My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 3 :: Download
Dr Mohendra Irengbam *
Author in Johnstone High English School 1948.
Part 3
Bullying in Primary School
in Imphal
The above photograph was taken in Imphal when I decided to toughen myself up, as hard as nails to build up my self-respect. It was partly due to my memory of being bullied at my Primary School. That was in 1941. I remembered the feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. It was also due to the contemporaneous intimidating behaviour of a few physically stronger boys, who saw me as a foppish dandy.
I was quick to build my mental strength with confidence. That was mainly due to my ability to believe in myself that I had the strength to face challenging situations and not to avoid them out of fear. And that, I had the confidence to reach my full potential.
This nostalgic mental trip to my childhood came about this morning as I lapsed into reverie. This is the month of September 2020. I was sitting in my swivel chair alone in the study of our house while my wife was busy somewhere upstairs.
It was a late chilly morning. In the deafening silence I was looking out through the double-glazed glass window as an egg-wash of sunshine from the majestic autumn sun was finally spreading its warm rays and gently stroking everything in our garden. The freshness of the scene evoked the memory of my childhood home in Imphal during the autumn months.
This month of the year has been a glorious Indian late summer finish with our garden dappled in sunlight on most days. Many beautiful flowers with vibrant colours, such as my favourite Honeysuckle (Madhumati) with its pink, red and white tubular flowers, which usually gave a heady fragrance about this time, took me closer to home in Imphal.
Nostalgia for my hometown further deepened with the sight of Singarei (the night-blooming jasmine), a photo of which, Dr Ranjana (Daughter of my late friend Kh Dhirendra) sent me from Imphal. As I sat quietly in the chair I saw through the window, a variety of familiar birds that came every day to peck on the grains from the bird feeders that my wife replenished every morning.
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* Dr Mohendra Irengbam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at irengbammsingh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on December 25 2022 .
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