In remembrance of my classmates, 1995-96, St. Mary's H/S, Tuibuong, Churachandpur|
(File photo: St. Mary's H/S, Tuibuong, 2002 batch with the Principal and teaching staff)
I'm not sure which teacher it was who asked "Who is the Dy Commissioner of Churachandpur?" in the class way back in the year 1995. Was it B.C. Nangpu (Bungmual City) or was it Sir (L) Mate?
(File photo: St. Mary's H/S, Tuibuong, 2002 batch with the Principal and teaching staff)
I'm not sure which teacher it was who asked "Who is the Dy Commissioner of Churachandpur?" in the class way back in the year 1995. Was it B.C. Nangpu (Bungmual City) or was it Sir (L) Mate?
None
of us had a readymade answer barring one-Hringsolal, who later became a well
known footballer of Churachandpur, Ccp in short. Only once had I the rare opportunity of watching him
in action, in Kholmun ground. Boy, he was good!. But even he got it wrong, I
still remember him having said "Suhel Langtar". He said so not as a
response to the teacher's query but as to himself and to those seating around him. I
asked him again, more than twice, so that I could jot it down but he himself
was as confused as I was. Even Dayananda, the class topper, couldn't meet the
teacher's roving eyes for an answer.
And
Ompuia a.k.a. Ompapa was also silent. His bete noire, Vungthianmawi, the teachers' pet, but known
popularly among the boys as 'Complain Box' hasn't had enough reason to
protest too. Very unlikely of her. Whenever 'Ms Complain Box' said or did
something Ompapa was never shy to retaliate in equal, befitting measure. Admit
it guys! We like their chemistry or tiff whichever was true.
I
remember having flipped the pages of 'Thinglhang Post' newspaper that
evening to avoid 'getting cane' the next day. That didn't helped me much
though. Luckily, the teacher, on having seen most of the students without doing
the home-work, refrain from using the much dreaded cane. He spared himself the
after effect he might have sustained by beating more than 30 odd students. Instead
he made us write 15/20 times the name he wrote on the blackboard: Suhel Akhtar. He was the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur that time.
Now,
as I recalled it was like Achilles (Brad Pitt) in 'Troy' saying "Men
fights for Kings they don't even met" (This may not be the exact words
spoken in the epic movie). Similarly, because of the man we don't even met or
know our tiny li'l fingers were sore writing his name.
At
times, I remember some of our old class-mates, in fact, as I write this, I see some of their faces, donning Navy blue trouser, 'Ujala' brighten white shirt and a red-tie; it's not that I'm particularly
fond of them nor dislike them. I don't even thinks a lot about those bygone era. It just barge into my mind randomly. But it always leaves me, thinking, how they'll be doing or where will they be
now???
That
'Suppandi' Lianmuanlal. O! I still see him, in my mind's eye, with that remarkable head of his and the woolen school sweater he used to wear. Mischievous, combed and oily haired, Martin. Kamlalmuan, whom I sat with, on the same bench and write on the same desk. He speaks fast and writes even faster. Thangminlen, who is etched in my memory, as the one who said "Moirang singju
pang hau hau ee" too often than necessary. He had a knack for saying that
before hitting Johnson of Tuibuong not the other Johnson from Khomuoi. And Kamkhansuan, I did once chanced upon him at a railway platform in Delhi but he no longer remembers me.
Adison,
Bidyasagar and Rishabh Sharma, the pioneer, as according to Sir Kalamu. Are
they still alive?! And I don't know her name but she was better known as 'Mar
Bank'. If I remember correctly she was a newcomer, like me, in Class IV of St. Mary's H/S, in the year 1995. Sir Mate, our History & Civics teacher, then, asked her
to write on the board where she was from. And lo! She wrote 'Mar Bank' (Hmar
Veng) just like the way she pronounced.
Samuel
Zabieklien and I were fond of singing 'mehbooba' from my all time favorite B'wood movie Sholay in the classroom though furtively. Neither of us aspire to be a singer. We don't even like
our voices ourselves. The two Joseph, one was smaller and the other was James
Darngawn li'l brother. Ronald Khupminthang whose handwriting was like that of a
lady; neat & tidy. I hope they are doing well. These guys I do meet once or twice and it was a warmly feeling they still remembers me.
And
very much later, a year or two after perhaps, in Class VII or VIII Jangkholal a.k.a. Jewish spirit and Sonminlun a.k.a. L.S. were vying for the attention of the same girl. 'Irene'
was the bone of contention between the two buddies. However, L.S. later shifted gear and changes direction, setting his eyes firmly on 'Chongphens'. By then Jewish
spirit too, failed to live up to his illustrious name; he aborted 'Mission Irene'
forever. I never ask him why, he never told me why.
Seilenlal was one restless prick I got to know. I once told him
"it's Rexona deodrant you're using"
and since then, we sort of became friends. His side-kick or vice-versa Lalsawma was witty and a
jocund company to have around.
George Thangcrosslien became Thangcross-'lion' after Sir (L) Francis
told him to write his name on the board. His 'e' had an 'o' appeal hence, 'lion'
replaced 'lien'. One day, 'gul-hit' (It's more like a reddish tick, I don't know its English equivalent) 'flew over my cuckoo nest' (sic) and all hell broke loose. I couldn't sit in the class, in
peace, it was itching. I ask for the teacher's permission to take a leak. I met Thangcrosslion on the way, he too had been out for 'passing #1'. He did a
yeoman service to me by removing the 'gul-hit' using a grass stalk, laboriously. I'm forever indebted to him...hahaha
Until
now, I don't understand why Siamchinmawi and Paochungnung couldn't see eye to
eye during those years. They could fight anytime, anywhere; their bout was
nothing less than a Jackie Chan's movie or any Chinese action flick. May be,
they fight just for the heck of it. Or 'training' to be a professional fighter
one day. If it was for the latter their cherished dream hasn't seen the light of day.
Forgive
me, friends, if I'm wrong or disclosed more than what is basic and essential. Else i'll be doomed.
Wait, why am I even writing this in the first place? If i say, i did just to
empty my head? Does that makes me selfish? I don't know, you better be the judge. I just
wanna say wherever you all are- May God be with you all!
(P.S. Due to 1997 misunderstanding between hill-brethren in Churachandpur, our class and friends were torn apart and scattered elsewhere; since then, our path hardly ever cross again. Even if it did, we hardly recognise each other now)
(P.S. Due to 1997 misunderstanding between hill-brethren in Churachandpur, our class and friends were torn apart and scattered elsewhere; since then, our path hardly ever cross again. Even if it did, we hardly recognise each other now)
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