Koro & Krishna – The young & old faces of Manipur
- Part 2 -

S Balakrishnan *

Initially, I could not quite get his name, so he wrote it down for me and eased my problem telling his nickname was Koro. Thank God for that sweet & short name. My calculation is that he must be around 26 years. I hope once the Continental section opens up in that hotel he would slowly rise in stature.

What with India's Look East policy, trade prospering in Moreh (India-Myanmar border), an international airport in Imphal, rail line to connect Imphal and then Moreh, Imphal is bound to become a nerve centre of commerce, a hub of international trade. And, one day, who knows, he might even participate in the popular Celebrity Masterchef programme and appear on TV! This is watched keenly by my wife and daughter but thank God they have not tried any of those recipes at home! I would be the hapless guinea pig.

In the same hotel, I chanced upon another gentleman who had played in the football team of Indian Bank which is headquartered in Chennai. Now he was coaching Neroca FC, owned by the Classic Group of Hotels. We met on the top floor of the hotel as I was shooting top angle view of Imphal. I wasn't sure of one building with several domes and then he came out of the lift. He clarified that it was the State Secretariat, and then enquired where I was from.

It was then he told me with a glint of happiness that he had played for the Indian Bank's football team. As the members of Noroca FC appeared one by one, instructions flew from him to them. There were a few players from Africa also. We could not talk much further as he got busy with the players and I was also in a hurry to finish the photo shoot and proceed for Andro & Kakching. Unfortunately, we did not cross each other later.

To a burst of laughter, I cautiously asked Koro if any of his new trial dish was right on our plate. Though I wanted to say a final bye to him before pushing off for the airport, I could not succeed in my attempt. So I handed over a copy of my first writing about Manipur 'A tryst with a Manipuri film Sanabi in Madras' (The Sangai Express, March 16, 2016) to one of his colleagues, as a memento of our meeting. A compliment or a curse, Koro must be wondering!

Krishna – content but complaining:

While Mr. Koro represented the aspiring youth of Manipur, Mr. Krishna Mohan represented the dejected but contented elder generation of Manipur.

We came across Mr. Krishna on the shores of Loktak Lake, on our first evening in Manipur. In Manipur it was always the other way around; instead of us initiating a dialogue with the Manipuris, it was always the Manipuris who eagerly began the dialogue. A welcome sign, indeed! Let me clarify that this Krishna Mohan was not our guide but a casual acquaintance at Sendra Island; our guide was Mr. Krishna Kant Sharma. In the Valley of Krishna (Govindajee), there are bound to be lot of Krishnas, I suppose.

As we were loitering on the shores of Loktak Lake, I was attracted by a little boy wearing ear rings and meddling with football. Later I understood this was not fashion-oriented but custom-oriented among Meiteis. That boy was evading being photographed, so I was following him like professional paparazzi and then captured him successfully. Without his knowing, he stylishly struck a pose like Messi, placing one foot on the ball. And, without my knowing, I was being watched by a pair of wrinkled eyes. They belonged to Mr. Krishna Mohan.

Retired from the Loktak Hydro Power Project in 2013, Mr. Krishna lived just across Sendra Island. He was on his daily routine of evening walk from his 'basti' to Sendra Island; the bridge across the lake that connected these places was his walking track. There were many like him, walking, jogging, and playing volleyball. The whole ambience presented a healthy and serene atmosphere, a picture-perfect spot. I could only heave a sigh of pure envy!

Though Mr. Krishna led a contented personal life, he was also a dejected person – the political and societal situation in Manipur was the cause for his heartburning. He has two sons and two daughters; one son was working in the same project wherefrom he retired. One daughter was serving as nurse in the far off Arunachal Pradesh and the other was studying, if I remember correctly.

So in the personal realm he was a healthy, happy & contended man, but he was angry that there was much corruption in the society, especially in the political arena. Much more could have been done with all the money pouring in, but ….. This was his main grouse like that of many others whom I met later. Are the politicians, particularly the ministers, listening? Manipur may go the Assam way electing a BJP government if the politicians did not mend their ways.

Is that a tulsi mala you are wearing? I asked him. Yes, yes, we Meiteis are mostly Vaishnavites, you see; even my name is after Lord Krishna, he explained. He was glad to know that I also had 'Krishna' attached to my name. 'Ha, Lord Govindajee is omnipresent and watching everyone and everything', he added philosophically touching his tulsi mala.

I had a flash thought – due for retirement in the next two months, could I settle down in Sendra Island, seemingly a peaceful and beautiful place? Am I adding fuel to the already raging ILP (Inner Line Permit) issue?! I am an old man, so I am not going to seize anyone's job opportunity; I would only be loitering around in Manipur, clicking photos, shooting questions and scribbling something.

Concluded....