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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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.