the news about the death of Al Qaeda chief via SMS without which he could not have known until very late into the day because there was no electricity at his place.
"Allah is merciful to my brother (Jupiter) and others who have lost their near and dear ones at the 9/11 attack....justice has been done on the victims (of the attack),"he said, fighting back his emotion.
Observing the death anniversary has become an annual ritual for the family of Jupiter Yambem, with his wife and son taking time out every year to attempt to fill in the void left by his absence in their own small ways,"said Yambem Laba.