Meet the speakers of TEDxImphal
- Part 2 -

E-pao.net *

Ngangbam Lelen Meitei

Most people would have heard of Ngangbam Lelen Meitei, from Kangla Sangomshang in Imphal East district. When team TEDxImphal's attention was drawn to this First Class First Gold Medalist in History from Manipur University, who took to starting farming instead of seeking a Government job, it was only left to convince Ng. Lelen, who spends the major part of his day at his farm of Chinese chives (maroi nakuppi) to take out time and share his story with a larger audience.

An avid gardener from his early life, Lelen wanted to practice what he was taught in his Economic history classes and turned to farming. He gave up a teaching job at a private college after 3 years and started large scale farming of Chinese chives. Lelen experimented with a year round plantation of the herb and later took to large-scale plantation.

According to team TEDxImphal, "We met him twice at his farm and every time he would give us huge bundles of Chinese chives to take home besides talking at great length on the necessity of agriculture to sustain Manipur."

Nameirakpam Jilatombi

Nameirakpam Jilatombi's name was recommended by Akhu (Ronid) Chigangbam of Imphal Talkies, a performer at the TEDxImphal event on December11 at Hotel Classic. Born to a family steeped in a musical legacy and exposed to folk and indigenous music forms, Jilatombi picked up informal lessons as he grew up and played music for theatre troupes. He also dabbled in handicrafts and wood carving. His quest to engineer new sounds and musical notes for the theater troupes, he tried his hand at making the instruments himself.

First he tried his hand at making already existing musical instruments - indigenous folk instruments, popular ones like the violin, etc. Gradually he started improvising on them, adding his personal touches. His instruments have been part of many exibitions and theatre productions around the world. He was also awarded the State Prize in 2004-05 by the Department of Handicrafts for his craftsmanship. At TEDxImphal, Jilatombi will showcase some of his instruments and put out a demo session as well.

Jupiter Huidrom

And if you thought that everyone needs a job that gives security, Jupiter Huidrom would definitely be the ideal candidate for the fact that there is life beyond jobs.

With a 3 year experience in Corporate Marketing function at HCL Technologies, New Delhi, Jupiter quit his job to host a Travel show "Life Mein Ek Baar" on Fox Traveller & National Geographic Channel, sharing screen with Bollywood actor, Purab Kohli and two other fellow companions.

On December 11, Jupiter will speak on "The experience of living our dreams" where he will attempt to uncover how it feels to do the things that one wants to do in life and what it means to overcome fear, nervousness in the course of making our dreams come true.







The performers at TEDxImphal:

While the main spotlight at the TEDxImphal event will be on the speakers, there are two performances slotted for the event. The very popular Imphal Talkies, a music band that the Rolling Stone magazine has called 'the new voice of Manipur and the new voice of the Northeast', will feature at TEDxImphal.

Also performing would be Guru Rewben Mashangva and his son Saka. A winner of State Kala Akademi Award 2005 and a recipient of the honorary title 'Guru' from Ministry of Culture, Government of India Guru Rewben is a researcher of the folk music of the tribes on North East India and presently serving as Director as well as Guru of Naga Folk Music Academy will bring alive the rich folk music of the hills.

As team TEDxImphal along with the speakers and performers gear up for the big event, the question is: will this be the beginning of more such events where people with stories to share and messages to relay?

* this is the second part on the speakers of TEDxImphal.