Phaileng ila

Mizorama țhalaite intawhkhawm lianber, KȚP General Conference kan thleng leh dawn ta reng mai. Tun țum hi a vawi 57-na tur a ni a, March 1 – 4, 2018 chhungin West Phaileng-ah neih a ni ang.

KȚP General Conference vawi 57-na neihna tur, W Phaileng khua hi Aizawl ațangin 85Km vela hla a ni a, LMV-in darkar 3 ațanga darkar 4 vel kal a ni.

Rawpuichhip by-pass…laih mek a nih avangin a la khu deuh…hetiang hi hmun 4 velah a awm

Tun țum Conference-ah hian thupui atan “Isua chhinchiahna put” [Gal. 6:17] hman a ni a, Rev. Vanlalzuatan thupui hi a sawi ang. Programme chipchiar chu General conference hlabu lamah a chuang bawka sawi zui thui lovang.

Pandal chhung

A thlengtu tur West Phaileng Bial te inbuatsaihna nasat zia leh inpêkna nasatzia a hmun ngeia hmuh chuan ‘Conference hlawhtling tak’ kan hman ngei hi a rinhlelhawm loh. In tinin mikhual ei tur vawk leh ar an vulha, Conference-a an mikhual te tan February thlatir ațang khan an lo inhrek tawha; an bazar-ah sa lei mai tur a awm tawh lo, Conference atan an khek vek tawh!

Halelui Veng, West Phaileng. Mikhual thleng turin an inbuatsaih ngawrh hle

Mikhual thlenna turin a  țhenin an In chungah hulhliap an zara, a țhenin an In hnuai, mi țhenkhatin bûk hran an sa bawk. A khawnawtin an In leh a vel an chei hnuma, rawng an hnawih thara, thawmțhat ngai an thawm țha bawk.

Halelui Veng, West Phaileng. Conference thleng turin an In an chei hnum nasa hle

Khawchhungah Sorkar hmalakna, Palai te chêt vel a awlsam zawkna tur hrang hrang hmuh tur a tam hle a, Conference zawh hnua khaw miten an chhawr zui zel tur a ni nghe nghe.

Pandal luhkapui, la zawh felloh

Pandal 275 x 170 ft a zau, mipui 12000 vel țhut theihna tur an saa, an rel laklawh laiin vanduai deuh mahse an inbuatsaihna erawh a pangngaiin a kala, pandal mawi leh NGHET tak kan nei dawn a ni.

Conference neihna tur pandal

Lamtual pawh mi sangtel lam theihna tura zau a ni. Conference danga kan la hmuh ngailoh, thutthleng rem dan chi dang  deuh kan hmu dawn bawk.

Pandal chhung, mi 12000 țhut theihna tur chu

Chanvo nei hrang hrang te chantual tur, 30′ x 90′ a zau, 4′ a sangin dawhsan siam a ni a. Dawhsan hnung bangah banner liantak, Tuikual Branch KȚP te siam chu tar a ni bawk ang.

Stage hnung lam atanga thlir…Speaker’s eye view te ti ta ila 😀

Conference hmangtu te tan remchang chi hrang hrang ruahman a ni a, pandal ațanga pan nuam tawk, pandal chhung ațanga hnawk pha silo turah zun-ram thiarna țhahnem tak siam a ni a, mipa leh hmeichhe hman tur a hranga siam a ni. Pandal kawtkai remchang laiah, tih țhin dan pangngaiin CKȚP office, Synod Bookroom leh office chi hrang hrang siam a ni leh ang.

Mipa Zun In

West Phaileng Bial huamchhungah hian veng hrang hrang a awma, khawdanga veng leh kawtthler hming atana hman lar loh tak tak a awm nual mai. Pastor Quarters awmna lai vel hi “Pastor veng” tih a ni a, chumi chhim lam chiah chu “Halelui Veng” tih a ni thung. “Chhim Veng, Bethlehem Veng, Kanan Veng” tih te hi chu hman tlanglawn a ni a, mahse Teirei kawnga “Workshop Veng” thlen hma deuha “Zig-Zag” kawtthler hi chu chhinchhiah a awl bik riau.

Pastor Veng

Conference thlengtu te hian hmachhuan tur dang an neilo, Isua Krista chauh lo chu. An khaw len loh dan leh mihring an tam loh dan chu keini aiin an inhrechiang zawk. Țhahnemngai takin, Kristian Țhalai te tan an inbuatsaiha, “ri mup mup mai ila, zi mup mup mai ila, chep takin inhnawhkhawm ila…” tih chu Conference buaipuitu lam te țawngkam ngaihnawm tak a ni [Thlengtu te inbuatsaihna video clip en duh tan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIjhNfIAiLo&feature=youtu.be hi klik mai tur].

Pandal chhung leh a vel cheimawitu lam ten pandal-ah puanțhui khawl inchhawpin hna an thawk mup mup mai bawk

Krista chauh hmachhuana thleng tur an nih avang tak hian Thlarau lama inbuatsaihna pawh an bei ngawrh, țawngțai pawl te kaihhruaiin nasa takin Conference pual hian an țawngțai reng a, Conference hlung tak, Thlarau Tianghlim hriakthih a ni ngei ang tih a rinawm tlat a ni. Taksa leh Thlaraua malsawmna chang ngei tura Conference hmang turin Zoram chhung leh pawna Kristian Țhalai zawng zawng te min sawm a ni.

Pandal chinchang…

Conference neihna hmun tur, W Phaileng khua hi Feb 16, 2018 khan kan tlawha, an inbuatsaihna leh hmalak dan te a ropui kan ti takzet a ni. Camera, battery awmlo erawh hmanna a tam lo hle. Phone (Zenfone3M) camera leh GoPro Hero 5 te erawh a țangkai narawh!

Battery tello chuan lungtum ah ang mai chauh a ni 😁😁😁

ART LOVER…?

Jan. 13, 2018 chawhnu herah, Art Novelty Gallery neitu, Pi Amoiin phone-in min rawn be hlauh mai a, JV-a nena Duet Exhibition an neih, Dec. 1, 2017-a kan chhim ve ni-a Video interview an edit thu leh kan lan venaah kan hming hnuaiah “Art Lover” tih mai a tum thu min rawn hrilh a, “ad libitum” tiin ka’n chhang liam mai bawk a.

“Art Lover” tih ṭawngkam hian ngaihtuahna nasa tak min siam zui a. He post pawh hi a lo pian chhuah phah hial a nih hi!

Rochana nen Amoii & JVa Duet Exhibition, Dec. 1, 2017 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang.

Fine Art hi engnge a nih? Engchin hi nge Fine Art? tih pawh hi Science lam hrilhfiahna anga thutlukna mum leh fel fai tak awm lem lo a nih hmel bawk si. Visual Art ho hi a rilin a thuk a, a huam zau êm êm ni awm tak a ni. Thil chiang lo ruai mai te hi a ril ting emaw tih tur hian an inhrilhfiah siak luih luih a, a ziaktu khan khang zawng zawng kha a hnaah khan a bilh tel vek tak tak angem? Tih pawh ngaihtuah tham tak a ni. Ṭhenkhat lahin a tak ang maiin an ziak a, a tak tak emaw te kan ti a, a lem a lo ni si…min bum a ni. Chungho chu an rilna aiin pawnlanga mawina an dah thiamna kha ngaihsan a ni leh lawi ṭhin ni awm tak a ni. Art hian rilna leh pawnlânna a keng tel a nih dawn hi!

Artist kutchhuak ṭhenkhat chu Commercial Art te an tihsak leh lawi a, Pop-Art ti te pawhin an sawi emaw ni… ṭawngkam hrang hrang, hrilhfiah dan hrang hrang, pawm dan hrang hrang hi a tam na laileng. Ngaihtuah ngun poh leh min tibuai a. Ngaihtuahna seng miahloa en erawh a pamhmai leh lawi bawk si.

Mi ṭhenkhat kutchhuak chu han en ila a mawiin a nalh nghal êm êm mai a, an rawng chi thlak te, an ziak dan phung leh chul mam dan ten mi a lemin ngaihno a bei nghal êm êm mai a, a tak a an viau phei chuan “a van mawi êm êm, thlalak ang mai a lawm…” an tia. Ṭhenkhat kutchhuak ve thung erawh chu naupang ziak emaw tih mai tur khawpa lemziak sikhaw, han thlek thuaka “engemaw ni le?” tih tur, en chet cheta thil eng emaw riau awma ngaih theih, kalsawn san hnu pawha ral aṭanga thlek leh zeuha, “sawta mi kha…a mak e…eng nge le…” tih ngai, va ennawn leh nge nge ngai chi te a awm a. Ennawn hnuah pawh “eng tak chu ni maw” tia ngaihtuah chunga lu thak lo pui hiah nauh nauh ngai, a ziaktu ziakchhan tur awm ang dawn vang vang chung pawha engnge a nih ngaihtuah fêt ngai a awm ṭhin. A ziaktu rilru leh ngaihtuahna ṭawmpui thiam thei tura en chuan eng pawh mai hi a lo hmuhnawmin, a lo hlu êm êm vek mai dawn a lo ni.

Kumthar Titi – Art leh a kaihhnawih. Jan. 4, 2018 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang

Mizo Senior Artist, Pa Tlanga (Tlangrokhuma) hnen aṭanga finna dawn tumin tum tam fe chu an Inah ka lenchilh tawh a, painting en dan te leh a kalhmang eng eng emaw hi chu min hrilh fo ṭhin a. Mizo painting ka duhkhawploh (ve rikngawtna!) te pawh zak lek lovin kan sawi ve thlazen bawk a. Art ka hmangaih vang nge, ka ngainat vang nge, ka phunchiar vang? Tih pawh ka hrethiam chiah lo.

Tun hnaiah Artist dang, Pi Amoii, Tv. Thlana, Pu Isaac-a leh Pu Hriata te nen kan inhmelhriat ve leh a, anni kiangah pawh chuan hre ber niawma ti ti vawrh hluai chang ka ngah ngang mai. Selna leh fakna a inchhawk zut mai. Tlangval damrei phunchiar…min ti pawh ni se a mawh lo ve!

Mizo Artist – Pu Isaac, Most Rev. Stephen Rotluanga leh Tv. Thlanchhuaha te nen, “Aizawl Art Festival” Dec. 13, 2017 @Art Novelty Gallery, Chaltlang

Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan hi Fine Art lama zirna hmun hmingthang pawl tak a ni awm e, a dintu Tagore-a te chhungkua avang pawh a ni maithei bawk. Santiniketan-ah hian Fine Art zir mek leh zir chhuak tawh Mizofa an awm ve nual a. Kum 2017-ah thildang buaipuiin ka inziak lut ve a, University-a ka kal chang hian Fine Art zirlai te nen kan inkawm ber ṭhin. Kimtea, John-a leh Jubala te ho kiangah Fine Art nia ka hriat ve te ka sep rawtui ve chiam chiam thin a… a sawi tui berah ka ṭang a, ka fuih e te ka ti a, a chang leh ka rawn thul…zan mut dawna ka ngaihtuah let chang erawh chuan ka zak ve leh deuh a, a tukah a ngai te bawkin bul ṭantuah bawk ka ṭang leh ṭhin…kan bula awm ve Physical Education zir mêk, Mahruaia leh Thara te tan khan a lo ninawm hrep awm asin. Santiniketan-a Mizofa te nen hian Santiniketan aṭanga chhuak tho, Mizo zinga Sculpturing lama degree nei hmasa ber, James-a, zara inhria kan ni.

Santiniketan titi kha ka ngaihtuah let fo ṭhin a, dang nal ber nih avanga sawi thui thei deuh ber kha ka niin ka inhria…Artist dang te leh artist te kutchhuak ngaisang ve thotu dang te nena kan titi te ngun taka ka ngiahtuah let hian “bel ruak apiang a ri ring” tih thufing kha ka hrechhuak fo ṭhin bawk. Fine Art lama ka hriatna pawn lawi zia te, ka thiam loh zia te ka inhre chhuak uar uar a, chutih rual chuan Artist tak tak te dawhtheih zia ka ngaihtuah chhuak bawk.

Kum 2016-a Zemabawk Branch KTP Diamond Jubilee lawmna chikhatah KTP member te tan “On the Spot Painting Competition” neih a ni a, thupui thlan sa “Ngaihtuahna” tih hmangin he thil hi ka ziak ve chiam pek a. Mawi an ti lo kha chu ka hrethiama, “lehkha chhia” emaw an ti kher kha chu ka la na ve det! lewll… Artist te tihdanin – Water Colour on paper…te pawh han ti ve ila :p

“Art Lover” nih theih dan tehkhawng hi a awm emaw ka hre lo a, a eng chin hi nge art lover-a chhiar tur ni a, eng nge hlen ngai? Ramri kham a awm em? Ka hre lo. Amaherawhchu “Art Lover” tih hi ka hmang fo a, a chang phei chuan ni ve hial  te pawhin ka inhre ve deuh ṭhin a, ka inchhal ve fo bawk a. Art Exhibition tlawh chin te, Art Gallery tlawh chin te, Art Gallery-a a ruka thla lakpui chin te, Artist te titipui chiam chin te hi “Art Lover” nihna tura tehkhawng ni ta se ka hnaih ve viau mai thei. Artist te ngaihsan leh a kutchhuak te ngaihhlut kawng zawnga teh ni ta se anmahni chu ka ngaisang, an kutchhuak pawh, mahse pakhat te pawh ka la lei sak lo! Ka va tla leh si awm em!

Art Gallery, Nagaland State Museum, Kohima. Mar. 18, 2006. (A ruka lak :v)

Hetiang taka Visual Art lama ngawng, hawkdak vanga thlir satliah hian Art Lover nihna ropui tak hi ka phu reng em? Mawi, nalh, hmuhnawm, ngaihnawm, ngainatawm tih avanga he thil hi hlawh chi a ni em? Lal Isuan zirtir Petera hnenah “…hengte ai hian min hmangaih zawk em?” tia vawi 2 zet a zawha Peter-an, “Ka ngaina che tih i hria e…” tia a chhan hnua, “…min ngaina em?” tia Isua zawhna, “ka ngaina che tih i hria e…” tia lunngai taka Petera’n a chhang ang deuh khan, “Visual Art hi ka ngaina tih in hria e.”

KA U

Ka nu leh pa te, ka pi leh pu te leh laina hnai, a thiantha te hi chuan “Mâ-a” an tia, a then chuan “Ngheta, Lalnghet, Manghet” an ti bawk. Mahse keini chuan “Ka U” kan ti thin. A hming pum chu “C. Vanlalngheta” a ni.

Ka U kan tih chuan kan u Mâ-a kan sawina a ni a, midang sawi nan kan hmang ngai lo. Ka U sawi nan chauh kan hmang, ka u tan liau liau a ni.

Kan naupan laiin Gauhati-ah lehkha a zir thina, kumkhatah vawi 1 te a rawn haw thin. Ka U rawn haw hi kan nghakhlel hle thin a; toys min hawnsak thin avangin. Tin, a chhukthlak leh dawnah pawisa nawi min sem thin bawk. Tumkhat chu racing car min hawnsaka, a tha ngang mai, sipai no bengtung khata tui kan dah hian a su thlu tawp thei. Ka thianten an awt ve thin khawpa,
“Khawia mi nge?”

“Ka U min hawn…”

Jan. 5, 2012 (Ningani): Kan chhungkua

Ka U khan a zirlai a zir zawh khan hna a hmu nghal maia, Khawzawlah an post-a, Durtlangah te, Champhaiah te. Tum khat chu a hnathawhna hmun atanga a rawn haw dawn hian truck tein an rawn chhuka, chumia phurh tur chuan Ka u Hriata ten Tuirial kawnga mi Changel an lo sat teuh mai a. Zanah phur turin kan zuk chhuka, Tuirial kawng chhiat vanglai tak a ni. A hnungah kan chuanga, naupang ta chu kan zun te a lo chhuak maia, a din det lai chuan kan zung hmanhmawha, a tlan leh ta mai sia, kawngchhiaa a insawh tak tak kha chu ka chal ka zunkhum lo chauh a ni. Khami tum kha Ka U motor khalha ka chuan hmasak ber a ni.

Oct. 30, 1993 (Inrinni): Ka U te inneih. An thiante – U Hmangaiha leh U Manuni

Champhaia a awm lai hian U Mapuii nen an innei a. Chawlh a neih theih mai loh avangin “duty” pahin a rawn chhuka, Oct. 30, 1993 inrinniah Zemabawk Kohhran Biak Inah an inkutsuih a, nuam kan van ti tak em. Ka U nupui neih ni zet kha chu.

A fa te pathum hi a ngaihsak em em a. An sen lai deuh hian ka nau Mary hi nau awm turin an inah a leng chho a. A fate chanchin ngaihven hian chhunah vawi engemaw zat a phone…chu chu ka U-in nitina a tihdan a ni. A fapa Joshua lehkha zir buaipuii tum engemaw zat ka zinpui a, kan chanchin ngaihvenin min rawn call fo thin, ka U hian.

Jan. 5, 2017 (Ningani): Ka u te chhungkua leh ka nu leh pa te

Ka U hi tawngtam lo tak, mi kawm tam lo, ina awm deuh chawt chi a ni a. An Ina len luh chang pawh hian min be tam lem lo. Kan thutna sirah ngawi rengin a lo thu ve mai thin. Inpui min rawn tlawh pawh hian sawi tur a nei ngai meuh lo. Mahse ka u Hriata fate emaw, Mary fate emaw an awm erawh chuan a fiam nasa thin hle thung.

Oct. 23, 2014 (Ningani): Ka U Rammuana nupui neiha kan chhungkaw thlalak

Ka U-in min rawn tlawh chang hian a titi bawrh bawrh ri ka hre ngai lem lo, aw then dan bik erawh a nei…a aw then dan atangin ka U-in min rawn tlawh tih kan hre nghal mai thin. Ka U aw thian ri khan min tihlim em em thin.

Nov. 7, 2017 zanah chhungkua kan inhmukhawma, prog. dang ka neih avangin ka kal hmasa zawka. Ina ka let leh meuh chuan a lo awm reng tawh a. Inpawh takin kan titi a, khami zan kha chuan a aw thian ri aiin a tawng ri kan hre tam zawka, khatiang reng renga a tawng nasat kha ka la hre ngailoa, ka hre leh tawh dawn bawk hek lo.

Nov. 7, 2017 (Thawhlehni): Pafa titi…

Ka U aw thian ri khan min thlamuan thin a, kan kiangah a awm a ni tih kan hre thin. Ka U aia fel hi mi tam takin u an nei ang, ka u aia sual u nei pawh an awm teuh bawk ang. Mahse Ka U ang U, a aw thian ri ringawt pawh a nauten an thlamuanpui êm êm U nei ve hi an awm kher lovang!

Dec. 16, 2017 zing dar 7:47-ah U Mapuiin min rawn call-a, ka U an kaihthawh zawh loh thu min rawn hrilh a. Ka chhungte leh hrilh awm hrang hrang, ka hriatchhuah mai theih te ka hrilh nghala, an chenna lam panin kan chhuak taa. NH 54 an siamthat lai, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi-an Aizawl a rawn chhun pelh ni tak a nih avangin kan thleng lawk theilo.

Kan thlen chuan an khumah an lo zalha, a awm lamah tawlhloh puanin an khuha, a kawng a chin hnuailam pawncheiin an khuh bawk. Ni dang ang chu nise engmah sawi lem lovin a kiai suk anga, kan thutna piah deuhah a thu ve mai ang a, a khat tawkin a aw a thian ang. Mahse chutiang tur chu a awm ta lo! Ka U aw thian ri hriat tur a awm lova, tap thawm, amah ngaia thlabar tap thawm ri a ni kan hriat ni. Ka U taksa chu kan zingah la awm mahse vuiliam mai tura buatsaih mek, a ruang chauh kan chang ta.

Dec. 16, 2017

Thihna hi tu chungah pawh thleng thei leh thleng tur a ni a, kan chungah, kan chhungkaw chungah pawh a la thleng vek dawn tih pawh kan hria; mihring tana vawi khat thih ruattu hi kan Pathian a ni tlat! Mahse lusun tura inpeih tumah kan awm lova, lusun tura chak tawk lah kan awm hek lo. A fa u te 2, Rachel leh Joshua te awm loh lai, a ruang pawh an rawn nan ngaihna awm lo kher khera min liamsan erawh a na a ni. Ka U hian a fate a hmangaih a, amah thlahliam tur pawh hian a fate aia thlan a nei lovang.

Mahse Ka U kha pa inthlahrung ngang kha a nia, a fate lungngai hmel leh hrehawm hmel hmuh kha a duh lo bur thin. Chuvangin hetianga a kal mai hi Pathianin a remti zawk te pawh a nia nge.

Oct. 23, 2014 (Ningani): Ka unau zain

Unau Portrait leh Family portrait lak leh hunah chuan all pair-in kan la tawh ang, tia intiam kha kan ni a, mahse engtikah mah he hun hi kan thleng dawn ta lo a ni!

The Bamboo Chronicles

Being born and raised in a family where the kitchen garden is primarily dominated by bamboo, there has always been a part of bamboo in me. Our “Chuktuah huan” (Kitchen garden or backyard) was the place where the chronicles begun. At least three species of bamboo were growing, till 2006. The gregarious flowering of the Mautak (Melocanna baccifera) since 2006 was the cause of the downfall of the bamboo dynasty at our backyard.

Bamboo forest cleared for Lo (jhum field). A view from West Phaileng to Lallen road.

Bamboo, by taxonomy, belongs to a grass family. Functionally, it is more like a wood, and is often regarded as a tree. Mizoram has at least 25 indigenous species of bamboo, belonging to 8 genera. Among them, Mautak (M. baccifera) is the dominating species, occupying ~90% of the bamboo forest of the state. Since time immemorial, bamboo has been used in varied ways. It is one of the most highly utilized natural resources among the Mizo community.

There’s a saying, once a man built a house with bamboo. He used bamboo pole, bamboo flooring, bamboo wall and bamboo thatched roof and cooked bamboo shoot in a bamboo culm, using bamboo as fuel wood. He then consumed the bamboo shoot, and said, “Bamboo, I’m in you and you’re in me.” Indeed, bamboo has a deep impact on the socio-economics and socio-culture of  the Mizo society.

A young girl sells a bamboo shoot @Vaipuanpho

The recent re-clarification of bamboo as a grass, by the president of India, however abstain the Incredible India to claim its carbon trading protocol through bamboo. If only it was acknowledged as a tree, the carbon credit owned by India would be immense, much much higher than those hardwood species. However, bamboo farmers would easily harvest their bamboo without acquiring permission from the government. In other words, bamboo being re-classified as grass makes it unnecessary to obtain permission, they can freely harvest and sell. Its a great news for the bamboo farmers. Yet, the environmental service rendered by the bamboo forests remains the same.

The Bamboo College

I did my UG studies at the Union Christian Christian College (UCC). The UCC was established in Aug. 14, 1952 at Umiam Khwan, Meghalaya by the Assam Christian Council, now known as the North East India Christian Council (NEICC). During its inception, the managing board was so poor that they could not afford any hi-fi building materials. Instead, they built classrooms and other buildings with the locally available bamboo. Since then, it was given a nick name “the Bamboo College.”

The guy who grew up among the clumps and culms of bamboo finally graduated from the bamboo college. The story continues…

The bambu sapiens

After completing PG from the Mizoram University, the guy among the bamboo choose to be with the bamboo yet again. Enrolling myself to do a research on the ecological services of bamboo in combating the climate change,  I think about bamboo, I spoke about bamboo, I dreamt about bamboo and I keep on working in the bamboo forest here and there.

Sub-samples for laboratory analysis. The RE Classic playing its role!

Bamboo leads me to 5 study sites in the five administrative districts of Mizoram. Visiting each sites bi-monthly; measuring the girth, collecting the soils, excavating the roots, collecting the litters. Two and half years passed, those data sets were transformed into some magical equations…and lo! I was permitted to submit my thesis.

Bambu sapiens at work among the Rawthing (clumps of B. tulda) @Mausen, Lunglei district

Since I worked on and with bamboo for more than two years, my friend used to call me ‘bamboo man,’ however, there are guys like Ghani Zaman who has been acknowledged as ‘Bamboo Man’ for his enormous bamboo related works. Moreover, my contribution and experience doesn’t deserve the ‘bamboo man’ title. Instead, ‘bambu-sapiens’ feels more suitable…hehe…

Field work was never a burden when you have a friend who always stood by your side be it storm or rain! Kudos to a research colleague, Dr. B. Malsawmkima

Dec. 2, 2014

Another months passed; finally Dec. 2, 2014 was the day I stood for the bamboo, defending the bamboo and proclaim that “Bamboo is the answer!” After a few sets of questions being answered, a round of applause and an acknowledgement from my Supervisor sealed the day.  Handshake and light refreshment followed.

Meanwhile at home, on the same day, there was a news of a new born baby girl; another member in the family. She is the third child and first daughter of my elder brother. How joyful it was! Its the Lord doing.

Happy birthday to Lalrinfeli (Fel-feli)

The Acknowledgment

In my thesis, I wrote the following few lines, acknowledging those that made me the bambu-sapiens:

I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor Prof. S.K. Tripathi for his never ending encouragement, guidance and advice. Without him, this research work will never be completed. I am also thankful to my co-supervisor Dr. F Lalnunmawia, a wonderful counselor, who is always ready for me.

I thanked Prof. U.K. Sahoo, the Head of Department of Forestry and other faculty members of the department for their constant support.
Several personnel, who helped me in locating the potential study sites and arranging the necessary protocol for performing the on field experiments and collection of samples, especially Pi Chhawni of Mausen and Pu Patrick Z, the then Village Council President of Chhingchhip Mualpui, are instrumental in the completion of this work, I shall never forget them.

Their names are worth mentioning – Mr. B. Malsawm Kima, a research colleague, who always stood by my side, be it storm or rain, another research colleague – Mr. Lalriliana Fanai and Ms Jeeceelee Leishangthem for their tiredless help in the field work, data analysis as well as in the laboratory works. I am much obliged to them.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. H. Lalhlenmawia, Head, Department of Pharmacy, RIPANS, Aizawl and his staff, Dr. Aduha Pachuau, in particular, for their generousity and assistance in the laboratory works.
The staffs of the Central Instrumentation Laboratory, Mizoram University are the backbone in the chemical analyses of my samples, I am thankful to them.

My sincere gratitude goes to Dr. C. Lalrammawia for his support and advice in shaping up my thesis.

The support I received from my parents encouraged me to reach this far. Words could not express my gratitude to my loving parents!

Above all, I thanked God for His merciful blessings which He bestowed upon me. I thanked Him for giving me all of the above and lots more.

April 10, 2015: Xth Convocation of MZU – “By virtue of the power vested in me…I admit you to the degree of…I charge you that ever in your life and conversation you show yourselves worthy of the same”

To this day, I often asked myself “Am I worthy of it…?”

[slightly personal… :D]

UPA C. ROKHUMA

Zirna tluang pangngaiah pawl 6 thleng chauh a zira, mahse pawl 6 thleng chauh zir zawng zawngah chuan ani aia fing hi an awm kher lovang. Hna thawk chungin private-a pawl 9 exam-in a pass leh a; pawl 9 pass zingah ani aia thiam leh hre ril hi an awm chuang hek lovang.

Kan naupan laiin lehkhabu pan te, a kawma a ziaktu hmel chuang, ngaihnawm zet mai hi ka u hian min chhiar sak thina. Ziak leh chhiar ka thiam ve chinah erawh chhiar sak ngailovin chu lehkhabu ngaihnawm chu ka chhiar ve thin. “Tunlai Khawvel Thlirna” tih lehkhabu ka chhiar atanga ka hriat, Upa C. Rokhuma thuziak te hi Mizo ziakmi te kutchhuak zinga ka chhiar hmasak ber a nih ka ring!

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2015

Pianpui finna sang leh thuk tak nei, zirtirtu, zirtirtu te zirtirtu, sipai bang – Indopui II-na Veteran, Sande Sikul zirtirtu te zirtirtu, ziakmi, pa titi thiam, thil chik mi, pa chak, pa taima, Pathian tih mi, vantlang tana mi inpe, scientist, mi rinawm…a tlar thui teh e! Upa C. Rokhuma tluka Mizo mipui te tana thawhhlawk hi an tam lo khawp ang!

A chanchin tlem

Upa C. Rokhuma hi July 21, 1917-ah Reiek-ah a pianga, unau 9 zinga a upa ber a ni a; farnu 3 a nei. A nupui Pi Lalrinthangi (L) nen hian kum 1939-ah an inneia, fa mipa 4 leh hmeichhia 3 an nei a, tu 19 leh tuchhuan 15 an nei bawk. Upa C. Rokhuma hian 1934 – 47 chhung khan hmun hrang hrangah zirtir hna a thawk a, 1946 – 1953 chhungin sub-Inspector of School hna a thawk bawk. Guru Training School (Teachers Training School)-ah kum 1955 – 66 Instructor hna a thawk a, MSSU hnuaia Sunday School zirtirtu training Instructor hna kum 1967 – 1978 thleng a thawk bawk. Tin, Indopui II-na hunlai khan Sipaiah a tang bawk.

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2012

Vantlanga tana mi inhmang tak a ni a, YMA President a ni thin a, Mautam tam lo thleng tur laka inven nan 1951-ah Tam do pawl a dina. Ruahmanna hrang hrang an siam te chu sorkar pawhin ngai pawimawhin theih tawpin hma an laa, Mautam tam pawh a ziaawm phah hle. Mautam chungchanga hriatna thuk tak nei a nih avangin Kum 2006 – 09 chhoa Mau a tam leh pawh khan mithiam te thurawn lakna pawimawh tak a ni chhunzawm zel bawk.

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2012

Vantlanga tana a hnathawh that avang hian kum 1992 khan India President hnen atangin PADMA SHRI chawimawina hlu tak a dawng a, hmun hrang hrang atangin chawimawina chi hrang hrang a dawng bawk.

Synod Boys Hostel-a kan awm laiin tum khat chu inkhawm a kaihruaia, zai tura The Barnabas (Male Voice)  te a sawm kha mitthlaah a lang reng thin! Miin thiam an tih thu te, sawi lawk se tape recorder-a lo record a chak thu te kha a sawi a, Kohhran mipui te pawh kan nui hak nghe nghe. Upa C. Rokhuma hi  Chhimphei Presbytery Inkhawmpui, Bungkawn kohhrana kum 1978-a neihin Mission Vengthlang Kohhran Upa ni tura a nemngheh, rawngbawlna kawnga mi thahnemngai, Kohhran humhalh mi a ni.

Padma Shri kiangah ni khat

Tawnhriat ngah te kawma, an titi ngaihthlak hi kan chak thina, chung zingah chuan Upa C. Rokhuma hi kan kawm chak ber te zinga mi a ni a, naupan lai atanga kan ngaihsan tawh a nih avang te pawh a ni tel bawk ang. Pa upa lam a nih tawh avangin thawn thut chilohah kan ngaia, a tunu, Lalrokimi kaltlangin len kan duh thu kan hrilha, Sept. 4, 2012-ah remchang min lo siam sak ta hlauh maia kan lawm hle a ni.

Sept. 4, 2012: Kei, Upa C. Rokhuma leh Rochana

Kan kawm tum hian Upa Rokhuma hi kum 95 mi a ni tawha, a hriatna that zia leh thil a chhinchhiah theih zia hi chu sawiloha leng a ni. Kan kawm chhung zawnga mak kan tih leh kan sawi tawp theih loh chu a rinawmna kha a ni. Kan zawhna kha a hriatloh zawng a nih hlauh chuan a hriatloh thuin min chhang maia, a rinthu a sawi ngailoa, hre awm angin min chhang lo, “Ka hre hauh lo mai” a ti thên mai. Nia a hriat dan emaw a duh duh danin emaw, engpawh mai kha sawi ta se keini, hre pha velo kha chuan kan awih vek awm si a! Mahse dawt min hrilh duh miahlo leh a hriat loh a hrelo ngam kha kan ngaihsanna tizualtu a ni.

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2012

Zawhna inkarakik pui pui, rilrua lang apiang kan zawt a, Rochana’n Mizo History leh Politics lam te, thil chi hrang hrang a zawta. Keiin Science lam, a bikin ecology leh conservation lam engemawzat ka zawt thung a. Heng zawng zawngah hian, “keini te chu lehkha thiamlo kan nia, kan hriat ve te hi chu a lau em mai…ka aiin in hre zawk daih ang…” ti chungin kan hriat ngailoh tha tha min hlui a, kan phur deuhin zawhna kan siam belh zela, a hriat loh zawng chu “ka hre hauhlo mai…” tiin min chhang zel thung a. Maumitvel lo pianchhuah dan ni a pi-pu ten an sawi thin min hrilh te, Tut lui dunga sa an pel thin dan a sawi te kha a ngaihnawm teh e. “In hre duh em?” “duh tho mai” “tho mai chauh maw…in hre duh tak tak lo a niang maw…” tia an fiamthu zauh te khan a ti ngainatawm zual sauh bawk.

Tawngkam mai nilo, a chetzia zawng zawng nen… Sept. 4, 2012

Kum 95 chhunga a tawnhriat hrang hrang, a bikin Mizo nunphung leh khawtlang inrebawl dan, ram leh hnam an humhalh dan te, ramngaw leh nungcha an enkawl dan te nen min hrilh a. A In a sak laia a bang tur dap a chik dan leh a thawh rim zia a sawi te phei chu a ngaihnawm tak zet a ni.

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2012

Mizoram khawchin mumal takin a chhinchhiaha, ruah tui tlak dan, ni chhuah leh tlak hun thlengin. Khawpui rik hun leh buh thar inkungkaih dan a sawi thin te khan Applied science lama a rilzia a tilang chiang hle. Mahse heng zawng zawng hi chinchhuakin ka zawt hman ta lo. Serthlum enkawlnan bika a duanchhuah RK Mixture chungchang leh Par arsi hnuaia serthlum a that duh thu a sawi te pawh kha ka zawhchian hman tak loh zinga mi a ni. Mahse a taka a thil tih, a tawnhriat atanga a sawi a ni si. Hetiang indigenous knowledge hi science & technology than zel nana kawng pawimawh hmasa a ni a. Inter-cropping te phei hi chu tun thlengin mi tam takin PhD degree an hmuhna a la ni reng bawk.

Seiko sana

Hemi tuma Rawmi chi ka pek kha ti tiak thei tak maw!

Upa C. Rokhuma, Sept. 4, 2012

Vawi khat dang leh

Kum 2015, April 29 khan a huana thakthing kung thliin a  chhem tliaka, thakthing project kan khawih lai a nih avangin sample la-in a huanah, a tupa Hriatzuala (Te-a) nen kan kala. Haw pahin a Inah kan lut kawia, kum 98 mi lai a nih tawh avangin a taksa a chaklovin a lo chaurau ve hle tawh a. Khuma mu chungin a fa thenkhat te nen an lo inkawm a. A aw a la fiahin a ri hriatna a la tha a, a rilru pawh a la fim vek bawk. Amah kawma kum 2012-a kan len tawh thu leh ka research ka zawh tawh thu te ka hrilh chuan min lawmpui ve hle a, chibai te min buk hial. Hei hi Upa Rokhuma ka hmuh hnuhnun ber a ni ta. [ Pu C Rokhuman Mautam chungchang a sawi  ka record download duh chuan click mai tur].

An venga raw lianpui mai, mam pel pul, eng rua nge tih an hriat mailoh hi, Hriatzuala nen bawk hian kan va en nghal a, Rawmi (Dendrocalamus sikkimensis) a lo ni a.

A hun hnuhnung

Vawiin, Nov. 23, 2017 hi he khawvel a chhuahsanna champhaphak vawi 1-na a lo ni ve leh ta reng mai. Pa hrisel tak, natna êm êm pawh nei ngailo kha, thawhah avangin Nov. 15, 2016 zanah Aizawl Hospital ICU-ah enkawl a ni a. ni thum hnuah Private ward-a sawn ngam khawpin a tha leh a. Mahse a thawhrimna te chawlhsana, a nupui, kum 2015-a a sun tak kiangah, Pathian angchhunga chatuana chawl ve tawh turin Nov. 23, 2016 chawhma dar 11:30 khan he khawvel hi a lo chhuahsan ta a ni. A tuk, Nov. 24, 2016-ah thlahliam a ni.

Zofate ro dang zawng zawng khuma finna leh hmasawnna kawnga bung thar min kaipuitu, Upa C. Rokhuma’n Mizo fate tana a hnuchhiah zawng zawng hi a hlut zawng chhutchhuah theih loh khawpa hlu leh tam a ni a. A thawhrim rahchhuah tam tak te hi thangtharte tan a zira zir fe tham a ni ngei ang.

Ayubhowan: A Ceylon Diary

There’s a hymn by Reginald Heber (1783-1826) we used to sing, which read –

“What though the spicy breezes, Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle…”

Since then, the name Ceylon has been lingering in my mind. The Lord showed His mercy on me, and giveth me the privileged to experience the spicy breezes that blow across the Indian Ocean, for a week.  Like the hymnodist said, it was a beautiful country, which earnestly longed and sacrificed for peace.

Yet again, my camera was my diary, it freezes those moments, that portray Sri Lanka, the nation, that wished me “Ayubhowan” (May you live long).

Deities of the Kohomba

A twin percussionists played the Geta Beraya in a vibrant rhythm. The dancers swirl and swing to the groove of the percussions, and occasionally sang the vannam (a kind of recitation). Most vannam describe the behaviour of animals.

Kandyan dance is believed to originate from the dance performed by the deities of Kohomba in central Sri Lanka.

A group of dancer performing the Kandyan dance

The innaugural procession of the SACYN 2017 was led by these dynamic Kandyan dancers.

Family matter

A sweet smile was their response, as I point my lens towards them, a Sinhalese family. All through the week, I have noticed that the Sinhalese communities are a happy community.

A Sinhalese family – their simple gesture makes me feel at home

One of the major battles the Sri Lankan’s are facing is the battle, with nature, for land. Impact of climate change has been suffered by the country. Submerging of land is one of the major impacts. Land dispute between the Government and the citizens, especially the grassroots is another battle they are fighting. Submerging of land and the 30 years’ war the country had gone through enhanced the dispute.

All these internal conflicts and disputes are a family matters of the country. But climate change…its a matter of the earthlings as a whole!

Life along the Salt Canal

Reclamation and submerging of lands has always been a subject in an Island ecosystem. Several lands are often washed off or submerged by the sea waters. The Muthurajawela wetland in Negambo, Sri Lanka is also among those, often submerged by salt water. A canal was built by the British to drain the salt water in 1802 and named it Hamilton Canal (aka Dutch Canal). At present, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.

Settlement along the Salt canal

Houses are constructed along the canal, leaving only a narrow footpath, without a railing. It seems the settlers are well adapted to it, and never fell into the canal. On the contrary, I was told that a few moments before I shot this photo, a three-wheeler fell in it, but from the other side of the canal.

Fisherman’s agony
Fishing industry is one of the most blooming industries in the Sri Lankan economy. The government has envisioned a large scale fishing industry.At present, the fishing community comprises of the traditional fishing community with an improvised or modernised oruvas (sailing canoe). These fishermen are the grassroots of the society, continuing the fishing legacy for more than a century.

The Government’s new policy on the fishing industry is not so welcomed by them, as they have a suspicion that they will be overthrown by the corporate. The National Fishery Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) endlessly fights for the rights of the fishing community.

Fisherman untangled their caught

If the policy is empowered, not only the grassroots will suffer, but the method adopted by the fishing industry is detrimental to the environment; increasing the rate of erosion and submerging of coastal low lands. Fighting against both the climate change and the policy agonised the fisherman.

Fading glory

As the government is eyeing to enlarge the fishing industry, the traditional fishing communities, the grassroots of the society, are in despair. To them, fishing is not only a passion, but a life and a legacy.

With the advent of the corporate equipped with hi-tech fishing gears, the fishing legacy of the indigenous community is fading day by day, dwindling year after year.

A wife helped her fisherman-husband in picking the fishes and the crustaceans entangled in the net. Women play an active role in fighting for the rights of the fisherman.

There will be times when the traditional fishing technique will be seen only through art works, when the oruvas is only a museum collection. When those times come, they’ll ponder upon the good old days, their glorious days that fade…

Sanguine

After hearing all the country’s dark side, I met this young boy, who just came back from school. He was neither bothered by the past nor the future, but enjoyed the present. A confident smile was his reaction to the lens being aimed at him.

A Jolly and confident young boy of Negambo city.

He might not understand the struggle that the Lankan’s had gone through. He might not be aware of the bloody war that was fought. The consequences of the war were beyond his perception. But he’s enjoying the moment, he’s the new generation, a generation of peace and tranquility.

Walking the Negambo City

Negambo is a City on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. It is famous for its lagoon and beach.

A lottery counter in Negambo

A Lottery counter on the roadside had an ample amount of customers.

Street food- Almost all the food items contained at least a few pinched of sea food.

We were relentlessly searching for a street food hawker. We finally managed to find this guy. He might be a Sri Lankan Tamil, and the fruits that he hanged suggested he’s a Hindu.

A girl, waiting for a school bus

The internal politics of the country is beyond our knowledge. Many blamed the Government for not providing sufficient humanitarian aid to the civil war refugee. This picture, reminded me of those that still suffered the consequences of the civil war.

Peace – a Tamil gentleman

On the contrary, this Tamil gentleman gestured the sign of peace. Ironically, the Sri Lankan Civil War was fought between the Tamil separatist and the Sri Lankan Government.

Devotion
As she finished her noon prayer, a believer rejoicingly left the Church. She was sitting and praying at the back pew. She was wearing a hearing aid. I, oftenly, used to think that what the mainstream society called differently-abled are more devoted and consecrated to their faith.

A devoted believer

St. Stephen’s Church has a long history. Built in 1877 and consecrated on Jul. 31, 1880, was declared as Archaeological protected monument in 2011; and it belongs to the Anglican Church.

St. Stephens Church, Negambo

I bid goodbye to Sri Lanka on Oct. 14, 2017.

“Ayubhowan, Sri Lanka”

 

Strollin’ the City of Joy

Sitting on a bench along the footpath, besides the chai-wala, he was waiting for a cup of tea and stared at the busy narrow street in front of him. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
For many years, Kolkata has been the destination for many street photography enthusiast. “The City of Joy,” a sobriquet given to Kolkata, is quite matching. The vibrancy and liveliness of the City is a thing worthy to be witnessed. The city’s rich cultural heritage and a highly diverse anthropogenic activities are so immense that every moment is a golden moment. Every street has its own uniqueness.

Zebra Crossing at AJC Bose Road, near Mother House. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
There are different modes of transportation in function. Some drove a luxurious cars, some ride on a cycle rickshaw. Some ride on a metro, some on a tram. The robust ambassador taxi ruled the streets of the city of joy. With the advent of online booking system, Uber and Ola marked their entry in the city’s traffic with a modern vehicles. Electric tram has still been one of the identity of Kolkata.

A young street barber taking care of his customer. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
Walking on the streets of Kolkata is like watching a timelapse video. Crossing each junction will lead you to a whole new different scene. The faster you walk, the faster you came across uniquely different things. From roadside barbers to roadside dentist. Almost everything happened on the roadside.

Muri Wala roasting chana. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
The best thing about Kolkata is the street food. Muri and chana are one of the finest, yet cheap fastfood available.

A Chai-wala at Chandni Chawk. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
The tea offered by the City’s roadside Chai Wala’s are far more tastier than those offered by hi-fi restaurants. Nothing beats the aroma of the freshly prepared tea, poured on an earthen cup.

Beef market, Alimuddin Street. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
Though the country is in dilemma over the abolition of beef, Kolkata offers you the finest beef. The amount of protein the city consumed through beef would definitely be enormous!

Besides the butcher, a bull was enjoying its last meal. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
Even though Kolkata is dominated by the non-beef eating sect, they do not impose any hindrances to the beef eating community.

Meat shop at Alimuddin Street. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
The way they display the meat is another fascinating thing about the meat shop here at Alimuddin street.

Fish seedlings seller at Howrah Train Station. [Asus Zenfone 3M]
Crowded but dynamic, the City of Joy never stops. The Howrah Junction Railway Station has 23 platforms, and is the busiest and most crowded train station in India.