3T: Kindly introduce yourself and tell us how it was like growing up.
Manngai: Hello everyone, My name is Manngai H Phom. I am an Asst. Prof. at the Deptt. of English, Tetso College. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D from Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam, under the Faculty of Language, Literature and Linguistics. I am the third child to my parents of all the five we are. I am really excited to share my thoughts with you all. Thanks to the SPOTLIGHT team for giving me this opportunity.
3T: What inspired you to be a teacher? And why did you choose English? How rewarding is teaching a subject that you are passionate about?
Manngai: I would say, since my younger days I was always engaged indirectly in teaching. I can still remember those of my college days where my hostel room was filled with friends who would come the day before the exams seeking clarifications on certain chapters and lessons. Prior to my college days I used to volunteer in a Government School which my mothers served as they were in shortage of teachers.
The good response of the students is what keeps me going and till today allows me to strive further. Teaching in a classroom gives me a sense of responsibility to chisel and mold them within the stipulated moment of 45 mins vested in me. I would take it as an opportunity to tune the students, push and curate their thought process to the best I can.
3T: What is a typical day like in your life?
Manngai: After Tetso has become a part of my current life, I am normally a Teacher by Day and a Scholar by Night. Every morning I would wake up, take breakfast, and leave for work. On returning by evening, I would play Badminton for an hour, take my dinner and start working on my scholarly affair till my bedtime.
3T: Suppose you win a lottery ticket and end up winning 10 million rupees. What would you do with the money?
Manngai: Honestly, I am someone who has no share of luck in lotteries. But, If I win 10 million rupees in all of my wildest dreams, I would put some on saving, some in stocks, while some for a good humanitarian cause as in whichever circumstances comply.
3T: What is the best and worst part about your job?
Manngai: The best part of my job is meeting the students. While the worst part could be missing out the right words while explaining.
3T: Is there any raging societal issue that you would want to be solved at the earliest? Why and how does it disturb you?
Manngai: I would say it’s the casual attitude in the social order. To be specific, I don’t like it when people don’t react rightly to various situations. Especially in Nagaland, there is no sound judgment of the situation. People plainly behave with a tribalist and nepotic intent. It is something that holds back the community at large from growing in civility.
3T: How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
Manngai: Live it once but Wisely
3T: Vocational education and recreational activities along with quality education are so important for the all-round development of a student. Do you think that the educational institutions in Nagaland are putting in enough effort to cater the needs of students?
Manngai: There are many areas where students can experience holistic development. This ushers in when people and educational stakeholders understand the need for validating both goods as well as services. We need to see careers beyond mainstream settlement. Liberal Arts is a new venture for people at College levels and few colleges have made an effort to host such directives in their educational prospects. I think Nagaland as a place where limitless talents and opportunities meet, caters enough for people to think far and wide in their career prospects.
3T: What is your greatest strength and weakness?
Manngai: I would count ‘Patience’ to be a strength, while not being able to say no to certain things or people’s insistence may be my weakness.
3T: Can you tell us your hobbies? What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
Manngai: Other than classroom teaching, I am an ‘amateur’ Baker who loves writing poetry and lyrics. I sing occasionally and sometimes do poorly with mimicry.
3T: Have you ever wished to meet any fictional character in real life? What character is that?
Manngai: I wished to meet Robinson Crusoe. I would like to hear more of his stories from the Island.
3T: Describe the next five years of your life, and your plans.
Manngai: Doing research and making music.