Mumbai Monsoon!

When I woke up, it was raining heavily. It rained even before I slept last night. It must be raining the entire night. The long awaited monsoon had finally arrived; and more, it came with a force and within no time it already left impacts in the mind of Mumbaikers. After four days of rains, four people already lost their lives! Yesterday, landslide caused by heavy rains at Konkan Nagar, Jogeshwari took two lives. The other two were killed by collapsing of wall at Marol-Maroshi and a tree fell near Gateway of India. Not only that water started invading the 'civilization' and started disrupting normal lives. Photos in today's paper, Times of India (page 2) was intereting. A man watching TV inside his house with ankle deep of water covering the floor, a cyclist at Andheri sub way with with water level upto his waist, quarter-foot high of water flooding inside a school and a restaurant, and Super star Amitabh Bachan at the street of Kurla, supposedly finding some amusements in the flood (water not shown). This is just the beginning. In few days, we can expect hue and cry over pot holes in the newspapers, cancelling and delaying of train services (more in the central railway lines because of heavy water loggings), etc.

I dressed up, took my umbrella, and left for office. I'm a little worried about my shoes. Whether they are Lee Cooper or Red Tape or Bata, leather shoes do not really last long in the rains, especially in places like Mumbai. A pair of shoe was already spoiled on the first pour. Here, in Mumbai one can safely say when it rains, it pours. I think I should go and ask for decent 'monsoon rain friendly' shoe from Bata Store.

Monsoon must have brought some good news, too. When I reached the office the staffs were looking quite chheerful. I was wondering whether Maharastra Board class-x results came out early (it is supposed to come out only in the evening today, but people can get information early, too. For instance, if they know someone from the board, the results will be known by them in the morning. Each institute has to give out the result in the evening only after they are ready with the certificates and marksheets). Their kids must have performed really well. I did not ask them, however, since I had things to clear up in the morning. It was when I was on my way to the lounge (for lunch) only that I found out that I was wrong. I notice one circular on the wall. They were happy not because of any other reasons. It was because of Nomenclature!

Their posts have been renamed. Junior clerks will now be called Assistants; Clerks who already worked 9 years will be called Senior Assistants; those who were holding Assistant post earlier will be called Special Assistants......and this is more interesting....typists will now be called Word Processing Assistants! So, at the end of the day, they all became Assistants! It is a wonder what a name could do.

Awmawmi at TISS

Well, its a really good news for our family when my sister Awmawmi's result finally came out day before yesterday. She got admission in MA in social work (MSW) with specialisation in Psychiatric and Medical Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Deonar, Mumbai. And more, she got the hostel seat, too. It's all because of God's grace. My mother and brother called up from Aizawl to hear the good news. Wishes came from Marindiki, Nu Thai and Robert, too. Folks in Mumbai like Pu Rinawma, Pi Mawii, Pu Thuama , Pu David, James, Mapuia (Lalthan), etc. called up to wish her on her success. We thanked all of them for their prayer supports.


Now, about the Institute. TISS is one of India's premier educational institutions. It trains professionals in human resources (PMIR is considered one of the best human resources courses in India, considered by many as next to XLRI) and social work (social work course here is also considered as one of the tops, if not the top, in India), carries out research on social problems and social sciences, as well as publishes and disseminates this information for the benefit of society. It is also one of the few institutions in the country which undertakes field projects to demonstrate the workings of organised and systematic welfare measures. Many students who would like to have specialisation in such courses used to appear in the examinations (written& group discussion in the first stage and interview in the second stage) conducted every year. For 2005-07, intake of students are as follows:

MA in Personal Mangement and Industrial relation (PMIR) -31;
MSW (Psychiatric and Medical Social Work )-30;
MSW (Family and Child Welfare)- 28;
MSW (Criminology and Correctional Administration) -19;
Master of Hospital Administration (MHAHO)- 21 (15 are doctors);
Master of Health Administration (MHAHE)- 12 (8 are doctors)

The establishment of this prestigious institute dated back in the 1920s when an American missionary, Dr Clifford Manshardt, pioneered several urban community programmes in the chawls of Bombay near Nagpada. Sir Dorabji Tata supported his initiative and the idea of an institute for social work was born. In 1936, the Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work was established for professional training in social work, in the premises of the Nagpada Neighbourhood House (which was a diploma course). In 1944, it was renamed as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

The present campus of the Institute, at Deonar in Mumbai, was opened on October 6, 1954, by the then prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. And In 1964 it was recognised as a deemed university by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Madiki & Isaac's Wedding (more photos)!!

More photos on Madiki & Isaac's Wedding.

Inside the Church


Exchange of Rings


Pastor's Prayer for the new couple


Autographs!!!!




The first Bouquet!


Both the Mothers of the Bride and the Groom

From L-> R:
Nu Thachhungi (Isaac's mom),Robert, Isaac, Madiki, Koky & Nu Zovi (Madiki's mom)

Madiki's Friends (including me)

From L-> R:
Back Row: Albert, David Tetea, Nunkima, F.Lalhmingliana, John LT Sanga, Maruata, Mavula, S-a, Jeremy
Front Row: Nunpuii, Madingi, Robert, Isaac, Madiki, Koky, Ramhluni (Mami) & baby,Sangi , Baby.

Isaac's Friends


Crowd- Bride's Relatives:


Isaac's & Madiki's Family & U Lawma- at Tourist Lodge:



Madiki & Isaac - Bethlehem Thar Church

Madiki & Isaac's Wedding!!

May 6, 2005 (Friday) was my sister Madiki's Wedding Day. It took place at Bethlehem Thar Presbyterian Church, Aizawl. The reception took place at Tourist Lodge, Chaltlang, Aizawl. Her husband's name is Major Isaac VL Sailo. It was a wonderful event! Here are some of the photos (in thumbnails now, to reduct the space-will open in new windows)
Isaac & Madiki


Before The Alter


Cake Cutting!


Warm Welcome By Assam Rifles Band Party!



Unau (Bros&Sis)!


Family!


From L->R:
Back : My brother, Mahmangaiha; Me.
Front: My sister, Awmawmi; Isaac's brother, Robert; Isaac; Madiki; Madiki's friend, Koky; my mother, Zovi.