It was 2001 when I first left Manipur for my further studies. From one Indian Border State- Sanaleibaak to another Indian border state- Gujarat and finally relocated to the capital city- its quite an experience for me sigh! It was one such winter when I resettled in Delhi- the capital city of India (or is it crime city?), hunting for a better career opportunity. Be it Ahmedabad or Delhi, the nostalgic feeling remains the same- nostalgia of staying far away from my family, my people, friends and what not. Sans any surprise factor, my confinement outside Manipur ‘as an exported Manipuri’ is now a decade old (eyes rolled in bewilderment). Here are few vivid experiences and observations I have made so far during the decade-
1. Home is where ‘Mummagi Maroi Nakupina Sok touba hawai is available’- Be it the scrumptious Dal Tadka or Dal Makhani, no Hawai thongba (dal curry) is comparable to Mumma’s Hawai Thongba. Prove me wrong anyone?
2. Yaoshang (Holi) fever always persists for five days- The JNU or DU ground thaabals cannot offbeat the essence of traditional yaoshang celebrations at Imphal Sehar. Those five continuous days of exclusive fun and food with friends and family. Can anyone offend me that ‘Delhi’s holi’ is better than Manipur’s?
3. Can electronic heaters ever contest Meifus during winter?- Come ingthamtha, the temperature dips down below 5 and its brrrrrr cold. And my mood swings to MMM errr Missing Mumma and Meifu :/. The so called electronic heaters and the uninterrupted power supply cannot replace the ‘meifus’ back at home. There is something about our traditional ‘Meifu’. Subhashchandra Bose Quoted ‘You give me your blood and I will give you independence’. I quote ‘Give me Meifu and Mumma during winter and I am poise to be the bestest girl under the sun’ LOL.
(asshhh the list is unending but am lazy enough to write all- see how a bad girl I am eww!! I know I know)
