On maiden inspection, CM hits right chord with Noney Imphal-Jiri rail line...

A graphic map of the rail line and the JCBs doing the necessary work for the speedy completion of the project

Source: The Sangai Express



Imphal, January 29 2009: Striking the right chord during his maiden inspection of the Imphal-Jiribam rail line at Noney today, Chief Minister O Ibobi today urged all the concerned not to hesitate to approach him in case of any problem and also assured that from now on he would conduct personal sport inspection of the rail work every three month.

The Chief Minister accompanied by Transport Minister L Jayenta, Transport Commissioner H Imocha and other officials inspected the work progress of the railway platform at Karongmuang near Noney today.

The foundation stone for the Imphal-Jiribam rail line was laid by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in November 2004, when he visited the State in the backdrop of the mass protests following the custodial killing of Manorama.

Inspecting the work progress amid tight security in view of the bandh imposed on NH-53 by the Oinamlong-Kaimai Village Chiefs Association, the Chief Minister asked the workers and others concerned to approach the Government, if they face any problems in executing their work.

Whether it is security cover or any other issues, the Government will make sure that things are taken care of, assured the Chief Minister.

Talking with the Railway officers, Ibobi assured that he would personally take stock of the progress of the work every three months and urged them to work with dedication.

The rail line laying work is being done by the Northern Frontier Railways.

Speaking to reporters who accompanied the team at Karongmuang, the Chief Minister said that in the first phase, the Jiri-Tupul rail line is expected to be completed by 2012.To meet the deadline, process of laying the rail track from the side of Tupul has also started, besides the ongoing work from the side of Jiribam.

Almost 80 pc of laying the first 10 kms of rail line from the side of Jiribam has been completed, he informed and added that the Centre has also given its nod to start work from the side of Tupul to lay the rail line covering 30 kms.

If the need arises additional security will be deployed for the smooth progress of the work.

Asserting that there are no hindrances in laying the rail line, which has been taken up as a National project, the Chief Minister said that the Centre has agreed to extend the rail line from Tupul to Imphal.

A tunnel covering the distance of 8.1 km will be constructed bring the rail line to Imphal.

There many firms which are capable of constructing such a long tunnel.

Interacting with the people who had come out to accord a warm welcome to the Chief Minister, he said that the once the rail line comes up, it will go a long way in solving the communication problem in the State.

The Chief Minister said that since the rail line is a National project, there will be no dearth of funds and added that the work is being closely monitored by the Prime Minister's Office.

Explaining the reason for the suspending the DC of Tamenglong, the Chief Minister said that the step had to be taken up as he was not found at his place of posting as well as for failing to distribute the money allotted for land acquisition for the rail line to the affected people.

Stating that the working season in Manipur is short, the Chief Minister said the loss of one month working period can deal a big blow to any developmental work.

As such the failure of the DC to dispense with his work sincerely is akin to keeping the people of Manipur under ransom, said the Chief Minister.

Once the process of laying the rail track is finalised, Noney will be transformed to a big township, said the Chief Minister and urged the Railway officers to expedite the work so that the target is met.

Transport Minister L Jayentakumar while interacting with the local people, urged them to take an active role, so that the benefits of the rail line reach out to all.

The local people also assured that they would extend all possible co-operation.

Government Chief Whip MLA T Mangibabu and Tamenglong MLA Khangthuanang also accompanied the Chief Minister.

The estimated cost of the Jiri-Imphal rail line has been pegged at Rs 2714 crores, will have 22 tunnels 93 small bridges, 51 big bridges while the distance between Jiri and Tupul is put at 94 kms and Tupul to Imphal at 24 kms.

Border pillar disappears, Myanmar encroaching Molcham learns to live with bunkers

A father, a husband, a provider of the family digs a bunker under the house for safety

Source: The Sangai Express / Laishram Shamungou



Indo-Myanmar border, January 27 2009: Along with disappearance of border pillar 94 erected at Charoi village under Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul district along the international boundary with Myanmar, the eastern neighbour has also claimed Charoi Khunou village as theirs.

Even though the area around border pillar 66 erected at Molcham village in Chandel district is regarded as a disputed site between the two countries, Myanmar has been encroaching into the area.

On the other hand, for the Assam Rifles and Army deployed along the international border with Myanmar, it remains a mammoth challenge to ensure security of the inhabitants.

Under such circumstances, every household located in the border areas have been building bunkers inside their houses for their safety in the event of any gun battle between security forces and militants.

These were observed by this reporter during an extensive tour of these villages located along the 350 kms long borderline with Myanmar starting from border pillar 39 erected at Singhat sub-division of Churachandpur district and covering villages along the international boundary in Chandel district till border pillar 129 erected in Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul district.

During the extensive tour of these villages after the Somtal Operation where the security forces and insurgents are still engaged in gun fights, some villagers even asked this reporter if he didn't fear for his life.

After the disappearance of border pillar 94 erected at Charoi village in Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul district, Myanmar Army often come to nearby Charoi Khunou village with the claim that the area is within their territory, said some villagers while interacting with this reporter.

They further informed that the joint effort of Indian army and local villagers to locate border pillar 94 proved futile last year.

Charoi village has been totally deserted after the ethnic clash between Kukis and Nagas in early 90's, they conveyed.

Since border pillar 66 erected at Molcham village under Khengjoi TD Block of Chandel district disappeared, over 100 acres around the spot where the border pillar was identified by the two countries as disputed area and no one was allowed entry from either side.

But Myanmarese have encroached upon the disputed area and have been cultivating pine-apple, sugar-cane and banana over an area of 10 acres, informed the Molcham village chief.

Talking over the matter with officers of the 10 JK Light Infantry stationed at Molcham, they said that the spot from where the border pillar disappeared has been identified.

A border pillar may be re-erected any time there if the Govt directs them to this effect, they said.

For the 26, 27 and 10 Sector AR and Army deployed in border areas in CCpur, Chandel and Ukhrul, it remains a mammoth task for the security personnel to contain insurgent activities or maintain law and order in these border areas.

Even as the AR claimed to have driven off all UG elements after Operation Somtal, all households in villages along the international boundary have been digging holes insides their houses as a sort of underground bunkers, noting the possibility of gun battle between SF and UGs any time.

Ear lier when gun fights broke out between SF and UGs, villagers used to flee to safer areas.

But these days, the villagers feel more secure in their underground bunkers instead of running in the open field.

When there was gun fight, the villagers called in their children and put them inside underground bunkers.

At these border villages, empty, dilapidated houses earlier occupied by fled away villagers could be observed.

It was also observed that no villagers residing in these border areas were allowed to venture outside once night falls.

Security in border villages under Singhat subdivision of CCpur district, particularly Behiang area was very tight.

Stringent and detail checking was conducted when this reporter went to this border villages.

No person including media persons could get easy passage into the border villages of Ukhrul district.

Security forces deployed in the border villages of Kasom Khullen etc conducted veirfication of each and eeery visitor meticulousy and asked details about the purpose of their visit.

Villages located along the border with Myanmar in Ukhrul district like Wanglee, Skipe, Kamang Ashang Khullen etc face wildfire every summer which originated from Kabow valley and often consumed their properties including houses.

The villagers made 'firelines' around their houses to protect themselves and their properties from such destructive wildfire.

Sometimes Myanmarese Army wielding weapons intrude into Skipe village under Kamjong sub-division, conveyed the villagers.

'Republic Day is now just another holiday'

Mon, Jan 26 03:31 AM

"Times have changed and so has the perception of the common man regarding patriotism. Days like Republic Day and Independence Day have become an excuse for people to take a holiday and relax. It appears that nationalism has been completely lost," said 82-year-old freedom fighter Ved Prakash Mehra who was honoured by the Citizen Forum for Human Rights at a function held in the Punjab Kala Bhawan on Sunday.

Mayor Kamlesh was the chief guest on the occasion.

Recounting his days of the freedom struggle, Mehra said it was a matter of pride for anyone who had contributed to the movement.

"I still feel very proud of the fact that I went to jail for my nation. I was jailed twice, once with my mother when I was four years old and later when I took part in the Quit India Movement in 1942," said Mehra while adding that people during that time were more than willing to lay down their lives for the country.

He lamented the current generation's attitude towards the country. "People these days have become self-centred. They live in their own cocoons, without any thought for the country. This is very unfortunate," claimed Mehra.

Another freedom fighter, 90-year-old Sardar Joginder Singh was also honoured on the occasion.

Talking about his experience, the former member of the Indian Army said that leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose are a rarity these days. Singh pointed out that countrymen should understand the importance of Independence and not take it for granted.


Courtesy: Yahoo! India News

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Obama Sets Fresh Course for 'Remaking America'

By Cathleen Decker
2:20 PM PST, January 20, 2009

Reporting from Los Angeles -- Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office today as the nation's 44th president -- and the nation's first black chief executive -- and told Americans shaken by economic despair and war that shared sacrifice would be required to draw the nation back to prosperity and peace.

"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed," Obama declared in a ringing inaugural address. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America....

Read the Full Story


Related Links:

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Residents 'Hopeful' MLK's Dream Realized


Below is the Dream Speech of Martin Luther King Jr.


Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister, was a driving force in the push for racial equality in the 1950's and the 1960's. In 1963, King and his staff focused on Birmingham, Alabama. They marched and protested non-violently, raising the ire of local officials who sicced water cannon and police dogs on the marchers, whose ranks included teenagers and children. The bad publicity and break-down of business forced the white leaders of Birmingham to concede to some anti-segregation demands.

Thrust into the national spotlight in Birmingham, where he was arrested and jailed, King organized a massive march on Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, he evoked the name of Lincoln in his "I Have a Dream" speech, which is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The next year, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The following is the exact text of the spoken speech, transcribed from recordings.

"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Martin Luther King, Jr., delivering his 'I Have a Dream' speech from the steps of Lincoln Memorial.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!""

Courtesy: The US Constitution Online


* MLK's Facets of Biographies

Thank you Doctor!

Scared of Dentists? Yes, I myself do. I am scared of dentists. I don't know why but it's a fact. I know they are also human being just like us, doing their jobs. But then it's really hard to console myself by that very idea. Maybe my whole perception has been knowingly or unknowingly crept into my throughts through the years, by my past learning and experiences. I still remember a poem I learned in my 9th standard, This Is Going To Hurt Just A Little Bit by OGDEN NASH
The picture labelled by Odgen Nash is still vivid and clear. I often remember this poem whenever I visit a dentist. Even if I don't want to visit a dentist, at times I have to. If I don't go to a dentist, it's still going to be painful because of the teeth decay and all. If I visit a dentist, it's also going to be painful, it's obvious. But I chose the latter this time.

I remember the words of Robin Sharma, the author of the Bestseller The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari "The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret." I should have been taking more care of my teeth during my childhood. Now I regret for that. Anyway, as the saying goes, it's better late than never.

So on one Sunday, in the middle of November, last year, I set out to search dental clinics all day. Unfortunately that day all of the dental clinics were closed. (I stay in Kharghar) I searched till Jogeshwari (East) where my friends stay. I found a Dental Care Clinic at last near the station and it was also closed because it was Sunday. I thought maybe I'd have to choose this one as it will be convenient for commuting. Usually I never completed the number of sittings required of me by any dentists in the past as it was so painful. I had to quit in the middle. But this time, I made up my mind not to quit but continue to the finish.

On Monday, the next day, I visited the clinic near the station. The dentist was a young attractive beautiful lady. When I saw her, I wondered where in the world she would be doing dentistry when she can be airhostess or be doing modelling or whatever. Anyway I am not the judge. And I think she is in the right profession. It went along well. Though sometimes it was painful... yeah it's inevitable if you visit a dentist. She was considerate and gentle. And yet she is professional in her doing. And now I am half-through all the required sittings. Hopefully I may be able to go to the finish. I feel better now, day by day. And I thank her. But I feel sorry that I didn't thank her enough. But then, I say to you doctor, once again a Big Thank you to you, Doctor! I don't know your name maybe because I never asked you or maybe because you never told me yours. But then thank you very much again.

Slumdog Millionaire: Rags to Riches

There has been a lot of talk about the 'most anticipated movie of the year' Slumdog Millionaire quite lately in media. And somehow it aroused an utter curiosity inside me as other people do. And I couldn't wait till January 23, the release date of the movie. Somehow luckily, the other day I had a chance to watch the movie in full length. To be honest and contrary to my earlier expectations, it turned to be one of the best movies I've ever seen thus far.

The movie portrays much of slums, a murkier color of Mumbai. But it's not depicting as if Mumbai, one of the sought-after commercial centers of the world, in particular, is a dirty underbelly city. The slums in Mumbai are a reality. Even the developed nations do have slums. So nothing wrong with that. And the slumdwellers are not shown as 'people wallowing in sorrow', instead their undying hopes and daring efforts to better their lives and climb the ladder of society and success. That's what Jamal Malik did in the movie. After all, as Vikas Swraup, the writer of the book Slumdog on which the movie is based, says, 'it's about hope and survival'.

Anyway, it's a rags to riches story. It's touching to the core. I liked the movie and I hope you too will.

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You are So Beautiful! - A Love Story That Never Fulfilled

'Somi, are you busy now?' I shot through the office messenger.
Instantly, a message box popped up on my monitor screen, 'Naw. Getting bored. Why...?'

I hesitated a moment. This is one thing I hate to say to her. But I decided anyway, and began to type in the message box, 'Somi, would you care to come outside with me... alone, if you will?' And clicked 'send'. Already my heart began to beat faster.

Suddenly, there was silence from the other end. I waited for two minutes. Still no reply came. And my heart began to pound heavily and quickly. I started to feel sorry inside... I should not have sent... And as I began to type in the message box, 'I am really very sorry, Somi. I really didn't mean to....' suddenly, a message box popped up on my monitor screen again.

'Yes, this time. No next time please. Never mind.' It's like saying 'the door is opened for you, dear but you cannot enter'. What kind of riddle she was trying to play with me this time, I wondered.

I felt blushed inside for a moment. For a few seconds, several thoughts were flying at the speed of light inside my head. But I had to decide... quickly. I didn't know what to say at that instant; no words came out so easily. But I knew, one word is all that is enough to break a relationship apart.

After a rigorous thoughtful few moments, I took a deep breath and began to type... 'Okay. I'll be waiting for you outside. But please don't get me wrong anyway.'

'NP*. I'll be right there in a few minutes.' She shot back. *[NP= no problem]

It was somewhere in the latter half of 2008. And it was a Full Moon night. On that 'day' we had less or no work. And I got bored just as she was. As I logged off my workstation and proceeded towards the main door, several replays of the past began to replay again and again inside my head.

Just seven months earlier then, we both were total strangers. We never spoke to each other before, though we sometimes looked at each other. I was too shy to start a conversation with her. But I felt inside somehow she could be my good friend someday.

One day, I took the initiative, and instantly she agreed to be my friend. Since then gradually and slowly, we became close friends. We began to share our likes, dislikes, music, movies, and more than anything else, we shared our hearts.

She was a beautiful girl from Mizoram. She was also a quiet, decent and intelligent lady. Only thing, I think, she lacked in her was her height: she was short. But her figure was attractive and alluring. One day, I asked her wryly, 'Somi, have you ever tried modelling anytime?'

'Oh, I never thought of it even in my wildest dreams.' She snapped back... 'But I desired becoming an airhostess.'

'Then what happened?' I asked her.

'I was a little short below what they required.' She smiled shyly.

But still you're so beautiful... ....

*******

As I walked through the main door of the office, another replay of the past was being replayed before my eyes.

It was just a few weeks earlier then. We both were waiting for vehicle for drop after work in the early morning. She looked tense that day. And I felt she wanted to say something to me. I always saw smiles on her beautiful moon-like face, but on that 'day', I never saw her smile. I wanted to ask her why but I couldn't. Something kept me from asking her.

At last, she seemed to gather all her strength and started slowly in a low voice, 'Pangamba, I hope you won't mind...' Suddenly, I began to panic inside. What if she were going to say, 'I am sorry, dear, I've got my boyfriend... and it's not you...' I couldn't even think of it. No boy ever desires to lose a beautiful girl at all cost.

She continued hesitantly, 'I wanted to say to you this at the very beginning but...' But you said you had no boyfriend...?

My head began to spin. My stomach began to churn inside. I got irritated a bit by her utter hesitancy. 'Somi, tell me everything. Please don't keep me wondering. I am all ears to you, dear.' I spoke up with a little annoyance. People who were also waiting for vehicle nearby turned to stare at us. I don't care them now, let them think whatever they want...

She kept quiet a minute, her beautiful eyes looking down.
I kept wondering inside. What if she were going to say, 'Pangamba, I love you...' But this was not the right place where a girl would say those three words from her deepest being. And I knew she wouldn't say that so easily.

And then she started slowly again, looking at me, not at my eyes directly, 'This is one thing I hate to say to you. But I want to let you know this...'
What could this possibly be? When she was in any financial needs or anything, she never hesitated with me. And also whenever I was in need of something I confided her. But why should she feel so hesitant today? She was always frank and straightforward... Or was she trying to play with me by acting like this? But her eyes were telling me she certainly was not playing with me.

'Listen Somi, I won't mind anything you tell me. But please tell me clearly what you want. Please don't keep me with my fingers crossed, dear....'

At last, she spoke with a emotion-filled trembled voice, 'Pangamba, I know how you think about me.' Oh... I also know how you think about me, dear... 'But I am sorry to say this: please don't ever try to fall in love with me.' Girls say this phrase often only to guys they love but don't want to hurt for some reason or the other. At first, I thought it was a joke but she was serious.

'Are you really serious?'

'Yes, I am.' She said firmly fighting her emotions... with her eyes staring down. My God! Suddenly, I felt as if a lightening struck on my head. I felt very sad deep inside. I never thought she would say that Or she could have said it much earlier. I am in love already and now she's telling me, 'don't love me, dear...'

Sometimes boy-girl best friends do fall in love. And it's a painful feeling when you know you're going to lose someone so close to heart. Love does not always bring people together; sometimes it does separate apart.

I kept quiet a few moments. Inside my head were flying several thoughts... she told she had no boyfriend presently... she told she never got engaged with anyone... what else could be the reason? I couldn't think of any possible reason why she changed her mind so suddenly. And I couldn't ask her why.

We were silent a long moment without saying a word each other. Still the vehicle didn't come yet. What the hell has happened to the driver! A tyre puncture again?

At last, she seemed to have read my mind and began to say slowly in a low voice, 'Pangamba, you have a beautiful heart I always care not to hurt. If I ever hurt it, I would be terribly sorry for the rest of my life.'
Oh! Flattering me before saying goodbye, huh? You hurt me anyway, dear.

She continued after a small pause, 'But I don't want to break my mother's heart in any way.' So you had to break my beautiful heart, huh? 'She is all I have, you know. She always desires a Catholic boy for me. And I want to fulfill her desire.' Catholic boy?... Her mother!

Oh! I am going to lose you Miss Beautiful because I am not a Catholic.... 'But Somi, you never told me this before, did you?'

'Pangamba, I am sorry; I was wrong about you... I couldn't resist...' She never completed the sentence. At that moment, I wished the word 'sorry' had never existed at all... ...

*******

I was awakened back to my real world when I saw the beautiful Full Moon high above the sky. It was a Full Moon night. It was supposed to be a romantic night. I was outside the office building now. The Full Moon shone bright and beautiful in the sky. Cold breeze started blowing. And it was a beautiful night.

The office building was a large one. It housed many companies, mostly call centers/BPO/KPO companies. Around it grew trees and had a spacious beautiful garden.

It was around two o'clock in the morning. As I was waiting for her outside, I had a mixed feeling. I was happy that she agreed to come with me outside... alone... on a Full Moon night. But my heart ached inside at the thought of losing her.

While I was staring at the beautiful Full Moon, pondering about the night and about her, I was caught by surprise when her sweet voice came from behind, 'Hi.'

I turned to look at her, 'Hi Somi. You came out so soon.' I had no idea how much time I had spent in my reverie.

'I thought I was already late.' She smiled.

We met several times in the past. But that night was different: we both were alone... and on a Full Moon night. So words didn't come out so easily. I guess she had the same feeling too.

We started walking around the garden. She looked more beautiful that night. Her beautiful moon-like fair face was glowing in the moon light. Her thick silky black hair fell softly on her back so beautifully. From time to time a couple of strands of hair would stand up gently and fall down slowly on her back whenever the night breeze blew. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

While walking around the garden, I broke the silence of the Full Moon night, 'Somi... i dam em?' She taught me in Mizo language, 'how are you?'

'Yamna nungairiye.' [I am doing great!] She laughed heartily in Manipuri. 'Nangdi Kamdourige?' [What about you?]

'Dam e.' [I am also fine] I said with a broad smile in Mizo.

'Oh, you speak Mizo so well now.' She laughed.

'Well, it's only bits and pieces, you know. You taught me, dear.' She smiled shyly without saying anything.

I wondered many times how she spoke Manipuri so well. I wanted to ask her many times in the past but I didn't. 'Somi, how did you learn to speak Manipuri so well despite being from Mizoram?'

She looked up at me apologetically and said, 'Pangamba, I am so sorry. I never told you this before.'

'Don't be, please dear.'

She was silent for a while and said, 'I wanted to keep it as a secret.' And then she broke into laughter. I also laughed with her.

'Oh, really? I thought you shared everything, didn't you, huh?' I said wryly.

She thought a moment and smiled, 'Pangamba, if people don't keep secrets, there would not be such a thing called secret. I hope you do keep secrets too.'

I was stunned. 'Well said, my dear.'

'I learned it from you. You taught me, dear.' She laughed again.

Suddenly, she was hesitant, but continued, 'Actually I was born and brought up in Churchandpur district in Manipur. I studied in a Catholic school in Churchandpur till my fifth standard.' I was surprised instantly. She turned out to be originally from Manipur! I felt more closer to her than ever before.

She stopped a long moment. Suddenly I saw her beautiful eyes begin to wet in tears. O my God!... Why...? I was shocked instantly. Immediately I felt terribly sorry. I stopped and turned to her. And I hesitantly touched on her shoulders softly with my both hands, 'Somi, please... I... I am so sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you in anyway. I just didn't know it would hurt you this deep. I just wanted to know... but don't tell me anything now if it hurts you so deep.'

'No, it's okay. It's not your fault, dear. I am just a bit emotional.' I kept wondering inside. And she continued after sometime, "You told one day, 'It's hard to hide anything from our memories,' so true. Whenever I try to forget the ghosts of the past, they come haunting at me. And it's very painful."

'I am sorry; I am not getting at you exactly. Is it someone you loved in the past or is it something else?'

'Pangamba, have you ever heard of the communal riot in the mid-90s in Churchandpur?' She asked me without answering my questions.

I searched through all my memory lanes of the past and said, 'Oh! yes, I heard about that. I remember one day, our Hindi teacher who was also from Churchandpur at that time was sharing about that in class. I think I was in Class VII or VIII at that time. What had happened... if you don't mind telling me...?'

We started walking around the garden again. The beautiful Full Moon stared upon us both.

She began to speak after a thoughtful while, 'I was in my fifth standard at that time. The riot occurred right at the place where my family stayed.'

'Oh.' Suddenly, I came to know she was fighting to control tears. What's going on? I was groping in the dark.

'I remember, houses were burned down and ransacked; people were being killed just because they belonged to a particular community.' She stopped a long moment and then continued, 'I was a little girl at that time...' and she began to sob in tears, 'That riot cost my father's life; I lost my father. I loved him so much....' She cried in tears aloud.

O my God! Quickly, I gave her a hug, 'Somi, I am really terribly sorry for your, Dad; I never knew that. Forgive me, dear.' I should not have asked the question in the first place. 'Somi, I never want to see you in tears this way; please don't cry, dear. Again, I am... I am really sorry.' She was overwhelmed in tears. She couldn't say a word.

After a while, I made her sit down on a garden bench. We sat quietly, and I held her close to my heart. She was still fighting tears. I felt very bad myself: I made her cry.

After around 10-15 minutes, she came back to her normal again, and said in a low voice, 'Pangamba, I say sorry; I made you feel sad to night.'

'No, dear. I should apologize to you in the first place; so my apologies, Somi.'

'No, please.'

Then we were silent a few minutes. And she started to speak slowly, 'After that riot, we shifted to Mizoram. But my relatives still stay in Churchandpur to this day. While in Manipur, I learned to speak Manipuri right from my childhood. But now, I have forgotten many Manipuri words.'

'Oh, I see.' I kept my words to the minimum. I didn't want to see her cry again.

'Pangamba, have you ever been to Churchandpur anytime?'

'Yes, of course. But I have been there only twice...' I wanted to say 'many times' but I couldn't lie to her.

'Only twice? That's very bad. You should visit there more sometime. But I know these days, the situation there is not good. So please be careful when you go there.'

'Oh... thanks for some good advice, sweet lady.' We both laughed together.

We were silent for a while. She started to look up at the moon so bright and beautiful. I also looked up at the moon high above the sky. At last, I broke the silence again, 'Somi, how do you feel when you look at the moon to night?'

She felt shy a moment and said slowly in a low voice, 'It's so beautiful.'

'Somi, let me tell you what. You look more beautiful than the moon, dear.'

'Oh! Really? Please don't even compare me with the moon. I am not beautiful.' She said shyly with a little smile on her lips.

'Are you really sure?'

'I said I am not beautiful.'

"Then, how would you feel if I tell you 'you're damned ugly girl'?"

'Oh... Tell me first from your heart, and let me see how I feel.' She started to laugh.

My God! Caught on a wrong footing. 'Anyway, you are so beautiful, dear.'

'Oh, really?' She grinned, and said after a moment, 'Pangamba, let's talk something else or let's go inside.'

'You got bored?

'Not that I get bored.'

'Okay. Let's talk romance then. You may be quite interested in it.'

'Oh, now I see. That's why you called me outside on a full moon... huh?'

'You got me wrong, dear. I won't do anything to you.'

'But anything can happen anytime.'

We were silent for a few moments. And I took a deep breath and asked her, 'Somi, do you love me?'

She looked at me in surprise for a long moment and said jokingly, 'Pangamba, it's a tough question, dear. Please ask an easy question.' And then she broke into laughter.

I thought a moment and said, 'Somi, how much do you love me?'

Suddenly, she kept quiet. I wondered inside.

After sometime, she started to speak slowly with a cracked voice, 'Well, I am in between two fires right now, Pangamba. It's not that I don't love you, dear but it's just that I don't want to break my mother's heart. You know she is all I have. But now I am undecided yet; please help me decide. Pangamba, I am going to do whatever you say now.' She said her heart out.

I looked into her beautiful eyes for a long moment. Suddenly, I realized it was a tough decision I would ever make. She dared to place her life on my hands. Several thoughts were flying at the speed of light again. But I had to decide... quickly. And I knew it was not going to be a joke.

'I understand you, dear,' I started slowly. Now, I knew I could no longer keep her inside the cage of my heart. Finally, I had to set her free. And that time had come. And I knew it was not going to be that easy. But I decided anyway. 'Somi, please don't feel sorry for me in any way.' I continued after a thoughtful moment, 'Even soulmates, sometimes, do not meet at the end. Don't worry for me, dear. I'll be fine; let worry worries itself. And now I want you to fulfill your mother's desire. I know your mother has been through a lot. Now it's your time to make her smile again. Will you, Somi... for me?' I was fighting an overpowering emotion inside.

I saw her beautiful eyes filled with tears again. 'Pangamba...' She cried and she couldn't go any further. And she quickly gave me a tight embrace and cried her heart out. I tried to fight tears but they overcame me at last. I also cried quietly. It's hard to fight tears when they come like a flood.

Love does, sometimes, separate apart...

We both cried. She still sobbed with her face on my heart. And I held her close. I had no idea how much time we had spent outside the office. And I didn't care anything else... except her at that moment.

'Somi, please stop crying, baby. You don't look beautiful in tears. I say sorry; I made you cry a lot to night.'

'No, please dear.'

Suddenly, Bryan Adams' 'Everything I do, I do it for you...' sang from her mobile phone. There is a call... After sometime, she picked up her phone. And she started talking in Mizo language. I knew it was from her friend. And she looked at me and said slowly, 'Pangamba, everyone is leaving for the day.'

I looked at my watch and saw it was four o'clock in the morning. 'Two hours gone so fast!' I whispered quietly inside. I never wanted that night to end but somehow it had to be ended anyway.

'Somi, please don't worry about me. Make your Mom smile this time. That will make me happy too. I'll be fine.'

She nodded, 'Pangamba, I don't know what to say to you.'

'We'll remain good friends.'

She nodded. But before she could say anything, I changed the subject quickly, 'What's your plan for the weekend?'

She looked at me for a long moment and said slowly, 'Saturday, I'll rest whole day; Sunday, I am going to Church with my Mom. What about you?'

'I will rest at home the whole two days. By the way, please include me in your prayers, Somi.'

'Sure, I'll...' Again suddenly, her mobile phone sang again, Bryan Adams' 'Everything I do, I do it for you...' She picked up her phone again. After a while, she said, 'The vehicle is waiting for both of us.'

'Okay. You go ahead, dear. I'll stay back for a while.'

'You often stay back whenever I am in the same vehicle; don't you?' She complained.

'Somi, please don't get me wrong. I have to shut down my PC... and I have some work to do. Have you shut down your PC?

'Yeah, already shut down. What work?... Some secret work?' She smilingly asked.

'Yeah, some secret work.' I laughed. She also laughed after me.

And then she started to wave goodbye and suddenly stopped. She was silent a moment and then she said, "Pangamba, now on I am going to believe in what you said 'Even soulmates, sometimes, do not meet at the end'. And... I am really sorry, dear..."

'Don't be sorry, please Somi. I am all right. Look, now the vehicle is waiting for you.'

And she forced herself a smile and then waved goodbye, 'Take care. Have a nice weekend, dear.' And she hurried towards the vehicle.

'You too. Sweet dream! Sweet lady.' I said aloud from behind. And I stood still looking at her direction. Somi, you will never know how much I love you, dear. It's just that I don't want to see you cry. I know you love your mother so much. And from now on, I will be no more a fire to you. Now you are free. Like a wind.

And she was gone.

When she left, I felt empty inside, again. I felt as if a part of me had left me. And I stood still inside the garden; I felt alone. And I looked up. I saw the moon still shining beautifully high above the sky. And I whispered slowly into the air, 'You are so beautiful, dear. I am going to miss you. A lifetime.'


Notes: Names changed and some facts ommitted in this hear-breaking story.