The ties that bind

By Hoihnu Hauzel Note: This article was originally posted on June 4, 2011 at Down to Earth. Hoihnu Hauzel explores the similarities between Thailand and India’s northeastern part Some places… Read more »

By Hoihnu Hauzel

Note: This article was originally posted on June 4, 2011 at Down to Earth.

Hoihnu Hauzel explores the similarities between Thailand and India’s northeastern part

The vegetable market on the railway track in Samut Songkram province.

The vegetable market on the railway track in Samut Songkram province.

Some places in the world can make you feel at home. They have a strange way of striking a chord with you. Thailand is one such place. I feel connected to the country, its food, people and culture. This connection goes well beyond the physical aspect of looking like one of the natives Thailand. This is precisely why I keep going back to Thailand. It guarantees a certain kind of familiarity and a comfort that no other place in the world offers.

I remember my maiden trip to Thailand eight years ago. Tears welled up my eyes for reasons unknown. Was it the feeling of excitement to be a part of a larger group or was it the sight of those Thai ladies sitting in supermarket stores and eating their lunch; a portion of short-grain sticky rice with what looked like a side dish and soup that reminded me of home. Like us in the Northeast of India, they would first put the rice into their mouth followed by a small helping of the side dish. Then wash it down with soup.

Later, at a busy vegetable market it was all the green vegetables and herbs that brought another gush of excitement. It was then that I asked myself this question: If people living in two different worlds eat the same food, how different could they be?

Researchers, scholars and anthropologists have written heaps on the cultural linkages between southeast Asia and India’s Northeast but to actually see these linkages in real and live them was an emotional experience.

And so the first thought that came to mind was where have we lost the link? Or, where and when in history did we part ways to be so many miles apart yet so close. This time round, it was the same feeling that overwhelmed me. There I was at a busy vegetable market doing my usual round of looking at the vegetables even though I wasn’t buying anything. It was my way of exploring any city. I would go to vegetable markets in places like Barcelona, Paris, San Francisco and Beijing.

The vegetable market on the railway track in Samut Songkram province, about 70 km southwest of Bangkok, is called Mae Klong. It has all the ingredients of what I would call a local market in any part of Northeast. It could have been in Shillong’s Bara Bazaar, or Kohima’s super market where Naga women sell all kinds of freshly-plucked herbs and vegetables.

The Thai women brought all kinds of fresh produce from the farm. There was sun-dried fish, seafood and meat. Like the people in northeastern part of India, the Thais love dried fish which is an important ingredient for a side dish called nam phrik. Nam phrik is a hot sauce prepared with shrimp paste and chilli sauce like the malta meh or Naga chutney or what Meitei’s called morok met pah.

In rows of basket, I saw sun-dried shrimps, river fish and eel. These are relished by people in the Northeast who cannot do without their dry fish. Smoked eel is so popular in Meitei’s morok petpa which is a spicy chutney made of smoked eel, roasted chillies and tomatoes and garnished with fresh coriander. My first eel chutney was at my Tangkhul uncle’s house when I was a little girl.

The vegetable market on the railway track in Samut Songkram province.

The vegetable market on the railway track in Samut Songkram province.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw what the Paite’s in Manipur call khang khu. This green thorny leaves is called Cha-Om in Thai. Scientifically called Acacia Pennata this Thai herb is usually fried with eggs or dipped in chilli paste as a snack in Thailand. It is also believed to help in treating indigestion.

Then there was what the Meitei’s in Manipur called tham chet or a water plant that is usually used for salad and chutney. The Thai stir fry it and relish with rice. Needless to say, rice is another common thread that binds us.

I was equally amused by the very nature of the market itself. A two-carriage train travels between Baab Laem station and Mae Klong station eight times a day. This means each time the train passes through the track vendors would clear their things in a hurry and put them back once the train passes through.

As I went beyond Bangkok, at a faraway craft village in Chiangmai, I realised that our linkages go beyond food. In that make-shift model village are different tribes like Lisu, Karen and Lahu. They live in thatched roof homes much like the tribes in Northeast. I saw a Karen woman weaving. Her weaving tool wasn’t any different from what I saw in Manipur. A Lisu man weaving a cane basket reminded of my late paternal grandfather who was good at almost everything that needed skill. My late grandpa loved weaving basket of cane and bamboo. I also saw a Lahu woman in her colourful customary gear making beaded necklace. The colour of her beads and the motifs she chose to weave on those bracelets weren’t too different from what the people in the Northeast would do to make their ornaments.

One evening as I escaped the sightseeing routine and decided to sit back at Siam Niramet, an entertainment centre that showcases Thailand’s art and cultural heritage. I was only reaffirmed of the cultural bond. There are makeshift houses of different Thai tribes. Some thatched roof houses have cane baskets that are beautifully woven just like what people in the Northeast carry when they go to their rice fields. The basket is referred differently by different tribes. The Paites in Manipur would call these baskets seng. Even the wooden giant Mortar and pastle only suggests that just like the people of Northeast, the Thai tribes took to crushing their grains manually.

The cultural performance that was peppered with elaborately designed costumes and stunning gadgets had unmistakable elements of the Northeast. In their elaborate dance movements, I saw Raas Leela, Mizo Bamboo dance, Assamese bihu and Naga dance. After the show, I hit the street hungry and ate to my heart’s content sticky rice with chicken fried with ginger and garlic.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/lobOAAZj6-E/

BJP Manipur on a one-day satyagraha against black money – E-Pao.net

BJP Manipur on a one-day satyagraha against black moneyE-Pao.netImphal, June 06 2011: Manipur state unit of Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) staged a one-day satyagraha against corruption in front of its office gate here from 8 am to 4 pm Monday. Speaking t…

BJP Manipur on a one-day satyagraha against black money
E-Pao.net
Imphal, June 06 2011: Manipur state unit of Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) staged a one-day satyagraha against corruption in front of its office gate here from 8 am to 4 pm Monday. Speaking to the media at the sideline of the sit-in, the state secretary

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGenkgQpCTVfpJlJSe6jxo-JZ90ww&url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=22&src=070611

Bridge of Hope

Bridge of Hope BOH students and staff observed World Environment Day WED under the themes Forests Nature at Your Service in collaboration with different local organizations, clubs and institutions, according to Kaigul Sithlou who is the programme …

Bridge of Hope BOH students and staff observed World Environment Day WED under the themes Forests Nature at Your Service in collaboration with different local organizations, clubs and institutions, according to Kaigul Sithlou who is the programme co ordinator of BOH Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=26&src=070611

One killed in mishap

A 25 year old youth was killed in a road accident near the Khangabok BSNL Exchange Office along the NH 39 at around 2 pm on June 5 when a vehicle of 27 Assam Rifles hit a scooter leaving the driver of the scooter injured Source Hueiyen News Service

A 25 year old youth was killed in a road accident near the Khangabok BSNL Exchange Office along the NH 39 at around 2 pm on June 5 when a vehicle of 27 Assam Rifles hit a scooter leaving the driver of the scooter injured Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=24&src=070611

BJP Manipur on a oneday satyagraha against black money

Manipur state unit of Bharatya Janata Party BJP staged a one day satyagraha against corruption in front of its office gate here from 8 am to 4 pm Monday Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Manipur state unit of Bharatya Janata Party BJP staged a one day satyagraha against corruption in front of its office gate here from 8 am to 4 pm Monday Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=22&src=070611

Explosions blast house of exUNC leader

Former United Naga Council UNC speaker Simthi Ruivah has been attacked with bombs near Ukhrul headquaters on Sunday Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Former United Naga Council UNC speaker Simthi Ruivah has been attacked with bombs near Ukhrul headquaters on Sunday Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=20&src=070611

President of India to honour guru Ph Iboton

Phanjoubam Iboton Singh of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak, Imphal is one of the 38 Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardees, 2010 elected by the general council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy for music, dance and drama at New Delhi at its meeting he…

Phanjoubam Iboton Singh of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak, Imphal is one of the 38 Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardees, 2010 elected by the general council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy for music, dance and drama at New Delhi at its meeting held on 19 January 2011 Source Hueiyen News Service Mangolchand Chingakham

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=18&src=070611

Taxation dept fails to collect VAT

As the state taxation department failed to collect VAT from the authorized dealers and agencies of two wheeler vehicles under the Manipur Value Added Tax Act, state revenue department is losing a huge amount of its annual revenue Source Hueiyen News…

As the state taxation department failed to collect VAT from the authorized dealers and agencies of two wheeler vehicles under the Manipur Value Added Tax Act, state revenue department is losing a huge amount of its annual revenue Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=16&src=070611

Villagers to block railway work if compensations not given

Demanding compensation of the affected land areas, villagers of Wangkhong village in Tamenglong district will be blocking all works related to railway track laying if the government failed to compensate the affected villager on or before June 12, said …

Demanding compensation of the affected land areas, villagers of Wangkhong village in Tamenglong district will be blocking all works related to railway track laying if the government failed to compensate the affected villager on or before June 12, said R Dinglin, chairman, Wangkhong Village Authority today in a press meet held at the office chamber of K Panmei, chairman, Hill Area Committee at Assembly Secretariat, Imphal Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=070611

District Youth forum on SRHR initiated

A district level youth forum on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights SRHR was initiated today at the premises of Youth Health Information Centre, Keishamthon Top Leirak, Imphal Source Hueiyen News Service

A district level youth forum on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights SRHR was initiated today at the premises of Youth Health Information Centre, Keishamthon Top Leirak, Imphal Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=21&src=070611

Eviction at Lamphel area

State government today evicted around 20 houses and many shops in Yaipha Leikai Mamang in Lamphel area near the Employment Exchange office using three bulldozers and four tippers Source Hueiyen News Service

State government today evicted around 20 houses and many shops in Yaipha Leikai Mamang in Lamphel area near the Employment Exchange office using three bulldozers and four tippers Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=070611

DoNER team to review NLCPR devt works

A high level team of Ministry of Department of Northeast Region DoNER arrived here Monday to inspect and review development works which have been funded by the non lapsable central pool of resource NLCPR , said an official source Source Hueiyen N…

A high level team of Ministry of Department of Northeast Region DoNER arrived here Monday to inspect and review development works which have been funded by the non lapsable central pool of resource NLCPR , said an official source Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=070611

Police should be aware of human trafficking issues and ways to tackle it DGP Joykumar

DGP, Manipur Police, Y Joykumar today said that police personnel should be well aware about the facts and trends of human trafficking to tackle the matter which has become a menace in the state Source Hueiyen News Service NNN

DGP, Manipur Police, Y Joykumar today said that police personnel should be well aware about the facts and trends of human trafficking to tackle the matter which has become a menace in the state Source Hueiyen News Service NNN

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=15&src=070611

Youth forum organised

An Imphal West district level youth forum on sexual reproductive health and rights was organised at Youth Health Information Centre, Keishamthong Top Leirak today Source The Sangai Express

An Imphal West district level youth forum on sexual reproductive health and rights was organised at Youth Health Information Centre, Keishamthong Top Leirak today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=14&src=070611

Bombs rain on exUNC leader’s house

Former United Naga Council UNC speaker Simthi Ruivah has been attacked with bombs near Ukhrul district headquarters on Sunday Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Former United Naga Council UNC speaker Simthi Ruivah has been attacked with bombs near Ukhrul district headquarters on Sunday Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=7&src=070611

Shija Cleft Project’s Mission Myanmar from June 12

Smile Train Shija Cleft Project is set to provide benefits to the cleft patients of Myanmar as the project’s ‘Mission Myanmar’ will kick start from June 12 Source The Sangai Express

Smile Train Shija Cleft Project is set to provide benefits to the cleft patients of Myanmar as the project’s ‘Mission Myanmar’ will kick start from June 12 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=12&src=070611

Woman escapes from murderous husband

A 22 year old mother of two children succeeded in escaping from her own husband who not only punched her left eye but also attempted to strangulate her to death Source The Sangai Express

A 22 year old mother of two children succeeded in escaping from her own husband who not only punched her left eye but also attempted to strangulate her to death Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=070611

Training programme on human trafficking

As part of the countrywide proactive measures jointly adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and State Government, a one day state level training programme on Human Trafficking for State Police Personnel ASI to DSP was held toda…

As part of the countrywide proactive measures jointly adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and State Government, a one day state level training programme on Human Trafficking for State Police Personnel ASI to DSP was held today at 1st MR Banquet Hall with the objective of educating police officers and the rank and file on the issue so that they effectively combat human trafficking Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=10&src=070611

No to KV 33 power line

The Government’s plan to construct a power sub station and its accompanying power line of 33 KV, to run from Gangapat to Sangaipat is set to face strong opposition from the local people, according to four resolutions adopted during a public meeting hel…

The Government’s plan to construct a power sub station and its accompanying power line of 33 KV, to run from Gangapat to Sangaipat is set to face strong opposition from the local people, according to four resolutions adopted during a public meeting held yesterday at the ground of Kongba Laishram Leikai Youth Club Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=5&src=070611