When using the above picture as my Facebook cover photo (which was designed by my friend Samuel), it got many ‘Likes’. But one of my friends frankly commented “I don’t get this, is there something to be proud of, or even if I was British or American... I still won’t get it. It’s something which happened by accident of birth and not something we've achieved”. It got me thinking, she has a point there. What am I proud of?
When I was a little girl, I always thought I was less fortunate. Television made me see white skin colored girls, with all the good toys, blonde hairs and pretty smiles. They have clean city and good roads, beautiful houses and green lawns, they have washing machines and dish washers, they have yellow school buses, they get to wear anything they want in school, they have their own lockers, they have prom nights and campings, they have beaches and resorts, movie theatres and music schools, and if they can act or sing or play a game, they become millionaires by the time they turn sixteen. Well, that was what media and movies taught me about ‘Sap’ (the Western people). They seem to enjoy life so much. “Dear God, why wasn’t I born a Sap?” was my question many a times.
In Mizoram, our roads are small, rough and curvy. Our houses are one inch apart from our neighbors, the city is congested. It’s a better option to walk, because you’ll get stuck in traffic jams full of government vehicles trying to reach their offices situated within the city area. The internet speed becomes super slow, we don’t have Domino’s Pizza, KFC and big air-conditioned shopping malls, we don’t have good playgrounds for sportsmen, we have corrupted politicians, and when it rains, we get landslides. Majority of us are Christians, but we all don’t show a Christian lifestyle, there are murders and fights, thefts and prostitutions. The evilness of today’s world is slowly creeping in to our very young State, a State with a population of 10.91lakh, invading the innocent minds like any other people in the world.
In spite of all these, I’ve slowly come to realize the reason why I am proud. I’m proud of the fact that, even though so young a tribe, we have achieved so much. We rank 1st in literacy according to the Census of India report, and our HDI (Human Development Index) is marked High. Ours is the only state without homeless. This shows how much we are trying. We may not have the best resource or the best technology, but we have a social connection with each other, and humanity still exists in our soul. Last month, two young people got lost near a river, and it touched the hearts of the entire Mizo clan, and many of them set out to search for them. We have a quality called ‘Tlawmngaihna’, which doesn’t have an exact word in English, but may be close to ‘selfless service for others’. When someone dies, even if it is a person whom we don’t know, we are ready to stay up all night and mourn with the grieving family. When we found out that Mom had cancer, I couldn’t believe the many people who came and prayed for her, people that we haven’t even talked to in our lives. This is what we do, as a Mizo and as a Christian. They say that Tlawmngaihna is fading among the youths; well we have to make sure that it doesn’t, and I personally feel that it will not, because it is God’s special gift to us.
Our women, they are beautiful, ambitious and smart. They have good head on their shoulders. I’m proud of our men, even though so possessive and they sometimes come up with the not so appreciative comments to girls above 25 years saying “I in la young” when she puts on a dress, or has a new hair style, or rides a bicycle or gets adapted to new age music. I find it annoying (:P). Most of us girls complain about their “narrow mindedness” when it comes to interracial relationships and marriages, but if we give it a clear thought, they ought to be. Because they are born as “men” and it is their responsibility to preserve the race, a race having a population not even enough to open Shopper’s Stop and Movie theatres and eateries like Pizza Hut or Café Coffee Day, to earn profits. Yes, that is how less we are. And it hurts them to see their own girls being taken by an already well-established race. So, maybe we should cut them some slack. After all, they may talk harsh, but do we really see them break legs and bones when their sister/daughter gets married to the love of her life? They slowly accept and bless, with an aching heart.
So, even though we may not have green lawns and beautiful houses, my Mizoram is still beautiful, because it looks green from top and it has beautiful people inside. Our roads may be rough and curvy, but our hearts are smooth and reliable. The government is doing its best to promote sports and education; I bet the coming generation will make us more proud, because things are getting developed. We will excel in arts and music, because we are good at it, we just need the right platform to exhibit our talents. Our school children look smart and tidy in their school uniforms. Our politicians do corrupt, but then, don’t all politicians do? Our houses may be one inch close to our neighbors, but we treat each other as families. Traffic jam? Yes, you can't escape that. But our drivers are polite and they don't honk the horns any time they like. We may not live up to the expected Christian lifestyle, but then again, nobody’s perfect. We may see landslides during monsoon, and at the same time it gives us a chance to see the many tlawmngai guys, ever willing to help one who gets stuck in the mud, or to clear the road. We may not have big shopping malls, but we have the latest of fashion in the world, and we have talented tailors who can stitch all the designs we need. Our shops may not have AC but the weather itself is air-conditioned. We may not have Hard Rock Cafe or McDonalds, but our taste buds only really gets satisfied with Mizo dishes like Sachek and Vawklubai and Sawhchiar.
Now, coming back to the photo comment, I guess being “Proud to be a Mizo” means being proud of who we are. God created us for a purpose and we are born for a reason. So whether you are born a Mizo, or a Bengali, or a Tamil, or an African, or American, or European, or even a cocktail of two races, just be proud of who you are. Being born this way may not be something we have achieved, but I have learned in my path of life, that people who are happy with who they are, are the most fortunate people, and that sure is something to be proud of.
As for me, I am Proud to be a Mizo :-) and I leave you with one of my favorite Mizo song
"Zam ngai lo Vala tang ta che, I ram leh hnam humhim nan"
27 comments:
Marry me
Be the change you want to see, rather be the one who is Tlawmngai so that it doesn't fade before your eyes.
You could publish your blog as a book! Wonderful style and very emotional and thoughtful.
I've bookmarked this page!
ENjoyed reading!! a good insight to the society of Mizos today, especially reflecting on 'Tlawmngaihna', which I too feel can never disappear from our culture as long as we enjoy the 'sacheks' and the 'sawhchiars'.. :-)
Facebook ni se like zauh ka va chak tak em.. mahse comment tur ka hre ve si lo.. A dik tih mai lo chu.. ..
Sidenote: Blog update a tang pawn eng e maw te hmuh phah hial theih ni awm tak ni.. first comment phei.. hahahahahahaha
@Anon: Definitely Maybe? :P
@machismoozer: Well said! :)
@Ajay: thank you so much :)) maybe I should publish, you buy and I'll sign it for you. haha :D
@Puia_240: Thanksss :) Ka ei chak chak ka rawn ziak anih kha :D
@mnowluck: Comment tur hre lo chung chunga i rawn comment pawh kha lawmawm hrim hrim :) ka 'aw' duh angem? Could be the love of my life? hriat miah loh :D
Me, proud to be a Mizo? Naahhh. I'm proud to have a sister who can write so well and deep. :)
i dont know you and you dont know me but i know this..i super like your blog :)
Much envy to see people going to bed with their shoes on, brushing their teeth without a paste, eat fruits, meat and no rice for dinner.
But now I know! Kids should learn this in school. Good post Mimi, good post. Proud of you!
I could relate to Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" lyrics when thinking of Mizoram.
"Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia Pine
And that's home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine where the peaches grow
And my house it's not much to talk about
But it's filled with love that's grown in southern ground
Well it's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There's no dollar sign on a piece of mind, this I've come to know
So if you agree, have a drink with me
Raise you glasses for a toast
I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives
So we don't have to sacrifice
All the things we love"
Proud to be a Mizo \m/. Cheers
@Mizohican: Proud to have an inspiring brother like you :)
@Anon: I don't know you and you don't know me but I know this.. I super like your compliment:). Thanks for visiting!
@Joseph: Thanks Jo :) Listening to the song as I'm typing, Mizo all the wayyyy!! :)
hey, great read :)
Yes, its true that being a Mizo isn't something that is achieved, but what we are born into. But what we can achieve is the wisdom to respect our cultural heritage, to accept our shortcomings, and yet, strive towards betterment.
P.S. On a personal note, vawiin teacher's day celebration-ah kan naupangte an dueta, tlachawp deuhin "Lucky" kha an rawn sa deuh thuta, nangmah ber ka hrechhuak zuk che :D
Nice stuff, enjoyed reading.
@ku2: there you go, summarizing all the things I wanted to say in just two sentences! Proud of you my saptawng thiam thiannu! :P "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend" an tia, min lo hrechhuak daih a? buaithlak thei! :D
@zakk_kima: thank you, and thanks for dropping in! :)
Someone said "Being born this way may not be something we have achieved, but I have learned in my path of life, that people who are happy with who they are, are the most fortunate people, and that sure is something to be proud of" ............. So True .........words stolen from the deepest core of my heart ......i agree with you ........
Beautiful!
I like what you said:
"Being born this way may not be something we have achieved, but I have learned in my path of life, that people who are happy with who they are, are the most fortunate people, and that sure is something to be proud of".
Proud to be a Mizo too because of some Mizo girls like you!
About Mizo guys??? See what my friend had to say about them...
http://mimihrahsel.blogspot.in/2009/06/10-things-i-like-about-mizo-guys.html
P.S. I'm just proud to be I am. :-)
@anon: hey donkey,I thought your'e a fan, until you told me this morning that this was you, now my dream is shattered :P Thanks for the comment :)
@dina: thank you.. that sentence must be powerful, two of you have quoted it :) thanks for visiting
@Alejendro: I duh ve ngawt mai khami post kha, I birthday ah ka la present ang che :)
This is what i want to hear from a mizo girl! I'm proud of You!!!
Ka comment lo ang ka ti zet a... a uihawm e mai tlem dah leh hram ang :) Ropuirapthlakeltiang an tih ang hi a ni e...
Congrats on being awarded the prestigious Sandman's ZO blogger post of the week!!! Treat!!!
That would be the sweetest thing for my birthday.. :-)
@Angaiha Mizo: Thank you, and thanks for visiting :)
@VaiVa: haha, a rap in a rapthlak! I lo comment leh zet avangin lawm e :D
@The Chhamanator: core 3 mini pizza ka treat ang che :P
@Alejendro: nakum june 7th ah aw, remind me not to forget :D
Dear Friend,
This is one of the most inspiring blog i have ever read about being happy and proud about who we are and what we have..Happen to read your blog when i was searching about life in Aizawl..
IF Find Time Read My Blog :http://johndoordie.blogspot.in/2010/02/why-should-i-worry.html
Please cancel this comment if you feel this comment from an outsider is inappropriate.
1) You should not compare anyone with the men of North and North Western India. They come from perhaps the most patriarchal society on earth. It is quite easy to be better men than us. Fortunately our women have somewhat of a shot at liberation. Lets see what happens.
2)"Because they are born as “men” and it is their responsibility to preserve the race, a race having a population not even enough to open Shopper’s Stop and Movie theatres and eateries like Pizza Hut or Café Coffee Day, to earn profits. Yes, that is how less we are. And it hurts them to see their own girls being taken by an already well-established race."
This seems odd and out of place in your blog. Why is it always the girls who are taken away from the 'race' ? Cant women take men away from their 'race' ? My girlfriend (and to be wife) is a Jain (I am a meat eating Hindu), but she is unequivocal that our children wont eat meat until they are old enough to make their own decision. If there is equality between the partners, the question of being taken from a 'race' will not arise.
(Although I sympathize with the broad point about Mizos being a small community and all, but they are in no danger of extinction. In fact, the population is increasing at a healthy rate.)
Van tha pup pup ve.......like mawlh222222
@Shirley John: thanks! Read the blog, good one :)
@Vikram: Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
@Ronson: Ka lawm e :)
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