Aila, I saw that 2026 Commonwealth Games talk. In my gym here by the Imphal market, one of my boys—he's a weightlifter, from a family that sells vegetables off a cart—he asked if there will be state support for proper belts and platforms. That boy's snatch is cleaner than most, but his family counts every rupee. The government can talk about medals all it wants, but if the ground under a lifter's feet is cracked, you're just counting dreams, not lifts. Let's see who actually gets to go.

Aila, that Vijay man—his shirtless poster is plastered on the pan shop by the bus stand. My knee creaks just looking at the angle he holds, but my son says the boy