Women’s Voices: Untold Story of Nurse K. Lalthansiami During the Rambuai Period in Mizoram (1966-1986)

Abstract

The Mizo National Front (MNF) declared independence from the Indian government on 1st March 1966, leading to two decades of chaos and turmoil in the region. This period, known as the Rambuai period (troubled time), was a watershed moment in the Mizo’s history. Following 3 years of peace settlement between the MNF and India, there has been a significant increase in the publication of books focusing on the Rambuai period. However, a review of the existing literature reveals a strong emphasis on political developments and military operations, with limited attention given to the women and ordinary people in the movement.

In recent years, there has been a shift in feminist literature towards highlighting women’s agency in times of conflict, moving away from a sole focus on victimisation. This shift is particularly relevant when examining the involvement of women in war or any independence movement, as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of their experiences. By connecting this approach to social history and feminist theory through Ms K. Thansiami’s personal stories, we will emphasise the recognition and amplification of women’s roles and agency within Rambuai narratives. Also, the aim would be to give a voice to women. In this context, titi (unstructured conversation) was used for collecting data.