Policy Memorandum (Training Docu)

Lunminthang Haokip at Indira Bhavan: 113 ITP, LBSNAA, Mussoorie

Policy Memorandum:

Administration of Urban areas in Hill Districts of Manipur:

                                                                        By: Lunminthang Haokip

                                                                         Director, TA & Hills, Manipu

            Introduction:  The Hill Areas of Manipur in India’s North East region  cover 9/10^th of the State’s total area of 22,327 sq. Kms. Out of the sports-loving State’s total population of 27.21 lakhs (Provisional Census, 2011), 34.2% settle in the land covered by the Hill Area Autonomous District Councils, namely, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamienglong, Churachandpur and Sadar Hills ADCs. The six ADCs had been administered under the provisions of Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council, 1971 ever since the first ADC Election was held in the year 1973. After a long gap, the latest ADC election was held in 2010.

            Hill DHQs: Each of the six Autonomous District Councils has its District Hq at the most geographically and administratively convenient location within the district’s boundary. In fact, due to reasons historical and age-old local identification, five of the six ADCs have DHQs named after the name of the concerned District. Sadar Hills, which was made an ADC within Senapati district, was an exception. SHADC has its hq at Kangpokpi the naming of which was different from the rest districts of the state.

            Issue Identification: Hill DHQs of Manipur like Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Kangpokpi gradually grew from being small towns in the distant past to become medium towns of late. Whereas, the urban areas of the NE state were administered under Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994 following the State Legislature’s adoption of the provisions of 74^th Amendment of Indian Constitution, at the behest of the Hill people whose collective stand was ventilated by their respective representatives, even the erstwhile Small Town status of the hill DHQs was abolished. The removal of small town status of the hill DHQs pre-empted future provision of municipal amenities  in the urban settlements of the hill areas of Manipur. Nevertheless, the rate of urbanisation in the DHQs grew faster than imagined. Presently, the hill towns of Manipur do not enjoy the urban facilities and privileges their counterparts in the rest states of North East India enjoy under the provisions of the Constitution (74^th Amendment) Act of 1992.

            Policy Analysis: In 2006, the State Assembly passed the 2^nd Amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. The Amendment gave District Councils the power to pass a resolution to declare any part of its jurisdiction an urban area for the purpose of development plan and to execute works/allotment or lease of land. The whole idea was to facilitate implementation of urban schemes which were taken up under the department of MAHUD – Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development – in the hill DHQs of Manipur. But a section of the hill people resisted such a move under the imaginary or real apprehension that their land-holdings might have been at stake in coming under the purview of Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms Act, 1960. A Court Case was filed to stay the implementation of the said Amendment which had already been published in the State Gazette. However, the collective mental resistance to the Amendment created an aura of disinterest to further pursuit of the same among hill leaders.

            Merits of 74^th Amendment Act, 1992: As ULBs –Urban Local Bodies- became weak and ineffective and it was felt that the powers and functions devolved to them were inadequate, the Constitution (74^th Amendment) Act came into being. The chief objectives, among others, were to put the relationship between the State Government and the ULBs on a firmer footing and to ensure regular conduct of ULB elections. Under the Act, the ULBs – Nagar Panchyats, Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations - were given the power to manage their own affairs as regards the following items which were listed under the “Twelfth Schedule”:

1. Urban planning including town planning.
2.  Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings.
3.  Planning for economic and social development.
4.  Roads and bridges.
5.  Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.
6.  Public  health,  sanitation conservancy and solid  waste  manage-
    ment.
7.  Fire services.
8.  Urban  forestry, protection of the environment and  promotion  of
    ecological aspects.
9.  Safeguarding  the  interests  of    weaker  sections  of  society,
    including the handicapped and mentally retarded.
10.  Slum improvement and upgradation.
11.  Urban poverty alleviation.
12.  Provision  of  urban  amenities and facilities  such  as  parks,
     gardens, playgrounds.
13.  Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.
14.  Burials  and burial grounds;   cremations, cremation grounds  and
     electric crematoriums.
15.  Cattle pounds;  prevention of cruelty to animals.
16.  Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.
17.  Public  amenities  including street lighting, parking  lots,  bus
     stops and public conveniences.

18.  Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries.''

        Neighbouring States Went Ahead: The other states of North East India like Mizoram,

Nagaland and Meghalaya, following the enactment of the Constitution (74^th Amendment) Act,

1992, amended their respective former Municipality Acts and adopted the provisions of the

new Act. Ever since, 2010, the urban development of NEI towns like Aizawl, Jowai, Dimapur,

Kohima, Shillong and Makokchung took a new turn towards faster growth. The hill towns of

Manipur had been left behind in the urbanization process to make do with relatively lesser

MGNREGS benefits.

        Recommendation: Considering the fact that  the  hill towns of Manipur which,

 otherwise,  could have prospered in development had the provisions under The

Constitution (74^th Amendment ) Act, 1992 been adopted earlier like their counterparts in

North East India did recently, and that the increasing demand of the DHQs in the hill districts

to enjoy equal urban facilities like their counterparts are doing elsewhere, it is

recommended that Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur who also is in charge of Tribal

Affairs and Hills, Manipur, may kindly raise  the matter cited above in the preceding paras to

The Cabinet Committee  to approve Amendment of Manipur Municipal Council Act, 1994 to

Adopt the provisions of The Constitution (74^th Amendment) Act, 1992 in the interest of

Speedy development of the urban areas of the hill districts of Manipur.

(This Policy Memo was a training session exercise during 113 ITP at LBSNAA, Mussoorie).

Joy To My World

Mr. and Mrs Lunminthang Dec 2010
Hechin Haokip - Pianist cum Gospel Singer
Voice with a Mission - Hlutei
L.Thinglhangphai Advent Christmas 2010
JOY TO MY WORLD
By: Lunminthang Haokip

Advent Christmas, 2010: The month of December, for every Christian is hectic with capital H. But I did not expect my world to be so joyously filled with back to back events this year round. As scheduled in my itinerary, Advent Christmas celebrations were conducted at three places of my routine frequent visits. The first meeting was held at my ancestral village, L. Thinglhangphai; the second at Myanmar’s north western township, Tamu; and the third at Manipur’s border town, Moreh. It was carols and the word of God all the way. The Lord was the shepherd indeed.

L.T Phai Meeting: On 11 December, 2010, the weather was limping back to a sunny day from a three day continuous drizzle in the preceding days. The backblock village, which also head quarters GGMI – Go Gospel Ministry, International, is situated 80 Kms south of Imphal. The pastoral rural settlement lies on the fringe of the fertile Serou valley just about one and a half Kms from Chakpi river over which the longest bridge in Manipur is under construction. Once the NEC-funded riverside flyover is opened for traffic, which hopefully will happen in March next year, nothing can stop domestic tourists from visiting the picturesque location in hordes. It will be joy to the region.

Gospel Blast: At 11 am on December 11 last, the otherwise quite village became alive with Gospel music. NJT hall of the area was almost full. In between Gospel messages preached with renewed vigour by this Author and Pastor Prakash of LEF, Imphal centre, top-notch Gospel crooners from Aizawl and Manipur sang carols that went down well from one’s soul to sole. C. Lalhmingmawii who earned the acronym of AVZ – Amazing voice of Zoram, sang Go Gospel number with unreserved passion. Hlutei from Aizawl, a YWAM – Youth With a Mission–trained singer, enthralled YWNM –Youth with No Mission – with her popular renditions. Hechin Haokip, an accredited Kuki Gospel crooner, also sang and moved hearts with her chart-rocking songs. It was joyous carols all the turns.

12 December, 2010: The hall in the premises of IBC –Immanuel Baptist Church - Tamu was packed to the brim by 1130 hrs. The Gospel trio of Mami, Hlutei and Hechin sang heart-softening numbers that prepared the audience for the main message. They were joined by Esther Sitlhou, the local voice of grace, in the combined Advent Christmas Worship Service of Tamu. Solo numbers were calculatingly used as baits for folks across the border to take the Word whole. Following IBC choir’s group song, this author spoke on the importance of the birth of Christ.

The Sermon: It went on after prayer. Men were separated from God due to the breaking of the Creator’s commandment. Curse came upon mankind through the disobedience of the first parents. Sin was so serious an issue that it cost nothing lesser than God’s only Son Jesus to take birth as a man, suffer as a man and die as a man so that humankind may settle the sin-factor by accepting Him as their Lord and Saviour. Through Him the world came to know the saving grace of God, the father, which hitherto was left to man’s imagination.

Moreh Meeting: On the same day, in the evening service of Lutheran Church, Moreh, this Author spoke again on the purpose of Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem. God provided a remedy for the malady called sin. It was Jehovah’s way of showering mercy to an un-deserving world devoid of righteousness. Man could not save himself. Sin is not something soap and detergent powder can rinse away. All the other earthly problems we struggle with are nothing in comparison. The Bible says, the price of sin is death. That means eternal burn in hellfire. Through the birth of our Lord, God offered a way out. The four Gospels represent completeness like the four corners and directions of the earth – north, south, East and west. Jesus is the Saviour. He alone can save completely from any type of sin.

“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25)”.

Total Safety: Money may save one from poverty. Houses can save from severity of weather. Guns may save from real or imagined fear. But at the end of life, when a human being is about to become a human-been with fear of eternal death gnawing at the vitals, it is only total trust in the saviour Jesus and confession of sin that is going to save him for ever. Whether we appreciate it or not, that is what God had made clear for sin-burdened mortals through the scripture. There is no alternative solution to sin-problem.

Real Christmas: In Christmas season, spiritual ignorance makes many to eat, shop and hop from one pleasure trip to another. A Christmas celebration without Christ has become kind of fashionable. Frills like Santa Claus, Christmas tree, Christmas cake, Christmas parties and Lenkhom jokes are nothing but shallow deterrents to the essence of true Christmas spirit. A deeper look and read at the life of Jesus who did not carry two pairs of dress, sandals etc, who had to hire a donkey for His last journey, fish for coins to pay tax and who had no burial place, will wake us up from our spiritual stupor. Only then will the inner man experience real joy. Any other way of celebrating Christmas will end up in sorrow. God meant Christmas to be “Joy to the world”.

The Glut Of Diplomats

Moreh, the 20th September, 2010

Report by: Lunm,inthang haokip, ADC, Moreh, Manipur, India.

The Visit: 8 Heads of Missions of ASEAN countries were supposed to visit Moreh border town on the 20th of September, 2010. Finally 7 of them, with a Director of DONER and other officials of Manipur state, made it to Moreh. At 9:30 am , the officials of Chandel District Administration and the community leaders of Moreh welcomed the visiting diplomats at Trade Centre, Moreh.

The Team: The visitors were:
1. HE Gen (Retd) Andi Muhammad Ghalib, Ambassador,
Embassy of the republic of Indonesia.

2. HE Dato Paduka Haji Sidek Ali,
High commissioner, High commission of Brunei Darussaiam.

3. HE Mr. Thongpanh Syackhaphom ,
Ambassador, Embassy of People's Democratic Republic

4. HE Dato Tan Seng Sung,
high commissioner, High commission of malaysia.

5. HE Mr. Kyl Thein, Ambassador,
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar.

6. HE Mr. Calvin Eu,
high commissioner, High Commission of the Republic of Singapore.

7. HE Mr. Krit Kraichitti,
Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Arrangements: Under the efficient leadership of Respected Chief Secretary of Manipur, Sir D.S Poonia, the concerned departments of the Government of Manipur got cracking from the first week of September. Several rounds of meetings were held at the brilliantly revamped and re-furnished office chamber of the C.S. The departments executed their responsibilities well in time and with finesse.

The Charges: The WAD was the overall in-charge department for providing hospitality, site-visits, cultural entertainment and presentation of gifts to the HoM team who were put up at the swanky Classic hotel. Commerce and Industries department co-ordinated the Moreh/ICP-site visits while the Manipur Police took stock of the security for the VIPs. As usually done, Assam Rifles provided facilities for breakfast for the HoM team on their way to Moreh and back at Tengnoupal.

The Short Stay: Thanks to the efforts of the Department of Industry and Commerce coupled with hard work put in by MANIDCO, the new imposing building of ITISFC, Moreh could be inaugurated in time on 19 September, 2010 by Hon'ble Minister, Ind & Comm, CAF & PD and Co-Operation. The Heads of Mission, with their personal staff and spouses in tow, were the first to occupy the VIP rooms of the Integrated Trade Information and Stay Facility Centre. Lunch was served at the ground floor dining hall of the new SFC.

The Tamu Visit: This writer who is the head of administration at the cutting edge of Moreh Block administration, took pains to get unofficial permit for the visiting diplomats to visit Tamu town on 20 September, 2010. The Myanmarese authorities granted Verbal permit for the said purpose on 19 September last. The Chairman, DPDC, Tamu, also co-operated in this regard. The Ambassadors enjoyed the pagoda visit, the market tour and the Tamu Chairman's sumptuous hospitality at his office premises.

Interactions Galore: The High commissioners and the Ambassadors' visit had a lasting impact on the residents of Moreh and Tamu. They were informal in their interactions with the officials of the state. The bonding had much to do with similarity of physical features they share with the local people. Curious to know more about Moreh, Tamu and the much hyped-up Asian Highway and Border Trade, the Diplomats gave as much info as the took from the visited.

The GGMI Inaugural Meeting At Tamu

IBC Soloist and Pianist
Naga Baptist Youth Trio; Tamu
Methodist Youth Choir Tamu
IBC Youth Choir, Tamu

Tamu, the 19th September, 2010

IBC Hall Filled: At the stroke of 1:30 pm, the new hall of Immanuel Baptist Church, Tamu was filled. About 200 young and old church people of Myanmar's north west border town gathered to participate in the inaugural monthly meeting of GGMI - Go Gospel Ministry International at Tamu. It was a good turn-out for a new ministry's maiden venture through mouth-to-mouth publicity.

The Motivation: Tamu has a sizable Christian population. The border township of Sagaing Division had become a happening business hub. Almost all the organised churches of Myanmar make their presence felt at Tamu. Given the right doses of the Gospel, churched folks out there are ripe and ready for harvest. If Moreh is the only functional eastern corridor for India, Tamu is Myanmar's only north western all-season trade outlet by road. The twin-corridors can be joined by frequent evangelical fellowships to form a spiritual channel for the business of cross-border Gospel transaction.

The Zeal To Learn English: Like many other ASEAN nations, Myanmar too had been bitten by the English bug. The victim age groups are more inclusive than exclusive. The itch to communicate to the world through the internet had triggered the young and the young-in-heart to have a working knowledge of the Queen's tongue. Other languages are also offered as media of communication; but where is the fun in corresponding only with one's ethnic friends. There is thrill in passing on the spirit that is one's own in a language that is not one's own. The only way to socially peak and go global is through mastery of the language the West speak. That is the lake of troubled waters where GGMI wants to fish with the English-craze as the bait.

The Facilitators: With the blessing of Rev Thangpao Haokip, Pastor, IBC who opened the service in the afternoon of 19 September, 2010, with invocation prayer, GGMI's first international meeting took off. The Youth department of IBC deserves commendation for their dedication and skill in setting the stage for inter-denominational worship. A lot of running around was required. Getting things done across the border was made easy by IBC's Youth Pastor who is fresh from a Bangalorean Seminary, Douthang Haokip. He made all the contacts on GGMI's behalf. In short, he was the man of the match.

The Warm-up: Apart from the two group song items IBC Youth enthused the audience by, Youth choir of Methodist Church, Naga Baptist Church and CBS, Tamu, warmed up hearts with Gospel numbers sung in English, Mizo and Burmese. Loud music played on keyboard lifted up the spirit of worship. Diction and fluency in speaking English, I encouraged the song teams, will improve by leaps and bounds if they learn how to think in English instead of their own dialect.

The GGMI Theme: I was made to preach with GGMI's theme "Give Youth The Truth" as the topic. Half-truths and the ignorance of the full Truth had ruined millions of souls who could have been wonderful achievers otherwise. Potential YWAM ended up as YWNM - Youth with no mission, all because they made the wrong choice at crucial turns of life. Giving the Truth in time, therefore, is saving the future of the Church from going berserk. The youth know many things they need not know. Bad knowledge brings one under bondage. One should be led to true knowledge. "You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)".

Why Preach The Gospel?: Someday the good spell of grace will come to an abrupt end. We are living in extra time. The Giver of life can blow the end-whistle any time. And billions of Christ-ignoring citizens across the continents had not been saved. In Mark 16:15, the resurrected Jesus commanded His Disciples and future believers to "preach to every creature". It is our bounden duty to make His last commandment our first commitment. The Gospel is aptly named the Good News. It is the only news that has the power to cut a penitent sinner off his sinful past to start a life afresh. Every person, place and nation that was touched and influenced by the Gospel gained respect, honour and harmony.

The Right choice: Choices make or unmake a man. David made a wrong choice after making many right choices. His choice to rubber-neck around from a balcony, when he should have been focusing on the battle, brought total chaos and bloodshed in his family. He was known more for his wrong choice than the right choices. In Exodus 32:26, Moses threw a challenge on his people. In the thick of idol-worship, the towering Jewish leader insisted that whoever was on the Lord's side should follow him. When the 11 tribes of Israel turned away, the Levites chose Moses and secured their future as a priestly clan. Matthew chose to give up a lucrative Collector's job to follow Jesus. Matt. 9:9. He never looked back. He got the privilege of recording the Lord's first Gospel and became a household name.

Choices For The Youth: Coke or Pepsi may be touted as the right choice in the ad slogans. It's right as far as cold drinks are concerned. But when it concerns eternal life and death, only Jesus is the right choice. In making choices, a miss is as good as a mile. The remedy for the curse of Genesis 3:16 is given at John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life". When a guy does not choose to claim the promise of God in John 3:16, chances are that he may end up holding an M-16 in distress. The devil hides the bitter truth of the consequences of choosing M-16 over John 3:16. Preaching the Gospel highlights the demerit of the former and the merit of the latter.

GGMI Making Tamu Debut

The author, Lmt, relaxing at leisure
Tamu IBC Service; 11 September, 2010
IBC - Half-filled
IBC Tamu. Leaders' gallery
IBC Choir presenting group song

The Days gone By:

Moreh, the 11th September, 2010:

Crossing the Border for The Cross: I was invited to preach in IBC - Immanuel Baptist Church, Tamu, Myanmar. The 500 odd membership Church had half of its members attending the Sunday morning meeting on that day. The singing was full-throated, the music passable and leaders enthusing. It was always my pleasure to have been offered the pulpit there in the lively congregation of Sagaing Division's north west border town.

Tithe-Hype: One thing that attracted me inside the church building was the writing on the wall, "Lung-tup: ......Kyats; Musa: ........Kyats". Translated roughly, the writing meant, " Target (Tithe): .....Kyats; In Hand: .......Kyats". The notification on tithe-stats was simple, succinct and straight. The preliminaries of church, service, however, were not. I liked their sense and style of brief dialect usage. brevity, certainly, is the soul of wit; if not of soul-winning.

The Message: The text was taken from Ecl. 1: 1 to 11. King Solomon lamented over the earth and its inhabitants as a Scientist (Nothing is changed -v. 4-7) first and later as a Philosopher(Nothing is new; v. 8-11). The end-result of everything he did with great hopes turned out to be vanity. What the king of wisdom kindled but left unsaid was that the only things of spiritual value, that would keep us in good stead, in the life beyond death, are the ones we do reluctantly, now, for our Lord. To that I added my own experience on the Solomonic line of thinking.

Life of Monotony: An old college joke: Put Mona and Tony together and it becomes monotony. Jokes aside, our lives too are not different. At times, I ask myself. Why do I work? To get money is the logical answer. Then, why do I want money? To buy food for sustenance. Why should I buy food-stuff? To gain and maintain strength, every guy who is not insane would say. Okay. if someone asks me, why do you have to gain strength? The only rational answer at my mental disposal will be, "I need to gain strength to enable myself to work". So, it's back to square one: the first question. Monotony.

I endorsed Solomonic take on Lifee: It dawned upon me that I had to give my IBC audience something novel that they could identify themselves with. Yes, there was nothing new. I wake up every morning to wash up, meet people, attend meetings and get ready in haste to either go to Moreh, the place of my placement, or drive at break-neck speed from Moreh in order not to be late for an importing meeting at Imphal or my DHQ, Chandel. Nothing new. The only new thing is that I had to break another door-lock and buy a new one. In geeting ready in a hurry at Moreh, I leave behind Imphal-key and vice versa. In my case, it is "ready in haste and repent at leisure". I could see folks in the pew bursting in amusement.

Is Life Worth Living? Solomon questioned>. The implied meaning is that generations of people came and went. Old systems gave way for new ones. Lifestyles and fashions changed, decade after decade, but the essence of life and permanence of planet earth remained the same. "As sure as the world", the Author echoed. And one sure thing man wants to undo, but cannot, is the brevity of life and the certainty of death. That there is a time for everything which chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes elaborates, may as well be the wise Author's between-the-line appeal to his future readers to "choose the precious from the vile (Jer 15:19)" in the limited time-frame offered between birth and death.

The Closing Impact: Men fear death, I geared up to wind up my message, so that might the sermon hearers may not think loud in their minds, "the good rain and the bad preacher do not know when to stop". We all go for life insurance. But what does insurance insure for the one who saves and suffers to pay up the periodical premium installments? For all his sacrificial living and saving, someone else will get the deposits and benefits after his death. Is it worth the trouble?

The Cross is Best Insurance Policy: I challenged the attentive congregation staring straight at me from the pew, that the should try the only true life insurance, that is having Lord Jesus as one's personal Saviour. In Christ, and trusting Him totally, you have eternal life insurance you will benefit now on earth, and in the life beyond death. So, taking up the cross is the best insurance policy. The collective nodding on the pew, by itself, proved my point. Confession of sin, setting things right with God and men and receiving forgiveness of the Lord are the only affordable premiums you have to pay to get your life eternally covered, here and thereafter.

The Key Players in IBC: Pastor Thangkhopao Haokip runs the show in IBC affairs. He conducts the services in the Baptist congregation. The fact that the Pastor enjoys the support of a motivated team of fellow-workers makes his job easier. Rev Khupthang, the General Secretary of KVTBA, under the fold of which which IBC comes, seldom throws his weight around IBC affairs. He has better things to do in the Lord's vineyard. KVTBA stands for Kabaw Valley Thadou Baptist Association. The prominent NW Myanmar Christian Association is anchored to ZBC, Falam, Chin Hills-based Zomi Baptist Convention of Myanmar.

The Crutches: Mrs Tingkholam takes good care of the Women issues of Immanuel Baptist Church, Tamu. Flaunting a permanent smile wherever she goes, the Women leaders had given a run for her male colleagues in her organisational set-up. Fresh from a Theological course done in Bangalore in India, Brother Douthang is the vibrant Youth Pastor of IBC. A close interaction with the Youth leader made me convinced that not every student of Theology takes the course to be a Me-ology.

GGMI To Make Its Tamu Debut: God willing, Go Gospel Ministry International is going to hold its first service in the outhouse hall of IBC on 19 September, 2010. The idea is to evangelise Tamu and its neighborhood through Gospel music and searching sermons. The medium of preaching will be English interpreted in Burmese. The target: Every community of Tamu. Soul in hand: Nil. The hall had been constructed by KVTBA with generous contributions from Pu Thangminlen Kipgen, Hon'ble Chairman, Hill Area Committee, Manipur and Pu Seiboi Singsit, respected Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Manipur. May God bless them a hundredfold.

Attached below is the GO GOSPEL theme song that I wrote in 2007. The Go-Gospel Concert song had gone global with the Amazing Voice of Zoram, AVZ C. Lalhmingmawii making it a part of the recently launched Gospel Goes Global Video album.

GO GOSPEL

Author: Lunminthang Haokip
Tune: Seigoumang Lhouvum

1. Love of men makes the world go round,
Love of God saves many who are hell-bound;
Sway of the crores lures the world to strife,
Way of the cross leads the soul to life;
That you love’s the way you want to go,
Let’s love the Lord and Gospel’s way go.

Say no to yourself and life of ease,
Say no to old-self and type that tease;
Things that please you are food for the flesh,
Links that bless you will the soul make fresh;
Turn shy from thy stray, it’s God’s good spell,
Let’s deny ourselves and go Gospel.

2. In the morning, ev’ry news is a bad news,
In ev’ry mourning, sorrow’s deal is due;
Greed to grab serves demands overdose,
Losers spared to breathe pay thru their nose;
If there’s no cease-fear in this sad spell,
It’s because we don’t live the Gospel.

3. Go ye, says the Lord, ye preach and teach,
What you get freely, give and reach each;
We go- but the pace is really slow,
We give but not fit to make ‘em grow
His voice let’s listen, set to hasten
That the earth by Gospel be shaken.

35th Wedding Anniversary of Mr & Mrs Ngamthang Haokip

Dish-co-munching at Gamnom Sapormaina
Favouring Shot; Dr DD Haokip IFS
KBC Local Choir
Mr and Mrs Ngamthang Haokip on stage

Imphal, the 6th September, 2010

35th wedding anniversary: Ngamthang Haokip of Gamnom Sapormaina (a corrupted word for sapers and miners camp)is a household name in the state of Manipur. The former Minister of this state may as well be referred as the showman of Sadar Hills. He does not know how to throw a small bash. If it is his, it has to be grand and pompous. The 35th anniversary of his marriage with his beloved wife, Heshi Haokip who he lovingly addresses as "kajinu" was no exception. All roads led to Sapormaina today.

The speeches:: Apart from the host, his elder brother, Seikholen Haokip, amused the 3000 strong well-wishers of the socially popular couple in his brief but entertaining speech."My brother Ngamthang, in his speech said he wishes to see their 50th wedding anniversary too", Seikholen said in jocular spirit. "But We all must wish and pray that my brother and my sister-in-law celebrate their 100th wedding anniversary too", saying thus, the only elder brother of Ngamthang who he respects like a dad concluded his talk.

The Entertainers: The Nepali dance performed by make-belief Nepalis of the locality was superb. The well-choreographed dance steps kept the audience glued to their seats with some artistic turns and moves of the body. The dance added feathers to the total festivity of the anniversary celebration. The juvenile touch of the vertical movements, later, energised the host and the hostess to shake a leg and wave a hand to the tune of Lenkhom song.

The Gospel song renditions: KBC Gamnom Sapormaina local Church choir presented a group song item to felicitate the host couple on their D-day. The number went well with the hearers. It was followed by the chrt-rocking Gospeel song item rendered solo by the much under-rated T2K @ Tintin Kipgen of Keithelmanbi.In the auspicious occasion, T2K shone like Wordsworth's Lucy -like a star when only one is shining in the sky.

The Crowd: None was lonely in the big crowd that came, invited or otherwise, to the community hall of Gamnom Sapormaina this day.Credit must be given to the event-managers of the anniversary jamboree. Not less than 3000 people well fed with sumptuous meals. It was quite a sight to watch folks from all walks of life feasting together to their hearts' content. The host wanted it big and eventful, and it exactly turned out to be so.

The VVIPs and VIPs: Among the politicos, Pu Thangso Baite, Hon'ble MP and his wife, Mrs Hatkhoneng Baite were most visible. Many Former and Ex-Ministers like Pu Korungthang, Former MLAs and Party functionaries also made their presence felt in the jam-packed anniversary bash. The unexpected guest was Pu LS John, former Minister.Pu Seipu Sitlhou, Hon'ble Chairman, Sadar Hills District Council and most of the newly sworn in MDCs of SH-ADC also turned up.

The Bureaucrats: Mr P.Sharat IAS, DG, SAT; WL Hangshing, IAS, Commissioner(PHED), Mr Pachuau IPS, IGP(Admn), Dr. DD Haokip IFS and SP/Chandel, among others, were seen around in the anniversary event till the end. Their full-bodied participation, for sure, gave a shot in the arm to the morale of Mr and Mrs Ngamthang Haokip.

The Spiritual Brigade: Dr. Hawlngam Haokip was the Minister of the function. Rev V. Sitlhou, GS, MBC, offered prayer in saying grace before the feast. Pastor N. Baite of KBC acted as the master of ceremonies. Most of the KBC Pastors and Reverends including the Ex Secretary, Rev Thangsat Kipgen showed up to wish the Haokip twossome. The bash concluded in a cheerful note with vote of thanks from Tongkhohao Haokip of Saitu.

-Lunminthang Haokip

The GGG Launch

Super- Cop-turned-Superb-Orator
The Vocalists, and song-writer of GGG; Mami, Lmt and Abea


Rev Dino Touthang dedicating GGG

THE GGG LAUNCH

By: Lunminthang Haokip


Mizoram House, Vasant Vihar, Delhi: The stage was set on 28 August, 2010 at Delhi’s swanky Mizoram house. At the stroke of 3:30, the punctuality freaks among the invitees had socially underlined their arrival. The chairman of the invitation committee, Pu L. Singson was a trifle worried that the majority of the guests to attend GGMI (Go Gospel Ministry, International) had not come full force. Early presence of dignitaries like Rev Dino Touthang, CEO, Habitat For Humanity, Delhi, Brother Sunder Singh, Senior Consultant, Standard Chartered Bank and Mrs Diki Hauzel, however, made up for the initial emptiness of the hall.

The Master of Ceremonies: Some guys cannot do away with their pride; others cannot shed their humility. Hyderabad-based Senior Pastor of GSCH – Good Shepherd Community Church, India, Rev. Paothang Haokip belongs to the latter category. Cheerful with a 100-watt smile always intact on his lips, the mobile OM (Operation Mobilization) dynamo took centre-stage following Rev. Letlal Haokip’s invocation. True to titular charge, Rev Paothang proved to all that one’s gift of the gab, not only could aptly fill up an event’s lapses and gaps, but could as well lift up the mood of the audience.

The Show Went On: The proceedings of music album release bash gained momentum after the surprisingly competent compeer, Miss Kimneo Haokip of HFH, invited the star performers of the show, Miss C. Lalhmingmawii and R. Lalbiakthanga from downtown Aizawl, the city of cheer, to render the theme song. The crooning duo’s fresh rendition of GGG in a new place captured the imagination of Gospel music lovers. Pu T. Misao, Chairman, KWS, Delhi, welcomed all invitees after that.

The Recitation: To drive the message home in clearer terms, Miss/Dr. Eunice Chonghoi Haokip, Post-Grad student of NIFW, New Delhi, was called on stage to read out the wording of the title song, Gospel Goes Global. The poem was set to soul-haunting tune by Chris MS Dawngkima of Magdalene’s fame. The number turned out to be every hearer’s favourite. That includes Mami, the vocalist herself. That nobody is sensitive enough to take time to appreciate the song-writer, of course, is an ignorance all lyricists try hard to ignore ( I am joking seriously).

The Pen-Pusher: This author who wrote all the 11 songs recorded in the DVD that was launched in the event was the opening batsman in giving speech. Addressing the dignitaries, it dawned in me to correlate, by the literary technique of “violent yoking of dissimilars”, situation that I could recall in the professional adventures of former super-cop and the day’s Chief Guest, Dr. H.T Sangliana who presently serves GOI as the Vice Chairperson of NCM, National Commission For Minorities. The focused audience forced a sneer when I, the otherwise serious-looking non-socialite, made an attempt to split jaws by citing witty anecdotes featuring GB Shaw and W. Churchill etc.

The Making of GGG: 8 of the GGG video items were handled solo by Mami with Abea’s lip-smacking back-vocal support here and there. The rest of the 3 song items were recorded as duets with both the main vocalists lending their voices. In the location shoots, Mami doubled up as the Director, costume designer, production manager etc in the producer’s absence. Credit should go to her for having so beautifully organised the tedious video shoot of songs like Aids, Lonely in a crowd and Kut. AVZ –(amazing voice of Zoram), another name for Mami, had to milk her social goodwill in getting things done in style. Besides, inputs put in by the video cam men, Zova and Patea also fitted well in our scheme of things. Go Gospel was shot just before dusk by Zova on the bank of a far-flung river bank.. Aizawl city video that framed the spirit of the hill-top city, was entirely Patea’s creation.

The Dedication Minister: Rev. Dino needs no introduction in Christian circles of the national capital. A frequent inter-continental globe-trotter, words gushed out of his mouth effortlessly like the unloading sound of stone chips. The invitees listened with amused demeanour when he made light-banter digs and references to his college-day interactions with this pen-pusher in the early nineteen seventies. Me too felt a sense of rendezvous when brother Dino spoke on our salad days. We used to nick-name U.C.C, Barapani as U See Sea etc.

The Glocal Gospel: However, it was when he told stories on his children’s comments on his face-book and twitter accounts that struck a chord with the invitees. His fresh ideas on the Gospel going global and glocal created a good impact. The CEO of HFH said, “The gospel was already global. But we must play our part as NE Indians to speed up its globalization process”. The senior Pastor of KWS (Kuki Worship Service), Delhi declared the imminence of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world .........” in presupposing the global meaning of the Good news. Rev. Dino finally dedicated the GGG DVD in prayer.

The Inroduction: Before the grand speech of the Chief Guest happened, glib-tongued Brother Paothang, as an introduction to the former MP, waxed eloquent on the social spurs Pu H.T. Sangliana earned in the course of discharging his duty fearlessly as an outstanding IPS officer. The OM leader also stressed the simplicity of the stern strong-willed former super-cop who had a weakness for the poor and helpless people around him.
The master of ceremonies also shared interesting incidents when the big officer took utmost care not to make small folks feel small.

Speech From The Chief Guest: Excerpts: “God has been kind to me. I am where I am because of His blessing. I believe in God strongly”. No one who got glued to their seats doubted what the former DGP said. His life was an open book. The GGG Launch bash CG continued, “The release of GGG is meaningful because it encourages people to tell more about Jesus. Christ came into this world as a representative from heaven to experience all trials and tribulations”.

The Bold Preacher: Pu Sangliana was a cut above the rest. Through out his revered career-graph, he never minced words in respect of persons. Calling a spade a spade became his trademark. The uniformed cop who once saluted his God himself, all alone inside a Church, further preached, “Jesus gave a simple message, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father , but by me (John 14:6). Whenever Christ affirmed “I am”, people thought he was arrogant or was bragging. But the truth is that if you want to live in heaven, you will have to take Him at His own word”.

The Truth Not Concealed: The ambience went Gospel with Dr. Sangliana going spiritual. “Brother Paothang stretched his praise for me a bit too far”, the staunch Christian Officer said further, “Today, we promote the GGG album that through this, people may come to know more about Christ, accept Him and live with Him for ever. I used to challenge non-believers to try Christ for 6 months or 1 year; and to throw Him out if not satisfied later. But I knew no believer would throw Christ out. I am sure God will bless this album”. Maddening applause rent the air after the CG’s sermon.

The Close: Following Mrs. Nengkim Haokip’s presents and gifts to the special invitees prior to her “vote of thanks”, and the singing of GGG numbers by Mami and Abea, the bash came to a close with a word of prayer by Pastor Angam Kipgen. Amen. A simple dinner was served by GGMI, L. Thinglhangphai, Manipur, India.

GOSPEL GOES GLOBAL

By: Lunminthang Haokip

1. God told Adam not to eat the fruit,
Eve got sold on lies that hid the Truth;
Win for Satan, heaven was saddened,
Sin of Eden gave men a burden;
The good that he wants, he cannot do,
The evil he hates, he cannot spew.

We do what we like and guilt we get,
We rue o’er our lot and for sin fret;
The Word is grave but the world’s naive,
The Lord in Love calls His own to save;
Coz God wants to sin in all dispel,
The old Gospel is going global.

2. To the globe’s ends His trained the Lord sent,
That them who grope and faint may repent;
The Spirit moves, good- spell goes global,
Here creed dupes and Gospel goes tribal;
It’s time to re-link self with soul’s thirst,
Let’s rethink and put things of God first.

3. Crises have men bold, led down and fall,
Jesus loves souls and shed blood for all,
That all who life had pained to lose hope,
May come back to Him and regain hope;
That at home the Good News each may get,
God made Word go global in the net.