TODAY -

E-Pao! EI - Shanti Thokchom's Life Experiences - 13

Shanti Thokchom's Life Experiences
- Part 13 -
Life in Bombay - 1

By: Shanti Thokchom *



In the 80s when I taught in Baby K.G School, I used to take my students sometimes to soccer games in Kangjeibung and sometimes to kung-fu movies with their parents' permission. We also went for picnics to Komlathabi and it was a relief to see them have fun and enjoy!!

I knew some of them had so much hopelessness and despair within their family and I could understand how they felt when things were not going all good for them despite their moms trying their best to keep up a brave front.

I have a motherly instinct in me that always comes to the fore when I see my students especially the boys, as our Manipuri parents place so much importance on them, all down and out with no one to talk about their feelings, as their family condition was bad.

They were sort of under unspoken pressure to do well as they were the carriers of the family line. It must have been pretty hard for these poor kids!!

But our society is such we cant do much against it except hope for change for the better!! If those boys still remember me - their teacher- wherever they are, I wish them all well !!

I came into contact with different people during my 7 years of working in Bombay city. I was not used to all that noisy and such a crowded place like Bombay. So I was totally shocked when I reached there in the summer of '92 ..straight from Jorhat, Assam.

I had asked my other batchmates to go work with me but none wanted to do so as they did not have any desire except to go back to Manipur and look for Government jobs which I knew wasn't forthcoming unless you bribed the higher ups!

Well I had to adapt fast to the ways of the big bad city called Bombay otherwise I could be left behind in the wilderness!! I was put in a room with a Leisa Sari (spinster) from Mangalore. She was nice to us because she never got along with the girls form Kerala as she considered them too noisy unruly bunch!!

As for me I already had 8 Kerala batchmates so I was cool about them! The first day of work to Breach Candy hospital, I dressed up and ate fast to catch the 6.57 morning local slow train from Sion West station and get down at Dadar to catch another slow train to Bombay Central.

We had a Kerala nurse guiding me but not very helpful because she did not want me- chinky- eyed people holding onto her skirts for direction!! But our agency madam had strictly told her that she was not at all supposed to leave me behind anywhere on the way except to the hospital!

I heard her cussing me in Malayalam but she did not know I knew what she said. Anyway I pretended to be dumb as can be because I wanted to know and learn the ways of the city as much as I can fast enough!! I was wearing Salwar Kameez and I must say it sucks !!

It hindered my movements anywhere in trains, hospital, railway stations etc.. with that searing heat and muggy weather of Bombay !! I felt like ripping them off and run in the raw!!

When I reached the hospital, the first thing I heard was "Are you Nepali...? That set my Manipuri blood boiling!! My first reaction was "ma ngak met ni-ngeda!" (want to wring their necks for their ignorance).

But I went upto those ignorant Keralite nurses and confronted them "Are you Biharis? How come you guys come from such a literate state like Kerala and dont even know all the states of India? FYI, we are from Manipur and we have so many Malayali teachers back home!"

I was called Nepali in the hospital dining rooms, in the nursing homes on Marine lines, Malabar Hill, Colaba, Dadar and big hospitals like the Nanavati, Jaslok and Hinduja, on the trains, in the houses where I worked!!! I had a whole tough time dealing with this issue but I had to take it with a pinch of salt and carry on with my work.

It was hard to work with people who are so prejudiced against us from the N.E !!! But hey! being a Manipuri, I said to myself..... "Napa yanimacha (slang), I must not buckle in under such circumstances. I must rise above all these".

I went on to work harder regardless of all the goings on around me!! I learnt to be tougher !!! Hope the situation is better now than when I was there! I am sure there are many of our N.E sisters working there in Bombay or other metro cities and people at least know of our existence!!!

I tell you.. this experiences have made me a much tougher person mentally and also look at life from a different perspective!! I learnt to appreciate the many good attributes of being a Manipuri which had stood me good facing all unsavoury incidents!!



To be continued..........!!


* Shanti Thokchom, a resident of Tulsa, Oklohoma, contributes regularly to e-pao.net . She can be reached at hanubi2006(at)hotmail(dot)com . This article was webcasted on October 22, 2007.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Birth Centenary of Jananeta Irabat, 1996 : #2
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • Manipuri women in the arena of politics
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Assam
  • Aimee Baruah at red carpet of Cannes
  • National Defence Academy Exam 2024
  • How digital media changed communications
  • Manipur stands scandalised
  • All eyes on UP battle
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #32: Download
  • Riots to a shrine- Ram Mandir of Ayodhya
  • Handle with care. F.R.I.E.N.D.S inside!
  • The Power of Poppy - 31 :: Poem
  • Celebrate the journey !
  • Career counselling : A life guidance tool
  • Scientist of Manipur: Amom Ruhikanta
  • Conspiracy, thy name is Kuki !
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Thounaojam
  • Ket Meth New Album "Ghost Stories"
  • World Hypertension Day
  • International Day of Families
  • Let the rule of law prevail
  • When donation becomes obligatory demand
  • Tourism of Manipur through Gastronomy
  • Beyond Eternity :: Poem
  • Patriarch subjugation on women
  • Celebrate Manipuri Cinema shine at Cannes
  • Training on cultivation of various mushroom
  • Transformative impact of Ayurveda & Yoga
  • War for over a year : Delhi is answerable
  • The logic behind illogical chargesheet
  • Preserving Thang-Ta :: Rare Photos
  • Regarding Human Rights Situation in Manipur
  • World Hypertension Day 2024
  • Article 355 of Constitution of India #3
  • Disinformation campaign touba thengnarey
  • Deeply mourn the demise of Oja Biren Lamba
  • Water Mimosa for sustainable development
  • Publicity drives of educational institutions
  • ED's revolutionary move!!!
  • Malemnganbi Laishram : Science Topper
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #2: Gallery
  • Thokchom Sheityajit : Arts Topper
  • Aiena Naorem : Commerce Topper
  • AISSE 2024 Exam Result- RKM Imphal
  • Gold, new world currency !
  • Milk for hair and skin
  • Of illegal immigrants & the larger picture
  • The missive from Kamjong
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Science Topper
  • HSE 2024 : Subject Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Science Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Arts Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Commerce Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Arts Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Commerce Topper
  • Sezo Ringa- Debut Music Video "Revival"
  • Journalism - A thrilling career #2
  • After Class XII where? The eternal question
  • Entry of Arvind Kejriwal
  • Birth Centenary of Jananeta Irabat, 1996 : #1
  • Our nurses, our future: Power of care
  • Screenplay Writing course concluded
  • Workshop on IP & Patent Filing held
  • Let there be less Politics in Sports
  • Sam Pitroda is absolutely white
  • Motherhood: Soul & spirit of family & society
  • Time has come to criminalise ecocide
  • Meiteis, a disappearing community in Manipur
  • World Bamboo Congress @Taiwan : Gallery
  • Ima Manipur should smile more
  • 2nd National Lok Adalat at High Court
  • The Power of Poppy - 30 :: Poem
  • Army impact on Tamphasana Wushu odyssey
  • Aftermath of ferocious hailstorm #1 : Gallery
  • "Dynamic library service" :: Book Rvw
  • Radio E-pao: Manipuri Film OST (130+ song)
  • Artificial Intelligence & Environment
  • Article 355 of Constitution of India #2
  • Integrated Farming Systems for farmers #4
  • Delhi's stand after 1 year of clash
  • A new type of terrorism
  • Scientist of Manipur: Waikhom Vishwanath
  • SRF, JRF, RA @ Assam University
  • The Bleeding River :: Poem
  • Executive Meeting of WMC Assam Unit
  • Journalism - A thrilling career #1
  • Raising the call to replace Minister
  • A storm in a political teacup
  • Cheirao-chingkaba @ Chinga : Gallery
  • Happy Mother's Day
  • Empowering hill communities via U-Mangra
  • African Swine Fever
  • Free Training on Mushroom at Nagamapal
  • Harshit Dhingaun recieves award from Korea
  • Look for ways to restore normalcy
  • The danger of last kicks of a dying horse
  • Preserving Thang-Ta traditions
  • Resolving ST issue by democratic process
  • Top 5 songs to awaken your inner patriot
  • Project Assistant @ Manipur University
  • Leishemba Sanajaoba conferred Doctorate
  • Double tragedy: No time for red-tapism
  • A Youtuber called Dhruv
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing : Full Book
  • 174th Anniv Maharaj Narasingh #2 : Gallery
  • Challenges in Healthcare in rural Manipur
  • A salute to leadership quality of PM Modi
  • Career in press for freedom of expression
  • One day after devastating hailstorm
  • Understanding the suffering of others
  • A ferocious hailstorm @Imphal : Gallery
  • Article 355 of Constitution of India #1
  • Integrated Farming Systems for farmers #3
  • Election gossip & rumours
  • 'Melodic Minds' Tour in Guwahati
  • Leaving a trail of destruction
  • Political see-saw
  • A brand-new Scientific discovery
  • In memoriam of the happiness we shared !
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #5
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Sekmaijin
  • Oh Motherland :: Poem
  • Animal life should be treated with dignity
  • '365 Days of Chin-Kuki Aggression' : Gallery
  • Renaissance of politics in our youth
  • TB & tobacco co-epidemics in Indonesia
  • The Power of Poppy - 29 :: Poem
  • Advanced Charging Infrastructure in NE
  • Lessons learnt in the last one year
  • True colour of politics
  • World Heritage Day @ MU : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Kakwa
  • Joint Combing Operations in Jiribam
  • Reboot PSUs for jobs: Task for new Govt
  • Ayurvedic remedies to keep healthy eyes
  • May 3, 2023 to May 3, 2024
  • One year of crisis, and what next ?
  • Scientist of Manipur: Nongmaithem Rajmuhon
  • Whither social justice & work for women?
  • Taiwan to enhancing economic ties with India
  • Integrated Farming Systems for farmers #2
  • Athoubasingi Numit #2 : Gallery
  • Privilege trap of While Male Meitei
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #4
  • 'Chizami Model' working in Gujarat ?
  • Racing towards the one year mark
  • On misattribution & falsifying history
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #15 :: Book
  • May Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • 12th World Bamboo Congress at Taiwan
  • Complex dance of democracy in Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Pangaltabi
  • Integrated Farming Systems for farmers #1
  • Showing ugly face of muscle power
  • Spare the rod, spoil the monster
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #31: Download
  • Socio-Historical analysis on Ethnic Conflict
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Langmeidong
  • Ngangbam Dipapati- Gold @European Cup
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #3
  • Fresh surge in violence
  • The real culprit
  • National Science Teacher workshop
  • Livelihood Disaster in Mapithel Region
  • Condemns Killing of CRPF Personnel
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Manipur College
  • Huidrom Oliviya: Silver @Cadet European Cup
  • Election: Runner-up may spoil the joy
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laishram Ladu Singh
  • Imphal Ring Road Project to Transform
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #2
  • The Power of Poppy - 28 :: Poem
  • Condemned unabated illegal taxation
  • Watermelon : Super nutritious summer fruit
  • People have spoken, Manipur has voted
  • Skirting around core issues
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #2 : Gallery
  • The Taj Mahal that bans Lovers !
  • Importance of bees !
  • Massive hailstorm in Jiribam
  • The messiah of hapless children
  • Attack on fuel tankers & blasting bridge
  • Blame it on Meetei
  • The Happiness Code : Download
  • NH-2 Bridge bombed @Sapermeina : Gallery
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #1
  • Training Programme under SPARK concluded
  • Why environment control is so difficult
  • 4th Foundation Day- Young Minds Collective
  • All set for second phase poll
  • The Nongsaba phenomenon
  • Khongjom Day @Khebaching #1 : Gallery
  • India's responsibility to end Manipur violence
  • Migrant worker could access TB services only
  • Importance of reading magazines as student
  • SHG pioneering agricultural innovation
  • Nearing the one year mark
  • The enemy within
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #2 : Gallery
  • Workshop @ NSU Manipur : Gallery
  • 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Panthoibi Shanglen
  • GSDP doubles, health shines
  • Vote has been cast, repoll held
  • Two faces of democracy
  • Laurels for Scientist Ngangkham Nimai
  • Crime against women in Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Sugnu
  • Creativity & innovation for vibrant career
  • 4th Foundation Day of YMC
  • Racing towards one year mark
  • Prophetic words, indeed
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #14 :: Book
  • 174th Anniv Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • Ensuring Fair Voting in Hills of Manipur
  • Dr Irengbam Mohendra's latest book :: Rvw
  • NDA has the advantage in both
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #1 : Gallery
  • L Rup's Robot 'Kangleinganbi' in Manipuri
  • Art- means of connecting hearts in Manipur
  • Is it Living Alive or Living Death ? :: Poem
  • Rabies - A preventable zoonotic disease
  • April 19, 2024: The blackest day of all
  • Ugly turns on voting day
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • The chasm between TB & HIV continues
  • Parliament and its Members
  • Kimchi for health and glowing skin
  • LS election with a difference
  • To vote, or not to vote ?
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laitonjam Warjeet
  • Community seed bank @Umathel : Gallery
  • Saving Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #2
  • Athoubasingi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #1 : Gallery
  • 80th Anniv- Battle of Kanglatongbi @UK
  • Hun - Thadou Cultural Festival : Gallery
  • Scientists of Manipur : Ngangkham Nimai
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • Beating of the Retreat #1 : Gallery
  • Kenedy Khuman (Singer) : Gallery
  • Students @ Class X Exam : Gallery
  • Save Manipur : Protest [Feb 15] #3 : Gallery
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD