On such a day

[ Ronid Chingangbam of 'Burning Voices/Imphal Talkies' pens a provocative piece of poetry on the 61st Republic Day of India]

By- Ronid (Akhu) Chingangbam

On such a day like 26th January

she carries the country in her basket

wrapped adoringly with the tricolor cloth

and walks in the deserted street

On such a holiday some organizations call bandh

this time it was 15 outfits

the vegetables lay silent

the trees are bored to death

the rickshaws are recharging in winter sun

She stops in the middle of the road

and whisper "i am letting you free"

she sobs and says "i have nothing to feed you anymore

you were left at my courtyard when the India Armies

came to pick up my husband

as armies have a habit of leaving their foot marks

in the soil they have walked

and taking lives that belong to the soil.

So i named you India

and I need this basket now

to decorate flowers for my dead husband"

And Slowly the puppy, India, comes out of her basket

and runs free on the street with its sloppy ears

but don't know how long India will run

On such a day, On such holiday

On such bandh, folks love to eat meat

folks love to eat dog meat.

Run! India! Run!

.........................................................

Ronid strumming chimes against eviction
of students in Delhi University
 and plunder in the name of CWG 2010

Ronid (Akhu) Chingangbam is a protest singer and poet from Manipur who is now based in Delhi. He is also the lead vocalist of alternative band 'Imphal Talkies and the Howlers'. Ronid is often seen performing passionately with his guitar in various protest events in Delhi and beyond. On various occasions, he has also lend his voice of protest in public events organized by New Socialist Initiative (NSI).