Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial A Road Trip to – the Land of Golden Pagodas-1 Saturday, September 29, 2018 By- Maheshwar Gurumayum

As with every new journey, the He calls the state trip to Myanmar was preceded by the excited preparations and Government as anticipations of new discoveries of places, people and the opportunity unrecognized association to experience a glimpse of the life of a different culture, customs and – and there is no word region- a different country in this case. Often called the Land of Golden Pagodas or The Golden from the state authority Land, this part of South East Asia The legitimacy of appointing Prof. Yugindro as Pro-VC by VC has been a reclusive state for almost Professor AP Pandey on September 20, when the 2 members half a century ruled by Military inquiry committee is in full swing and when the Memorandum Junta. After its transition to of Agreement signed between the MHRD representative, Democracy, there has been an Manipur Government representative and Manipur University increase in footfall of tourists many community on August 16 is being complied is not the reason are willing to visit and explore this for intensification of the ongoing agitation at Manipur once reclusive state. Myanmar is bridges on this road stretch. We childbirth in 1812, the White and Bamar. Oh yes, another University. much more than a neighbour stopped at some local eateries on Pagoda is also called as Hsinbyume thought came into my mind and this There seems to be some hidden agenda, as the move to country and has been an integral our way and were greeted with Pagoda. time it is about our Heritage Park at hand over the charge of the VC by the newly appointed VC is part of our history since time “mingalaraba” with a friendly smile. While in , one cannot Hatta Kangjeibung. Ours is in a proceeded in a hasty move. The way that the so called Pro VC immemorial. Stories of numerous We had a hard time trying to miss the World’s second Largest very pitiful condition and I would entered the Manipur University Complex with former in- wars between the Avas (Awas) and communicate and had to talk in sign Bell, put up by King Bodawpaya say the structures at Hatta are just Charge Registrar along with a huge number of security force Manipur before the British era still language with the people out there also known as the , for namesake after seeing the on the afternoon of September 20, talks volumes about some lingers on in our minds. as they had little or no knowledge weighing a total of 90 tons. National Races Village. hidden agenda. Predictably, i did not hesitate of English. The menu was all written Our next stop is the 1. Kachin: Traditional house of The conspiracy behind the game being played is slowly even for a moment when a golden in Burmese and one cannot figure Kaunghmudaw Pagoda which was Kachin nationals are mostly made unfolding as the version of alleged Pro-VC Yugindro differs chance came up for me along with out what to order. All we had to do modeled after of Bamboo, thatch and wood. At from the clarification made by the Chief Minister N. Biren few other fellow journalists to visit was talk in sign language or point pagoda of Sri Lanka. It is an the rear of the house, mortar, pestle Singh in the wake of the 48 hours bandh called by 6 different this Golden Land by road organized to the items laid on other people’s important pilgrimage and tourist and firewood are kept. One can see student’s organizations of the state. Moreover, students and by Department of Information and table. I noticed that most of the food hotspot in the region. Construction many paintings and pictures teachers gathered on the day protesting the taking charge of Public Relations, Government of items are similar to ours although started during the reign of King depicting Traditional utensils on the in-charge VC by Yugindro don’t seems like to be criminals Manipur. the cooking style is different. on 25 April 1636 and was the wall. Also Horn of Mython, as none of them were notice holding deadly weapons and as The first-hand experience of After dinner, we resumed our completed 12 years later. One Ceremonial Spear, Guar’s Horn, per photo available with many the Pro-VC was seen serving trans-border formalities at the journey towards along cannot forget the story of Maharaj Quiver, Tumee Guns and Deer’s tea by the students inside the room. Integrated Check Post located at the the same Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa Garibniwaz aka Pamheiba entering Horn are displayed on the wall. Very The version of Prof. Yugindro who allegedly filed compliant Indian side of the border at Moreh road. All night we were on the the Pagoda and marking the eastern similar to a traditional Meitei house. to the Police and that of the Chief Minister does not match at leaves a lot to be desired and is vehicle, could not sleep a wink. door with his sword as a mark of 2. Kayah: A traditional house of all. That is why desperateness of the Chief Minister to take evidently at a very nascent stage at After a hectic ride for almost victory. The door is nowhere to be Kaya Nationals does not have any some action was notice and the midnight crack down inside least in terms of efficiency. The 14hrs we finally reached Mandalay seen now and it is said to be kept windows and roofing goes past the the Manipur University Campus of Sept 20 seem to be paperwork, immigration process and the next morning. The landscape away in some storeroom away from floor and almost touches the something which he felt the only way to defend his position the whole lot was a mess and could has changed to a completely new Public view. It would have been ground. Processing of Cotton from the central leadership. This is notice from the statement have been managed in a more one and the weather was great if we were able to witness the textile materials are shown step by forecasted by the Chief Minister using all means of media at systematic manner. We were comparably hot and humid. After door and the sword mark, maybe step. One cannot miss the Bamboo the aftermath of the bandh called. directed to run all over the place for driving a couple of hours we came the Burmese Government didn’t mugs for serving brew. Each and everybody including those who are favouring the getting our paperwork done. After upon the mighty Irrawaddy River. want the world to witness it for 3. Kayin: VC AP Pandey knew that the Memorandum of Agreement stamping on our Passport, we This river which flows from North reasons known best to them. The first thing to be noticed signed on August 16 after three days of hectic discussion in crossed to border on Myanmar side to South through Myanmar is the The Pagoda is different from about a Kayin traditional house is the presence of Chief Minister and his colleagues knew that and were made to enter our details country’s largest river and one of other traditional Burmese style. the Bronze Frog drum and Buffalo the VC AP Pandey have no respect for it and have been challenge at the Immigration office. As the most important Commercial Some local lore has it that the relic horn, the former is said to be a to the court of law. At one of his submission to the Enquiry compared to our side’s handling of waterways. One can witness the chamber of the pagoda contains the symbol of Kayin National races. A Committee dated September 9, 2018, AP Pandey term Manipur Visas and all, I found theirs to be a various cargo ships, ferries and lower left tooth relic of the Lord total of four rooms comprise a government as unrecognized association and the MU lot more systematic and efficient. other small ships right from the Buddha, 11 hair relics, an alms bowl, traditional Kayin house. community as illegal. After finishing with our paperwork, road. Also, in the west bank statues, pagodas and other relics. 4. Chin: It is his right to challenge anything which he felt that he has we got the green signal to move backdrop one can view the various After strolling through the various The most significant symbol of been framed in violation of the rule of law to the law court ahead. We were equally excited to Pagodas of Mingun. shop stalls selling worship a Chin house is the Hornbill. and he had done that. Pandey had already filed a writ petition travel through the roads leading Mingun is a town in materials like incense sticks, Hornbill Bird, Bear Skull, Barking to the Manipur High Court challenging the MoA and also the from Tamu towards Kalemyo which Township of , north- sandalwood, flowers and Dear Skull, Guar Skull, Mythun enquiry committee. is about 133 Kms from Tamu. This west Myanmar with the ruins of the numerous photo sessions, we bid Skull are put up above the main As of now the case is pending in the law court and no verdict stretch of Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa incomplete Mingun adieu to Kaunghmudaw Pagoda. door. The Blacksmith’s workplace regarding the MoA is being announced. Untill Court says section is a part of the Trilateral which was started by King While sitting on the bus during is one of the attractive aspects of a anything there is no such provision that Mr. AP Pandey can Highway (India-Myanmar- Bodawpaya in 1790. Legend claims our journey, I saw something on traditional Chin house. simply denied co-operation to the enquiry committee and also Thailand) built by Border Roads that the temple was not completed the road which captured my 5. Mon: his terming the government of Manipur as unrecognized Organisation. The road was as an astrologer claim that the King attention. A vivid picture of our In the Mon traditional house, association need to be seriously handled. noticeably smoother than the Imphal would die once the construction of Traffic system flashed into my mind one can witness the Mon And another thing that need to be pondered is that why the –Moreh stretch. The thought that if the temple is complete. If completed, when I saw the way Traffic rules traditional Crocodile Musical MHRD had accepted the Pro VC appointed by Prof. AP Pandey are being followed out there. In my Instrument, Mon Crescent Moon- at the capacity of when the MHRD had agreed that during the entire journey, I did not see a single Shaped Gong and Mon traditional period of inquiry and until follow up action taken on the inquiry commuter breaking Traffic rules. utensils. Also, a traditional Mon report by the competent authority, preferably within a period We Manipuris have a long way to Cart and Mon Boat are placed on of 15 days, Prof. AP Pandey will be on leave, how could they go and can learn a lot from the the yard. recognized the Pro VC appointed by him on Sept 10 this year. Burmese at least when it comes to 6. Shan And more over the University Act 2005 regarding the matters of civic sense. They don’t Two ladders are kept at a Shan appointment of Pro VC has not been followed . have any road dividers/medians but traditional, one is said to be for use As per the statute of the Manipur University – pro Vice they never cross other lanes or by Guest and the other for the Chancellor shall be appointed by the Executive Council on the overtake like we do out here. Also, owner/family members of the recommendation of the VC. Prof. Pandey who joined the roads are narrow or not so big as house. Fishing equipments, Manipur University on October 26, 2010 neither issued any compared to ours. Our Government traditional musical instruments are order about the abolition of the Court, the Executive Council expanding roads in the name of displayed. There is also a replica of , the Accademic Council, the College Development Council Traffic management seems like a Inle Lake outside the house. etc. nor had been issued order for replacement of the member. big joke to me after seeing all these. 7. Rakhine What he did was that he never called sitting of any of the What we need is Proper Traffic One can observe the customs statutory bodies which is mandatory in any university. This management and proper awareness and the way the houses are built in means the Executive Council does exist and the name of Prof. of traffic rules among Commuters. accordance with the tradition of Yugindro was not placed in the executive council for Now it is time for us to start our Rakhine. A Weaving model and a appointment of Pro VC . The first line of the order for journey to Yangon, which is an traditional boat are displayed on the appointment of Pro VC reads – “In the anticipation of approval overnight drive from Mandalay via ground of the house and on the o the executive Council …………….” Which executive council Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. house yards respectively. The was Prof. AP Pandey referring too. After seeing the Bus we are going traditional longyi worn by many is Prof. AP Pandey’s blatant lei about not receiving any to travel, a faint hope came into said to be woven by the Rakhine summoned from the Enquiry Committee and terming the mind- a hope that I will be able to women using the Rakhine Weaving government of Manipur as unrecognized association need to India can do so much for its it would have been the largest in sleep, as the Bus is quite spacious Model. be deal with extreme seriousness or else people will start neighbouring counterpart, why the world at 150 meters. Now many and comfortable as compared to the 8. Bamar asking – if AP Pandey is above the government of Manipur? can’t it do the same for our two cracks are visible on the structure one we travelled in from Tamu to The traditional house of Bamar Playing blame game to save one person is not the people National Highways which are the from the earthquake of 23rd March Mandalay. nationals are said to be designed expects from those in the government. lifelines of our landlocked state. 1839. A couple of steps from the After an overnight drive, we from an ancient form of a rich man’s Now, Imphal Times felt that, people who read our newspaper Many of the lifestyles and the unfinished stupa, one can view the finally reached Yangon Bus house from Shwe Bo City. Also have the right to know why MU community wanted action landscapes as well are quite similar beautiful white Myatheindan Terminus early in the morning. After traditional musical instruments are against AP Pandey. And this news paper will start publishing to ours. Although the Landscapes Pagoda with a unique style said to checking in at Hotel 63 and having displayed on a Bamar national the irregularities committed by him one after another as were beautiful, they were nothing be modeled after the mythical brief rest (for me it was 2 hrs sleep), house. One can observe the peoples’ judgment seems to be need of the hour. new to me, for one raised in Manipur Mount Meru. The story behind this we started out for National Races customary ways of living, get to see such beautiful White Pagoda is reminiscent of the Village which is located near handicrafts and style of dress. Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ landscapes, if one wander away a Taj Mahal of India. Built in 1816 by Thanlyin Bridge, Thaketa I definitely recommend visiting can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. little away from Imphal. So, no Bodawpaya’s grandson and Township. In National Races this place, if you want to learn more excitement till this point for me. One successor Bagyidaw dedicating it Village, one can have a sneak peek about the lifestyles and custom of For advertisement kindy contact: - 0385-2452159 (O). cannot forget the number of small in fond memory of his first spouse of the lifestyle of the various races the various races of Burma from this For time being readers can reach the office at Cell bridges, that too one- way and I was Princess Hsinbyume or Lady of the of Myanmar namely Kachin, Kayah, National Races village. Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. told we will encounter a total of 52 White Elephant who died during Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (More writing coming up)