Thanksgiving Service

By Lunminthang Haokip *

The Rewarding News: On 1st March ,2012, 14 senior MCS (Manipur Civil Service) cadre officers had been appointed-by-promotion as IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers of Manipur-Tripura cadre (Manipur segment) of which I was one. Having entered Government service in 1981 as SDC (Sub Deputy Collector), I had to persevere the occupational hazards of hill-district posting for ten long years from the day I submitted my joining report.

Facilities at my disposal changed for the better when I was directly recruited into Manipur Civil Service in 1991. My happiness turned full-circle when I got the DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training, Delhi) order that brought the rewarding news of my induction into IAS.

The Reason To Give Thanks: Born and brought up at the remote L. Thinglhangphai village of Chandel district that borders Serou valley on the delta formed by the Chakpi-Imphal river axis, my primary schooling was done at Y. Thingkangphai M.E School. Later, I studied Class VII and VIII at Adimjati High School, and finished High School at Donbosco Imphal.

My plus-two course at St. Edmunds College got me a mere II Division. Back to Imphal, I graduated in 1977 and took a Master's Degree in English Literature from JNU, Imphal Branch in 1981. In my academic efforts, there was nothing I could claim as a brilliant achievement. If a mediocre student and an average Govt. servant like me had been lifted up to the country's top level administrative service, it was the mercy of the "Most High who rules over the affairs of men".

The Additional Reason: To make my joy fuller, God gave an MBBS/DHA (Diploma in Health Administration) to my eldest daughter, Eunice Tinchonghoi Haokip. The mercy of the Lord saw her placed as Medical Officer immediately after she finished her course. What more could a poor interior family of negligible background ask for? If my late parents, Ngamjathang and Lheitin Haokip who founded L. Thinglhangphai village were alive today, they would have insisted on celebration over jubilation.

The blood shed by my dad in his evangelistic campaign the late fifties of the last century when he was attacked for spreading the Gospel brought about all the blessings. In 2002, when a four-inch cut on my head made me crib, God showed me Hebrew 12:4, "You have not resisted sin to the shedding of blood". I said Amen to that poignant reminder.

The Thanksgiving Bash: It would have been a serious case of total lack of gratitude on my part had I not declared in public as to how the good Lord spared an obscure backblock-guy like me to serve His people from a position of advantage. Lack of parking space at my place in Imphal compelled me to invite 800 special friends/colleagues /acquaintances/relatives of mine to my ancestral home at L. Thinglhangphai on the 21st April, Civil Service Day, 2012.

The turn-out was huge for a small village to manage. But thanks to the "Tuchas" (husbands and children of my aunts, sisters and cousin sisters) of my family, the reception and catering gave no cause for worry. The inhabitants of the host-village also worked hard to ensure that every guest was taken good care of.

The Service Began: At 11 a.m, most of the invitees had gathered inside the Church-hall. The event-managers made sure that the guests coming from far distances were served brunch before the meeting started. An empty stomach can scarce absorb the finer contents of a speech. At 11:20, Rev. S. Vaiphei of Molnoi MMC, held the mike and invited Molnoi MYF choir to present the welcome song.

Soon after, Dr. Jamlal Haokip with whom I share the same original lineage of Sehao family, and who also contributed generously for the event with his brothers, Lelen and Lhunsei of the same lineage, Mr Ngamthang Mate, MDC and the chief of Longja, addressed the assembled audience. The item that enthralled one and all that Day was the group song rendered with professional finesse by Rengkai EFCI choir. Mr Lalramsang, SDO/Tengnoupal brought his Church choir all the way from Churachandpur.

The Initial Speech: Dr. Eunice spoke briefly on how God guided her in her academic course at lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi and later at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare), Delhi from where she got the "Best Student" award. As a student, she faced and endured the mocking and taunting remarks of her batch-mates when she decided not to study her text-books on the Lord's day. But the right step in the fear of God put her in good stead. She was proved right as she bettered her performance in the final exam, contrary to the wishes of her detractors. Later in her diploma course at NIHFW, God's mercy made her top her batch in the finals.

The Solo Items: Esther Sitlhou, the VoG, sang "Seichimponge Pakai" with her trade-mark body language. The song was written by me and set to tune by Seigoumang Lhouvum of Kangpokpi for the occasion of my 25th marriage anniversary in 2008. The Gospel item reflected my gratitude to my Lord who saved a spiritually-dead man like me and blessed (undeserving) me with a praying wife and healthy children.

Miss Zauvi from Aizawl, a Mount Carmel School batch-mate of my daughter, Priscilla, also sang to gain rave reviews from discerned hearers. The surprise crooner, however, was Ms Awmpui from Rengkai CCpur who sang in style and accented diction. May God bless them all the more.

On The Guest Speaker: As my turn came, I apprised the invitees on my background and the circumstances that led to the thanksgiving event. On the Guest speaker of the day, Pu Thangso Baite, Hon'ble MP, I said that the Parliamentarian was invited in tune with the Civil Service Day we were partly observing. In thanking God for the induction into IAS, the Government in power should also be given due credit. Mr Baite represented the Parliament which can call civil servants to account.

Moreover, his story is that of planned-politics that others overlooked to their on regret. From humble beginnings at Dongjang village, close to my village, the MP set things around him in order before he launched out in deep politics. He can be referred as a role-model for future political aspirants.

A Slipped-Disc Replayed: From the pulpit, I recollected the blessings God bestowed upon a slipped disc like me. I abused the brilliance God gifted me. In my youth, I was good from far, but far from good. Due to lack of seriousness in studies, I met defeat seven times in the Civil Services Prelims.

An emotional fool, the dictats of my heart got the better of the wiser counsels of my head. Knowing well that a Master's course in English Literature would have hardly helped in Civil Services exam, my passion for writing saw me take up the literary course voluntarily. But I felt happy with what I chose. There's nothing more satisfying than doing what you want to do in defiance of what the world wants you to do. Good or bad, I fulfilled my desire. And that counted most, then.

Better IAS: MCS was the last straw I clung onto. My postings offered opportunities to absorb a treasure of experience. After my conversion in 2004, I consoled myself that God gave me a better IAS (I am saved) and felt contented. I did not expect that the loving God would also confer to me administrative IAS too. It's true that had I got into the premier service early in my career, I could have achieved more.

But I take my late back-door entry in the top league as God's way of dealing with my pride. Had I got it early, I would not have known my Creator. It's better I got it late with knowledge of God than get it early without. And when I come to think of the underlying truth that many much more brilliant candidates could not arrive where I am , I can only thank my Lord for being so good to me.

The Special Address: Pu Thangso Baite, MP accepted with humility my invitation to cheer up the event. His mere participation enthused the village chiefs , Pastors and well-wishers who thronged the occasion. In his address, the seasoned politician, dressed correctly in white and khadi waist-coat, spoke nice things about me that I sincerely feel I do not deserve.

He was firmly supportive of creation of durable housing assets in one's own original village and discouraged hill officers' ownership of assets elsewhere before establishing themselves in their native places. His brief speech was replete with populist statements and sentimental outpouring that his audience lauded well. The participants felt elated and comforted that someone who can ventilate the local grievances in the national Parliament hails from a village so close to theirs.

The Message and Blessing: Brother William Kiruba, MABS came all the way from Chennai to give two searching sermons; one on 20th and another on 21st April, 2012 at my village. Dr. Thongkhosei Haokip, D.Th offered the blessing prayer. Before the bash came to a close, my wife Mrs Nengkim Haokip presented shawls to the Guest Speaker, the Minister, the Preacher, the Moderator and the contributors. Pu WL Hangsing IAS rendered an animated speech on his observations with his characteristic wit writ large between the lines.

The Vote of Thanks: My eldest son, Timothy Thanglengun flew from Delhi to make his presence felt in the family event of a lifetime. He also gave vote of thanks to all those who took pains and rendered services to the success of the thanksgiving bash. May the glory and the honour go to Him who is the Giver of all things good and from whom promotions come. Thanks to all who came and wished me on the occasion. God bless you all.

Lunminthang Haokip

* Lunminthang Haokip, a resident of Old Lambulane, Imphal, is a regular contributor to e-pao.net. He can be contacted at lunminthang(dot)haokip(at)gmail(dot)com or his blog here
This article was webcasted on May 07, 2012.