PAISADO GALLI DA SATHOU BANI!

 KHWAIRAKPAM GAJANANDA

December 10, 2015, Thursday

 

Inglaba Ningthamthagi Matamni,

Sanglaba Mercedes Benz car aduna.

Wanglaba Konunggi Yum Adudagi, Thoudorakli,

Senjao paiba mahasoi!

 

Lepliba thongngak pasu thinthaba leitana,

Hangdoklakee cheksinlaba yotki thongal.

Ueirum-ueirum touduna hangliba car gi thongnao adudagi,

Yenglakkhi mahousabu paisa paiba mahasoi!

 

Khanghoudana sitlakhiba malangba mahaksu,

Khuraba car gi thongnao aduda mengna changlakhi!

Purakhi thamoi kairaba khongbalgi manam,

Tapna yeikhi paisa paiba mahasoigi naton da!

 

“Driver thongnao lonsanlu”, laorakhi paisa paiba mahasoi.

Mapu ningba driver su chingkhatkhi thongnao adu tapna.

Thagat lakhi perfume, Air-condition kya,

Adubu yeikraba apumbagi manamni kokkhiroi matam kharadi!

 

Oeida yenglake—afotpa pan dukan,

Yetta yenglake—second hand dukan.

Sana konung manung dadi udeko asigumbase?

Waakhal macha ama khanlakhi paisa paiba mahasoi!

 

Thourakhi sanglaba car aduna sahar gi galli younaba,

Nakan khuding amotpana thanlaba galli ni.

Meepum khuding taothari chenliba paisa gi echelda,

Yaori paisa paiba mahasoisu chenliba paisagi echel aduda!

 

Okpa leite paisa paiba mahasoi,

Watli tankhini leppa leitana paisado.

Eigi yumgi nakanda namthi jarabasu,

“Paisadi paidaba yade”, khanlakkhi paisa paiba mahasoi?

 

Numidang wairamgi matam yourakhi,

Hanlakhi cheklana mahum ponda hanbagum.

Ningsing lakhi ngasaigi khongbalgi manamdo!

“Driver thongnao lonsinlu!”

 

Khalakhi waakhal macha ama,

“Sengdok sirane eigi yum nakangi amotpa khongbal sibo?

Kanade, moina henna paisa paige harak kani,

Leisanu adumak lairaba makhoina leiriba maongsida!”

 

“Dimapur gi Hong Kong market ta,

Guwahati gi Paltan Bazar da,

Delhi gi Chandni Chowk ta,

Leihouriba eigi marup kyanadi Sana Konungni khanlibani eigi eyumse!”

 

Sana konunggi thongal youramdai,

Mamsuk touraba numitdang wairamgi mangalda.

Chensin lakhi paisa paiba mahasoigi car manak younaba,

Mabuk lamlaba chaknibana makhut ani tingthoklaga!

 

Assao parei chanliba paisa paiba mahasoina,

Laorakhi wanglaba khonjelga loina,

Paisado Galli da Sathou Bani!

Paisado Galli da Sathou Bani!

Paisado Galli da Sathou Bani!

 *****

 

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Analysis of the Great Planetary Conjunction

By Khwairakpam Gajananda

April 27, 2020

Introduction:
The current global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) have already affected more than 2.8 million people and took the precious lives of more than 2 lakhs people. During this difficult time it is natural to ask, why our Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji asked the citizens of India to connect with the Mobile-Apps AarogyaSetu? Why WHO, Facebook, Chinese—WeChat, Baidu, Weibo and many other Apps of the World are trying to connect every individuals on this Planet Earth? Why Modiji wear the Manipuri Leirum (gamcha) and indicated the importance of Manipur? Why April 21-24, 2020 is the last date for deciding the extension or removal of the Worldwide COVID-19 Lock-Downs? Why some economically backward countries (e.g. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar etc.) are surprisingly having fewer COVID-19 cases, than the economically advanced countries? There are many classified questions, which cannot be covered in this article as of now. However, the questions asked by common-men are very simple and the answers should also be very simple.

Before we start, let us recollect the prophesied phrase, ‘It’s happening!’ by the famous seer, Nostradamus, and about the prediction of ‘the King—Chiren’! The predictions of the Vedic and the Mayan, also seems to be somewhat materialized. Yesterday news mentioned that a Mayan Workshop buried for more than 1000 years have been uncovered, but yet to be analyzed.

Discussions:
The answers to the various questions given above, may be little annoying to us, because it involved studies of both science and paranormal predictions. However, our inquisitiveness, will lead us to a dream world of ‘whether things are really happening or not’?

When we deal with the Universe—it is too big for us to even think about and to understand its existence. So let us, for the time being, concentrate only on our Solar System. Every one of us believed that the Sun is the main source of all the energies in our solar system. It gives us everything and without it—there will be no life forms in this mega-ecosphere. Well, how about the Moon, the Saturn, the Jupiter, the Mars, the Venus, the Mercury, the dark North Node and the dark South Node (in Vedic astrology they are called as Rahu and Ketu)? Do the planets have influences on our ecosphere?

The simple answer is ‘yes’ and obviously like our Sun, the planets also have different roles to play in our Solar System. It also impacted our planet earth and our daily (day-to-day) cycles. This is a very simple layman answer and as I am not an astronomer like Prof. Carl Sagan, it will be very difficult for me to explain about the conjunctions, attractions, combustions, etc. of the various planets studied in astronomy. However, based on my expertise on the atmosphere and ecosystem relationships, some doubt can be clarified as follows.

We know that the Sun gives life and dead to our planet earth. Other celestial bodies also have their roles to play in regenerating and ending of certain forms of living and non-living entities. In the present case, the ‘coronaviruses’ or any types of viruses or microorganisms are the transitions or ‘bridges’, between living and nonliving things. When microscopic virions entered the host cells through different vectors and received the following: (a) favorable environmental conditions and (b) energies to activate virions e.g. +ve, -ve along with a neutral charges (similar to our electric currents for lighting bulbs)—the nonliving virions become a very simple parasitic ‘Living Organisms’! In the case of the receiving energies, it can be potentially from the celestial bodies (Planets). The potentially strong celestial energies received on earth may also help trigger the germinations of even the ‘human’s sperms’ inside mother’s womb. Recently, I have coined a term as ‘Tiklak’, for such types of germination/s due to the major planetary influences. If the germination/s occurred in human, it will be seemingly impossible to understand, when, where, how, the birth will take place on this planet earth. However, in the near future we may come to know about the birth and the existence of a super-human, which is just the matter of time.

Thus, the ‘Great Conjunction’ of the most benefic planet Jupiter (+ve), most malefic planet Saturn (-ve) and a neutral North or South Node (Rahu or Ketu), will help in regenerating nonliving things (primordial soups) into living things (atma). When the conjunction takes place in a good house and environment, it will give us excellent or beneficial organisms (e.g. Pegivirus, Gamma-herpesviruses, Smallpox vaccine, Rama, Buddha, Jesus, Allah etc.), but if it happened in a bad environment or house, it will give us ‘demon’ (e.g. Coronavirus, SARS, Smallox, Commodus, Hitler, Ravana etc.)!

To further explain the concept, our planet earth’s atmosphere is crisscross by tremendous fields of geomagnetic and electromagnetic energies from the earth crust, mobiles, internets, telecommunications, radios, TVs, etc. These radiations interferes the incoming harmful or bombarding ‘Cosmic Rays’ in a very dramatic manner and sometime it acts like a ‘Shield’, protecting all the living organisms on this planet, for survival and from total annihilations!

On the more controversial note, it can be speculated (but not impossible) that there are about 7 gifted people on this planet (Vedic literatures also mentioned about Saptarishis), who have the unique and strong conjunctions of Jupiter, Saturn and Rahu/Ketu (JSR/K) in different houses of their natal birth chart (Navamsa) at the time of their birth. These 7 gifted individuals (Gurus), when combined together (even if living in very remote areas of the planet); they will form an energy shield, which can block the bombarding negative cosmic radiations of JSR/K.

In very simple details, we can take them as our own X-Men, who are genetically modified mutants and the coronaviruses will have very less impact on them and their surroundings. Their bodies may acts like a large ‘Lightning Rods’, absorbing the celestial strikes and be conducted to ground or dispersed it as harmless weak energies in their immediate surroundings. During the processes, they may or may not know anything about the absorbed energies; however, they may feel uncomfortable like headaches, nausea, vomiting or minor fever etc. They may be prone to sinusitis and early graying of hairs. Cloudy nights, high winds, rainy and thunderstorm days will bring them some respites. It is scientifically proven that during cloudy or thunderstorm periods, the radio, television and other signals are interrupted. Similarly, the celestial signals will be interrupted during various atmospheric phenomena. As the receiving celestial signals become weak at the surface, the 7 Gurus will also feel better. However, they cannot be regarded as aliens, for they cannot stop the bombarding rays from the planets; their role is to just absorb the weak celestial signal and disperse it into the environment. As of now, I don’t find any scientific evidence to support the fact that every one of us has the ability to absorb certain amounts of planetary signals. However, the astrological analysis of a person and the relationships between the various planets present during the time of birth, which are recorded in the horoscope are used for predicting a person personality. In the present scenario, many of us are not born during the time of JSR/K conjunction period. Therefore, the rare celestial occurrence, the simultaneous influences of the large planets and the larger signals received on the earth’s surface will have some detrimental effects within or outside of our body.   

On the contrary, if we are to search for the 7 Gurus (among the 9 billion populations of the World)—it will be like ‘searching a needle in hay stack’! The bad news is that the viruses as of now, are evolving and mutating in a dramatic way, that if we are not able to make a ‘Bridge of the 7 Gurus’, before April 21-24, 2020, the COVID-19 may evade our genetic tranquility and it may be the end of ‘Kali Yuga’ and the beginning of the famously called ‘Satya Yuga’!

The good news is that coronavirus is just a ‘bug’ and it can be tackled in the near future by developing vaccine/s. However, if a super-human (Tiklak) created by the great conjunction become materialized, then he will definitely try to bring changes (justices) on this planet, during our lifetime. About the consequences of the transitions between coronavirus and Tiklak, it cannot be foretell (as a mere human being)–but it is already mentioned in many religious and astrological books. The experience although, will be very exciting one!

Coming to our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, twice, he had asked his billion peoples of India to disperse the ever increasing bombardments of the celestial energies, firstly by clapping billion hands and secondly by lighting billion lamps (but not from electric current i.e. +ve, -ve and neutral), simultaneously. For the third and the final onslaught to the incoming negative energies, the whole World is asked to connect with various forms of Apps, Bluetooth, GPS or Social Medias. Correct information on the date-of-birth and place-of-birth are mandatory to receive the important information about COVID-19. In India, the government is asking everyone to connect through ‘AarogyaSetu’, meaning ‘the Restoration of the Bridge’, similar to ‘Rama Setu’ to kill ‘Ravana’. Can be say that the mammoth tasks of searching our 7 Gurus, worldwide are tirelessly undergoing? Comically, one drawback in India is that our actual date-of-birth is totally different from our academic date-of-birth e.g. 1st February.

Interestingly, while addressing the second lock downs of India on April 14, 2020, our PM wore a Manipuri Leirum (Gamcha), giving importance to the tiny state of Manipur. Does it meant that one of the strong energy signal i.e. the presence of a Guru, is received in the Radar of the Prime Minister Office, which may be located somewhere in Manipur? Earlier in my Facebook Posts, the importance of Manipur had been mentioned and looking for the JSR/K conjunction in the Navamsa chart people. On the other hand, unaware of the importance of himself/herself, our Heroes are roaming among us. Manipur is now a Zero COVID-19 State. Nostradamus prediction of ‘Chiren’, can it be ‘Chairen’?

Notably on April 17, 2020, according to the Daily Star reports, NASA is currently tracking an asteroid known as 2020 GT2, which is larger and faster than 2020 GR2. The 2020 GT2 measures about 177ft tall and fly past Earth at a speed of over 29,000 mph. NASA estimated that 2020 GT2 is expected to intersect Earth on April 17, 2020 at 1.07am on Saturday morning. So, our Solar System is becoming very excited and full of activities. Our Mother Earth too, is excited with two consecutive earthquakes, first in New Delhi with a Magnitude 3.5 on April 12, 2020 and secondly in Falam Myanmar, just few kilometers away from Manipur with a Magnitude 5.9 on April 16, 2020. On the other hand, since April 15, 2020, the atmosphere over Manipur seems to be celebrating something, without any casualty and giving relief to the drought like situation. Can we regard it as good omen?  

Conclusions:
All the living organisms on our planet Earth cannot survive without the Sun and other sources of energies. Lights if unfavorable—can change many metabolic, physiological, chemical, psychological or anatomical set-ups of living flora and fauna (e.g. circadian rhythm, growth pattern, DNA damages, mutations etc). Therefore, it is for kind information that on December 21, 2020 (mid austral summer in Antarctica and the darkest in the Arctic), the two great planets Jupiter and Saturn will have the ‘Great Conjunction’ in the house of Aquarius at 0.6 degree, the rarest conjunction after the year 1623. This rare conjunction may develop ‘radiation pollutions’ from malefic planets, which is still in the nascent stage of scientific research.

Recommendations:
As of now, please follow the instructions of the WHO, all the Governments, organization/institutions and also download/install AarogyaSetu Apps and other Apps. Observing social-distancing, using of face mask, hands washing and helping the doctors, the policemen, the CSOs, the frontline workers and the needy people etc.

Some personal suggestions are:
1. ‘Sky Watching’ (evening and nighttime) until February 2021 may affect our immune system functions due to high celestial radiations from malefic planets. Staying indoors during clear evening and night is suggested. Volunteers, workers and government personnel—wearing heavy cloths and caps during evening and night, will reduce the impacts of the incoming cosmic radiations.
2. Cloudy and rainy days and nights are safer than clear and bright days and nights. Lightning and thunder storms interfere, disperse, disrupt and minimize the impacts of the bombarding cosmic electromagnetic radiations from celestial bodies. Therefore, outing and playing during cloudy, rainy, sunny and windy days will be beneficial.
3. Indoor exercises, games and keeping our immune system intact, by eating/consuming fruits and vegetables (blue and yellow colors most preferably) will help in fighting the viruses.
4. Family prayers, Yoga (simple anoolom-viloom), meditations, fasting (recommended only for young and dynamic people), watching movies, mobile chatting, online-learning etc will help us overcome from Lock-Downs effects.

ENDNOTES: The article is shared with the hope of giving awareness to the general masses. Due to the urgency of the prevailing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the article focus purely on general reading, practice and knowledge sharing. Currently, the author is working continuously to make it more scientific—for future communication.
(The writer can be contacted at Email: gajkh@yahoo.com) 

THE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF ANCIENT MANIPURI’S YUMJAO (HOUSE) AND ITS COURTYARD

Kangla Online: November 24, 2014

Khwairakpam Gajananda; Ringco Pukhrambam; Sukumar Haobam; Kakchingtabam Devdutta Sharma; Kunjo Naorem and Lourembam Bireshwar.

Introduction:

There are more to understand the concepts and philosophies behind the simple architectural designs of ancient Manipur’s Yumjao (sometime referred to as Shangai Sanglen) or housing systems/styles. Manipuri civilization may or may not know the alien concepts of Vastu, but we believed, the housing knowledge of Manipuri’s are their own and original.

In the quest for better solutions for the improvement of the deteriorating environmental conditions of the world, modern generation started thinking about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable housing systems.

The ancient Manipuri Yumjaos or houses are believed to be sustainable, eco-friendly and affordable. It gives a cooling effect during hot mid-summer sunshine and a warming effect during chilling winter period. The materials used in Yumjaos are very good insulators for different temperature, humidity and pressure ranges, with moderate to high resistances from wind and rainfall.

Manipur lies in the very high seismically active zones (Zone V, having hazard levels of the order of 0.35-0.4g) on the Seismic Map of India. The simple design and light materials used in Yumjaos proved that it can effectively cope with the devastating effects of the earthquakes that rocked Manipur time and again. Yumjaos can also be regarded as an efficient semi-natural air-conditioning system!

The architectural designs may have its own pros and cons; however, there is no harm in knowing the more than 2000 years-old designs, which is still prevalent in most of the rural areas of Manipur (Figure 1). The questions that need to be asked and answered scientifically are:

1. Why Manipuri Yumjao or Shangai Sanglen always faced East direction?

Ans: The intensity of early morning Sun is lesser than the noontime because of the slanted azimuth angle. The atmospheric column that the sun’s ray penetrated during morning has greater thickness, thereby, absorbing most of the harmful Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. However, beneficial Ultraviolet-A (UV-A), which converts to Vitamin D are abundantly present during the morning hours’ sunlight. Sunlight also has antimicrobial properties, which can kill many of the pathogenic microorganisms.

Suppose, if the houses faced North or South directions, most of the beneficial morning sunlight will be blocked by the walls and will not be readily available, unless and otherwise large doors and windows are provided. For mud houses, most of the time it will be damp and a suitable place for microbial propagations.

Houses facing West directions may have some advantages; however, the micro-biocidal potentials are less because of the productions of many atmospheric chemical species during noontime e.g. Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs), Sulphur Oxides, Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate matters, etc. Evening Sun, therefore, are more scattered and dispersed by atmospheric chemical species, hence less beneficial to human being.

Some of the advantages of houses facing East directions are: (a) pathogenic microorganisms, which reproduced rapidly during nighttime, are deactivated/killed by the morning sunlight; (b) small kids or children need more amounts of sunlight to synthesis Vitamin-D, which will prevent disease like Rickets. Morning sunlight is the most suitable sources of Vitamin-D; (c) as the houses are strategically faced East directions; there is no extra effort to go for sunbathing or sun-drying. The houses will have sufficient sunlight, and it will automatically enter the interior of the houses; (d) during the noontime, when the sun is overhead, the thermal insulations provided by the straws/thatched roof of the houses will make it cool and comfortable and (e) winter Sun’s are slightly tilted towards South; therefore, maximum heat will be absorbed on the southern wall of the house.

2. Manipuri houses have separate rooms such as Naktha (women handloom place), Mangol (Verandah) or waiting room, Phamen (elders resting place), Ningol Ka (daughter’s Room), Lukhum Ka or Piba Ka (son’s room), Leimarel Ka (mother’s room), Phamen Ka (father’s room), Chakhum Ka (Kitchen) and Sanamahi (family deity) etc. What are the significances for all these rooms?

Ans: The distributions of rooms of the ancient houses of Manipur are well organized into different strategic locations such as Naktha (women handloom place), Mangol (Verandah) or waiting room, Phamen (elders resting place), Ningol Ka (daughter’s Room), Lukhum Ka or Piba Ka (son’s room), Leimarel Ka (mother’s room), Phamen Ka (father’s room), Chakhum Ka (Kitchen) and Sanamahi (family deity), others such as grain storage (Kot) space are behind the houses and as per the requirements. These showed the concept and necessity to provide specifically separate space for different purposes and individuals.

Figure 2. The plans and layouts of different rooms of ancient Manipuri Yumjao/House (Photo courtesy: Ringco Pukhrambam).

Manipuri ancestors deduced the similarities of the houses with human bodies, i.e. human bodies have different compartments for distinctive organs; thus Manipuri houses have different rooms and compartments for each organ of the family. Ancient Manipuri’s felt that the family members are like human organs, who reside within the compartments of the body of the house. The systematic compartmentalization of the houses also reflects — respect, privacy and identity given to each member of the family and their personal spaces. The origination of our sincerity, honesty, character and culture can be traced to this housing concept, which Manipuri’s are proud-of (Figure 2).

3. Manipur is prone to frequent earthquake. Is it proven that Manipuri Yumjaos are safer from devastating earthquakes?

 Ans: An architectural design of ancient Manipuri Yumjao/House is shown in figure 3. This design showed that most of the materials used for building Yumjao are light weight materials and mud. The roofs are made-up of thatches and bamboo columns. The joinings are fastened with bamboos splits, and no iron nails or bolts were used. The walls are plastered with mixtures of clay, fine sands, straws, cow-dung and reinforced with bamboo columns in the center. The walls, if not dampened with water can last very long.

Figure 3. The architectural design of ancient Manipuri Yumjao/House (Photo courtesy: Sukumar Haobam).

A major earthquake rocked Manipur-Myanmar border in the year August 06, 1988 at the epicenter of Lat. 25.130 and Long 95.150 and at a magnitude of 6.6 Richter scale. The devastating earthquake does not have major impacts or casualties on the parts of Manipuri.

Figure 4 shows the seismic map of India, where the seismically active zone of the Northeastern Indian Region is included in Zone-V (red color) and is regarded as the highest seismic activities region. Zone V covers the areas liable to seismic intensity IX and above on Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. This is the most severe seismic zone and is referred to as Very High Damage Risk Zone. An international workshop on “Bamboo housing for earthquake prone areas” held at Aizawl, Mizoram in November 2001, showed that in the cases of houses made from bamboos with modern techniques, can withstand earthquakes in Latin America. The workshop was conducted under the aegis of UNIDO-INBAR and CBTC, was attended by many international experts. Thus Manipuri Yumjaos can be regarded as safe from earthquakes.

Figure 4. Seismic Map of India showing the seismically active zones of Northeastern Indian Region, whih is included in Zone V.

4. Thatched roofs absorbed more sound than other materials, therefore, reduced noise pollution, is it right? How it can be fireproof?

Ans: Noise pollution is becoming a modern problem with lots of sound producing equipments and instruments used in the households. Normally, concrete buildings and metallic roofs are poor sound proofing materials. However, the porous thatched roofs are excellent sound absorbing or insulating materials. Therefore, in Manipuri’s Yumjaos, the problems of noise pollution are significantly reduced.

Sometime, within two layers of thatches, non-inflammable materials such as sands are sandwiched to make the roofs become fireproof. This technique also provides extra benefits of both fireproof and sound buffering.

5. Manipuri knew the art of making bricks longtime back, why Manipuri ancestors do not prefer to make living houses by bricks but make temples and religious places by bricks?

Ans: The arts of pottery and bricks making in Manipur are very ancient, however, cementing materials making is relatively new. It would be pertinent to mention here that 16th century architectural designs found in Manipur are made from bricks and cement e.g. Vishnu temple at Bishnupur. Manipuri seems to be more comfortable with the old Yumjaos, because of the various positive factors mentioned in this article.

The rainfall rates in Manipur are very high and making reinforced concrete cement (RCC) roofs are not viable — economically as well as technically. The lifespan of advanced RCC roofs in Manipur are less even with modern methods because of the high rainfall rates. Brick’s buildings are also prone to earthquake and natural disasters. The concrete buildings at the same time are very expensive; therefore, ancient Manipuri may have preferred Yumjao than brick’s buildings.

Temples and religious places, on the other hand, are made of bricks because most of these places are not inhabited by the people. Temples are made from the contributions of the people, therefore, no economic burdens to the individuals. Nowadays, most of the Mandap or gathering places near temple and Manipuri houses are replaced by corrugated tins roofing.

6. Why there is always a pond in the Northeast directions of Manipuri Yumjaos?

Ans: The possible explanations of Manipuri’s having ponds in the Northeast corner of their front courtyard may be to keep the water clean and uncontaminated. Most of the ponds earlier were planted with flowering aquatic plants such as Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata), Eshing Ikaithabi (Mimosa nilotica) etc. These plants are very good water purifiers and kept the water healthy. In the past, the sources of water are mainly from the ponds. Almost all the Manipuri’s households used to have ponds in their courtyards. Another advantage of having ponds in the front (Northeast) of the courtyard may be to monitor contaminations or any accident that may occur, especially to children.

7. Why Manipuri’s used to have bamboo groves (Waapal) on the Western end of their plot of land?

Ans: Bamboos are versatile plants and there are many applications; some of the few examples are energy, fodders and fencing materials. Dried bamboos are used as firewood for various purposes such as cooking and heating. The leaves are used as fodders for cattle and other ruminants. Bamboos are also very good for fencing the boundary of the courtyards. The plants are very tall; therefore, planting it on other directions will block the incoming solar radiations. As mentioned earlier, evening sunlight is not significantly useful, thus the best direction for planting bamboo groves is the Western side of the courtyard. Bamboo groves also act as air filters and blocked high-velocity winds. Due to the various advantages and utilizations of bamboos, Manipuri’s planted bamboo groves, especially on the Western directions of the courtyards.

8. Sumang or courtyard is kept open, big and large, in front of the houses. What are the pros and cons for this?

Ans: Sumang or courtyard is used as ceremonial gathering or meeting place, where hundreds of people can be gathered in an occasion. The front courtyard is open (without tall trees or plants) to make the house receive plenty of sunlight during morning hours. Sometime, if the Sumang is sizeable; the boundaries are used for home gardening by leaving a large space at the center. It seems that there is no negative impact of Sumang on the houses and to the dwellers. However, due to the increasing populations, diminishing housing lands and skyrocketing land values — the houses are expanding, and the Sumang/Courtyards are shrinking gradually in Manipur.

9. In ancient Manipuri traditions, some of the tree’s varieties are not recommended to plant near houses. What is the logic behind this?

Ans: Plants produced Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs). However, it depends on the varieties of plants. Most of the softwood trees produced more VOCs than hardwoods. Trees like Heimang, Pines, Banyan trees are not planted near houses. The VOCs produced from trees and the smoke from household, when combined together causes a ‘synergistic effects’ and become indoor air pollutants. Oak (Uyung) trees are strictly forbidden from planting near houses. These may be due to high iron content of Oak trees, where chances of lightning thunderstorms, striking the tree/s are very high. Almost all tall and large trees are also not recommended to be planted near Manipuri’s Yumjaos. Tall and large trees are hazardous for the houses during high-velocity winds and thunderstorms.

1. Toilets are always constructed far from the houses, mainly near the Bamboo groves. Was the sanitation of Manipuri poor?

Ans: Earlier, the sanitary systems of Manipur can be regarded as semi-poor. The toilets are mainly pit latrines, constructed near the bamboo groves far from the houses and during the rainy season, it becomes unhygienic. However, the maintenances and servicing of the toilets varied from households to households. Some of the households managed to keep their toilet in a very hygienic and proper manner. The advantage of toilet near bamboo groves is that the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from poor sanitations is less. The disadvantage is the approach to the toilet during odd hours.

1. What are the limitations of ancient Manipuri’s Yumjaos?

Ans: Ancient Manipuri houses have certain limitations, which can be improved using modern techniques and architectural knowledge. Some of the limitations that can be highlighted are as follows:

1. Inability to provide wider opening on walls due to cohesion quality of straw reinforced mud wall and absence of the lintel system, which reduced crossed ventilation and lighting distributions, leading to dark and damp internal space.
2. Low visibility due to lack of doors, windows, ventilations and partitions of rooms.

iii. Lower quality mud compacted plinth and floor with no proper foundation system could not prohibit the absorption of outside water during the rainy season, making the rooms damp and stinky.

1. Meitei Yumjao was planned and designed for a single nuclear family dwelling unit with no provision for extension or addition of space for the growth of family members and space requirement.

Optimistically, the above limitations can be overcome by the available natural resources and skillful artisans of Manipur who can modify this indigenous technique with modern architectural designs, to meet the demands of new generations. The combinations of both western style’s designs and indigenous knowledge will be perfect!

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the following points can be highlighted for Manipuris Yumjaos:

(a) The houses are light weight; therefore, the risks to strong earthquakes are less.

(b) Temperature, humidity and pressure control environment are achieved without any further depletion of forest or costly fossil fuels energy resources.

(c) The housing designs are mainly for nuclear family, which make conducive environment for close attachment among members of small family.

(d) As the houses are divided for separate siblings, it gave security to young female members of the family.

(e) The elders are informed on movements of younger members of family passing through a common corridor and door. Therefore, the elders/head of the family has an easy assessment, monitoring as well as control over his/her family.

(f) Ample area/common place or waiting room for gathering of family members and visitors are located at systematic and strategic locations.

(g) The importance or the values of elders in the hierarchy are well placed and preserved.

(h) Interestingly, in some houses, small holes are made on the bamboo pole called “Shemphu”, where coins are inserted as savings by children.

Acknowledgement: The above article is an excerpt from various discussions at the Scientific Manipur (SM), Facebook Group. The authors sincerely acknowledged all the members of the groups for the valuable and constructive comments.

Further Reading: https://kanglaonline.in/2014/11/the-scientific-principles-of-ancient-manipuris-yumjao-house-and-its-courtyard/

WORLD WETLANDS DAY held on 2nd February, 2023

Jointly organised by: Department of Environmental Science, Department of Botany Thambal Marik College, Oinam & IQAC Thambal Marik College, Oinam 

Dr. R.K.Romen Singh Co-ordinator, IQAC Dr. L.Sarnabati Devi HOD, Department of Environmental Science M. Bharat Singh HOD, Department of Botany Prof. Kh. Mohon Singh Principal, Thambal Marik College, Oinam

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Department of Botany & Department of Environmental Science, Thambal Marik College, Government of Manipur 

Cordially request the pleasure of your kind presence at the “Observation of World Wetlands Day 2023” to be held on Thursday the 2nd February ,2023 at 11:00 a.m at the premises of the College. 

Dr Khwairakpam Gajananda, Associate Professor, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia 

& 

Prof. Kh.Mohon Singh, Principal, Thambal Marik College, Oinam 

& 

Shri. M. Bharat Singh, HOD, Department of Botany,Thambal Marik College, Oinam 

have kindly consented to grace the function as Chief Guess, President and Guess of Honour respectively. 

PROGRAMME 

11:00 AM 

Assemble of the Dignitaries 

Welcome & Keynote Address by Dr. L.Sarnabati Devi, HOD, Department of Environmental Science, T.M. College, Oinam 

Speech by Dr Khwairakpam Gajananda, Associate Professor, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia 

Speech by Shri. M. Bharat Singh, HOD, Department of Botany,T.M College, Oinam 

Speech by Prof. Kh. Mohon Singh, Principal, Thambal Marik College, Oinam 

Vote of Thanks by Dr. M.Shomorendra Singh,HOD, Department of Zoology, Light Refreshment

THAMBAL MARIK COLLEGE, OINAM, MANIPUR 

World Wetland Day 2023 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQlPGiGcQUl9D1-qlZO5SSHg9qxTG88l/view?usp=drive_link

WWD Thambal Marik College https://thambalmarikcollege.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WWD.pdf

SEROU--EMA NUNGTHONG SIDABI. MESMERIZINGLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN MANIPUR. THE PLATINUM DEPOSITE SITE.

SEROU--EMA NUNGTHONG SIDABI.

MESMERIZINGLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN #manipur. The place is believed to be the place of #platinum deposit site by various #geologists.

Various Platinum containing rocks are found in this location, such as #chromite and #olivine rocks. Smooth and dark eroded #serpentine rocks are also found in the river beds.

The place is famous for the very nutritive and proteinaceous algae like #spirulina called Nungsam in Manipuri and botanical name Lemanea australis Atkins.

The place is mythologically significant that three (3) doors were bolted by 3 large iron rods by the divine principalities of Manipur. Eputhou Khana Chaoba Wangpurel (Wangbrel) of #sugnu is also located nearby.

Out of the 3 iron rods, only one is found, 2nd one is inside the river bed and the 3rd one vanished from the site. Never to be found.

The doors are viz. 1. The Living Door (Achang Thong), 2. The Death Door (Asi Thong) and 3. The Earthly Door (Malem Leisa Thong).

Santidas Gosai tried to open the Asi Thong (Death Door) at #serou, but he failed miserably.

After the #kuki #meitei Manipur ethnic violence of May 3, 2023, the place is closed for the time being.

The #video was taken during Manipuri Calendar, Wakching Purnima (January 2023) and Feiren Purnima (February 2023).

PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE AND COMMENT. 🙏

Video: https://youtu.be/l4GVNeAps0A?si=ilAmGE8N-kU6C2E3

Is Antarctica a future target for Man??

Antarctica is known to be holding 75% of the total world’s fresh water in the form of 90% ice. To hold, this water in a healthy state of hygiene, it has a natural cooler, otherwise, water would have developed bacterial counts, much higher than probably, we can consume. Also, the loss of this water in the form of evaporation is compensated by the fresh snowfall, so that it maintains itself. The beauty of this fresh water is that, Antarctica is not holding this water in a deep well or pond or a pit or lake; it is on the top of gently increasing slopes of a huge dome. Probably nature has kept it in this fashion, so that man can use it, as and when required.

Antarctica is a gigantic freezer with its doors open to the southern hemisphere. Since its doors are open, it transports cold in the form of air out flowing from the interior of the continent to the periphery; water melted from polar cap ice and the shelf breaking in the form of ice bergs. The transport of cold is probably to keep the biological life in the Antarctic ocean as full of proteins , fat and fresh for consumption.

The biological reserve that has already been exploited by the man is the biological life in the ocean. Whales and seals were killed for various reasons and to such an extent that today, many nations had to declare them as "endangered species". Now, man has focused its attention on krill-the stock of food is very well known. The use of Antarctic bacteria for bio-sciences applications is another reserve.

Apart from these two apparent resources, it is the hidden resources which are now being looked at and as assessment is being made.

Antarctica is attaining great importance, as a possible source of minerals, oil, coal etc. However, at the moment, the exact resource potential and economics, may be the limiting factors, but with the technological advancements, days are not far off, when mining, off-shore oil drilling etc may be a reality in Antarctica.

Antarctica formed a part of the super Gondwana continent about 200 million years ago. Australia, India, Africa and South America were part of this Gondwana continent, which slowly drifted apart after Gondwana fragmented. Landmass of Antarctica, which covers an area of about 14.5 million sq kms, is about 3.2 to 3.6 billion years old, covered by rocks of relatively younger age of sedimentary, plutonic and of volcanic origin.

Therefore, since, India, Australia, South America and Africa have deposits of mineral wealth, it is therefore, believed that the Antarctic continent must have these deposits in large quantities, but here everything is underneath, the thick polar cap ice. In fact, it is the thick polar cap ice, which has restricted, the exact assessment and exploitation of minerals, but everyone is curious to know, what kind of deposits are there and what could be our share, if such an exploitation becomes, a reality.

Until 1970s, the expeditions were mainly for Scientific purposes, but with the ever increasing pressure of population, energy and economical needs of the countries, several nations have taken interest in Antarctica's mineral resources. Of course, the assessment of Antarctic mineral resources at the present stage is based on geological analogies and reconnaissance evidence.

The Antarctic Peninsula is easily accessible and thus has been studies, well. The modern technique of hydrocarbon resource assessment using sedimentary basin has suggested, petroleum potential of Antarctica. Oil is one of the minerals, which is going to attract many nations and the technology for off-shore oil drilling is not new to the world, and world, would see, its use even in Antarctica in the century. It has been estimated that 45,000 million barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of gas may lie, off shore the Antarctic coast.

Of course, while making any off-shore drilling, the natural gate keepers of Antarctica, technology will have to be developed to tame the natural gate keepers of Antarctica-the Ice-bergs.

Coal seems to be available in varying quantities and coal belts have been postulated under most of the east Antarctica's central ice sheet. It is believed that coal deposits many be around 11% of the total coal deposits of the whole world.

Among the other minerals, mica, quartz crystals, iron and many other ores are also available.

The exploitation of any particular mineral deposit in Antarctica will depend on its type, size and location, as well as, the environmental factors. At the moment, minerals of high value like gold, platinum, nickel, uranium will get the priority.

Although, mining at the moment is banned, United States environmental groups were the first to oppose the potential opening of mining and oil drilling in Antarctica, it has now been signed by all the member nations of the Antarctic treaty.

It is in fact the Antarctic treaty which has kept the continent free of conflicts, but the human pressure is increasing due to the scientific and tourist activities. The treaty bans mining in Antarctica for a minimum of 50 years and designates the whole continent and its dependent marine eco-system as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

LARSEMANN HILLS OF EAST ANTARCTICA

Larsemann Hills is at the Ingrid Christensen Coast of east Antarctic region (69O 24’ 28.8” S latitude and 76O 11’ 14.7” E longitude). It is named after Mr. Larsemann Christensen and is an ice-free coastal oasis at the Prydz Bay, located approximately midway between the eastern extremity of the Amery Ice Shelf and the southern boundary of the Vestfold Hills. The Prydz Bay represents an embayment along the Eastern Antarctic margin, lying between the East Longitudes 660 and 790. The Amery Ice Shelf on the southwestern side and Ingrid Christensen Coast on the southeastern end define its limits. The isolated islands, promontories, peninsulas and nunataks occurring along the continental ice describe the rocky terrain exposed in the area, which, from east to west, fall under Vestfold Hills, Rauer Group, Larsemann Hills and Bolingen Islands respectively.

There are two main peninsulas on the two extremities of the Larsemann Hills, namely the Broknes Peninsula and the Stornes Peninsula. In between these two peninsulas, there are number of islands of varying dimensions and some unnamed promontories. The northern and western sides of Larsemann are dotted by a series of small islands. The satellite imagery of the area indicates open sea on the eastern edge of the Broknes Peninsula. Westwards, the Clemence Fjord separates Broknes Peninsula from Stinear Peninsula and Fisher Island. The area north and westwards is marked by a number of islands, namely Harley, Easther, Breadloaf, Butler, Betts, McLeod, Jeason, Solomon, and Sandercock Island.

The area is marked by persistent, strong katabatic winds that blow from the north-east on most summer days. Daytime air temperatures from December to February at times exceed 4˚C, with the mean monthly temperature a little above 0˚C. The area generally remains snow free. Snow cover is generally deeper and more persistent on Stornes Peninsula than Broknes Peninsula and the present site.

There are several freshwater lakes ranging from small ephemeral ponds to large water bodies. Some of these water bodies are briefly ice-free or partially ice-free in the summer months. For the remainder of the year (8-10 months) they are covered with ~2 m of ice.

The highest elevation on Larsemann Hills is around 180 m above sea level. The hills are dissected by steep valleys lying between the ice sheet and the coast. The area is devoid of any higher organism and plants except for some sea bird, seals, penguins, algae, lichen and mosses.

ANTARCTICA

In the middle of the summer daylight
When the world glows by the sunlight.
Peeping out through the window
I could see the beauty of the shadow.

The gouging ‘Sastrugis’ flows
The colorful ‘Algae’ grows,
The sluggish ‘Seals’ are slow
While the gentle wind blow.

The mighty ‘Whales’ goes
Ignoring the unfriendly foes!
The careful mother nurture
Creating the child a future!

The black coated ‘Penguins’ crawls
Nourishing its chicks with Krill’s.
And the brown ‘Petrel’ flapping lower
I could see from the tower.

The summer sun goes down
The early ‘Skua’ will come at dawn.
If you run through the fallow
You’ll be followed by the shadow.

The stillness of this night
Was awakened by the whistling of the wind.
The harmony of this moonlight
Was aroused by the rattling of the ‘Blizzard’!

Lustrous stars are shining
Dazzling ‘auroras’ are glowing,
And the tired bodies relaxing
Though the darkness never ending.

But the courage that we have,
And the strength that we save,
The commitment that we gave,
Will unite the spirit of our brave!

All the icy deserts are dry,
All the ‘Nunataks’ are high.
And all the birds will fly,
But if you rely!
Antarctica will smile!

WILL MAN MADE IMPACT BE FATAL IN ANTARCTICA?

Man has already proved that unchecked, unregulated exploitation of seals and whales have indirectly taken many other species of organisms to the endangered levels. This means, what constructive work nature did in millions of years, man was able to destroy just in couple of decades.

Today, with technological advancements, the danger to nature has grown to such an extent that man has been able to make estimates of minerals and oils, hidden by nature under the thick sheet of ice. If the mineral exploitation is permitted in Antarctica, it will not only load the environment with dust, it will also lead a large icy area to reduce its albedo. The reduce albedo will enhance melting of the ice sheets to such an extend that the sea level will rise more than 1 metre.

In fact, Antarctica is a fragile eco system of ice-air-ocean-energy, in which if one component is affected, all others will also be disturbed. Therefore, many countries try to protect Antarctic environment seriously, raise the issues of sovereignty, politics, logistical convenience, financial considerations, and the facilitation of scientific research. Environmental groups are, therefore, concerned about the scope of procedural and informational requirements for reviewing proposed projects and regulating development activities, especially in light of potentially large financial and political incentives associated with minerals development. Liability for environmental impacts from serious accidents is also an issue.

The way, world population is increasing, the hunger of the world for energy, food, water and other life support materials may modify the environmental treaty (Antarctic Treaty), in which, instead of maintaining pristine environment, only a practically clean environment may be maintained. This will be an extremely dangerous situation, as practically clean sampling and monitoring will not be feasible in such a harsh environment and thus the procedure will violate the treaties. The people who does not adhere to the protocols will be penalise and thus the conflict will erupt. Toady, the example at the world level is the pollution levels of various gaseous and solid pollutants in major cities which are often beyond the acceptable limits, yet nothing is done. Or many times, the monitoring approach remains only a paper work and nothing in reality is implemented. Often the monitoring and legal machinery is so corrupt that one is left to spoil the environment as much as one likes, just on the basis of economical power to grease the hands of these agencies.

If minerals development proceeds within the framework of the Minerals Convention, future debates will likely focus not on decision making procedures, but on the definitions of the Convention's many qualitative terms such as "adequate," "effective," "acceptable," "significant," "safe," etc. These terms can only be defined within the framework of scientific knowledge and uncertainties about Antarctica's environment.

Similarly, oil exploration, oil spillage from tankers, oil fires etc may deposit a thin film of crude oil seriously affecting the marine life and its entire dependent food chain. The third and the most critical factor which will affect Antarctica is the exploitation of Antarctic ice for meeting the need of world's drinking water for the growing population. As the world is witnessing the water shortage and the III world war to be fought for oil, water and food, will human start looking for pure, clean, ready to drink water from Antarctica? If so, who are responsible? Can we stop it? Or is it good to bottle water from Antarctica and serve it in the 5-Star Hotels?

Earth Day 2008 logo: Adrienne Lay

CONVECTIVE CURRENT DISPERSE MICROORGANISM: EAST ANTARCTICA

The Indian Antarctic station, Maitri is in the Schirmacher oasis of east Antarctica. The oasis is covered with snow/ice; except for the local summer season when it gets deglaciated and exposes the small hilly region. During summer, minute microorganisms are observed near water bodies of this rocky terrain. In the year 1996a monostatic acoustic sounder probed planetary boundary layer dynamics over this region. From the data it is observed that the thermal convection (both free and forced) persist for 5.63% of the time in the whole year. The occurrence of free convection predominates in the local summer season around midday, while sporadic cases of forced convection have been recorded during the autumn and winter seasons. The onset of convection is mainly at 0600 hrs to 1200 hrs, while the cessation period is limited within 1400 hrs to 1900 hrs. The cessation of convection is basically governed by the katabatic wind flow around the Schirmacher region and it indicates that the interior of Antarctica or the polar cap ice becomes cooler much faster than the rocky region of Schirmacher oasis.

Examples taken from the literatures on atmospheric structure and their effects on dispersal of microorganisms and their distribution by the wind are discussed. The study of monostatic acoustic sounder for thermal convections/plumes may form input for the study of dispersal, survival, metabolic activities and dispersion model of microorganisms. The application of convection/plume to aerobiology can also lead to improvements in forecasting, monitoring and understanding the various mechanisms of organism dispersal.

For further reading please refer:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:AERO.0000022987.57564.20

Land use and land cover changes Himalaya

Land use and land cover changes that occurred during the period from 1991 to 2001 in the Jahlma watershed of the Lahaul valley, a cold desert region of the northwestern Himalaya, were evaluated using land use data and visual interpretation of IRS Satellite imageries. The results revealed that out of the six major land use forms within the watershed, land areas under agriculture, kitchen garden and settlement land were found increased, whereas a declining trend was recorded in areas under grassland, barren land and Salix plantation. The cultivated land within the watershed increased from 54.87 % (total of agriculture land, kitchen garden, grassland, barren land, Salix plantation and residential area) in 1991 to 56.89 % in 2001, corresponding to an expansion of 4.41 ha. On the other hand, the areas of grassland decreased from 31.41 % in 1991 to 29.81 % in 2001. Such a dramatic land use and land cover changes taking place within the 33 km watershed area in a single decade clearly indicates the prevailing danger of land degradation and environmental deterioration in the region.

For further reading please refer: 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02918328