Rising above ashes: Manipur's youth find hope in education amidst adversity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2026: In the shadow of the communal clashes that gripped Manipur starting May 2023, stories of extraordinary resilience are emerging.

Despite personal tragedies and financial ruin, young students like twin sisters Anju and Anjali Ningthoujam and young Lemba Laishram are proving that determination can overcome even the darkest circumstances.

The Ningthoujam Sisters: A Double Triumph

Anju and Anjali, twin sisters from Kakching Khunou, recently achieved a significant milestone by passing their Class 12 examinations with impressive scores of 87.2% and 86.4%, respectively.

Their success comes at a heavy cost.

The sisters are the daughters of the late Ningthoujam Gandhi, who tragically lost his life during the initial wave of violence in May 2023.Left in deep trauma and financial distress, the familyincluding two younger brothers - has relied on the strength of their mother, Ningthoujam Tondon Devi.

To keep the family afloat, Tondon Devi balances grueling agricultural work with the traditional craft of weaving Manipuri textiles.

The sisters now look toward the future with bold ambitions: Anju aims to undergo training for .

the National Defence Academy (NDA) to become an army officer while Anjali aspires to enter the medical profession.

A Dream to Serve: Lemba's Journey

In Imphal East, another story of courage is unfolding.

Lemba Laishram, a young boy from Oksu Ningthemchakol, is also navigating life after the loss of his father, Late Laisharm Suresh, to the conflict.

The family's struggle has been immense.

Lemba's eldest sister made the difficult sacrifice of giving up her own education to support their mother and manage household responsibilities, while his youngest sister remains in high school.

Determined to honor his family's sacrifice, Lemba has set his sights on joining the Indian Army through the Agniveer recruitment process.

He views serving the nation as a way to transform his personal hardship into a sense of responsibility and purpose.

A Support System for the Future Behind these individual successes is the Wings of Hope Charitable Trust.

The organisation has been instrumental in providing educational support to all four Ningthoujam siblings and Lemba's family, ensuring that financial barriers do not extinguish their dreams.

For these students, academic achievement is more than just a grade- it is a powerful testament to the unwavering spirit of Manipur's youth to rise above adversity and rebuild their lives through education and service.

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