Ex-Army officer extends helping hand to widows, children hit by violence in Manipur

Pune, Feb 4 (PTI) – Moved by the hardships faced by those affected by ethnic violence in Manipur, retired Indian Army officer Lt Col L Manongba has dedicated himself to helping widows earn a livelihood and ensuring the education of children left fatherless by the conflict.

His unwavering commitment was recognized last month when Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedipresented him with the Veteran Achiever Award during the Army Day Parade in Pune. Lt Col Manongba was honored for assisting 35 widows in setting up small businesses and sponsoring the education of 60 children who lost their fathers in the strife-torn state.

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing thousands. In response, Lt Col Manongba launched "Wings of Hope," a charitable non-profit organization that works to rebuild lives shattered by the conflict.

A Mission to Uplift the Affected​

A 1979 graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Lt Col Manongba has long been dedicated to the welfare of ex-servicemen in Manipur. After retiring from the Army, he worked in the corporate sector before taking charge of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in Imphal, where he mobilized a network of veterans to provide aid in remote, hilly areas.

However, when violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities escalated in May 2023, many families—especially those living in the foothills—were left devastated. Reports of young married men being killed in the conflict deeply disturbed him, prompting him to convene a meeting with fellow ex-servicemen to develop an action plan.

Wings of Hope: Bridging the Gaps in Aid​

While the government has been making significant relief efforts, Lt Col Manongba and his team identified gaps in assistance and decided to step in. Their trust, Wings of Hope, started visiting relief camps where over 30,000 displaced persons were struggling to survive.

During these visits, they found 150 widows, mostly Meitei, aged 25-40, who had lost their husbands, as well as 60 children at risk of dropping out of school due to financial hardship. Understanding the urgent need for support, the organization launched two key projects:

1. Education Sponsorship for Children – Lt Col Manongba reached out to his NDA batchmates, seniors, and friends for financial support. The initiative now provides ₹95,000 every month to ensure that 60 children continue their education.
2. Empowering Widows Through Livelihood Projects – The organization provided soft loans to 35 widows, helping them establish sustainable businesses.

For instance, a 30-year-old widow received a ₹30,000 interest-free loan to start a poultry business in December 2023. She purchased 300 chicks, which matured within 45 days, yielding over 500 kg of poultry. A buyer purchased her entire stock, earning her ₹50,000 in profit.

Another widow was supported with financial aid to start weaving muga silk, while groups of widows in relief camps have started handcrafting crochet dolls, incense sticks, and other artisanal products. These handmade goods are now being sold at flea markets in Kolkata and other regions, creating a steady income source for the women.

A Continuing Mission of Hope​

Lt Col Manongba’s initiative stands as a beacon of resilience and self-reliance in Manipur’s conflict-hit areas. "Through Wings of Hope, we continue our mission to rebuild lives and restore hope for those devastated by the ethnic violence," he said.

His dedication has not only provided financial stability to widows and children but has also inspired communities to move forward despite adversity. With sustained support, initiatives like Wings of Hope are ensuring that the affected families find a way to heal, rebuild, and regain control of their futures.