Osama's death bring happiness to one Meetei family
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 02 2011: as the news about the death of the most wanted man in the world, Osama Bin Laden, was beamed live on TV channels across the world a family which suffered from the 9/11 attack, in the unassuming city of Imphal, silently offered their supplications to the gods for delivering justice to the 3000 plus deaths.

The cataclysmic attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in 2001 by Al Qaeda that left over 3000 people dead connected the history of the world to a certain Yambem family in the the tiny city of Imphal.

On that fateful morning of September 11, a Manipuri, Jupiter Yambem, left his American wife and 5-year-old son behind in what would be their last meeting ever.

He was one of the unlikeliest victims of the terrorist attacks.

The Late Jupiter Yambem with his son Shanti (File Photo from around 2000)

Jupiter Yambem went to the United States in 1981 on a youth exchange programme as a councillor for Children Outdoor Coordinator on a Camp America project.

With the expiry of the project, Jupiter found himself a job in the US and settled down, going on to marry an American citizen, Nancy.

His son who barely had an idea of what it means to be raised in America with the blood of a Manipuri father has grown up to be a 16-year-old now.

Sadly for the teenager, the disastrous event has etched an indelible mark in hi mind, making him remember his father painfully through the event.

Nancy Yambem has been raising their son in New York , working as a music therapist.

The elder brother of Jupiter, Yambem Laba, reacted to the news of the death of Osama with a sigh of achievement.

"The soul of Jupiter can now rest in peace in heaven," he said to NNN.

He said that his friend from Delhi had broken the news about the death of Al Qaeda chief via a SMS.

"Allah is merciful to my brother, Jupiter and others who lost their near and dear ones at the 9/11 attacks� justice has been done to the victims of the attack," he said, fighting back his emotions.

Yambem Laba said, "observing the death anniversary has become an annual ritual for the family of Jupiter Yambem, with his wife and daughter taking time out every year to attempt to fill in the void left by his absence in their own small ways" .