Guwahati, Feb. 28 -- Ima, a Kshetrimayum ningol, married our father, who belonged to the Oinam family in Sagolband, Sayang Konthoujam Leikai, Imphal West, guided by her belief in destiny. (In Manipur, we don't have a caste system. For Meitei community, lineage is traced through seven clans, each with a specific surname; the Oinams belong to the Khuman clan).

Our father's name was Daoji Oinam, but we affectionately called him Baba. Born on 25 November 1945, he was the youngest of four siblings. His sister was called Paonam Ongbi Tolen and his two brothers, Oinam Achou and Oinam Gokul. Despite losing his parents early in life, Baba was cared for by his elder siblings. Aunt Tolen often reminisced that Baba was an obedient child who eagerly ...