Childhood Memoirs | by Liankhankhup Sektak

Much of the memorable events of my childhood were absent as their were no inscription. But I could tell the major events today that happened in governing my family before I was formed from womb which my mother told me when I was nine or Ten. My mom, who narrated those events and incidents still alive as of writing this article but my father was no more...

My parent were once lived in Sinzang Village next to Pamzal near Kaihlam. Most of my brothers and Sister were borne here and lived below poverty line. As my parent were struggled with daily bread, no son nor daughter were given education. Most probabely, education was not valued nor esteemed by the people as a whole. My father was a load carrier on demand as he could carried morethan his weight. My families were survived there by Maize, pumkin, yam, sweet potatoes and sometime rice and Maize flour.

One fine day, there were no stocked of food in my family. All my brothers were still young, my mother was waiting my father who went to the forest in hope to get wild YAM. He didnt returned even in the early hours of evening. My mom was in tense and helpless as all my brothers and sister were cried in Hungry. My mom was helpless and couldnt see the hungry children and went outside the village wait for my father to come back from the forest. A man carrying many things was approaching her and she thought that he was my dad and scolded him while distance, " Children were crying in hungry, why didnt you returned early". Unfortunately, that man was not my father and both of them laugh at each other.

Around 1970s at the same village, one of my brother Mr. Paubawi was severely sick and as a child he couldnt eat wild Yam. My mom went to the neighbours and relatives in search of rice, nobody were willing to share rice to my pity mam who worn savy dress with flying hair. With painful tears, she bade farewel to her lovely son Late Mr. Paubawi as he died of hunger.

In 1980s, in search of better living, my families were migrated to Tonglon, 30 kms far from Lamka. Chief of Tonglon Pu. Pumzakham, brother of Pu. Gouchinkhup was such a good man who had guide,care and helped my family atleast to live in a normal living. Some of my brothers were grown-up here to assist them that my mam described as a bit "RELAX". Even in Tonglon, the entire village were starved and famine hit the entire community as government isolated them.

My grandfather Late Mr. Zamgou and his wife Late Mrs. Songkhoniang had passed away before I could recognized their images. On July 27, 1983, God allowed me see the light of this world then my brother Max.

" You were such a handsome baby but now you had lost your childhood handsome", said my mother after completion of my degree. I did enjoy my early childhood and went to school without pen (khekol) with no shoe. My leg was as black as coal, remarked my early School Teacher Late Mr. Kamkhanthang Tonsing, Mr. Shingkhum and Mrs. Niangkhanngai.

A photo of me and my brother max said to be photographed in 1989 was the only photo which I could preserve till today. A word said by me to my mam before she went to field , "NU, NALOU KUANCHIANG IN, THENGTHE HONPUAK AW" and she brought many for me. "Word cant describe how happy I was", as my heart content with a cheap demand. I cooked food, mopped home, carrying water, collecting firewood and traditional grinding rice were my basic daily routine. I was interest and talented in study as far as I knew. But, I was a boy who didnt believe whether right or wrong instructed by other than my Teachers". When I studied fourth Standard at J.B School, Tonglon, I carried my eldest brother daughter Chinglunkim in the classroom. The teacher told me to sit and write my lessons but she prevent me from sitting. The teacher punished me for bringing baby in the classroom and she afraid his shouting and cried. Having refused permission to go out as the child being cried , I had no option and cried with my daughter.

It was shame in front of other without wearing any pen in the school and I had requested my brothers to get pen for school. He answered, " I did not wear any shirt nor pen after crossing ten years", . If I am a good artist, I would have drawn my childhood photo and have a good laugh today".
I was taught Bible stories by my parent, prayers, sent to Sunday School, sent to attend Children Conference which we describe in own vernacular "Tonglon Täng Naupang Khawmpi", Crusade all those laid my future foundation.

I didnt remember the exact date and time but there was a weeklong crusade in my school especially for Children. My friends were cried out as the Evangelist Mr. Thawnkhansuan cheered us to cried before the Lord and Confess Sins. I did confess my sins before the Lord but there was no tears for me while being pretended to be cry. I applied saliva in my eyes as he was closely looking at us whether we were crying or praying. In the night, the Pastor Late Mr. Thualkhothang gave us baptism and declared we were born again". Later my mind was disturbed with "what really born again is?" . On october 30, 1999, Mrs. Hauniang FMPB detailed out all the works and love of Jesus to us and there I personally recieving Jesus my Lord and Savior.

Word cant describe how a pleasant moment the early childhood was, sometimes I wish if I could recall those memories. But it will never come again in my life. Today I learnt from the Lord how to be happy as I am.



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