From the diary of a flying squad II

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From the diary of a flying squad
- Part 2 -

By: Oinam Anand *

Even though expulsion reports are coming from some of the examination centres, attempts to use unfair means in the examinations have been reduced considerably. It will not be an exaggerated statement that a change, a change for the better is evident in the examination system in the entire length and breadth of Manipur.

On my part, frankly speaking, as a member of an inspection team I have got no more to do except going to and from in between the rows of desk and benches warning the students in a formal way not to use unfair means to pass the examination and to write peacefully. So I think it better to devote my space here more on the experiences gained from meeting a few people with whom I managed to talk in the shortest available moment after the examination hours, in the streets, in the market places etc.

Our team's next assignments on the 7th and 9th March were at Oinam Government H/S and Moirang Multipurpose Higher Sec School. The examinations in these centres were also conducted in a very smooth and peaceful atmosphere.

The officer-in-charge of these centres were bold enough to declare that not a single student in their respective centre use unfair means and told us to expel any candidates without warning. Kh Premo Singh, the junior-most member in the squad, in his young blood had taken it as a challenge and not perceived by us he tried his best to detect any candidate using unfair means. But at the end, he confessed he couldn't because there were no wrong-doers.

On the 10th March, our team proceeded towards Noney. For me, this was the first journey along the NH 53. When our Maruti-van was in its upward spiral way from Keithelmanbi, a bird's eye view of the Imphal valley from that height brought me the remembrance of the phrase 'Jewel of India'. A sort of protest came in my mind at the moment, why only the 'Jewel of India', why not 'Gem of the world'.

We entered the security check post at Kotland at about 12-15 pm. We got down there for formal check. O! the breeze at Kotland. We were greeted by that breeze with love.

Sometimes a soft breeze that flashed along the weeds growing on the slopes, sometimes vigorous enough to open our shirts as that of a protest of an angry boy to his parents just to tear everything on his way. We couldn't but for a while relax our limbs to enjoy the fresh air.

From Kotland to Noney it is a downward drive along the meandering slopes of the hills. After about an hour's drive we reached Noney. Our van made a short clumsy climb along the sluggish road among the woods towards a beautiful school building. Our first impression was that the examination was conducted using the building of a mission school.

From a far it didn't have any sign of being a Government school. But really, it was Tengkonjang Govt Hr Sec School. An elderly man told that once a king of Manipur had stationed a company of soldiers known literally as 'Tengkon'. Then the word 'Tengkonjang' was derived from the word 'Tengkon'.

I will rate it as the best building of all the Govt school buildings in Manipur. Built at an estimated cost of about Rs 3 crores within a span of ten months, the building was inaugurated by CM Ibobi and Education Minister Mr Francis in December 2005.

The two storeyed RCC building of about 800 ft in perimeter which enclosed a big plastered courtyard in all the four directions had all the amenities of being a school. Separate and adequate rooms were provided for each and every faculty. More than 1000 students can be accommodated in the school. But as reported only about 200-300 students are admitted in the school during an academic session.

While on duty, one sight which could not escape from my eyes was the choice of the colour of one of the school uniforms of a certain school. The name of the school was Sharon English School. All the girl students of the school wore skirts having their traditional colour, the horizontal stripes of red, white and orange, the colour specially worn by the girls during their Gaan-Ngai festivals.

When the examination hour was over, we spared about an hour in the small Noney bazar in our earnest desire to buy something which is cheaper there than that we find in Imphal. Whether it is in the hill or in the plain, bargaining and nudging even for a small profit is found everywhere. One who is not eloquent in bargaining that such close dealings implied becomes the ultimate loser.

Assuming as if we are the 'babus' from Imphal who buy everything at the demand price, the price of 'Yongchak' and 'Uyen' soared up when we stepped into the small market shed. I balanced in mind the cost of the eatables found there with the rates found in Imphal and thought it better to buy at Imphal and determined to go away.

The woman read my face and suddenly reduced the price so low beyond my imagination that 10 pieces of 'Yongchak' at Rs 10 which was already fixed at 4 for ten. One tin of chilli, a very tasty spice not too hot known as 'Hao Morok' cost only Rs 40.

Other members of our party joined there and the woman made a good profit that day. I told her 'quick sale with small profit is the best device in business'. She smiled and nodded her head in agreement.

Noney is in a low hill slope besides a rivulet in between two ranges of mountains which run parallel along the NH 53. In the evening hours the slanting rays of the sun is shown in between the ridges focusing on the small town. On our way back home, the soft and golden beam of the sun coming from our back got reflected against the wall of the mountains in our front side.

The bunch of moubi bamboo dancing along with the breeze, the beautiful flowering tree 'chingthrao' in the slopes made us elated with joy. We did not fail to remember the magic hand of the creator who has made this earth so beautiful.

Our team leader Mr Ibopishak expressed with keen interest about the spiritual presence in every living and non-living objects of nature with reference from Bhagavat Geeta that every object in the world has its own purpose.

I wished if Emily Dickenson was born here she would see this magic light, the beauty which science cannot explain but human nature feels and might have written a more beautiful poem than her 'A light Exist in Spring'.

We reached again the Kotland check post and got down there for checking and for having the fresh air for the last time. There I was attracted towards a branch of flowering 'Chingthrao' that leaned to the road and scattering its petals on the grasses.

I intended to pluck a branch of it but at that moment I remembered the cautious words of my son's mother not to pluck wild flowers while in the wild areas and jungles because the flower might have got the spell of 'Lamleima' or a 'Helloi'. I thought I should obey her.

At that moment a sepoy came up to us and asked why we stopped at the same spot where we stopped earlier in the morning. Then came an abrupt reply from our madam Kanan, 'Hawa Kha rahi hoon'. The sepoy smiled and we were on our journey back home again.

Read Part I here | Read Part III here |

Oinam Anand wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on April 04th, 2006

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