Jr. Mr. India 2018, Gyanendra Thokchom
what I saw from my window

Birkarnelzelzit Thiyam *

When I hear the word 'Motivation,' this man keeps ringing my bell. 2008 March, an early morning gave him an early entry to my consciousness, not the first I saw him but the clearest one.

It was in St. Joseph's school, we were at the beginning of class 6, and the time when many were waiting for the final merit list of Sainik School Imphal entrance exam.

Happiness brought me and my cousin Bhaktaraj Thiyam, to bring the merit list as we were in – the newspaper, over to the school. Without beating around the bush more, that was the morning I saw him clear for the first.

Bhaktaraj called him on the first break, as we saw him walking passed us, "Gyanendra, have you seen your rank on merit list?" His question was a blank fire, he looked blank, said, "NO, is it out already?" I gave him the answer he waited for, then Bhaktaraj put a flavour, "We brought the newspaper, wanna check your number?"

He snatched it, I swear it just took 2 second for him to find his number; he was in the sixth position. He shouted back but never looked back, yelled, "I need to show this to mama." Surprise shook us back to front, didn't say a word because we were not even in the first 30.

That little man, that smart man, that fragile man was someone whom I never thought would ever be even one close to me; which now is my best friend. Yes, he was little, in-fact we were all tiny, with different dreams, different capabilities, different worlds, we all came together, fighting to pop in Sainik with the fake love of wanting to be in National Defence Academy(NDA).

Jealousy outbreak, heard the rest talking bad about him, talking worst about his smartness, well I know this because I was with them, sorry Gyanen – if you are reading this part right now. People spoke on his face, right above his nose, you know what I love about this person? He has a good converter inside him, a machine inside him which turns negativity to positivity.

Years rolled in together, was never that close till class 10. Chances pushed my bed next to his, class 10 was all about knowing each other deeply.

Before I move to the senior part of the story, class 8 was the time where I saw a complete change in him – physically and emotionally. Never went gym, never owned a dumbbell, just push-ups, this is nothing extra-ordinary but the will to be less ordinary being the ordinary makes me think over and over.

Later hurt his leg badly while playing football, I remember him struggling with pain. What also triggered me a lot was that afternoon when I saw him into his pull-ups as he was advised to not put any pressure over his legs. Giving up was never in his dictionary.

I know I have missed out so many points for him, but as a buddy – this is how I saw. He left Sainik after class 10, but his deeds impacted me like anything.

This is not a novel on his life, but certainly a part of him from my window. Winners want to win – losers wishes to win, winners fall to fly – losers fall to rest, winners make reasons – losers make excuses, winners climb – losers crawl, winners cry – losers hide, and all what winners had was what his DNA feeds.

After many days and years, now he got overall champion on the following:
1. Inter college Best physique 2015,2016,
2. Jr. Mr. Kangleipak 2017,
3. Jr. Mr. Manipur khamba 2017,
4. Jr. Mr. Manipur 2017,
5. Mr. Lucky cup 2017,
6. Sr. Mr. Imphal west 2017,
7. Jr. Mr. India 2018.

This man is the symbol of one way direction with no speed limit, he is on his way to grind, he is out there tearing his comfort zone apart. There are many points which is silenced from this article but when I say he has gone through a lot, I refer to the highest degree.

Mr. Gyanendra Thokchom is in love with his sport, his love has been his guide, his guide has been his path and his path has been his happiness. Lastly, his happiness is nothing but that makes Manipur proud.