Moirangthem Rajen : Sahitya Akademi Award 2016 Winner

Daniel Chabungbam *

Moirangthem Rajen : Sahitya Akademi Award 2016 Winner

Manipur' Moirangthem Rajen Singh was among the 24 writers named for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards 2016. According to Sahitya Akademi New Delhi, eight books of poetry, seven of short stories, five novels, two books of criticism, one book each of essays and play have won the award this year.

The awards were given for books published during January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

Moirangthem Rajen Singh who is currently posted as Commandant of 8th Manipur Rifles, headquartered at Leikun (Chandel) is among 24 authors named for the Sahitya Akademi Award 2016.

The awards comprising a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, as well as a shawl and a cheque of Rs 100,000 will be presented to the authors at New Delhi on February 22, 2017.

Rajen will be receiving the prestigious award for his short stories entitled 'Cheptharaba Eshing Pun', which was published by Patriotic Writers Forum Manipur in 2011.

The youngest of seven siblings, Rajen, son of Kokngang and Rajani, was born on January 1, 1962 and completed matriculation from Vivekananda Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School at Digboi (Assam) in 1977. He passed his twelve standard from Mother's International School New Delhi. He graduated from Delhi University and acquired the masters' degree in history from the same university before taking a course on Spanish language at JNU, New Delhi.

Moirangthem Rajen : Sahitya Akademi Award 2016 Winner

Even though Rajen was selected as a lecturer and served at Kha-Manipur College Kakching, he opted for the police service after getting through the Manipur Police Service Examination conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission in 2003.

His earlier publications include 'Hiroshima Gi Thawai' poetry penned in 1996 and short story entitled 'Cheng-hi Manam' in 1997.

Rajen has been awarded Akoijam Chaoton Rajkumari Muktasana Manipuri Sahitya Mana 2012 of Manipur Sahitya Samiti Thoubal for his book 'Cheptharaba Eshing Pun', Yendrembam Surlata Puraskar Award 2014 of Sahitya Seva Samiti Manipur, Kakching. Rajen was the editor of 'Chumthang' journal of Sahitya Seva Samiti Kakching. He is a life member of Patriotic Writer's Forum Manipur.

He has served as Sub-divisional Police Officer Tamenglong, Sub-divisional Police Officer Nungba, Assistant Commandant of 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, Deputy Commandant of 7th Manipur Rifles, Additional Superintendent (Ops) Imphal East, Superintendent of Police Churachandpur and Assistant Director of Manipur Police Training College.

The last recipient of the award in the short story category from Manipur was Maibam Nabakishore of Hiyanglam Mayai Leikai in 2005 for his book entitled 'Pangal Shonbi Eisi Adomgini'.