Artistic hope continues to sustain Pourabi blast victim
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19: The case of Konthoujam Maikel Meetei is the perfect case of 'Hope sustains life' or 'Hopes spring eternal in human breast'.

Though both his legs have been amputated, he is dreaming of becoming a world class artist.

He is not simply dreaming, he is determined to fulfil his dream one day or another.

Both his legs had to be amputated following severe injuries in the Pourabi blast of December 16 last year.

Ironically, Maikel was returning home after participating in a painting competition based on the theme 'Peace' at Imphal Art College when the powerful blast ripped apart the bus he was travelling in.

K Maikel Meetei and one of his paintings

Because of the forceful explosion, he was thrown out of the bus and landed in a paddy field.

But when he regained consciousness after some moments, he found one of his leg almost severed, only hanging by some thin nerves, below the knee.

The heel part of the other leg was also found cut off.

Amidst the cries of pain and agony, he was taken to hospital.

Today, Maikel is thankful to the Almighty for he was saved from any injury to his hands even though he had been robbed off both his legs.

It is now the last and only wish of Maikel to pursue his cherished goal of becoming a notable painter with all his strength and conviction.

Maikel is the only son of the four siblings born to K Mohon.

Born on February 12, 1989 at Sagolmang Wakhong in Imphal East district, Maikel is the second child of his parents.

If there is some truth in the age old proverb, "Morning shows the day", Maikel has enough potential to become a world class painter one day.

Just over 19 years old, Maikel has already won six gold medals in national and international painting competitions.

This is in addition to winning State level painting competitions eight times.

Success is no longer an alien word to the young artist.

In 2003, he won the best child artist award in the International Children Art Competition.

This was followed by winning first position in another international painting competition organised by the Salora International Limited at Guwahati in 2006.Again he won third position in the 13th All India Painting Competition 2007 organised by the Vijay Information Fine Art Academy, Hyderabad.

He received the news of winning the third position when he was undergoing treatment at RIMS after both his legs were amputated.

"It was this news that proved to be a mana which reinvigorated my zeal for painting and strengthened my conviction to go on with my life as any other normal person" Maikel recalled.

After both his legs had been amputated below knees, he stayed in RIMS Orthopaedic ward for about two months followed by another month in the rehabilitation ward of the hospital.

Now he has been fitted with artificial limbs.

So far, around Rs 3 lakhs have been spent, all from the well-wishers of the young artist including assistance provided by the Government.

He was discharged from the hospital only on April 3 .

The Pourabi blast of December 16 was not the first blow to the young life of Maikel.

His own mother left him at a tender age in 1998 when he was reading in only standard IV.

Though fitted with artificial limbs, he is still unable to go up to his residential gate except for walking a few metres by taking rest for every few steps.

His artificial limbs cannot flex beyond 90 degree.

It costs between Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs to fit one with hydraulic artificial limbs.

At the moment, the sum is too big and is beyond the capacity of Maikel's family.

Even though he does not mind pissing at a pot sitting on his bed, what has been tormenting Maikel the most is his inability to sit on a chair with his artificial lambs to draw his paintings of his imagination and innovation.

Yet, nothing can mellow down his passion for painting.

As he is unable to balance himself on a chair, he draws his paintings lying flat on a mat.

At present, Maikel is studying in the second year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Imphal Art College.

Before the unfortunate incident of bomb blast, very few other students could surpass Maikel in attending classes regularly.

He used to travel from Keibi to Lamlong by bus from where he walked up to Imphal Art College.

But that is a thing of the past for he had been robbed off the pleasure of walking on one's own feet, reminisced Maikel with a longing for the bygone days.

At present, his uncle Joy is looking after the movements of Maikel.

He also conveyed deep concern on thinking that he would be unable to attend college not more than 4/5 days in a month.

"Nevertheless, I would put in my best efforts and practice at home to reach the goal of my life without wavering a moment".

"I don't have any deficiency.

I have my father, uncle, aunt and sisters to look after my needs.

The only thing lacking in the family is money", he said.

With his serene and gentle look, Maikel conveyed his wish for a Government job which could help sustain his family economically.