"To let others stand up for the survival of mankind is never appealing but it is an upright duty of every individual to let someone capable to enjoy that basic right."- Mala

The little village- Damdiei, the town I did love to be in- Churachandpur, the state which I wanted my children to called their home- Manipur and the country in which I believe to be the upholder for my freedom- India, all of them has become a part of my dream journey in themselves.

Damdiei was a beautiful village in the early 80's with all the things that was needed to make the tiny hamlet into one of the leading villages in the Thanlon Sub-division, under Churachandpur district.

This is a typical Hmar Indian village- known for having the right blend of every human flaws. During those days the village chief by the name of Neikhup Changsan took upon himself the task of transforming to lives of his people.

He brought to the village a diesel engine rice mill, the biggest ever till date and along with that he manage to get the government to set up a sawmill which he gave the name Damdiei Wood Works.

What amazed me was that he, being not an educated person,persuaded the then Deputy Commissioner, Dr.Mrs. Mishra to lay the foundation stone for setting up a sugar mill side by side with the opening of the saw-mill.

The late 80's saw a growing and prosperous Damdiei and Damdiei Kurtei(gur) were sent to as far as Silchar and Aizawl. The enterprising villagers make for themselves a good income and they hardly felt the need for engaging in shifting cultivation.

Neikhup then began to generate public opinions on the idea of setting up a multi-purpose mini- dam in his lake, now called Bela's Lake. But by then due to unfortunate tussle for chiefship began to take its toll.

Everything began to tumble down by the early months of 1993. Court cases were filed and rumour has it that the Guwahati High Court ruled in favour of Neikhup.

But by the time the judgement was pronounced everything has gone astray. Re-building became out of question.

This was one remarkable person that has the guts to do what he think was right for the well being of his subjects.

This story is not an intentional outburst against the people who were responsible for the 'death of ideas' that was necessary to take the area into a self sustained economic entity, but for the cause of reminding fellow friends that such thing needed to be discarded from our society.

This simple story is found in every nook and corner of India. What a compromise we had to undergo due to the whims of the so-called masters and representative of the people who has no idea and will power to do what is good for the interest of the society.

Will it not be ideal if enterprising people having clear cut idea upto what level they can take the cause of general welfare be given a chance?

But who will bell the cat when its claws and teeth are sharp!!