Philip Thanglienmang DANICS
“The wise shall inherit glory but shame shall be the promotion of fools” Proverbs 3:35
I was rather surprised when Mr. Thansuonmung Suontah; Chairman Youth Department, ZCF Delhi rang me up requesting me to write an article, for the coming Decade of existence Youth department magazine which will be released on the occasion of 10th Anniversary(Decadal) Celebration of Youth Department’s existence; serving the fellowship and the youths of Zomi Christian Fellowship Delhi. It took me about a week to decide which topic to pen down for my younger brethren of ZCF Youth Department on the occasion of their Decadal existence in the capital of India.
One day while I was discussing some topics of our society with some of our young boys, it occurred to me that I should write on the topic ‘Youth and Career’ which i thought would be the most appropriate subject in this age of fast changing globalization of our society. When I begin to write this topic, my thoughts goes back to the time when I was a village urchin, roaming freely and carefree in the rivulets and forests(jungles) of my native hills searching for spring season mushrooms of various hues and varieties, wild roots and wild fruits.
Climbing the rainforest trees and scampering in the paddy fields trying to catch the tiny rats and mice or at times running after venomous snakes. I recalled the Chakpi river in full spate in the monsoon seasons washing away the river banks with loud bangs. Where, I used to swim the dangerous torrents of river currents while on angling trips to the length and breadth of the river Chakpi catching eels(snake fish). I recall the times when I used to go to the school reluctantly with my half-torn half-pants, one piece shirt and a pair of sleepers carrying a bag load of books.
When difficult and tormenting subjects like English Hindi and Manipuri turn came during the day, we would bunk the class one by one on the pretext of going to the toilet to escape being thrashed with long canes of our teachers. From then on, we would climb up the high hills upwards situated on the eastern side of my school, and climbing up on the midway the high hills where we set up a tree camp below canopy of trees; some which born edible fruits; which we christened them as Vitamin fruits. In the cool and breezy afternoon we used to basked away in the jungle camps enjoying the cool wind blowing or the bright sushines or braving the heavy rains till the above mentioned subjects passed over with time. Once, six of our class mates with my naughty initiatives, we went down to a river called Konohli which is an abandoned river valley formed as an oxbow lake near the Chakpi river(Tapei lui). We swam in the river till the school was over. On reaching the school, our headmistress declared us; Blacksheep of the school. As retribution for our sins, we were asked to carry school books on our heads from the school to girls convent. It so, happened on that day, I did not bring my school bag(books) to school, the result was that I was given a big piece of oval stone to carry headlong which I carried reluctantly on my young head.
When I reached home, my father interrogated me as to why I misled my classmates and took them to the river, I had no concrete answer. He advised me never to mislead anyone from that day onwards. I thought that he would thrash me thoroughly because of my naughty pranks, but he did not lift up any cane or stick to strike me. It really touched my inner thoughts and mind. My young head began to explore many things silently then on.
My father told me about many of his comrades in the army whose children had gone on to become respectable people and officers. Gradually, my young minds began to think of possibilities of becoming like some of the children of his comrades. First of all, he told me that if you know English you will be able to become an officer. This piece of advice fired my young mind like the most powerful engine of my being. He put me to Manipuri and Hindi tuitions a physically challenged tutor Late Kokngang taught us. For Maths tuition he sent me to our village postmaster Mr. Anandi(Assamese) who married our my distant cousin and he became a part and parcel of our society. Then on, I began to take things more seriously. My father used to ask me then, ‘Mangkang, when you grow up what will you provide your wife and children?’ (‘Mangkang aw, na let ciengin na zi na tate bang in na vata diei?’ ciin ei dong let hi.).
In those days, my father’s fields tenants were Nepalis, out of innocence, I replied that when I grow up the Nepalis will provide us food. Now, of course, I know that it is not so. That my father meant to ask me what would be my Career when i grow up. He was building my mental Career.
When, I used to behold our society around me the situation was quite distressing, poverty and illiteracy hovering like the eagles on high. I thought what was wrong with us, can’t we rise up with dignity ? Others can do it, why can’t I do ? What am I made of ? Definitely, not less inferior! to anyone around me. Everywhere, I used to hear unpleasant words of scornful remarks and despise about my society which of course, I would keep it to myself for now. I prayed to my creator, ‘Oh, my creator, God, why did you make me to be despised and look down upon by my fellow brothers around me?’ Can’t I be also like them or more progressing than them?. Then, my creator spoke to me through my inner being that I could surely be more than the people you see around and interact with them. Then, I asked and prayed to my creator again, ‘Oh, my creator, how can I become more or equal to the people I see around me?’ He replied to me, ‘Son, be wise, always seek wisdom and knowledge, then I will give you glory and peace of mind’. He said to me, ‘You are poor, I know this fact very well, but seek me seek my wisdom and my knowledge, you shall be provided’. He said to me, ‘ My son, you have to follow my advice of 1-2-3 formula, if you want to become someone in the society’. Then, I asked my creator, ‘ My good creator, what is this formula of 1-2-3 ? Can you please explain in detail?’.
Then, my creator told me as given below: ‘My son, Formula 1-2-3 can be explained like this, when you get up in the morning from your bed you must give me No.1 preference over others by remembering me that I am your creator and you must surrender yourself to me first(No.1) before you begin your day. In the second place, think of Jesus my only begotten son who died for you and in the third place think of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Your mind should meditate on the Holy Trinity everyday. This is the First Formula 1-2-3. After that, give No. 1 importance to your father and mother, secondly give importance to your teachers and thirdly give importance to your duties. This is the Second Formula 1-2-3. While you tread the path of Youth from childhood to puberty, then to teenage and to adulthood, my son do not loose sight of your Career by indulging in your Youthful Dreams and Desires.
You must balance well these two powerful forces lest you be carried away in unidirectional route. After all these tempestuous sailing through your Youthful Passion and Dreams, You will across more important events of your life say for example Class X level which I would again classify as No.1 of the Third Formula 1-2-3. Balance your Youthful Passion with your Youthful Career lest you fall into dark pitch of no return for glory of life and peace of mind. There will be stormy seas and rough roads ahead of you but you must proceed on, to cross the hurdles on your way. When you cross this No. 1 you will come to the next number.
As you grow further and further into teenage wanderings, you come to Class XI which I say this stage is No.2 of our Second Formula 1-2-3. Here, also you shall again have to balance your Youthful Passions and Dreams with Your future Career lest you become a mediocre of life with no honour or glory. There is no pain no gain as the age old adage says it so. Mount Everest was not climbed with ease by Sir Tenzing Norkay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Roman was not built in a day. Come to Class XII, the final No. 3 of our Third Formula 1-2-3 will be the most crucial event of your Youthful Passions and Youthful Career both of them have to be looked after well, also well-balanced for your youthful Prosperity of your future earthly life with your near and dear ones. This stage of our Fomula is like the U.S Space Programs where the Space Shuttles are carefully designed and manufactured to utmost precisions in order to shoot into the unknown heavens. Of course, some are successful others end up in failures like the one which shot up astronaut Kalpana Chawla and other 6(six) astronauts.
You must gear up your Youthful Passions and Youthful Career cautiously and seriously otherwise your Youthful Career Flight path might go haywire into abysmal depth of no return into the deep oceans of chaotic world like the sunken Spacecraft or Ship. Your Youthful Passions must and must be well-regulated and disciplined and channelized for your future Youthful Career. All the might and power of your of Youthful Existence should be directed towards your time bound and time limiting Youthful Career hunt on this earthly sojourn.
Always, remembering what your creator explained to you in the beginning of the Formula 1-2-3 interpretations. “For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, let thine heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.
Get wisdom, get understanding forget it not…” Proverb 4: 3-5 “Oh, Youth where are thou now ? Yes, thou are already 3 decades behind me but Youth thou hast chastised me and taught me to live the rest of my elderly life”. As Psalm 37:11 says ‘The meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace’. And Psalm 37: 29 says; ‘The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever’.
God is the Creator, Giver and Taker of all things. Whatever you see all around you are his and he can surely bestow upon you only trust in Him and yourself, O, Youthful man and woman open your eyes and ears do not disbelieve the truth of my sayings.
Lastly, let us always remember the saying of Our Lord Jesus, ‘Ask it shall be given unto you, knock it shall be opened unto you’.
No comments:
Post a Comment