TCN Special Series: Part IV on Jayanti Keishing
By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,
Jayanti Keishing, 64-year-old lady, is the chief secretary of the Action of Women in Development, an Ukhrul-based NGO in Manipur that works on food and livelihood security and women in governance covering five villages. She is married to Ngaithang Keishing and is mother of two daughters and four sons. Jayanti was the eldest of seven siblings and currently she is grandmother to eight grand children. She shares her highly motivating and inspiring life and work with Anjuman Ara Begum of TwoCircles.net.
How do you remember your childhood?
I was very adventurous and extrovert. I was a tomboy and used to fight with boys. I didn’t like to be controlled. I was very good in studies and was always the first since I was admitted in school. When I was about seven or eight years old, one day my mother asked me not to go to school. I thought I would miss my school only for one day. But I realized next day that I was not to go to school for one full year to take care of my new-born sister and help my mother in the household chores. One year passed by. I used to spend the whole day in cleaning and washing. Then one day, my teacher was passing by our house and shouted at me, ‘Why are you not coming to school?’ What could I answer? I was in tears and shocked. I felt shy to come out of the house as I was not going to school and felt it odd to show my face to my classmates. I realized that I was detained to look after my sister for a year. The next year I resumed going to school. Since I was very good in studies, I was promoted to the next class. I studied very hard and got good marks in the next annual examination. This enabled me to win a scholarship of Rs 5, which in those days was big money for me. I gave the money to my mother and she made a very beautiful dress for me. That was the happiest day of my life. I ran around wearing that dress and my joy had no bounds. I continued to win this scholarship in the following years as well. When I was in seventh standard, my mother fell ill. My studies were again disturbed and I got fourth position while being promoted to class eight. On the first day of my class in VIII standard, the teacher was calling our rolls and I responded when she shouted, ‘Roll No 1’. Then the teacher scolded me, ‘You are no more 1. You are 4 this year’. I was so embarrassed and ashamed.
Jayanti Keishing
Then how were your further studies?
In those days, there was public exam in class VIII. Only a very few could pass and I passed in second division. When I was admitted in class IX, our school was converted to higher secondary and it became Tamphasana Higher Secondary School. I did well and passed 10th. For class 11th and 12th, we had to choose subjects. I wanted to take science as I wanted to be a doctor. Everyone insisted that I take arts stream. I was adamant. At that time, there was no good science teacher in that school. I passed 12th in third division and my scoring was less to get me a seat in premedical classes. Hence I shifted to Imphal and took admission in D.M College in Imphal to study B.Sc with Biology and chemistry.
Was studying B.Sc. smooth for you?
When I was studying second year of my B.Sc., my father was shot dead by the militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). It was in 1969 September. Indira Gandhi was planning to visit Manipur and Ukhrul as well. My father was 50 years old and was serving as Assistant Commandant in the 1st Battalion of Manipur Rifles. He was always praised by his seniors. One DIG called to say that Ms. Queen had invited my father to accompany him to Ukhrul as my father was a local person from Ukhrul. The DIG was looking after the security arrangements for Indira Gandhi. He couldn’t go to Ukhrul and hence my father was on his way and in an ambush he was killed near the entrance gate of Ukhrul village.
Where were you when it happened?
That day there was a protest against the proposed visit of Indira Gandhi in the college area. I spent the day there and had snacks too with my friends. On my return to my room, I felt so exhausted and sleepy. I closed the door and went to sleep. Just before I lied down on my bed, somebody knocked the door. I found a neighbor of mine from Ukhrul who asked if I knew any news from Ukhrul. I expressed my ignorance. He informed me that Indira Gandhi had cancelled her visit to Ukhrul but there was an ambush near Ukhrul and my father was injured. This news was shocking for me. I felt that my father was no more with us. I took my cycle and went to the Manipur Rifles office to enquire about my father. Everyone was looking at me and I was taken to the office of the Commandant. I asked the commandant about my father. He asked, ‘Who is your father?’ I answered, ‘Rathing Saija’. He answered without any hesitation, ‘He is killed’. I lost all my senses. I thanked him and came out and went to my house where I found my sister crying. It was a big loss for me and our family. I was hardly 24 years old and had seven siblings. I consoled my siblings. The next day, the dead body was brought to the office of the Manipur Rifles and the body was taken to our home for cremation.
How did you continue your studies after that?
I failed that year in one subject. Since I was in science stream, I couldn’t appear the next year. And I could not complete my B.Ss in my life. I went back to Ukhrul and started teaching in a local school before getting married in Hartan village, near Chandel district. I was not a good home maker as I could not fetch water or collect firewood from the nearby forest. I started learning everything including harvesting. I used to teach the women of the village. I gathered women at night and arranged for adult education. I used to teach them reading, writing and mathematics. I also conducted examinations. There was some competition and our centre was the best centre for adult education. It was 1979. I was so happy. In those days women used to cover their head with veil in winter. I taught them to knit woolen caps. I opened a school with three classes with 40 students with a fee of Rs 8. Those fees were supposed to be my salary. But I used to spend it on the school itself and for my children to study in that school only. I learnt Meitei language. Later I appointed teachers and admitted children from Meitei. Those from the Muslim community kept pouring in. I stopped the adult education centre for the school.
Did you come back to Ukhrul after that?
In 1983, my husband was transferred to Ukhrul and I came back to Ukhrul after 8 years as the mother of five children. I was invited to become a member of the Tangkhul Sana Long. I became vice president of the organization later. I also joined the Volunteers for Village Development (VVD) which was founded by Ashok Tipnis in 1982. We started working with the VVD. They gave us Rs 3000 and also provided training in Chennai. This money and training helped me to work for women’s development. For the first time I left home for 45 days’ training when my child was only 8 months old. After the training I was selected for training in the Mission Health Association in Japan. I was sent a ticket to Tokyo but I had no passport and so could not go that time. I went next year for a 50 days’ program and learnt about the working and advocacy of the NGO.
That was the beginning?
Up to 2000, I worked with the VVD and this gave me lots of opportunities for training on health issues. I learnt herbal medicine too. I applied my knowledge and helped villagers. Later I compiled documentation on herbal medicine. I also attended a doctors’ round table conference organized by the Regional Centre for Science and Technology in Delhi when I was working with Homeopathy volunteers in Ukhrul. I went to Lullong in Orissa too for training. Then I joined the United Naga Mission. And in 2008, I founded and am associated with the Action of Women in Development (AWID).
How do you manage your home and work?
I am very strict at home. I set time for my children for study, playing and also including helping me in the household chores. I play with them sometime and also teach them whatever I know.
Does your family help in your activity?
My husband is retired now and hence he complains sometimes as I couldn’t give much time for him due to travel. But my family supports my commitment and villagers too appreciate me. Some even suggest me to retire and take rest. But I tell them that I love to work for my people and will continue to do it. I am very contended with my work.