ThinkingLoud@NinglunHanghal

This is a repeated question that has been asked again and again. The question doesn’t come once or from people who meet you for the first time. The question is more often repeated by people whom I met every now and then. You start a conversation, after a few pleasantries ..the same line follows..  you live alone? My own neighbor(s) would ask .. are you alone ? or you go and visit neighbor(s) for a chat or some work –the same line pop ups in between. At times the question may come in a different form. Like you start a conversation , gossip or small day to day conversations , about food, about a new lipstick or a new tops or even about current affairs… .. oh, you are alone, that's why !! If I get up late, the reason is .. you are alone ..so.. You don’t feel like having a big meal ..the remark would be .. oh..you are alone so…  You do something , or you share some-thing ..the remark is .. you are alone..that's why  Everything seems to happen because...

Anecdotes of Vialzakham Hanghal ( my father) as told to me through verbal/ oral  recollections and hand written notes.  The Job hunt ! It was after election in 1967 , I went down to Lamka ( Churachanpur district headquarter ) from my village – Phaitong khua ( Thanlon Sub – Division) , to check out for any available employment. On the way between Songtal and Hanship, at Gelkhawlmun – a wayside resting place in between villages, I met the village postman. A s we sat down and exchanged pleasantries, we checked if there is any letters for Phaitong khua. The postman a popular person those days, took out a bundle of envelops from his Sakhaupi (traditionally woven bag ) . I was particularly curious and nervous, impatient as he checked the names on the envelopes. Lo ! finally, he took out a brown envelop with my name written clearly on it. I hurriedly opened and saw that it was letter from the office of employment exchange in Imphal. The contents says “ I hereby informe...