The rain is pouring down with the lightning reinforcing it, as if coalition forces are bombing the terrorist hideouts in Tora Bora. The boisterous sound of a thunderbolt is shaking the earth as if another bomb is exploding. The sun is completely engulfed by the thick darkening fog. The rainy season is accompanying Mr. Monsoon from the south-west into the hilly region of Chinland and is trumpeting with a thundering voice to all the Chin people to announce that it is time to start their farming - from sowing the seeds to herding domestic animals into pens - while all the creeks and rivers are flooding down. Wives and daughters are busy with preparing rice, matches, scimitars, pick-axes, hoes, locally rolled cigarettes, local pump-guns, and rucksacks for the month long absences of their husbands and fathers who will head out to farm soon.

Pu Lai Mang turned to his youngest daughter and kissed her a couple of times before leaving his family for their paddy field. “Papa, bring many fish home when you come back," said his little daughter. Pu Lai Mang has been living with his wife Pi Tial Sung for forty years and the couple is blessed with seven children - four young daughters and three elder sons. The neighbours love Pu Lai Mang as if he is their father too. Pu Lai Mang is an illiterate but largely knowledgeable person in terms of rural society. He is strong, open-minded, undisguised and full of muscles even if he has reached 60.   more »