Received a lovely gift of books from the Oxford University Press, Pakistan for doing the review of various manuscript for them. It is such a pleasant and happy feeling to finally see a printed book after having done the manuscript review in a word or PDF file on your lap top. The manuscript gets a life of its own.
Before we leave Mizoram all the students of the University of Hyderabad gathered together to give us a grand dinner on the evening of 16th May, 2017. I was so moved to see the net working, organisation and the deep feeling of love and attachment among the students for their University. I met Mizo students from Management, Bio technology, English Literature, Heath Science, Social sciences and of course many from History. All these students are well settled and doing well and have brought a good name for our University in Mizoram . Some of them are in the Police, in Government jobs, in Research labs, in the University and many in Colleges. My student Malsawmdawngliana has written many books on the history of Mizoram and he presented me few of his books. A great evening and thanks a lot to all you guys and girls. I am very touched and moved that irrespective of the discipline, it is the University that brought us together and you are still so deeply connected with it and value it a lot. It was indeed a great feeling. Our University will be very proud that it has so many students who are carrying forward its name . It is the University of Hyderabad which is the bridge which will always connect us to each other. A big thank you to all of you., Zara Ralte Achhuana Hmar Azuali Sdl Chhakchhuak and Malsawma Lailung. Very touch and moved by your love and affection and hospitality.
I was Invited by the Centre for Women's Studies, Mizoram University and gave a lecture on Trafficking of women in South Asia on 16th May, 2017. Met the Director Prof. Lalneihzovi and had a long discussion on the Women's Studies Centres in different Universities.
The world's largest single family under a roof. Today spent the day at Baktawng village about 100 km. from AIjwal in Mizoram in the house of Zionnghaka Ziona. He has 39 wives(now 37), 89 children and 33 grand children. At present 180 members live in a single house. His eldest wife is 76 years old and three years elder to Ziona . she is the one who controls the family and rotates the tasks among the different family members. Ziona was born on 20th July, 1944 and is 73 years old. At one time 30 kg of rice is cooked for lunch and dinner . they grow most of this but have to purchase some rice from the whole sale market provided by the Government. They have vegetarian food every day two times a day at 8 to 9.00 in the morning and 4 to 5.00 in the evening. Non vegetarian food is served on a Sunday once a week. The whole place was very neat and each and every one was doing their job of cooking, cleaning. They have a pig farm. Cattle farm, their own furniture making and aluminium vessels making place. They sell milk worth Rs. 20,000 per month. They have their own school, play ground. An experience worth remembering. I had detailed interview and plan to write about this unique family.
Travelled to Sialsuk, about 69 Km.to the south of Aijawal in Mizoram. This is the village of my student Zara Ralte. My! What a wonderful day and what soothing sights on the way. The vast expanse of the mountains spread across miles and miles and enfolded in such a serene, peace, tranquil and soothing environment. Such a pollution free air. Met Zara's mom and other family members and was treated to a spread of Mizo dishes. Mizo food is simple and there is no use of any oil, spices or salt. The food maintains its natural sweetness and is very healthy. I have promised myself that once I reach Hyderabad I am going to try this kind of healthy food at least once a week. Thanks a lot Tia, Pieu and Zara for such a wonderful day and showing me the outskirts of Mizoram. It is indeed heavenly and I only wish that tourism was developed in this region for there is so much to show to the world that this region has to offer in terms of nature.
Sialsuk, the beautiful, village in Mizoram where my students took me and the home of Zara Ralte. The whole area looks like heaven on earth. What beautiful sights, what peace, tranquility and the green cover for miles together. One can hear nothing except the sound of silence. A great feeling.This is a must visit place in Mizoram for tourist and lovers of nature thrill. The hill is locally known as Hmunchung tlang or Sialsuk tlang.
