Only when we thought the year 2004 had just begun. Here we are again already at the beginning of another year 2005. The Lord above has granted us a fresh start, a chance to start on a new slate a new page. With the setting of the sun on the December 31st 2004, 2004 is now nothing but a part of history. Oh how time flies! It slips through our hands like grains of sands. As we drift along in its current, hoping to make the best of God's given time, Time indeed waits for nobody!

If we take a look back at the year 2004 and make a retrospect on the year that had just been confined to History and to our memories, with the setting of the sun on the 31st of December. I am sure we all have had our share of good times, our shares of the bad, our share of laughter, and our share of tears. Of days and moments we'd like to cherish and remember forever. In the same way I believe there would have been moments or days we would like to forget for the rest of our lives. Cest La Vie!

For those who had passed out of High School, Higher Secondary, and College in the academic year of 2004. It will be even harder to bid adieu to this year that had just gone by-2004. Because they would have to say good bye to friends, whom they have known for years, friends with whom they have shared their ups and downs, friends who have become a part of their lives. As destiny and time, are likely to take them to different places in pursuit of a better and higher education and for fields of greener pastures for the realization of their dreams and their aspirations.

Bidding Adieu to one's best 'Buddies and Pals,' is never an easy thing to do. As a matter of fact it is really hard. I know how hard it is, because I have done my share! But the punch-line is that Life is about moving on, you got to move on, make new friends but keep the old because they are more valuable than the world's most precious Gold.

For some, 2004 will always be a memorable year. A year they will always look back with 'Longing in their hearts', especially for those Men and Women who were lucky enough to have found their 'lost ribs – their love of a lifetime, their 'better half'. Who have taken the vows at the Chapel and have said 'I DO' with the one they love the most, and who have walked down the aisle with that special someone to be together no matter what 'till death do them apart'. This year will always be 'The YEAR'

And in the same manner, it will also be a memorable year for those Romeos and Juliets between whose hearts love blossomed, and for whom the mysteries of love unraveled, and who were privileged enough to smell Love's sweetest fragrance and feels its soft petals during the 12 months of this year. For those Tommys and Ginas whom Love united. For whom Love touched their spirits for the first time opened the gates to the 'Garden of Higher affections' where days pass off like dreams and nights like weddings. This year will always be 'an unforgettable year'. A year when everything seems to be coming up roses and every word seems to rhyme with June'.

But for some it could have been a year of thorns, a year of grief, a year of pain and sorrow. For those, who have lost their dear and love ones to the callous act of fate and the cold grip of death. It is doubtful if they will ever look back on this year. Even if they do, they will do so with aching in their hearts, with immense sorrow, grief indescribable and pain.

As Axl Rose sang in one of the G'n'R number 'Breakdown' ' Remember this game that we call life, no one said its fair' But then, that what life if really all about, nothing really certain, as death lies always at our doorways. As fate and destiny plays havoc with our lives. But in spite of the tears and the Heartbreaks, like I have said earlier we need to 'keep moving on'.

For those who have failed to realize their dreams and aspirations. You can always keep on trying. There is always tomorrow, and if there is tomorrow then there is 'Hope. So keep dreaming on, as long as there is a good Lord above, keep praying that you never wake up. Keep on dreaming. 'Dare to dream your dream', always remember 'Success lies in Never ever giving up'.

For all those who have realized your dreams during this year. Keep striving for the top, for the pinnacle. Reach for the Sky! Remember for the sky 'there are no fences facing'.

For those who have extended your friendship circle. Remember the saying 'Make new friends but keep the old as well'. Friendship is one priceless gift that money and the treasures of the world cannot buy. To quote M. Scott Peck ' There is a traditional concept that friendship should be conflict free relationship, a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' arrangement, relying solely on a mutual exchange of favors and compliments as prescribed by good manners.

Such relationship, are superficial and does not deserve the name of friendship which is commonly applied to them. Mutual loving confrontation is a significant part of all successful and meaningful human relationship. Without it the relationship is either unsuccessful or shallow'. (and it leaves the persons hollow)

A relationship of any kind is a like a tender sapling plant that has to be constantly nurtured and taken care of – if it is to grow and blossom. After all, A Lifetime's not too long to live as friends'. Don't you all agree?

We have just started our journey through this brand New Year 2005, we know not what lies ahead nor what the future holds. No matter what tomorrow brings we should live each day as if it is our last. And make the most of God's given time, before our ultimate destiny death brings us down to the grave. We should all strive to be a 'better person' and be a blessing and not curse, be the one that is slow to chide but swift to bless, be the one to spread smile, sunshine and laughter all around . For no man is an island, we are all inter-dependent on each other and need the help of one another to get by, for we are social beings made by the Creator in that way.

We live in a society that has existed long before we were born and that will keep on existing even long after we are gone. We pass through this world only once, and we will be remembered not for our riches or rags but for the good deeds that we do for our fellow humans. For, we cannot take our riches or our rags to the grave; for death and destiny knows no royalty, blue blood, high-class, low class or background nor pedigree.

Life is a flickering flame, a candle burning that will be ultimately snuffed out by fate one day; from the cradle to the grave we have nothing but our own souls to save. As written in the Bible 'From the dust we were formed and to the dust we will return'. Death is one of life greatest truths. Hence living our lives out as 'a blessing' on our fellow humans beings, is what we humans who converse with different gods need to do.

2004 was an eventful year once again for the people of Manipur. If we look back upon the year that had just gone by, There were many things, incidents which were outright brutal, gory and sad, killings, young men dying, atrocities of the authorities, and many unfortunate happenings which put the whole state and its people in a very bad light. For those of us who have survived the Year 2004, The Lord has been kind enough to grant us a whole new year 'another extended period of His Grace' to begin with. Let us all strive hard to make this year a more memorable and a less bloody than the past years that has gone by.

Let us welcome this beautiful New Year 2005 with prayers for peace in our hearts, and true spirit of redemption in our mind. The Good Lord above has extended his divine period of Grace once again for us all in the form of a brand new year 2005, now we have a golden opportunity to make amends for all the wrongs we have done in the year 2004. And for a change let us try and clothe our 'Eigi- Manipur' in white robe of peace rather than the usual red-blood stained cloak of violence, and let our little children play and run without the fear of the automatic guns.

Come on let us strum that old guitar and sing together a new song of peace in love, brotherhood, understanding and perfect harmony.

Wishing you all A Very Happy New Year 2005