Three-year-old Russel lost his mother to a stray bullet on July 23, 2009 in broad daylight, in the heart of Imphal, when he and his 5-month pregnant mother went for shopping in the busy commercial area of Imphal, Manipur. The state’s Police department claimed Russel’s mother, Thokchom Rabina, could have fallen to a bullet fired by the militant, Ch. Sanjit who they were after, and an encounter brought out between him and a mobile counter-insurgency police unit. Incidentally, a photojournalist contradicted the police’s version by publishing photographs that showed the police got hold of the unarmed Ch. Sanjit, the former militant, and dragging him inside a pharmacy.

Minutes later Sanjit was pulling out dead. Later one Thounaojam Herojit, the police personnel who executed Sanjit confessed to shooting Sanjit dead in cold blood, claiming he was just following order of his superior.

This tragic incident and other violent activities like bomb blasts and shoot-outs that victimized the innocent children, brought together 24 college friends to form a band of brothers, called the ‘Sons of Kangelipak’ who vowed to work for the destitute children.

Their solemn commitment for a cause became a reality on Sunday in the form of a day event called the ‘Kangleipak ki Echel’, a fund raising event that included tree plantation, photo exhibitions and a gala musical concert on the Sandy Shores, a popular picnic spot on the banks of the Sekmai river in Imphal west district.

“All the proceeds of this charity concert which features eight bands will go to the Yaibirel Destitute Children Home at Keibi Sanapat of Imphal East. We’re doing this funding raising event to help in the electrification of the children home which unfortunate do not yet enjoy electricity as yet,” said Pukhrambam Dwijamani, one of members of the ‘Sons of Kangelipak’.

“Our priority is to support those homes of destitute children, those  that are deprived of any support from the government,” added Dwijamani who revealed that there are many homes in the vicinity of the city, enjoying financial and other supports but added that there are several other homes in the remote and far-flung areas that desperately need infrastructure and financial aid to run and manage their homes. “We’ve identified the Yaibirel Destitute Children Home for the start and we’re hopeful of covering many such homes in the future,” asserted the member of the ‘Sons of Kangelipak’ who are all in their early 20s.

The Yaibirel Destitute Children Home at Keibi incidentally shelters 14 children whose age range from those who are in studying in class 1 to those doing their graduation. Due to paucity of funds, the management of the home could not subscribe to a paid electricity line. Seeing their plight during one of their visits the ‘Sons of Kangelipak’ decided to contribute their might to help electrify the home.

“Children are the most vulnerable section of our society and the pillars of the future. We want to safeguard their rights and help provide a conducive atmosphere for their healthy growth. Our target is to provide care and support for any child who is not getting proper care, orphan or not,” Dwijamani said.

While the other events like the tree plantation and photo exhibition were marred by the continuous precipitation through the day, the concert which was the main event was electrifying with the lights and sound and the rain god pausing and watching over while the eight bands, specializing a varied  musical genre  – from folk fusion, rock blue to solid rock – belted out covers as well as their original numbers to keep the multitude of youth that showed up on their feet dancing, listening and thoroughly enjoying the evening by the Sandy Shores on the banks of the Sekmai river.