A Child's View

Me throwing a tantrum

This is me. Marvin H Thangjam

This is not me. GIA

On December 13, 2007, I became one year old.

I can stand up on my toes for a while and one step. It's a good feeling.

My mother cleaned the room, kept my pram outside and finally washed me good. I smelt good everyone said.

I received lots of toys, mostly cars (two I've already broken). Dashika and Gia attended my birthday. Monu, Hanna were other two girls who visited me. Daniel, the fat baby was present, too. Cheche Laisana did not turn up coz her mother has a 12 months old baby. Yet, she sent Rs. 200 to get myself a gift.

The baloons were a bit scary; kept bopping up and down a lot. The best part was cutting the cake. Some naughty seniors smeared cream on my face.

I had a nice time.

Guest list:

1. Jullie, Hanna, Daniel and family

2. Dashika and family

3. Gia and family

4. Sunita and family

5. Ka Amos and Florence

6. Geeta Potshangbam

7. Monu and family

8. Sheetal and family

9. Naobi and family (visted and day before with losts of toys)

10. Rahul and Gopu

11. Kaka Newton (Cerelac)

12. Kulveer and family (Car)

13. Kaka Manichandra (Jacket n car)

I was born in a small town called Imphal in Manipur. Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, yeah, in the Maternity Ward on a cold December morning:

Date: December 13, 2007

Day: Wednesday

Time: 11.40 am (IST)

Weight: 38.2 Kg

Sex: Male

Complexion: Fair

Birth mark: A white spot on my right sheen

Method: Caesarian

Name of Doctor: Dr. Shantibala (MBBS)

Temperature outside: Around 12 (degree) C

Sunshine: Bright sunshine (Foggy upto 10.30 am)

The preparation of my earthcoming started in New Delhi, nine months ago. My mother was a private practinioner (lawyer). She's working with a lady named Rinchen Ongmi from Sikkim, mother to two baby girls, who lived in Defence colony. My father had just completed his Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru Univerity, (submitted his thesis in August 2005). He worked for sometime in NCERT as Project Associate. But that was for a few months (6 months). My mother shouldered the responsibility of running the family. They say, it was difficult days but happiest times of their lives.

Both my parents met each other when they came to Delhi to pursue their graduation. My mother came to Delhi a year ahead of my father in the year 1992. She studied in Gargi College, University of Delhi, taking Botany as her honours subject. She had her schooling in Tiny Tots School, Imphal, later completing her secondary schooling from GP Women's College, Imphal. When they met, she was in the second year of her college life. I see the picture of my mother in her youth, she's the most beautiful woman on earth.

My father. He came to Delhi with many unfulfilled tasks. He did not fare well in his +2 as much as he expected. He did not join medicine or engineering as many of his friends did. Dr. Romen Keisham, a schoolmate of my father used to say, he was lucky to meet my mother and change the course of his life. During the first two years, first my father joined a Christian Cult, called University Bible Fellowhip. And in his remaining days of the graduation days, he got involved with the Manipur Students' Association, Delhi. Only after, they met each other, he did begin to concentrate in his studies, successfully cleared his graduation and joined Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi for his post graduation in political science. That was in 1996.

They met each other in October 1993 in a Bible Conference organised by UBF at Mt. Carmel School, New Delhi. But they exchanged their first kiss in a small park at Motibagh II, where they're staying. The date: October 31, 1993. They're starcrossed lovers. My father left UBF because they started presing him to abandon my mother. They do not exactly remmember the date, but it was on a hot summer day. My father was persuaded to travel on a Summer Camp, UBF, at Nainital. My father ran back from the railway station (Old Delhi) to my mother. There he found her weeping like a lost girl. Since then, he stopped visiting the UBF. Good for them.

They went around together for around 10 years. Ultimately, they got married on February 11, 2004 at my father's place. My maternal relatives initially objected their relationship, being Tangkhuls, they dreaded my mother being married to a Meitei male. Meiteis are notorious for polygamy.

My parents returned to Delhi to complete their studies; my mother her LLB from Delhi University and my father, his PhD from JNU. Both of them stayed in their respective hostels - my mother in the SC/ST Hostel at Dilshad Garden and my father in 271, Sabarmati Hostel, JNU. 271 was their nest. My mother used to visit him on weekends. Both of them survived on my father's monthly and mother's income from tutoring three kids. After the submission of his thesis, they stayed in a small but cosy room in Murnika. Thats where they nurtured me in my mom's peaceful womb.

They took time to concieve me. They did not have enough income, first of all, to lead a decent life, and thus, could not afford me. My father wrote in his diary: I know your coming is going to change our fortune. Indeed, I did. Very soon, in September 2006, my father joined Strategic Analysis (India) Private Ltd, as a Project Manager, drawing a huge salary.

Thus, I came on this earth carrying upon my shoulder, the fortune of my parents. I am happy to be their son.

The day was cold as I told you so. Dew drops all over the earth's surface and a chill wind. I started moving inside my mom's womb at around 03.00 am on December 13, 2006. They rushed us to the hospital, and safely delivered me at 11.40 am. My father called us up on his way to office. He had to unboard the bus to speak to us. He asked for my picture. This is what they sent him.

Here I am today, a boy of 11 months, learning the human tongues and movements in all its absurdity. But man, I am glad I am here.