Gambhir, Dr Meinya, Dr Ranjan & Amitabh

Free Thinker *

Khomdram Ghambir Singh :: Pix - IT News

At the outset I salute the Mumbaikers for keeping our man, Khomdram Gambhir alive and kicking for nearly forty years. I cannot imagine that a man from Manipur could survive so long in Mumbai without any financial support, that too in one of the costliest cities of the world.

It is quite obvious that Gambhir lived in Mumbai as a vagabond beggar for nearly four decades. Hats off to the generous people of Mumbai for supporting and pampering him so long. We also appreciate our citizen Gambhir for his determination and perseverance to live on. Of course life is precious.

It is heartening to see our leaders Hon. MP Dr. Meinya and the Hon. MLA Dr. Ranjan at the Tulihal Airport now Bir Tikendrajit International Airport ( without any regular international flights) receiving Khomdram Gambhir. Many others including friends and relatives of Gambhir, media persons and inquisitive onlookers were present at the time of his arrival with Amitabh Arambam, the police officer on duty.

I was pondering why our leaders take keen interest in Gambhir; whether he belongs to a powerful family or very rich clan or whether he himself is a powerful godly personality. Why are our leaders keen to receive him or come closer to him? Later, I came to know that Gambhir hails from the same locality of both the Doctors. Gambhir is a believer and he said, "God takes care of everyone."

Other honorables could not come to receive Shri Gambhir perhaps because of their preoccupations. Otherwise they could have been present there. A man who can easily enter the Guinness Book of Records cannot be ignored. Not speaking his mother tongue for forty long years is not a mean feat.

He has broken the record of Lord Ram who was in forest for fourteen long years without any financial support from friends and relatives. And he has also broken the record of the Pandavas who were hiding from the world for 12 years. In fact he was hiding in oblivion for forty long years. On top of it he is not senile.

It was a great moment for the family and friends of Shri Gambhir to see him after a long time. Without the beard and the elongated hair Gambhir still look good and smart. The most important part is that he still remembers his mother tongue. He understands what people are talking about. Now he has some difficulty in speaking Manipuri. He is more comfortable in 'Marhindi' (it is a mixture of Marathi and Hindi).

Who says Youtube, facebook, instagram, twitter, whatsapp, e-mail etc. are doing more harm to us. These networks are doing extremely well. Today our Gambhir bhai is brought back from Mumbai to his hometown with the help of these channels.

Amitabh Arambam is a young police officer who has successfully delivered Gambhir Singh to his family. If I remember correctly he was the same person who was bitten black and blue by the security convoy of an important person in and around Kangla.

That was the time I wanted to shout upon the same person to control his guards, but I could not, because he was very powerful then. Later , I came to know that he was rushing for the bathroom when Arambam's car was blocking his way, as he was driving slowly and responsibly. For rushing to toilet one cannot simply run over a person.

We understand the urgency but he could have done it in a dignified manner along the roadside. Now a VIP toilet is probably constructed inside Kangla for such emergencies. And the new government has also installed some very fast moving electric cars to do the needful.

A lady was telling me that Gambhir sings very well. She saw him singing Hindi songs very nicely on youtube. He was perhaps singing a series of songs while begging in Mumbai. He may not know that he can't sing the way he sings in Mumbai. We have some code of conduct here in this part of the world.

After the Mumbai attack, once I was roaming in the Bhandra Bazar with my family, I saw a man who was staring at me, but said nothing. He followed us but never uttered a word. Perhaps that man was Gambhir. If I took some initiative, I could have brought him back then. Now, the YouTube along with the Mumbai/Imphal police, Doctors etc have taken the credit.

Gambhir is a very dignified man. He did not start begging just like that. In the beginning he worked as a daily wage earner. An accident compelled him to beg. I know any sane or strong Manipuri will never become a beggar. You will never find a Manipuri beggar anywhere in the world. Yes, Gambhir is an exception.

I have travelled to many parts of the world, I hardly come across any Manipuri or Sardarji beggar; they are too proud to take alms. I can't talk much about others but for my community. Under normal circumstances they will never beg but they may steal or loot because of compelling circumstances.

Still, I would like to warn my people "don't steal! Government hates competition."