By Neena Bhandari

Imphal (India), 21.04.2009 (The Hindu Businessline): While Manipur simmers with unrest, memories of a once serene State come flashing to mind. As the aircraft takes off leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Dum Dum, the Manipuri air-hostess greets us with a polite `namaste’. Flying across Bangladesh in this Calcutta-Imphal flight, an uncertain delight engulfs me for North-East has always held a special fascination for me.

After a few hours and a stopover at Silchar, where passengers who board the flight remind one of bus commuters, some even carrying sacks of potatoes, we touch the rain-washed airfield of Imphal.
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