UZO President & Singngat A/C MLA

Polar Bear leh Penguin:

UZO President leh 60 Singngat A/C MLA

Mr. Khai Minthang

Thupatna: Polar Bear kichi pen North Pole a um ahia, Penguin pen South Pole a um ahi hi. Vuagam tuoh a um hinan uleh a kimu ngaisih ua, zong a teengkhawm sih uhi. Tuamabanga UZO President leh Singngat MLA igawmkhawm sawm chiengun Society leh Politics gawmkawm isuoh ua, North Pole leh South Pole a ganhingte sutuo ibang uhi. Singngat A/C a MLA ching penpen in UZO President ahi diing ichi uleh namdangte MLA hing ching penpente zong posahlei ahoi mai diing abang hi.

60 Singngat Assembly Constituency a ding diingin UZO President sese support angai sih a, UZO sunga gam leh nam iit mama, a Constituency sunga mi khat support diing ahizaw hi. Tuahileh 60 Singngat A/C khu a gampieng (native) te’n kumpi masangah a represent thei tahtah pan diing uhi.

UZO President: United Zomi Organization pen Zou nampi lutang (President) ahiziehin 60 Singngat A/C sunga Zou vontawite maimai hilou in Assembly Constituency tuomtuom a Zomite zousie lutang ahi hi. Tuaziehin, UZO President khu social leader ahia, MLA ang hi chiengin political leader ahia, tuategel ang kopkhawm chiengin a Zou vontawite sungah thu anei mamata hi. UZO President diingin Zou vontawite iit leh huoisiem a kisap lai in MLA hina diingin Zou vontawite iit leh huoisiem ngai sese lou in vote mutam diing a kisam zaw hi.

Tam tegel mi khatin ang tuuhkhawm chiengin Zou vontawite lengpa (King/Emperor) abanga, ama chilou koima’n thu aneithei tasih a, nampi a diingin buoina a piengzel hi. A social subject (chipi nampite) leh political subject (A MLA biel a mite) a kituoh diinguh a hamsa zing a, tuabang ang hi chiengin touna ni semthei lou (Can't serve two masters) in buoina ngen in adim a, (Mauna mauna mauna ngen hi...Zo Paupu) a langni in a buoi a, mipite'n a thuohlaw vadiang uhi. Kipawlkhawmna ahiei, kumpi vaihawmna khat photphot ah mi khatin ama khuta thuneina zousie ang nei chiengin Dictatorship a kichi a, "checks and balance" a kibawlthei tasih hi. Checks and balance khu Separation of Powers zong a kichi a, thuneina pen atuomtuom a hawmkhen diing china ahi hi. Tuahileh mikhat thu maimai in vai zousie apeithei sih hi. President pa'n thu ang nei seng chiengin a vaihawmpite’n (legislatures) a paikhe thei ua, tuama bangin President pa’n zong vaihawmte vaihawmdan a nielthei hi. Tambanga thuneina a ki hawmkhen (Separation of Power) chiengin vaihawmna khat phot apei hoizaw a, mipi vaihawmna (democracy) zong ahizaw hi. Tuhun chiengin President teeldan etphat huoi abangta hi. Electoral vote sangin popular vote in kiteel thei talei achi huoita hi.

60 Singngat Assembly Constituency: 60 Singngat Assembly Constituency pen kumpite’n kiteelna tawh kisaia gam ahawm khendan ahia, UZO tawh chinvom chie khat zong kisaina aneisih hi. Singngat A/C MLA pa/nu khu Singngat A/C mite - Zou, Paite, Thadou, Simte, Vaiphei, Mizo, etc. a ahia, UZO a ahi kawi sih hi. UZO represent hilou in Singngat A/C te represent hizaw ahiziehin UZO mi Singngat A/C sunga umlou khat sangin tua gamning khata teeng bawng khawite (Nepali te) khat, Singngat A/C a vote khe khat a ahizaw hi. Tuama bangin gamdang khat in Singngat A/C sunga MLA ang ki candidate sangin gam ning khata teng koima theiphahlou khatin MLA ki candidate leh a hoizaw nalai hi.

Singngat A/C sungah voter te enlei ataangpi Zou, Paite leh Thadou ahi hi. A ratio vang thei lien sih lengzong 4:2:2 ahi de-aw kachi hi. Zotate hoitah leh kituoh taha vote ikhiet chiengun noptah in a kiching zou den hi. Hilezong, candidate tampi idin chieng ahiei dialectal accent - Khodai leh Thankgkhal (Thangkhal & Non-Thangkhal) a ihing kikhen chiengun nam dang khat phot phot in lam-etna (chance) ang neita ua, a keehkhie te tawh ang kipawl chiengun Zou vontawite’n i hatna (strong hold) uh i mangsah vadiang zel uhi. Tambang ang um chiengin a keehkhete hiin a umnalaite hitaleh bangma phattuomna inei sih ua, a keehkhete zong amau maimai un lah ding zoulou ahiziehun kipawlna (alliance) ang bawl uh angai a, tuanah sabah lienzaw (lion’s share) atang ngai tuomsih uhi. Tuaziehin, i kigawm ua, free and fair election aum pouleh Singngat A/C khu ei a ahia, i kikhen leh i innsung uh a ding zou ngai sih diing hi.

Khuongnung, Thangkhal, Haidawi leh Khodai khu accent ahia, nampi (tribe) ahi ngaisih a, zong ahisih diing hi. A khenkhe nuomten Khuongnung + Thangkhal + Haidawi + Khodai = ??? chiin 1+1+1+1=4 achi ua, hilezong eite pen a kigawmkhawm (+) hilou in a kikhen theilou sakhat (x) ihizaw ua, Khuongnung x Thangkhal x Haidawi x Khodai = Zo/Zou; 1x1x1x1=1 ihizaw uhi. Tampen Zou vontawite sunga hamzah tuomtuomte umdan tahtah ahi hi. Innsung khat a Nu-le-pa leh tate aum ua, innkuon mi 5 mi 6 aphah vangun innkuon khat ahi uhi. Tampen Nu 1 + Pa 1 + tate 3 = mihing 5 ahia, Nu 1 x Pa 1 x Ta 1na x Ta 2na x Ta 3na = Innkuon khat ahi hi. Tuabanah eite (Zou vontawite) khu accent tuomtuom in kikhen lei zong 1+1+1+1=4 (Conventional/Artificial unity) hilou in 1x1x1x1=1 (organic unity) ihizaw uhi.

60 Singngat A/C leh UZO Support: Tam pen pilvangtah leh hoitah a ngaisut detdet ahoi diing hi. A constituency sunga pieng ahilou tawp in zong a constituency sunga kum 5 tan teitei tengsa hileh ahoi beeh diing hi. A constituency sunga mi umna gige a constituency danga te pou UZO GHQ in support pieh a, Singngat block a UZO te’n tua UZO GHQ support pieh pen ana support diing ua lam-et pen ahoi bukim zou tahtah sih hi. Singngat A/C ate Singngat Block UZO in mawpuo henlen, Henglep A/C, Saikawt A/C, Churachandpur A/C ate’n zong eima A/C chiet ah UZO support diing ngaisun lei ahoi diinga, zong a kilawm mama diing hi.

Singngat A/C khu constituency khat a diinga Zomite tamna pen hi diingin gintat ahuoi hi. Tuaziehin tami constituency sunga thu piangte’n amau hinna ah thugen tampi anei ziehin UZO President in ahina uh bangchih hun tenga atheipi angai hi. Singngat a thu piengte MLA te’n UZO deibang in a enkol in a vaihawm na uoi chi khu UZO President mawphuohna ahiziehin Separation of Power a poi maw mama hi. Tambanga Separation of Power (checks and balance) ang umlou chiengin MLA hina tawh UZO President ang hi kia sawn sawn chiengun 60 Singngat A/C sunga Zou vontawite a diingin kumpi ang bangta ua, mipite’n thuneina themkhat zong a kinei sih hi.

Thuzawna: Hun bangtan amakhat apat in UZO President leh Singngat Assembly Constituency pen a kizop/kisamkai danin ina ngaisut ua, tua ngaidan tuta’n atheng thei tahtah naisih hi. Tamna diingin Zou lamkai tampite’n 60 Singngat Assembly Constituency a Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) hina diinga kalbi khatna khu UZO President hi masah phot diing chidan ngaidan nei in Zou nampi iit tahtah themkhat leh iit kinei tampi’n UZO sung ana thelthang sah uhi. Tam pen bangchih huna dih ngailou diing leh amawl pen in zong niel guollou a athei ahia, laisiem-na leh pilna sangtah nei sese ngailou in ngaidan taangpi (common sense) a theithei ahi hi. Bangbang formula, procedure, phenomenon, axiom, etc. izang zongin adih ngaisih diing hi. Tam pen UZO administrative failure ahia, mipite’n lamkaite amuonna zuahmangna (betrayal) ahi hi.

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Ref.
http://ceomanipur.nic.in/ElectoralRolls2008/60Singhat.htm

A Land Flowing With Milk and Honey

BAWNGNAWI LEH KHUOIJU

LUONNA GAM

Khai Minthang
United States

"Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way." (Exo. 33:3)

Introduction: Bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gam ichi chiengin Laisiengthou sunga tanglai Israel gam thupidan leh hausatdan agenna i ngaisut zing uhi. Israel gam pen hadet chienga a kawi banga kawi gam 'the creasent land' zong a kichi a, Mediterenian tuipi panga um leihoina mun khat ahi hi. Mediterenian tuipi pen Asia Minor a diinga tuipi lienpen zong ahi hi. Tualeh, Mesapotomia khu tui te kikaal a leitang (the land between the rivers) china ahia, tuapen Iraq gam agenna ahi hi. Tuagam tuom lah khu khantouna nauluoi (the credle of civilization) a kichi hi. I gennop pen ahileh tanglai in tua munte gam hoi leh chipha mama ahi hi. Leitung khantouna mun tuomtuom Indus valley, Huang Ho, etc. ah ana um a, hilezong Mesapotomian civilization pen a khanglui pen in a kigen hi. Hilezong Mesapotomia gam sangin Israel gam (Canaan gam) pen ahoizaw nalai hi. Tam gamhoi leh chipha a teng diingin Pasian in amite a kamchiem hi.

Laisiengthou in tua gam a haichi piengte khu mundang ate sangin ahoizaw tham in agen a, agam a sa leh nga dimden in agen hi. Thuhun Lui laia mite gankhawi dan leh Pasian abieh chiengua kithoina gan agawte uh enlei bangchibanga hausa leh gapha atai chi ithei mai diing uhi. Laisiengthou 1Kings 8:63 ah, "And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD" chiin agen hi. Bawngtal 22,000 leh Belam 120,000 tawh Solomon in Pasian a diing maitam ana bawl hi. Tuazat tawh maitam ana kibawl leh maitam kibawlna a kigou lou bangza aum nalai diei? Bawngtal leh Belam chilou gan dang - sangawngsau, kel, leh dangdang bangza aum nalai diei? Laisiengthou 2Chronicles 5:2-6 sungah enlei a gangawte uh atam seng ziehin a simthei tasih uhi. Tam pen Pasian thupha piehna gam ahi hi. Pasian kamchiem khu bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna maimai hilou in a mite zong chipha ngiet diingin a kamchiem a, khantouna leh mite demzoulou pilna siemna thupha, vantung thupha leitung thupha tawh a piehtha hi. Tuaziehin tuhun tanin Israel leitung gamte lah a a neupente lah a khat ninanleh nei leh lam, pilna siemna chite ah a minthang zing uhi.

Meaning: Bawngnawi atam theina diingin bawngpi achiphat angai a, bawngpi a chiphat na diingin loudawng leh leithau ahoi angai a, loudawng leh leithau ahoina diingin gam kep apoimaw mama hi. Tuamabangin, khuoiju tamna diingin khuoi leh papeju (pollen) singju (necter)atam masah angai hi. Pape thau leh singtui atamna diingin gam kepbit angai mama hi. Papeju (pollen) atamlou chiengin khuoi te'n aju bawlna diingua vanzah atam neisih ua, khuoi atawm a, khuoiju aluong zousih hi. Tuama bangin loudawng, pape, sing leh suong hoitah leh kiching taha ang umlou chiengin zu leh va, sa leh nga te zong a hingthei sih ua, bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna maimai hilouin zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong chite aluong zou sih hi. Tuaziehin, bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gam khu gam hausa, sing-le-suong, pape leh theiga, loudawng leh tuihing ki ningchinna china ahi hi.(1)

Ecosystem: Ecosystem kichipen Pasian silsiemte zousie sing-le-suong, sa-le-nga, zu-le-va, ganhing neu nounou (biotic factor)leh hinna neilou (abiotic factor) munkhat a umkhawmte china ahi hi.(2) Mihingte pen achil apat Pasian in eima tanga teeng diinga ang siemlou ahiziehin sing leh suong, zu leh va umlouna muna muonna leh bitna tahtah a umthei sih a, mite a gogam uhi. Thamlouin, mihing chiet chiet pasal leh numei umkhawm louna ah numeite hiin pasalte umna khohun (boruak) ahoi theisih a, aw ul deu, aw khieng deu, aw ngeeh deu chidan aum sihleh i khohun zong anuom tuom sih hi. Tuama bangin mihingte maimai umna ah zong khohun ahoizou tahtah sih a, Pasian in zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong tawh umkhawm diinga ang siem hinapi tuate umna diing mun ipeih lou ua, tuate'n ang taisan chiengun igam khohun ahoi tahtah sih hi. Ecosystem ichi chiengin nam tuomtuom in a kikhen thei hi. Etsahna in Aquatic ecosystem, Desart ecosystem, Marine ecosystem, Rainforest ecosystem, Human ecosystem etc. chite in a kikhenthei hi. Tamte pen atuom chiet a um hinanleh mihingte'n leitung mun zousie a tuonpha sieng phielta ua, tuaziehin mihingte ecosystem kichipen in i ecosystem teng teng gawmkhawm ahiziehin i gennuom pen a huopkim zou pen diingin ka gingta hi. Tam ecosystem pen khat leh khat kizoptuo in i teenna leitung asiem hi. Tambang a kilawmtah leh jem tuomtuom nei diing mawnga Pasian in ni guh sung vingveng sil zousie ana siem ahi hi.

Pasian in a silsiemte mawhna a ana siem ahisih a, umze neitah a ana siem ahi hi. Laisienthou Gen. 1:28 ah Pasian in Adam leh Eve kungah, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground" ana chi hi. Tam pen Hattuom tawh kisaia Seminar a kibawl chienga "Kemtu hina" (Stewardship) gente'n ana bulphu zing uhi. Pasian in eite khuta zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong te ang koi higiap lou in eima neeh leh taah mutheina diing a ang pieh banah a leitunga a i damsunga neeh muna diing leh hintheina diinga ang koi ahi hi. Tamte hoitah a i etkol a i kepsiem (manage) theileh i leitung damsung dai diinga kibawl ahia, a met tampi bawlthei diinga kibawl ahi hi. BC kum zalom 6na laia Greek-te sila Aesop kichipa thugel (Aesop's Fable) a "The Hen that laid Golden Eggs" chi pen ithei chiet diingun ka gingta hi. Huoihamna in aahpi ang thatsah nuom a, kepsiemna in aahtui ah ang lungkimsah hi. Tuamabangin i ecosystem i kepsiem louleh bei pai diing ahi hi. Kum 2005 in scientists 1000 sanga tamzawte'n i leitung ecosystem tawh kisai in suina (research) abawl ua, tuanah leitung pienchil a kipat hundang sangin tunai kum 50 sungin mihingte'n leitung ecosystem a henlamdang zaw uhi achi ua, "The Multi Volume Millennium Ecosystem Assessment" ah agielkhie uhi.(3)

Zogam Eco-System: Zogam ah nidanglai in sing-le-suong a kiching a, zu leh vate'n Zogam nuom sa in khophawhlouin munteng ah amau in amau zingzeng ua, Pasian silsiemte a pallun mama a, Zogam anuom mama hi. Khanghaam nai sih lengzong ka naupanlai in Zogam ah zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong hunkhop ka muman nalai hi. Phalbi dawng chienga zingkaal ni hing suoh san singseng leh pallun apmaipi a zu-le-va ham in muolguom leh munteng a zel vingvengte nuom kasa a, mong (banyan) ga buh diinga saili khat leh sailungtang thungpi khat a veikuo zen a, Zou huikhi sieng lang hiau hiaute naah kawm leh meijun kai niiniaite phu kawma vabeh lai ngai mama ing. Vahui, Vakhu, Vachieng, Hanha, Suongkoleh/Baibeh, etc. chite'n mawng ga ang neh ua, tuate buh a singnuoi khat hampa kawm khata toukawm a mawngsing ga nete i dap-et lai zong henla huoi ee. School kaizou chiengin theipi (fig) ga vil diingin a kuon a, thang (trap) vil diingin a kikuon a, inn ah hunkhop khop a kipo zel hi. Loukuon vaikuon te'n zong sun-an (lunch) diing butunn polou in Zogam thau (bawngnawi leh khuoiju) a manaw zel uhi. Humpi, Kamkei, Sasan, Sazuh, Ngaltang, etc. chite leh Vaphuol, mu (nam tuomtuom), Valawi, Ki, Tuiva, Tawmmanai, etc. chite'n Zogam a luodim uhi. Biching ah sielpa lengte'n bu asa ua, vatou leh aahte'n antang a tawmkhawm uhi. Laisiengthou Isaih 11: 6-9 sunga Kumsanghun (Millennium) kigen pen bang phiel in ina um uhi. Tambanga Pasian silsiemte tawh hoitah leh kituohtah a i tenkhawm lai un Pasian silsiemte thupina ithei sih ua, tuni'n ang taisan chiengun a thupidan uleh hinkhuo anopdan ithei pan valuoi uhi. Nidanglai in Zomi laphuo siemte'n Zogam nopdan leh zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong thupidan leh tamdan aphuo ua, tuhun chiengin Zogam laa a kitamphuo nawnsih hi. Tuami'n zong i geina mun bangtan hita chite ang theisah thei hi.

Zou vontawi misiem mipil tampite'n "ZO/ZOU" kichi leh "GAM" kichi hing kipatna (Etymological root) suikhiet sawmin "ZOU" chipen English hama "Highland" tawh kituoh ahia, "GAM" chipen "Land" tawh kituoh ahi achi uhi. "Highland" chipen eiham in "Muoltung" ahiei "Khamtung" china ahia, "Land" pen "Gam" ahi hi. Tamgel i gawmkhawm leh "Muoltung gam" chia asuoh a, tuana teengte pen "Highlanders" "Muoltung gama teengte" china ahi hi. Kei ngaidan in "Zou" ichi chiengin "Muoltung" (Highland) china higiap lou in "Gam hing" (Subtropical/evergreen forest) china ahizaw de aw kachi hi. Aziehpen i Zogam hing kipatdan gam iet chiengin highland maimai sangin subtropical/evergreen forest ana hizaw hi. A zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong (flora and fauna) umte iet chiengin muoltung gam maimai khat a teengte leh umte hilou in gam hing (subtropical/evergreen forest) a teengte leh umte ana hizaw hi. Indomalaya ecozone kichi muna gamte khu subtropical ahideu a, guo atam a, sing ahoi a, ahing zing hi.(4) Zo vontawi khat phai/jang gamah peing taleh Zo/Zou+mi a kichi na de aw maw? Abangteng hileh min kichien zong nei nailoute hi hai ee, guai! Mite'n nam min hoi leh kichien anei lai un eite'n Africa gama mi namkhat "Bushman" a kichi gawp bangin eite pen "Subtropical+man" (Zomi) ang kichi angaita hi.

Zogam Ecosystem on the Crisis: I Zogam i et chiengin i gam i leite patauhuoi khop in a kivatmang zungzung hi. Adiehin, singtaang lou hawna tawh kisai in igam ileite tulpan akaita a, igam in bangma a piengsah zou nawn sih hi. Khatvei laia Zogam pen tu chiengin Gamgaw asuohta a, Zomite pen Gamgaw mite ishuohta uhi. Tambang ang hi chiengin khohun ang kikhel a, hui a gumgaw vevaw a, guo atawm a, guo azuh sunsun lezong sing leh loute'n leitang detsah zou nawnlou in menchim/ningchim atam a, hawhtui in leithau hoite a tawmangta a, leitung satna (global warming) a kibelap tou zungzung hi. Kum 50 vel sungin I Zogam pen Gamgaw isuota ua, nidanglai a bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gam khu numei ta neitheilou bangin i chiing (barren) sahta uhi. A mothuoi dieh khat ahileh, gampalah a theiga/singga neite'n aga uh aneina diingua hun bangtan lut amah chi ngaisut sese lou in sum themkhat mubena diingin i phua mang ua, tuhun chiengin Theipi, Thualu, Bil, Theipangkai, Theikhuongtawm, Pel, etc. chite mu diing avaang mamata hi. Tuabanga sing leh suongte ing phua mang chiengun zu-le-vate leh sa-le-ngate'n abel diinguh muzou nawnlou in igam ut in utsih uleh ang pawtsan uh angaita hi. Tambanga i gamtatna ziehin i nam chiemtena va (National bird) Vaphuol/Phuolva in zong Zomite ang taisanta hi. I nampi va in ang lenkhiet san chiengin Vaphuol banga ki-iit leh chitah Zomite lah ah ki-iitna ang tawmta a, chitahna zong ang mangthangta hi. Vaphuol in Zomite lungsim sungah thu agen zou nawnsih a, ki-iitna leh chitahna in panmun anei zou nawnsih hi. Tuaziehin, suolna leh gitlouna apung hulhul a, Zomi/Gamgaw mite khat leh khat kithat kiman in iumta ua, lemna leh muonna aum thei nawnsih hi.

Effects of Zogam Ecological Crisis: Tambanga i Zogam leitang i meetmai chiengun i Zogam ah bangma ang pieng zou nawnsih a, ut leh utlou thu hilou in hintheina diing aum khah leh china tawh khopi (Lamka) lang sena'n i kineita ua, khopi ah lah louhawna diing genthada huon diing nasan zong inei zou nawnta sih ua, hindan a hamsata mama hi. Sil zousie dangka tawh lei ang hita a, nidanglai a mete mega i kikhol lai ang bang nawnsih a, izawn seng ziehin zin tunna diing zong asui hamsa mamata a, zin ang tun diing zong hamsa isata uhi. Tambanga gentheitah a ing um chiengun i tate laisimna diing ngaisut zong ang hamsata a, vantung i en a; van ana sang a, leitang i tuon a; leitang in bangma theilou in i keng a natlawta hi. Tambang dinmun a ium lai in nasep diing mu zoulou leh nasem nuomlou in i um zieuzuou nalai uhi. Tambanga nasem diing utlou a ium chiengun igil ana va tuom sih a, i gilvana diing ngaisun in van guuh (stealing) ihing panta ua, tua in bangma tan adai sih hi. Tambanga guh diing ang umlou chiengin igil anava tuon sih a, langtang (open) tah in mite isuom ua, sum neite leh hausate i bulu ua, i togam uhi. Gitlouna hing sang deudeu in thauvui thautang tawh vai ihing hawm ua, tua in khat leh khat ki-iitna sangin ki-meelmatna a khangsah a, igam apat muonna leh bitna i delmangta uhi. Tambanga thau vaihawmna chindan (Gun culture) ichinn chiengun thautang in melma leh melma lou khentheilou in mizousie hinna ang lata hi. Genesis 4:10-12 sungah, Pasian in Cain kungah, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" ana chi hi. Tambanga mawneiloute tunga khut ihat chiengun Pasian chiemsa "leitunga toumuong theilou a vahvai" in i umta ua, hunchin leh munchin ah muonna leh bitna tawh i umkhawm theita sih uhi. William Shakespeare laigel "Macbeth" kichipen a danin mikhat hinna ilah chiengin lungbuoina (trauma) ang umta a, mibanglou in toumuong theilou a vahvai in ium uhi.

Eco-Friendly Country: Tulai in bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gam ichi chiengin United States of America i minvaw ua, khatenga bangin 'vangam malep' achi hiel uhi. Aleh, tanglai a Israel gam hiin tulai a United States gam a bawngnawi leh khuoiju atahtah a luong ade aw chi bang ngaidan aum hi. Nidanglai in Zogam ah zong bawngnawi leh khuoiju ana luong ngai a, tu'n vang a naah (source) a kangta hi. Mitmu in luita luipi luon in bawngnawi leh khuoiju aluong samsih hi. Hilezong, bawngnawi leh khuoiju luontheina diingin agam in azil mama hi. America a umna kum nga bang hing ching diing ahita a, agam kepdan uh thupi sahte lah a khat ahi hi. Khopi pulang ah zin lei agam sunguh a thupidan leh akepzou dan uh muthei ahimai hi. Sing leh suongte bang a kumlui thei mama a, akhang akhanga ana phualou uleh hoitah a ana kepte uh muthei diing atam mama nalai hi. Little Rock, AR a ka umna inn huong sung ua singkung umpen bang mi ni in zong a kikawi zou sih hi. Tualeh,khosung leh vengsung ah sing leh suong kichingtah in muthei in aum zing a, khosung a theisa gammaang lah abahna mun atam mama hi. Adienin a hausate khopi sunga innsawng sang tahtahte ah um va ichi leh aum sih ua,khopi pulam a gamdaina mun vel ah ateng zaw uhi. Sing leh suong leh zu leh vate ahoi kep mama uhi. Zu-le-va, sa-le-nga, sing-le-suong hoitah leh chiiltah in azang ua, a zahkhop diing uh anei zing uhi. Sabeh hun, nga beh hun chite anei ua, a behtheina diing phalna (permission) ala uhi. Tuni tanin zong gari hawl chienga lampi ningkhat tenga sakhi leh sa dang dangte avah zieuzuou uhi. Khosung mama ah sa chituom tuom muthei diingin aum hi. Na gintat sih uleh hing ki-et maita un!

Tuabanga mite'n agam uh hoitah a akepbit ua hing dipdep a aumsah lai un eite'n igam uh ihaltum ua, pawnsan in iumsah uhi. Mite'n landscaping hoitah a abawl ua, khenkhat in neehsuina azah lai un eite'n landscaping chi genthada i bubeel sunga huon diing zong i neila vevaw ua, na isem nuom nai tuonsih uhi. Mite a kihepi ua sum tam mu diing a kideisah chiengua nasep hun a kitam pieh lai un eite i kideisah ua i kihepi chiengun nasep hun i kitawmpieh zosop uhi. Mite'n gari thau diinga sathau tahtah (biodiesel) azah lai un eite'n i me kanna diing sathau inei zou naisih uhi. Biodiesel khu bekan thau, si thau, nipipa thau, etc. chite apat kibawl ahi. Mite lampi bawlte in akhang akhang adai lai in eite lampi bawlte a kibawlzou hakhat chin masangin a kohkhe mangta hi. Mite sum nget diing azum lai un eite'n zumna theilou in sum i ngen ua, ang kipieh sihleh i nua ngam nalai ua, khatteng bangin hinna ala ngam nalai uhi. Mi officer te zingkaal dah 8:00 am chienga office kai a kipat ua nitaah dah 5:00 pm tan akai lai un eite 11:00 am apat 2:30 pm tan i touzou hamham ua, itou sunsun chiengun zong office na semlou in neehguhna diing lampi isui nalai uhi. Mite'n nikhat a lai lutte ani mama a azaw lai un eite'n suoi khat kaina maimai diingin sum honpi khat leh ni tampi ila uhi. Mite workaholic (nasep taima) ahi lai un eite alcoholic (Zudawn taima) ihi uhi. Gen diing beithei sih leh kilawm, tamtan chi phot vai ee.

Zogam ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju alung thei nalai diei?: I Zogam ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju a luongthei tham nalai diing hi. Khangluite'n, "Kum khat ikiel leh i hauna diingin kum nga alut hi" achi uhi. Tuama bangin Zougam sesa puophat kiana diingin hun a sawtlut thei diing hi. Hun sawtlut sengva chia ipat lou leh i Zogam ase deudeu diinga, khatvei chiengin bawlphat theilou khopin ang sethei nalai hi. Aleh, bangchi panlah mawh diing? Ka Seminary umlai in Restoration Theology subject khat katawi uhi. Tuapen ah ka lung alut mama a, letter mark ka muna khat zong ahi hi. Paper khat kagelna ah "Restoring the Three-Dimensional Broken Relationships" chi thupi in kagel a, tuanah kitanauna keehte nam thum in ka taahlang hi. Tuate ahileh Relationship to God, Relationship to One Another (Our fellow beings) leh Relationship to the Creation chi ahi hi. Tamna kagel bangin Pasian tawh i kitanauna zopmat kia vai in, mihingte tawh i kitanauna zopmat kia vai in tuazou chiengin silsiemte tawh i kitanauna i zopmat kia diing ahi hi.

Pasian leh mihingte tawh i kisamkaina puophat a semkhawm, hingkhawm, nekhawm, dawnkhawm a ium thei diing khu a poimaw mama hi. Kimeelmatna khuo/mun ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju aluong zou tahtah sih hi. Isaih 11: 6-9 a agen kum sanghun a um diing banga silsiem zousie ang umkhawm thei vadiel chiengin bawngnawi leh khuoiju ang luong thei nabou hi. tuabanah, singnou teng i tomgam sangin singnou tampi suon lei igam leh eima a diingin ahoi diing hi. Sing in hui a susienga, leichim diing adal a, lei ahoisah a, aga neeh diing ang pie a, ahimm ang beelsah a, Pasian deidan zong ahi hi. Igam ah sing tuomtuom suon sangin a gam suselou deu (sustainable) zodeu leh ki-ngah theina diing ching deu a ga (fruit) hing petheite - seeh, lamkhuong, natang, singtangmai, apple, etc. suon masa lei ei a diingin a phatuom pai diing hi. Tuazou chiengin singgil chi tuomtuom - dol, leihau, vong, taah, etc. te suon lei tuzou kum nga ahiei sum sawm sungin neehmuna ang hithei diinga, eima leh i igamsung a diinga hamphatna ahi diing hi.

I gam ileite kembit kawma neehsuina ibawl uh angaita hi. Nidanglai a louhaw maimai neehsuina hiva ichilai bangsah nawnlou in neehsuina tuomtuomte pankhe lei eima leh igam a diingin ahoizaw tham diing hi. Ngakul bawl zong neehsuina khat ahia, bawngkhawi zong neeh suina khat ahi hi. Aah farm, voh farm, bawng farm, etc. chite hoitah leh thanuomtah in bawl lei ei neehkhop diing aum zou diingin ka gingta hi. I Zogam tuachie a lienpi sungah factory khat zong um nailou chi pen a lamdang mama hi. Old bazaar sunga van kizuah zousie gawmkhawm lei supermarket sung khat ah a kitazou mama diinga, bazaar tou teng sethum suo sekhat maimai in zong a enkol zou tham diing hi. I nasepdan uh hawmthaw huoi kasa mawh hi. Zogam a adahuoi mama khat ahileh nasemte a kisimmaw a, nasemlou a zolvahte a ki-ngaisang mawh hi. Tami ang kilebul masangsie Zogam ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju ang luong nai tadi sih diing hi. Bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gamah sil zousie a kiningching a, hawmthawlou tah a van zousie ang um zengzung chiengin vanman ang tawm diinga, vanlei zouna (buying power) ang sang diinga, neeh leh taah muna ang nuomta diing hi. Tulaitah a diingin a mihingtha (manpower) kiching mama nanleh van kiningching tah a umsah theina diingin a vanbawlna (technology) i neizou naisih uhi. Gamkhangtou ichite khun vanbawlna (factory leh technology) kichingtah in anei ua, mihingtha asam ua, mihingtha amu chiengun mihing khatin mi asawm aza a sim neeh diing ang bawlzou chiengin agam uah BAWNGNAWI LEH KHUOIJU ANG LUONG ZUNGZUNG MAI HI.

Conclusion: Bawngnawi leh khuoiju luonna gam ichi chiengin luipi luita dimdim a bawngnawi leh khuoiju luong zungzung diing china ahisih a, neeh leh taah kichinna china dan ahizaw hi. Tam thuguol pen atahtah (literal) tah a lahthei ahia, gentenadan (metaohorical) a zong lahthei kawikawi ahi hi. A tahtah (literal) a bawngnawi atam theina diinga gam kepbit a, loudawng leh tui hoi atam theina diinga gam kepbit angai mabangin khuoiju tamna diingin papeju leh singju atam theina diingin gam kepbit angai hi. Tuamabangin, gentenadan (metaphorical) a genna ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju atamna mun pen neeh leh taah nienna mun ahibanah sing-le-suong, zu-le-va, sa-le-nga te tawh nuomtah a teen khawm theina gam ahi hi. Zogam ah bawngnawi leh khuoiju aluong thei nalai hi.

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Ref.:

1. http://www.christianpatriot.com/09_09_2003.htm

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem

3. http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/index.aspx

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indomalaya

United States leh ZSP

United States A Laisim Diingin:

Zomi Sangnaupang Pawlpi Mi USA a Laisim Nuomte a Diingin

Mr. Khai Minthang

Thupatna: USA pen leitung mi zousie mitsuonna mun chilei ikhiel kholsih diing hi. Sangnaupangte, Sumbawlte, Siemsinte, Vacation zangte, etc. a diingin United States khu mitsuon theipen leh hoipen diingin gintat ahuoi hi. Ataangpi'n ei Zogam apat in United States khu lampi thumin a kilut taangpi hi. Tuate khu Student, Visitor/Tourist leh Refugee ahi hi. Athu kai neu suh nalai lei, ei Lamka langa patin Student Visa tawh a kiha lut pen a, Visitor/Tourist tawh zong alut atam veve hi. Student visa tawh lutte khu a taangpi'n D/S chi'n Immigration leh Custom te'n ang chepte pieh ua, tuapen Duration of Status china ahi hi. Visitor/Tourist te'n a I-94 uah aum thei hun diing uh anei ua, Refugee te I-94 ah Indifinite Stay chi in a kichiemte hi. Hattuom lamkaite zinna khu Visitor/Tourist visa ahi deu a, ahun zong ha thum ahi taangpi hi. Innlangte phone ibawl chienga ang doh theizel khat uh ahileh, "Na visa bangchih tan hing diing?" chi khu ahi. Visa ichi pen India apat United States ilut theina ahia, i umtheina diing un port of entry kichi, US mun a ilut masahna pen ah Immigration te'n i umthei hun diing ang pie ua, tuapen I-94 a kichi a, tuapen 'Arrival and Departure record' zong a kichi hi. A nuizathuoi lah bang, lah a mawl huoi mama khat khu innlangte'n US apat pei diingte kunga 'Visa hing puoh in' chi ahi hi. Tuabanah, 'Kei zong hing han ve' chite zong abei sih hi. Visa kipuoh thei vazuou hileh ka puoh nuom mi tampi aum a, hat thei hileh ka hat nuom atawm sih hi. Visa kang puoh a, kang hat theilou vangin a lampi umdan kikum vai. Eilanga pat lut theina thumte - Student, Tourist leh Refugee lah ah tuni'n Sutdent tawh kisai kikum vai e, guoi....

Kisahkholna (Preparation): Kisahkholna ichi chiengin tamnah tahsa leh lungsim kisahkholna genna in i zang diing uhi. I pienna gam nuasie diing ihiziehin lunglenna leh thawmhau kisahna in zong tamveipi ang buoh diing ahi chi khu thei masah ahoi hi. US ah eimite umna chi maimai tawh kihamuon lou diing ahoi hi. Aziehpen, US gam khu ana lien mama a, khat leh khat kikawmtuona a hamsa mama hi. Adiehin US gam pen nasepna leh hun hawmthawna gam ahiziehin daahkaal khat ahiei daahkaal ni tana kinaina chilou kihawna diing abai sih hi. Kithuzahna vang anuom a, phone leh internet chivel tawh houlim in a kikhosa mai hi. Koima pou nasepna leh siemsinna a ki pumbuoi ahiziehin kum khat sunga khatvei tei kimukhawm diing chi zong a thubai sih hi. A bangteng hileh kisahkholna a poimaw diingte envai:

(1) Tupna (Determination): Sil khat phot lawchinna diingin tupna kichien nei angai hi. Tupna kichien mai hilouin tupna tun theina diinga alampite thei khu i tupna bangin a thupi hi. Tupna duhdah neilou a, ut lah bang utlou lah bang chidan pen lawsapna lampi lien mama khat ahi hi. I tupna mun pen ma mitsuon a ibawl khat phot bawl angai hi.

Khatvei Syepipa Dhronacharya in a sangnaupangte a test nuom hi. Va lim khat singhieng khat ah khai in a sangnaupangte ang hankhawm hi. Tua valim pen amit hoitah a dawi dingdenga kaap diinga mansa um diingin a sangnaupangte ahil a, amuthei zousie uh hil diingin adong hi. A sangnaupangte'n a huon umdan taangpite - a singkungte, a papete leh tua valim kikhai pen amu dan uh agen uhi. Dhronacharya in tuabanga mute kikhin diingin a sawl a, Arjuna mudan adongta hi. Arjuna in bangma dang mulou in va mittang maimai amudan ahil chiengin a syepipa un tua va kaap diingin asawl hi. (1)

(2) Geelna (Planning): Planning kichien khu tupna lawchinna diinga lampi masapen ahi hi. Eilanga kithang mama khat khu ahileh "Bothut policy" chi ahi hi. A laimal hing kipatna kathei sih a, a genna (meaning) vang kathei hi. 'Planning um sese lou a sil khat bawl suh gawp diing' china dan ahi hi. Tam pen lawsapna kot (A door to failure) ahizaw hi. Associate degree in Business Management course kazil laiin business patna diinga poimawte khu - Creative thinking, Research, Planning, Gathering resources, Production and Marketing chi ahi hi.(2) Bothut policy zah diingin kazil kha sih hi. USA zong bothut policy tawh lut sawm sih vai in, hoitah in planning bawl lei ahoizaw tham diing hi.

(3) Sepkhietna (Implementation): Tupna inei banah geelna ineizou kia chiengin sepkhietna a kitasam mama hi. Tupna lah nei, geelna lah nei in hilezong sepkhietna aum lou chiengin mawhna asuoh veve hi. I sepkhiet chiengin zong aban bana sepkhiet diing ahi hi. Tupna leh geelna aum zounua a isep chiengin zong hamsatna tampi aum nalai a, hilezong tupna leh geelna umloute sangin lawchinna anai zaw himhim hi. Leitunga silmukhete'n (Inventors) zong tupna kichien anei ua, tuana patin hoitahin geelna ang nei ua, tuazou chiengun a geelna dungzui un ang semkhe zel uhi. Tambanga 1,2,3, chidan a peilou a 3,2,1 chidan a pei pawl zong aum tham hi. Kaikuong leh Puchih (Innnuoi leivui lah a ganhing neu nounou leivui khuot a tua sunga busate) tawndan ahia, tuate khu ganhing maitawnte sangin a hatzaw ngai sih uhi. A lawching sih uh ichi nuom sih a, hilezong a maitawn (1,2,3,4,5 chidan) te sangin a speed uh a hatzaw ngai sih hi. Tam banga kaikuong banga nuatawnte pen 'Bothut policy' ichite zangte ahi hi. Aziehpen, sepkhietna a kipan in, tuazou chiengin geelna abawl ua, ageelna uapat in tupna ang nei uhi. Tambanga 'Bothut policy' zangte khu kaikuong leh puchih group-te ahi uhi.

USA lutna zong tuabangma in enlei ahoi diing hi. USA lut utna lungsim inei masah angai phot him him a, tuazou chiengin tua i tupna i lawchinna diingin planning hoitah a kisam hi. Tua tegel mai hilou in sepkhietna a kisam penpen hi. I gam ah US lutnuom tampi ium ua, hilezong a lutdan diing ikan tam naisih uhi. Dau hoitah nei diingin tuapen in USA ang tut zieu diing i ut uhi. Hilezong sil tahtah (reality/pragmatism) pen tuabang ana hisih hi.

Step #1: College /University Suina: Tampen United States student visa tawh lut nuomte a diinga a kalbi (step) khatna ahi hi. Na lawm theite'n Catalog leh Application Form ang hah sangun a College/University mama houpi inlen, a Catalog leh laipoimaw dangdang ngen lechin kimeltheina leh kichimatna khat ahia, ahoizaw hi. Internet ah suikhie inlen tuate contact thei lechin ahoi diinga, College/University khat maimai bawl lou in tampi enkuol lechin ahoi leh ahoilou nathei diinga, deiteelna (choice) na neitam zaw diing a, na lunglutna tawh kituoh zong namu zaw diing hi.

Step #2: Kithuzahna (Correspondence): College/University i kai nuomnate apat a Catalog (Ei langah Prospectus kichi), Application form, leh thu poi maw dangdang (Related information) ang hah zou chiengua kipan diing ahi. Application form leh information ei apat adeite uh hoitah leh kimtah a hah diing ahi hi. Admissions director te phone number leh a email ID te uh thei a poi maw mama hi. Ataangpi in, admissions director te khu email in contact lei ahoizaw in kathei hi. Aziehpen, phone a i contact leh ei file tawh um-khawm gige theilou uh ahibanah a nasep ua buoithei mama uh ahiziehin dawnna kichien ang pieh theina diingun sawtpi ngah zel angai a, sum tampi a kiseng thawn zel hi. Tuasangin email hah in i admission dinmun dong zel lei, aman utawh kituoh in athu ang theisah vahiau uhi. A email pen uh office hour ahinah leh ahon gige uh ahiziehin i laihah nini in ang thuh thei paipai uhi. A fel (efficient) thei mama uhi. Tam kithuzahna in i admission process maimai a bei diing ahisih hi. Admission director te hoitah a i houpi leh airport pick-up leh amun itun zou tanpha in ang panpi thei ua a kizen mama hi.

Step #3: Acceptance Letter & I-20: Tampen admission process zawna ahita hi. I application form leh supporting document zousie bukimtah a atunkim chiengin admissions committee te'n ang en ua, tuana patin ang pom uleh Acceptance letter (Khatteng in Calling Letter chi uh) leh I-20 kichi ang hah uhi. Tuate umlou in Embassy/Consulate ah Student visa ngetthei ahisih hi. Tami imu zou chiengin hun atom mamata hi. Bawl diing atam a, hun lah atomta hi. Tuaziehin, kipatbai khela hoi aum sih hi.

Step #4: Passport: Passport pen Regional Passport Office tungtawn a Ministry of External Affairs te'n ang pieh uh ahi hi. Eilangte a diingin RPO, Guwahati ah aum hi. Passport bawlna khu hun lutthei zel ahimanin patbai ahoi hi. Tualeh, TATKAL Scheme kichi khat aum a, tuapen a manlang (expedite service) a bawlna ahi hi. Ahoina ahileh I-20 muzou a ibawl leh a hinna (validity) ang ki pieh (issue) ni a kipan ahiziehin ahoi a, ahoilouna ahileh Visa interview na diinga lai poimawte kaikhawmna diinga hun kihawmthaw ahiziehin passport bawlna ah zong hun tampi alut thei banah a fee zong tampi kipiehbe ahi hi. Passport neisate a diingin i Passport uh hinna (validity) etphat ahoi hi. Abeina (Expiration date) pen USA (Foreign) ilut tana haguh sanga sauzaw ahi diing ahi hi. Pilvan huoi mama khat ahi hi.

Step #5: Laipoimawte Kaikhop Hun: Tampen Acceptance Letter, I-20 leh Passport neizou chienga kibawl ahideu hi. Hilezong khenkhat in university te tawh a kithuzah sungun abawl ua, ahoi mama hi. Atheihuoi khat ahileh Visa interview na tawh kisai a laipoimawte khu ha guh sunga kibawl ahi ngai ahi. Innlanga pata lai poimawte pen a taangpi'n ahing sponsor diingte sum neidan, economic tie leh social tie chite ahi hi. USA a alaisim zou cheinga innlanga hing kile kia diing chi chetna a laite china ahi hi. Tambanga lai kichien inei sihleh Visa mu diing a hamsa mama hi. Tambanga lai paimawte i kaikhop zou chiengin Visa interview diingin Kolkata zot angaita hi.

Step #6: Visa Interview Diingin: I-20 a kigiel laisim kipat hun tawh ni 90 sungin in Visa interview a kibawlthei a, ni 30 sungin USA a kilut thei hi. Tam hun pen a poimaw mama hi. Etsahna in, laisim kipat hun diing pen September 01, 2008 hitaleh, 90 simsuh lei Visa interview theina khu June 01, 2008 vel apat china ahia, Visa imu leh USA lenlut theina khu August 01, 2008 apat china ahi hi.

Innlanga laipoimaw inei teng tawh Kolkata zotsuh angaita hi. Kolkata ah zong ki um maimai lou in lai poimaw bawl diing tampi aum hi. Hun a kinaw a, sil zousie feltah leh hoitah a sai angai hi. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee $100/- pieh na, Visa Application fee leh Servicing charge HDFC Bank tungtawn a i piehna receipt te tawh innlanga ilai poimawte banah Visa appointment letter te khu Visa interview chienga poimaw diing ahi hi. US Consulate, Kolkata-te website http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov/ ah thuchien aum a, tuapen tawh hoitah a ki update gige angai hi. (3)

Step #7: Visa Interview Mun & Hun: Laipoimaw zousie tawh US Consulate, Kolkata ah na interview ni diing chiengin thumkawm leh hoitah a kisakhol kawmin minute 15 masang ngei in na tung diing hi. Ahoi mama khat khu Visa application form pen gate a amanbei a kihawm ahia, tuapen i interview masanga lahkhiet a i kingatna inn/hotel a manmawlou tah a fill-up ahoi hi. A gate a na kiguol masanga pat in na lai poimawte zousie hoitah leh kichuptah in koi inlen, apoimaw bang banga lah/zah thei vahiau diingin koi/kem/puo in.

Gate apat clearance ang kibawl zou chiengin innsung lutna diing tahtah ah khatvei ang ki check kia leuleu a, tuana patin visa interview na mun diing pindan na tungta diing hi. Mi tampi na kiguol ngeingai diing ua, tuate lah a khat nahita diing hi. Tua hun pen i interview laitah sangin pressure ahat mama a, i BP zong ang sangsim zozen hi. Na min a ang kihat diing ngahin na um diinga, mite visa kipie tawh a kipelou tawh namu chiengin nang zong na nurvus sim mama diing hi. Aziehpen Visa interview pen ahun asawt sih a, tua hun tomnou sunga sil tampi hing um diing, hun sawtpi i kisah kholna zousie tuahun a avom leh akang hing kithei mai diing chite in na ngaisutna ang luo vanglah leh na stress level pen ang sangsim diing hi. Hilezong, tuana um zousie mihing ahia, koima maingapla diing umlou ahi chi thei ahoi hi.

Visa interview booth ah ang kihan tangei diinga, nang zong dingtou pai in tua window lang nazuonta diing hi. Tuanah na stress level san tawh bangtawh 'Good morning/Good afternoon' chite leh 'How are you today?' leh 'How may I help you?' chite bang na zahkhiel zengzung phiel diing hi. Tuanah dohna tuomtuom ang dongta diing ua, tuapen hoitah leh kilawmtah a na dawn diing a kisam hi. Zau tawhluot leh maingal tahluot ahoi sih a, oversmart chi himhim bawllou diing ahi hi. Ang thudoh diingte uh a unpi'n kichientah in genthei sih lei zong a taangpi'n USA a lai naism zou chienga innlanga nang kilekia teiteina diing tawh kisai ahimai diing hi. Interview hing bawlte'n USA a umden sawm danin ang ngai diing ua, tuapen na palsat diing ahi hi. Athu maimai a palsan diing hilou in lai tampi tawh na laa diing ahi hi. Na thugente leh na document tawite a hat sihleh Visa mu diing pen a kilam-et huoi sih hi. http://visa.graduateshotline.com/visaques.html en himhim inlen tuana dohnate dawng mawngmawng vawi.... (4)

Step #8: Visa Interview Result: Na interview result pen theithei ahipai hi. Na passport ang lahpieh uleh visa mu diing lam-etna aum a, na passport ang lahpieh sih ua, laidal khat tawh ang kilesah uleh na laidal en lechin ang nielna point te uh agen diing uhi. Tuate na palsat na diing lai nanei leh interview na bawlkia thei a, ang ki enchienta mama diing hi. Tuaziehin, na interview masahna pen ah lawchin sawm inlen, tuana diingin hoitah in kisakhol in. Visa namu diing leh na passport ang lahpieh diingua, tuapen kaalkhat taangpi sungin a Visa lai na passport a belin na application form a adress na pieh pen ah ang hah diing uhi.

Step #9: Visa Muta: Khankhat sunga hun nuompente lah a khat khu Visa ngazou laitah ahi hi. Na lungsim anui nui mai diing hi. Aziehpen, na utna gam alut diing leh na lungtup tangtung chinate banah mi tampite (Laisiem hiin laisiemloute, hausa hiin mizawngte) mu zoulou hamphatna mu nahi ziehin na lungsim sungah nopna adim mai diing hi. Tua laitah vang a taangpi thu a gen in mite en pa/nu nahi ziehin a lim alien diing hi. Ann hing neehpi diing, singpi hing khelai diing, ahing houpi diing chite banah na innsung mite'n zong kikhen diing naita ahiziehin ang khela mama diing uhi. A nopna lah atam a, lunglenna zong lah atam hi.

Setp #10: Zin Diinga Kisahkholna: Visa muzou nua a lungsim nopna tawh na zinna diinga kisahkholna ang kiphu lemlumta diing hi. Bangteng puoh diing, koi teng houpi diing, airlines bangte zui diing, etc. chite in na lungsim a luodim maita diing hi. Tuahun chiengin USA a na school kaina diingte min leh a phone numberte uh banah imi isa te umna leh a phone number te uh thei ahoi hi. I Zou puon, Bible, Zou laibu nazah nuom deute, Zou video leh audio te, niihten-puonsil leh nangma mimal sil a na poimawte na puoh ahoi hi. Puon na zahtawm diing honkhat na puoh lou leh vanman USA ah gintat sangin atam mama hi. Vanzah dangte ang kipieh vangin puonsil-niihten ang kipe kholsih diinga, zong a kidei talaw sih hi. Second-hand puonsil eilang bangin a kidei talawsih hi. School kai diing ihi buong leh USA a um laibu leh vanzahte sangin Zou necktie honkhat puoh a ilawmte leh i sangsyete gift diing zong ahoi a, zong a lungdamzaw uhi.

Abang hileh, Step #1 zong pan nailou in world of fantasy ah kikoi sih vai....... A step #1 hing pan phot phot unlen, tuabanah athu umdan leh i experience tuohte kikumtou zel vai ee.... Tamtan a i hiel bawl phot louleh gentui talaw lei hoisih va e, guoi....


*********************
Ref:
1. http://www.indianetzone.com/3/arjuna.htm
2. Turner Jr., Robert G. Ph.D: Your Life Is Your Business, Education Direct, Inc. Scranton, PA 2001 pp. 27,28

3. http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov/

4. http://visa.graduateshotline.com/visaques.html

Happy Birthday, April 12....

Birthday's Favorite Scriptures:

A thought for today

Psalm 1
BOOK I : Psalms 1-41

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
*************************************************
Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

***************************************

ZSP Golden Jubilee Suong Tawh Kisai

(Tami article khu Zou Workshop forum a Feb. 28, 2008 a kagel ahia, ZSP HQ. Golden Jubilee Suong tawh kisai ahi)

Dear Muan leh Lawmte,
ZSP General Hq. Golden Jubilee lawm diing chi ahileh General Headquarter ma ah kibawl pai henlen, ZSP General Hq. Hall gei lenlon ah alumsuong zong kiphut pai leh deihuoi mama hi. General Hq. chi ngal a Block dang a active ahilouleh a sensitive zieh vela Golden Jubilee lumsuong phu mai diing pen a bukim/hoikim zou de aw kachi hi. Hilezong kei theina tana a dahuoi mama khat ahileh ZSP te ki active lou seng ata diei mah ZSP min puo in unit, block or Gen. Hq. ah Hall khat zong inei zou nai sih ua, ZSP minin mun leh muol zong inei naisih ua, Jubilee lumsuong phuna diing zong ibuoipi thei nalai uhi. Tuabanah, Zou Youth Organization (ZYO) zong iphutkhie ua, um la bang umlou la bang mai in mun leh muol kichien neilou in i umsah zel uhi. Tamte lamkai te'n address thei uleh a chi huoi mama hi.

Golden Jubilee i chi chiengin kum 50 chinna guolnop china ahia, ZSP umzou kum 50 chingta china in ka tuot hi. Kum 50 sunga i nasep mukhiet thei diing bang bang a umtai chite bang thei ut huoi hi. Gen. Secy. in magazine/souvenir ah hing taahlang na va'n, tuapen sim diing kaal ka ngahla mama hi. Bangchi banga kalsuon, kipuihuoi leh kivaihawm chite zong thei nuom ahuoi hi. I short term goals bang, I long term goals bange chite zong theinuom ahuoi hi. Alelang khat ah ZSP Gen. Hq. in Centenary (100 years) Hall ahiei, mun leh muol mumal neilou a iman kia diing abanga, ada huoi malam hi. Hilezong centenary lawmlawm chiengin vang mun leh muol kiching, tup leh ngim kichien, etc. chite tawh iman ngei diinguh ka lamen veve hi.

Sangnaupang Pawlpi makaina a tamtan (nei leh lam, pilna siemna ah) tung ihileh sangnaupang loute (Lay leaders/elders) makaina ah bangtan itung zou de aw chite bang ka ngaisut zel hi. Sangnaupangte makaina a i khantou sih leh sangnaupang loute makaina ah khantouna aum zou de aw chite bang ka ngaisut zel hi.

Gen. Hq. lawmlawm a ZSP mina mun leh muol umlou ahileh vang i parent body or UZO te Golden Jubilee lumsuong pang kibelsah leh kei zong hoisa ing. A active, sensitive or strategic point chite sangin Parent body te umna tupi zaw diingin ka ngaisun hi. Kum khat kum ni sunga a active zieh ahiei, tuahun laitah a khawmpi/pawi lathei diinga unit or block aum zieh maimai a Golden Jubilee lumsuong in a tenpha mai diing pen a lungkim huoi zou tahtah de aw chite bang ngaidan ang pie hi. Tuban centenary Jubilee inei chieng ua a
lumsuong pen mun dang khat a phu kia diingin atawpna a Iron, Silver, Golden, Diamond, Centenary Jubilee lumsuong teng pen ki thethang zengzung diing pen vaihawm siem vai ichi diei ahilouleh vaihawm siemlou vai chipen next generation a ZSP ma hing kai diingte ngaidan ang hita diing hi. Tuahun chiengin ama un bang ang chi diing uoi?

Tu'n ZSP khawnvah hi hai,
I gam miel ni bang ta'n di'n.
Thou un, thou un, thou un,
Tuibang luongin lung kituoh in.

Genkhiel aum leh ngaidam. Keima mimal ngaidan hi ee.

With Warm Regards,


Khai Minthang
Oxford, MS

America's #1 Book: The Holy bible

Bible is America's favorite book: poll
Tue Apr 8, 3:07 PM ET

When it comes to literary pursuits in the United States most people agree on at least one thing -- the most popular book is the Bible, according to a new survey.

It came in first in a Harris Poll of nearly 2,513 adults but the second choice in the survey was not as clear cut.

"While the Bible is number one among each of the different demographic groups, there is a large difference in the number two favorite book," Harris said in a statement announcing the results.

Men chose J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and women selected Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind" as their second-favorite book, according to the online poll.

But the second choice for 18- to 31-year-olds was J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, while 32- to 43-year-olds named Stephen King's "The Stand" and Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons."

Picks for second-favorite book also varied according to region. "Gone With the Wind" was number two in the southern and midwestern United States while easterners chose "The Lord of the Rings" and westerners opted for "The Stand."

Whites and Hispanics picked "Gone With the Wind" as their second-favorite book after the Bible, while African-Americans preferred "Angels and Demons."

"Finally, they may not agree on candidates, but one thing that brings together partisans is their favorite book. For Republicans, Democrats and Independents, the top two books are the same -- the Bible followed by "Gone With the Wind."

Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown, "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand and "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger rounded out the top 10 favorites.

(Reporting by Julie Mollins; editing by Patricia Reaney)
***************************************
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080408/lf_nm_life/reading_survey_dc
Accessed on April 09, 2008

If I were the President of UZO

If I Were the President

of

The United Zomi Organization

Mr. Khai Minthang

Oxford, Mississippi

If I were the President of the United Zomi Organization (Old version, I could not keep myself away from loving it), I will certainly acknowledge the honor, responsibility, power and intuitive love (as I always do) of the community. I will be so honored by the fact that I am the first person of my community in times of war and peace; I will not relent in defending my people wherever it takes. My community will not be humiliated or intimidated by forces of evil in any form or in any condition, on my watch. I will be the first person to feel the joy and sorrow of my community. I will be a beacon of hope to the hopeless, savior to the bonded, food to the hunger, law to the lawless and everything to everyone as St. Paul says, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor.9: 22)

I will inevitably try to focus on changes in my community from good to better and best. I will strive to be the agent of change in this contemporary social transitional period - a period from pre-history to history, a period from animism to monotheism, a period from darkness to light, from head-hunting to heart and soul hunting, and from barbarism to civilization. I will acknowledge and follow the leadership-style of the Prophet Moses, whose life means a lot to us:

“Taanga Mosi lamkai banga koi e ham hinna muna;
Ahing pui di`ng jan khomial pan khovah a?
Lampi dih a hing pui a, khawlmun nuom a hing pui di`ng;
Hing guolzawl in Mangpa aw makieng hoi!”(1)

As a Chief Executive Officer (Leader): I will assume the role of a leader in all spheres of the UZO activities. I will know and acknowledge that I am the chief executive officer of the Executive body. I will take care of my Cabinets and their duties, make sure they do their very best on the job. I will acknowledge one of the principal purposes of my Cabinet which is to advise me on any subject I may require relating to the duties of their respective offices.

Being the apex body of all the Zou organizations, I will maintain a healthy and functional relationship with departmental organizations such as the Zou Youth Organization, Zomi Sangnaupang Pawlpi, Zomi Lai Saipawlpi (ZLS), etc. I will seek an opportunity to collaborate with the United Zo Organization, USA, Malaysia Zo Pawlpi (MZP) and figure a way out to delegate each other in annual sessions or conferences.

As a leader and the President of Zou tribe, I will survey all our settlements within my territory. I, with all my cabinets, will visit all the Zou villages and settlements within the first 150 days I assume office, and will have every important records systematically and efficiently. I will have the opportunity to visit those living in the Indian mainland cities, at least the four metropolitan cities. I will give honor to one honor is due and tribute to one tribute is due.

As a Lawmaker: I will acknowledge my duties and responsibilities as a lawmaker and lawgiver to my people. While upholding our heritages and our traditions that has been passed down from our progenitors, I will do my best to contextualize, interpret and apply the law and the governance of my people in a contemporary format/version. I will also acknowledge the importance of updating the Constitution and Custom of my community to the contemporary world.

I will be very comprehensive and elaborate in dealing with the intra-community issues that may affect the lives and practices of my people. I will find a way out to place the Thangkhal movement. I will tell them that they have a vital role to play in the UZO and will assign them some kind of department to uplift their area of dominion. I will tell them that Thangkhal is one of the dialectal accents of the Zou dialect. I will also tell them that no dialectal accents such as Haidawi, Khuangnung or Khodai does not and will not run for any recognition, but will do everything to defend and develop the tribe with their teeth and nails. I will not relent in defending the interest and welfare of the Zou community wherever it takes me. If I cannot pursuade, I will not give away the Thangkhal accent to them because history knew and have recorded that Thangkhal is not and will not be a tribe, but one of the accents of the Zou dialect. If they insist, I will make sure that the cannot have it for their recognition, but I will also give them a room to choose a name for their recognition, never Thangkhal. If this should happen, I will take my dialectal accent and the people who speaks with pride and honor.

I will pay a very special attention and take utmost care when I am confronting with inter-communal issues. I will seek the advise of the educated, Think Tank and the experienced individuals or groups when I am confronting with foreign affairs. I will honor the intellectual and students’ forum and organizations and their ideas - spoken and written in hard or soft format. I will try to find divine and human favor to any issue I am in notwithstanding, the fact that I will not be able to please everybody. I will be the true representative of my community’s interest and concern.

As a Commander-in-Chief: I will acknowledge that we are living in a violent and hostile environment, but we are not a violent and hostile community. I will acknowledge that our enemy is not the forces of other community, but it is the forces that tries or wants to dismantle our interest and our security. I will acknowledge the words of MK Gandhi that all through history there are murderers and tyrants. For a time they seemed invincible, but at the end, the always fall. I will tell my people that tyrants or murderers such as Hitler or Germany, Pompey of Cambodia, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and many other have chosen to take up arms and committed genocide without mercy. For a time they seemed quite invincible and powerful, but at the end, they have fallen nowhere, but against the conscience of humankind. The world is better of without them.

I will acknowledge that we have been beaten and murdered mercilessly from time to time, but we do not retaliate, nor do we fail to engage in peaceful dialogue with them. I will remember and revive what MK Gandhi have spoken: “Whatever they do to us, we will attack no one, kill no one, but we will not give our fingerprints, not one of us. They will imprison us, they will fine us, they will cease our possessions, but they cannot take away our self respect if we do not give it to them… I am asking you to fight. To fight against their anger, not to provoke it. We will not strike a blow, but we will receive them. And, through our pain, we will make them see their injustice and it will hurt as all fighting hurts. But we cannot lose, we cannot. They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me. Then, they will have my dead body, not my obedience.”(2) I will acknowledge that 91% of the anonymous voters of the Zouworkshop (Members only) and 81% of the Zokuamthawn’s (Open site) straw poll about the Zou victims of the Thadou-Paite conflict and the Zomi movement that followed suit, do not support the movement before some sort of customary compromises has been made. (3)

As a Judge: I will acknowledge that I am in-charge of the Court of Justice. I will give equal opportunity and honor to everyone. I will count value and honor with the individual‘s principle, but not by social status, economic status, or intellectual status of an individual or group. I will, however, give them the opportunity to exert their talents and potentials for the cause of our tribe. I will always maintain a working court by demonstrating equality before law in word and in deed.

As a Representative: I will represent my people in times of war and peace. I wil represent them to the government and to the other tribes. I will make myself available to them and for them whenever they need me. I will be a beacon of hope to the hopeless, savior to the bonded, food to the hunger, law to the lawless and everything to everyone. I will speak for their grievances to the designated officials and faithfully execute my power, honor and responsibility for them. I will pay a very close attention to the advise of my cabinets, opinion polls, Think Tank, Advisors, etc. of my people when making tough decisions. I will never ever represent my people against their conscience, and for their common welfare. I will never misrepresent my beloved people.

Finally, I will acknowledge with pride and honor that it is always worthy to live and die for my people.

*******************************************************************
Ref:
1. Manlun, Zamkholian, Nampi Suongphum, ….Recording, Lamka, 1999
2. Attenborough, Rechard, Gandhi, RCA/Columbia Pictures home Video, Burbank, CA 1990
3. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZouWorkshop & http://www.zokuamthawn.tk/ A straw poll was taken on March 26, 2008 with the Zou Workshop which was followed by Zokuamthawn. The figure/percent cited here was as on April 04, 2008.

Our Land and Our Dialectal Variation

Our Land & Our Dialectal Variation

Mr. Khai Minthang

Oxford, Mississippi

(This article was taken form my writings at the Zou Workshop forum dated December 18, 2007 dealing with the Thangkhal accent issue)

Dear Sam Zou & Zou Workshop patrons,

Thanks for bringing up this issue. I have been contemplating on the issue for quite a while - trying to figure out our differences with the Zou dialect speakers of the Thangkhal variation/accent in terms of origin, migration and settlement, socio-political and religious organizations, culture and customs. I found no reason to say that they are different tribe, but we are rather one and the same people. The essential characteristics of the tribal communities are:- Primitive traits, Geographical isolation, Distinct culture, Shy of contact with community at large, Economically backward.1

We have our nice and very beautiful Zou dialectal variation such as Khuangnung, Khodai, Thangkhal and Haidawi. Likewise, we also have combination of bi or multi accents of the Zou dialect. Let me try to put the dialectal variations or accents of our people, according to our settlement, in this way:

Villages along the Khuga/Tuitha river: Khuangnung and Thangkhal accent with mixed accent in town area.

Villages along the Tuivai river: Mostly Khodai with little Thangkhal and Khuangnung accent.

Villages along the Tuivel river: Khodai with local accent.

Villages along the Tuila river: Khodai and Khuangnung with local accent.

Villages along the Imphal river: Mostly Haidawi with little Thangkhal accent.

Villages in Tuining area: Mostly Thangkhal with little Khodai accent.

Select Zou settlements in Manipur (2)

I. Urban AreaZomi Colony, Manniang Veng, Zoveng, Hiangzou, New Zoveng, Kamdou veng (Tuibuong), Zoumunnuan, Simveng and Beulahlane within Churachandpur township Zomi Villa, Langgol and Tribal Colony within Imphal district.

II. Semi-Urban AreaSingngat, Sugnu Zoveng and Moreh (These towns are mixed settlements with significant concentration of Zou population)

III. Rural AreaVillages along the Khuga (Tuitha) river: Tuaitengphai, Muallum, Daizang, Khianglam, T. Khazang, Belpuan, Sumchinvum, Teikot, Suangkuang, Zoukhonuam, Hiangtam (K), Belbing, S. Geltui, S. Munhoi, Panglian, M. Tanglian, Hiangdung, Lummual, Kullian, Phaibem, Zoumun, Khianglam, Bohlui, Tuibul, Benazou, Buangmun, Suangnal, Zahong, Sialnah, and Khuangmun

Villages along the Tuivai river: Behiang, Hiangtam, Tonzang, L. Kanaan, Zangnuam, Lunzang, Suangphu, Sialsi, Bualkot, Likhai, Tangpizawl (Tangko Camp), and Sehngalzang

Villages along the Tuivel river: Mawngken, Maukot, Tuimanzang, and Mualzin

Villages along the Tuila river: Hiangmual, Munpi, Zabellei, Allusingtam, Sabual, T. Hangnuam, and Buhsau Villages along the Imphal river: Khuainuai, Paldai, Sachiktampak, Singtom, Phaisan, Singheu, Telsalzang, M. Khaukual, Khuangkhai, Paldai, Sachih, and Kathuang

Villages in Tuining area: Tuining, Tuinuphai, N.Khovung, Zomi Zion, T.Vazang, Khaimunmuam, Sangaikot, Kuvan, Saiboh, Zobethel, Gangpimual, and Khuangkhai

Most of us will also be aware of the variation in the border areas such as Suangphu, Vanglai, Khuaivum, etc. They speak the Zou dialect with a very beautiful accent. Mualtam shares this accent. Haidawi accent is mostly derived from the accent of our brothers and sisters in Burma. To me, there is no shame on speaking one or multiple Zou accents, but we should be proud of it.

None of us said and will say any particular accent of these dialects amount to a tribe, but all of us tried to boost our accents as if it is the original Zou dialect. This is right and we ought to patronize it because we all are original Zou/Zomi. (Can I say the original Zoukhankhual!?) There is a virus injected within our community and this brought chaos and confusion amongst us. Nevertheless, extremism is the worse position to unity and fraternity. Those who want to divide us by these accents, shame on them! This is intra-communal chaos and we ought to solve within our community.

As I went through your writings a couple of times, I can sense that you felt uncomfortable to call yourself Zo/Zou or felt shy with your accent among your peers, aren‘t you? But, I felt so comfortable and exceedingly joyful to call you a full-blooded Zo/Zou. Not to hurt you, but to re-assure you, brother. Your statement, “Zou ham kazat jiah a, Zou kahi sih a, Zou kahi jiah a, Zou ham a ham kahibou hi” is commendable and applaudable. As a matter of fact, there are some unspecified clans or groups of people who does not want to belong to any particular tribe and that is fine. They are the OBC groups. To me, Thangkhal is and will never be an OBC group, but they are full-blooded Zo/Zou, with a very little exceptions.

Thanks for taking time to read. God Bless.

Khai Minthang

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Sources:

1 http://tribal.nic.in/index1.html

2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zou_people_(India)

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Zou Workshop Discourses

An Historical Discourses at Zou Workshop:

My Thoughts on Social and Religious Issues

Khai Minthang

Little Rock, Arkansas

Posted on Sun. July 29, 2007
Dear Zou Work shoppers,
I seldom post articles or comment on articles being posted, yet I am an avid reader of the articles being posted. I didn’t find anything irresponsible or awkward when a person joins and leaves our forum with good faith. I guess, all we ought to say is ‘Adios me amigo’ (Goodbye my friend) and we ought not to say or think that he was leaving for a reason beyond his reasons. He’s made it clear why he left. It’s all about TIME. Try reading Ecclesiastics. 3: 1ff

With regards to the “…highly westernized and assimilated” let me take time to jot down what I opined. There cannot be full assimilation with the socio-cultural practices of a very distinct and different community or nation. We are, you know, just being influenced by their culture. Our socio-cultural practices is so nice and intricate for us at the moment. Progress is being made and we are on the verge of going beyond our socio-cultural arena. There will be a time when we will say that our inherent socio-cultural practices is irrelevant to that of today. But, society and culture are never static. We might want to try to see the dynamism of our society and culture with the impact of Indian and Western cultures.

Let me wind up by saying that I really appreciate and congratulate all the creative contributors, thinkers and writers of Zouworkshop.
God bless.

Khai Minthang
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Posted on July 30, 2007

Dear Muan and Zou workshop patrons,
I am antagonized by the instinct behavior of some of our Zou people that clergymen and clergywomen are the second-class citizen of our society. There is always a feeling on the part of them that they are the puppets of our society. There is always a tendency to manipulate them for our personal gains or ideological gains on the presumption that they are paid for by the people. The administration of the church is not democratic, but it is Theocratic. In fact, if you think that you pay them, it is clear that you don’t pay to the Lord. We called them ‘shepherds’ but, there are some goats among the sheep that they shepherd. That’s the hardest part of the job.

Nobody in our community has been conferred ‘Theologian’ by any board, org. etc. However, there are quite a good number of Theological graduates and students now. It’s not really a functional ideology to opined that a secular man like you have a say in the religious spheres of our community. Do your job where you are professional and the clergymen and clergywomen will do their job. Are you trying to enter the operation theater to operate a patient only when you are a truck driver? Don’t try to bullshit about their job.

Speaking about Biblical heroes, my training of over three years in Theological Seminary told me that David, Samson, Joshua and Gideon sprung from the social background of the nation. The Levites were equal to the pastors and priests of today because they both are ordained and consecrated to the Lord for the liturgical and sacramental services. Looks like you are making a blank fire. You can well be an evangelist who bears the Word of God. But, make sure that they are not officially ordained to perform any liturgical and sacramental aspects of their religion. It’s interesting and there are a lot more to explore if you are interested on the topic. You might be well versed in your chosen field or major, but it would be wise if you could acknowledge that there are lots of Theological Colleges, Seminaries and Universities entirely devoted to studying Theology. It is much bigger than the English Department, Political Science Department, History Department, etc. of a College or University.

I have been brought up by the Eastern culture and there is no wonder why I am pretty much influenced by the Western culture after living with them for a couple of years. I was wondering if you guys could practice our very nice and lovely culture of hospitality, community services, sharing of our properties such as clothes, dishes, utensils or such as voluntary community services and accommodating the poor and needy at your rented or owned houses with everybody in the mainland India. You wrote as if you are not influenced by the mainland culture. You presumed my statement of being influenced by western culture as something like dollar-culture. Well, it could be a part of civilized culture. But, when we talk about civilized culture it would obviously include every aspect of life - politics, society, economy, religion and much more.

I could not figure out what were you talking about when you said ‘secret exodus.’ You looked like you are concerned about our literature. Well, how many books, journals, magazines, etc. have been published each year by the church and the society? How many religious related books and societal related books have been published each year? What backgrounds did the authors, writers, translators and compilers have? Do you ever have any comparative studies on this issue? Do you have any slightest comprehension of what you are talking about? Don’t you think that our socio-cultural practices has gone a transition? I was talking about the Zou socio-cultural practices, not the American Zous.

I am a creationist.

It is interesting to note that you have a good sense of community passion. A man like you is hard to find. I would humbly and honestly request you to complete your studies with a high GPA and return to our land because our community needs you. Devote your life and visit every nook and corner of our land and try to discover what needs to be done. Tell us if you find any village that has never been visited by our clergymen and clergywomen. You will make a good social reformer if you make your statement alive and put them into practice.

We are debating for good.

Khai Minthang
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Posted on Mon. July 30, 2007

Dear S. Thangbawi and friends,
Let me take some time to elaborate my statement of “we are on the verge of going beyond our socio-cultural arena.”

First of all, it would be wise to know the differences between culture and custom. I think culture, in its nature, is dynamic and elastic whereas, custom is much more about ‘tradition like law’ and lacks elasticity. We have quite a lot of priceless and matchless customary practices that have been inherited from our progenitors. That is our inherent culture and custom for being an ethnic group.

Look, let’s go back to a couple of decades and see what our progenitors’ socio-cultural practices looked like. Their occupation and profession were confined to agriculture and its allied occupations. It’s undeniable that almost everything was agro-based. Young folks were trained for the same occupation.

Rochunga Pudaite, in his book entitled “The Education of the Hmar People” has observed, “He learns to share, to play, to co-operate and to conduct himself before he is called upon to shoulder public responsibility. He cannot be selfish in such a family setup, and corporate life of the most congenial type is cultivated. From sunrise to sundown he is surrounded by educational activities and processes.” “The girls received training for one purpose, to become wife and mother. The very little girl had to learn to cook and help her mother. In her own home, she took part in all the other household tasks and learned to sew, knit, spin, weave, husk grain, prepare food, sweep and clean the house, and take care of the younger children so that, by the time she reached marriageable age, she was fully equipped with skills to handle a household of her own” says T. Liankhohau, in his book entitled “Social Cultural Economic and Religious Life of a Transformed Community.”

Transitional Era:
In course of time, the weave of the Gospel hit our land and impacted entirely in terms of our social, economic, political and religious practices. The Gospel bearers brought the Gospel with their culture. They might not essentially impart their culture but, we received their culture in addition to the Gospel. Eventually, the Western culture set a deep root in our land. The weave of the Gospel swept our land and saw a seed of Western socio-cultural practices. A new system of education, literature, social values, economy, politics and religion have been set up. We just began to have a Primary, Secondary and Tertiary occupations with the impact of the Gospel. That’s the reason why I said “we are on the verge of going beyond our socio-cultural arena.” I made this statement as a Zou in general, not pointing my arrow to the Zous living in America or elsewhere in the developed countries. Don’t just try to stick to a single sentence. Try looking at the preceding and the following sentences. You might also came across the statement “There cannot be full assimilation with the socio-cultural practices of a very distinct and different community or nation.”

Coming to the Theocratic set up of the church government, I strongly believe in the Theocratic system of the church government. As I said I am creationist, I believe in the creation of humankind in the likeness of God. Time and again, heretics tried to create God in their own image. They wanted God to say or opine what they said or opined. Nevertheless, I believe in the invisible Theocratic system and its catholicity in its nature. The law is the Bible and the key to access the King is prayer. We know we ascribe greatness and honor to the King when we say, "Thy will be done." We know we are not perfect or divine but, we also know that we are imputed His righteousness given the fact the Jesus Christ has died for all of us. This is not a Mormonistic view of the Kingdom of God. It’s not a political kingdom. We also know that God punished the Israelites over and over and over again when the Israelites turned away from God and followed their secular leaders. We need God fearing leaders in our community - religious, social, economic and political realms.

I knew our debates and discussions are progressive and vital for the development of our community and will eventually have an impact on our community. Thanks for taking time to read.

God bless.

Khai Minthang
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Ref: http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/drgw007.html

Trulock Theological Seminary's Article

Reviving Our Sense of

Social Hospitality and Etiquette:

A Comparative Study on the Life and Practices of the Zou Tribes of India During the Pre-Christianity Era and the Holy Bible

Mr. Khai Minthang

(This article was contributed to the Trulock Theological Seminary, Students’ Fellowship Magazine, 2002-2003. I was the General Secretary Cum Accountant of the Students’ Fellowship during 2002-2003)

Introduction: The impact of the Gospel in our land (Manipur) has touched every nook and corner of our lives and practices. The impacts can be seen in the Domestic life, Religious life, Socio-Economic, Political life, Social custom, Moral life, Literacy, Self help, etc. We have been changed, almost totally, by the light of the Gospel that has made us forget the cultural heritages that has been passed from time immemorial. We adopted what is called the Western culture and forget the good morality of our history. The fond and golden memories of the past has made our elderly people say, “We maintained moral and social ethics in the Pre-Christianity era more strictly than what the Christians do today. We were better than the Christians.” Indeed, this is a shameful and embarrassing statement that our grandparents and elderly people put before us, and is, no doubt, right. Here, of the many, we are to deal with the Social Hospitality and Etiquette that needs revival.

Hospitality: Our forefathers were hospitable. Nicotine water, produced from smoke of tobacco, was much in use. One have to give it to one’s visitor at any time. It was used with a salutation. Moreover, whenever they meet each other at any place on the journey, they used to offer it. It was a sign of civility. A sip was kept in the moth without swallowing. After a while, when it’s pungent effect was diluted in the mouth, it was spat out. They brought with them in a small guard container called Umta in a small bag because there was no long pain or pocketed pain as such during those times. Only pieces of local hand-spun clothes covering portions of their bodies were used during those days. On the meetings of two chiefs their respective containers were exchanged, and sip from each other’s Umta and returned it.

On a day’s journey one was taken care with utmost hospitality by any household of the village in which they spent the night. There was a beautiful scene of the hospitality shown to a stranger by the Zou family of the past. When a stranger was hosted, the hosts were too good to hi. Hw was warmly welcomed when he asked for permission to stay overnight. They unloaded him and gave him a drink of locally prepared rice beer called Zu as a sign of hospitality. All topics of the discussion were focused on the journey of the guest. In the evening the villagers visited them and discussed with him on related topics. The villagers were aware of the toil of the guest and left them early. Meanwhile, the housewife prepared bed for he guest as comfortably as possible. Sometimes, the coverings used by the family were given to the guest when necessary because the want to host strangers at their best. They did not mind of suffering in the chill of the winter night in place of the strangers. When the guest retired for the night, (Generally, guests retires for the night earlier) the host father and mother discussed for the morning’s lunch. They caught their cock, tied and retired for the night. The father got up at down and prepared the chicken. Mother, children, guest, etc. got up and discussion beside the hearth was started that was followed by morning lunch. Mother prepared lunch called Butun and put in the stranger’s bag and the stranger was dropped up to the outskirt or entrance of the village called Khomual. Finally,, they bid good-bye and good wishes to one another and departed. No one could refuse strangers. Instead, those who received guests were grateful for being in a position to host them,. A traditional saying goes, “We never suffer from starvation because of having hosted guests. I Moreover, they used to say, When we become utterly poor, not to speak of guests, even the footstepss of a dog are not seen in our courtyard.”

In Genesis 18:1-14 we see that Abraham hosted the Lord. He was very hospitable and was too good to them. He brought water and let them washed their feet, and rested under the tree. He offered the best of his calf and prepared a dish before them. In verse 8 we see, “So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.” Lot also hosted the angels of the Lord, In Gen. 19:2-3 we see, “And he said, ‘Here now, my Lords, please turn into your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet then you may raise early and go on your way; And they said, ‘No, but we will spend the night in the open square.’ But he insisted strongly so they turn into him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and backed unleavened bread, and they ate.” God warned the Israelites time and again not to despise and neglect strangers because they were once a strangers in the land of Egypt. (Cf. Exo.22:21; Lev.19:32,33; Deu.10:19). We can find ample examples of hospitality in the Bible that will help us find how and why people in the Bible were so hospitable. In the Gospels we see that Jesus said that those who are kind to the poor are kind to him. In Matthew 25:38-40 it says, “And when was it that we saw you as a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and give you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of those who are members of my family, you did it to me.” The New Testament is also, no doubt, full of hospitality to strangers.

Etiquette: We have quite a number of traditions and etiquette that are comparable to the etiquette of the Bible. The Bible wants and teaches us to live in accordance with the Laws and moral traditions that the people of God followed from time to time in history. The Torah teaches the Israelites to live in accordance with the will of God/YHWH. In Luke 2:52 we find that Jesus increased in divine and human favor,. There is a proverb in our tradition that says, “Obedient children deserves lunch.” Therefore, etiquette in our tradition has been placed in high esteem from time immemorial. Some of he etiquette are listed below:

1. In the matter of eating and drinking, , traditionally, “A she-mithun never drinks before a he-mithun” as the guiding principle and this is the rule. So it is gentlemen first, not ladies first. In eating hands are first washed because food is taken with the hand or with fingers dipping into the dishes.

2. Personal age carries high respect. Even in hunting excursions the leader is the oldest member. To discovery an older person is effrontery. The younger person ought to give the elder preference in shares. They have to vacate their seats in favor of the elders. (Cf. Lev.19:32)

3. In a social event or occasion the words of the chief or leader are obeyed respectfully by everyone.

4 Whenever a night or nights are spent in the jungle for some purpose, boys get up early in the morning before the older ones and kept everything ready. They collect firewood, draw water and cook meals.

5. When visiting neighbor’s homes nobody enters without first being aware of what is inside and then entering with respect. If older persons are inside, they are reluctant, to take a seat. It is practice to shut the door when leaving after a visit.

6. Any grown-up visitor is given a mouthful of nicotine water called Tuibuuh, pipe-smoking, etc. as a sign of hospitality and civility.

7. Whenever a housewife lacks vegetables to cook, it is the practice to go to the neighbor and they have to see that she does not return home empty handed.

8. It is the practice between near kinsmen to give meat curry, whenever available, as a token of love and favor.

9. As a token of gratitude or consent they nod their heads and for disapproval they shake their head. This gesture speaks much.

10. Facial expressions conveys a lot. Lovers reach each other’s feelings by facial expressions.

11. To say to a child, “A demon is behind you” is a widespread way to teasing.

12. When a person is ashamed of what he is told, he says, “How I would like to sink between the nail and the flesh of my finger.”

13. When a person does not believe what is said by other, whey say, “Even when I pinch my ears it does not hurt.”

14. When someone is sent on a certain mission but is afraid of going, they say, “Carry my shin hair and go.” this was a deriding way of speaking of cowardice.

15. When someone wanted to compel obedience in a child he said, “If you do not obey I will beat you.” This is the same as they African saying, “You had better be good or the missionary will catch you,” or “You had better believe or a black man will get you.”

16. Hospitality to strangers or travelers is a duty for the Zous.

17. Politeness in speech and address is highly valued. An older person should be addressed as mother, father, sir, uncle, aunt, as the case may be, even when there is no blood relationship. Younger ones are addressed as dear. To call or address by a personal name is impolite.

These are only a glimpse of the etiquette of the Zou Tribes and many more are not included. If we go for perfection and inclusion of all the etiquette of the said this will cover all the realms of life, categorically - Political etiquette, Social etiquette, Economic etiquette, Religious etiquette, etc. it is also in line with the Bible and is relevant even for the present time. An elaborate study on this will not fit the purpose of this article. It is only a bird-eye view of the many social practices of the past.

Conclusion: Converting to Christianity by leaving all the good and golden heritage of the past will not make us a mature men and women in the borrowing culture of different and distinct people who have no similarities with us. Contextual Theology is the need of the hour. Consequently, we need to revitalize and revive our sense of Social Hospitality and Etiquette, try to localize or contextualize and present to the people so that our people could worship the Living God with a sense of God belonging to us or we belong to God. Unless we can present the Living God or the Good News as seeking His people without cultural barrier, I think, our sense of worshipping the Living God would be so foreign and unfamiliar. Paul was also a man of God who presented the Gospel of the Living God according to the context of the people. (Cf. John 1:1f). I would better conclude this article by saying that this issue is common to all the Tribes of Manipur in general and the Chin-Kuki-Mizo in particular.

References:
1.Liankhohau, T., Social Cultural Economic and Religious Life of a Transformed Community, Mittal Publication, New Delhi, 1994
2. Ai, Fr. Mark Thangkhan, Reviving Our Sense of Hospitality, ZSP Magazine 1984. I read the magazine once in the 1990s and could not figure out where and how to get the magazine and give a proper citation. The idea of social-drama under Hospitality in this article has been developed from the said article.