Governor Lakshman Acharya & coffee table book

Free Thinker *

I was not expecting that the present Governor of Manipur will call me for a call-on just on the basis of my humble WhatsApp request. I am extremely grateful to His Excellency Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, the Governor of Manipur & Assam and his officers particularly the aide de camp for giving me an opportunity to meet him in person with my better half.

The ADC to the Governor instructed me to come 15 minutes before the appointed time. I reached Raj Bhavan 20 minutes before the deadline. Both my outdated phone and my wife's Iphone were deposited at the reception counter. Thankfully we were not frisked otherwise I could have been stripped off my leader-like belt with a rusted steel-like iron buckle.

We were asked to settle down at the waiting lobby. Already His Excellency was having a tete a tete with some visitors. We were served tea and biscuits when we were waiting for our turn. Meanwhile I saw a few Coffee Table Books on display at the bookshelves. I picked up the most attractive one - Residency To Raj Bhavan ( A history of Raj Bhavan, Manipur).

I started flipping through the pages which are about 170 pages in total. Pictures or photos are attractive as well as designed & descripted. Some of the bewitching images are Banquet Hall, Kanglasha under reconstruction, Kangla under restoration, Readers Nook, Gol Kamra, Verandah of Raj Bhavan, the Residency itself, Slim Cottage Kangla, Rear view of Raj Bhavan, Governor's Secretariat at Night, old photo of Western Gate of Kangla, real picture of Residency of 1891.

Photo of Jawaharlal Nehru & U. Nu ( Burmese PM) with Maharaja Budhachandra, a group photo of Lord Irwin & Churachand Maharaja, MK Priyabrata's colleagues of Interim Council 1947, Rajendra Prasad in Raj Bhavan, KR Narayanan ,Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee ji , Kalam Saab etc. Lalu ji is also visible in the book.

Apart from these beautiful photos and pictures associated with the Residency or Raj Bhavan the Coffee Table Book/Monograph contains striking tit bits of Modern Manipur History. For instance, "Manipur State Constitution Act , 1947 ", "On reversion of Kabaw Valley", "The Kuki Rebellion" etc.

I became so engrossed in the book that I forgot to see my watch ; actually I had another important appointment in the evening for sorting out certain things relating to Mahabali Umang , Hanuman ji & Ibudhou Mongba Hanba that I could not ignore. In fact a political team had taken much time perhaps discuing burning issues of the State. Fortunately they came out.

Next day I rang up the then Secretary to the Governor who was also the editor of this Monograph cum Coffee Table Book. I told him honestly that it is a well documented abridged precious history of Modern Manipur ( approved by the scholars in bibliography).

The editor is none other than Shri RK Nimai, IAS, a living encyclopedia of Modern Manipur. He was very apologetic about a few mistakes here and there in that book but his main worry was that 'Hunger Marchers of 1965' was not included.

I was ushered in as soon as the team had left. I and my wife katow to His Excellency and presented a humble Manipuri cloth from Wangkhei. The source of the cloth is slightly tricky. So,I decided to remain quite. Actually it was my hard earned clothe not purchased. I sincerely believe that we must present things to our respected elders which are invaluable for us.

His Excellency was in a good mood after having a sumptuous meal on the occasion of a farewell gathering. He said, his Secretary is retiring after rendering a memorable and commendable service for many years. He had taken one 'kher' like subsi which has made him slightly sleepy. I responded, 'Sir the name of the dish is called Utee'.

My bitter half added that drowsiness is because of the presence of the baking soda in the 'Utee'. His Excellency said you have so many varieties of veg curry and sabzi preparations ; it is really unique . I added that ,' Sir, in Govinda ji temple on special occasions the number of dishes goes upto 108 ( variety of veg, dal, subsi, sweet dishes)'.

He told us that he is going to Senapati for a social function. Then I requested him to go to Churachandpur too so that the normalization process is hastened. Living together is the only way out. He endorsed the view . There is no other way except co-existence.

When enquired about his stay in Manipur . He told us very candidly that one week here and one week there - 'I want to be judicious, want to serve both the States in my best capacity'. But Sir, at this juncture Manipur needs more love and affection ( I wanted to say, but couldn't).

Near Govinda ji temple there is a Hanuman ji temple, located in Mahabali Umang (forest). Vaishnavites throng this temple in thousands on Tuesdays and Saturdays, particularly on Tuesdays. When we were children on Krishna Janmashtami and Radha Janmashtami there organized melas along the street from Sanjenthong towards Hanuman ji temple. This temple should not be made a part of any controversy - religiously.

Sanamahi Meities may set up Laisang of Ibudhou Mongba Hanba and other deities but that shouldn't touch the site of Hanuman ji and His paraphernalia. I conveyed to him.

His Excellency listened to me attentively and made a final remark which concluded everything conducively and convincingly - " Saath Saath rehna hai aur koi rasta nahi ". Co- existence is the only way out.