My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 5 :: Download

Dr Mohendra Irengbam *

My father Irengbam Gulamjat Singh and mother Irengbam Mani Devi, 1950

Part 5
Chandon Shenkhai
Mangba Shengba

In these wintry days of my life, the fragrant memories of my youth, have become utterly beguiling. As old age dashes events in my life, I feel fortunate to be able to write something of the virgin landscape of Imphal with its historical baggage and its people.

It is for the benefit and inspiration of the Generation Alpha (born between 2010-2924) in Manipur, who are berthed during this Covid Pandemic of 2020. It is said that this Alpha generation in history, will be the most educated with religion going out of the window.

The lockdown with a dull mist of anxiety over my eyes, has also brought out certain emotions in me. Suddenly, my memories of 80 years leapt off the pages and they came alive. Among them, the recollection of me first entering to my primary school which I mentioned in the previous chapter, came out in the form of a gusty sigh, with an unshakable sense of historical destiny.

This has made me aware that there has been a gap in my life, between orotund rhetoric and prosaic achievements. Countless happy memories of my childhood and youth are embedded in this reminiscence. The bad begins and worse remains behind, says Hamlet to his mother. Perhaps, age is eroding my confidence in the present. While glorifying my past with positive memories I feel chagrined in my present-day living.

I have also become less facetious and much less au fait in the face of the novel corona virus that has taken the world by surprise with its inordinate virulence. Making the situation even more scary, the late Shanti had warned me that a couple of my seniors who were prominent figures in Imphal, could not complete their memoirs as they became too disabled due to their advanced age.

He was periphrastically coaxing me to hurry with my memoir before anything happened to me. Mea culpa. I have been trying Shanti. I have been in much worse situations and have survived them. I have begun to look on the sunny side of life. I see the glass half-full, not half-empty.

Writing this memoir has helped me to keep my mind sharp and improve my memory. I also do my daily pranayama or breathing exercises while being positive. This gives me an inner tranquillity with self-composure and serenity. I know now that pranayama slows my heart rate and helps me to relax.

Download the entire Chapter 5 of this book here