Review on autobiography 'Reminiscence of coming and remembering return journeys'

Prof Dr Jaykiran A Tidke *

Book Title : Reminiscence of coming and remembering return journeys
- edited and published by Prof N Irabanta Singh,
Nibiaa Consultancy Pvt.Ltd.
Singjamei Bazar , Imphal (2020).

I know Prof. Dr. N. Irabanta Singh since 1987 when I completed my Post Graduation at Nagpur Maharashtra. However, I come to know him as a great philosopher, teacher, scientist and a good human being at par; after going through his autobiography "Reminiscence of Coming and Remembering Return Journeys" edited and published by Prof.N.Irabanta Singh , Nibiaa Consultancy Pvt.Ltd. very recently which was published on his 70th birthday i.e. on 11th February, 2020.

When I visited Imphal in 2009 during 15th National Conference on Aerobiology organised by Dr. Irabanta Singh,I could observe the great aerobiologist from North East India with full of spirituality and the personality having the blend of Science and religion.

I have great pleasure and respect in the capacity of Secretary and Treasures of Indian Aerobiological Society of India to mention some of the unique combinations and distinct personality features of Dr. N.I. Singh that I have come across through the voluminous autobiography and association with him. He is an illustrious academician, perfect administrator, great scientist and well acclaimed aerobiologist of India from North- Eastern India.

To go through Dr. N. I. Singh's' autobiography was a great experience for me because I came to know such an autobiography wherein everything mentioned in book is found to be supplemented with documentary evidences that to start from the school education.

This big volume of autobiography with more than total five hundred pages, ten different chapters and the pages on 'Remembering Return Journey' speaks about the complete personality of Dr. Singh, which is nothing but the blend of Science and Spirituality.

Dr. Singh served Manipur University for more than three decades in different capacities during his service period. Anybody can come to know why he is known by "Father of Aerobiological Studies in Manipur' after looking into his autobiography and endless contributions in the field of Aerobiology that to from North East India itself. He initiated, nurtured and foster the Aerobiology research in his own land and now it is a giant tree with sweet fruits for coming generations.

After going through his contributions, the researcher like me can come to know how the person can become a doyen in the subject. It is worth to learn dedication, devotion, determination, development and contribution by Prof. Singh through his autobiography. The coming generations can emulate Dr. Singh as he represents the role model for all of us.

Dr. N. I. Singh had his place among those who initiated the Aerobiology research in India in general and in North East states of India in particular. He is also one of the Indian Aerobiologists who member of is teem of scientist who are responsible for establishment of Indian Aerobiological Society of India. He acquired academic distinctions i.e. B.Sc. Botany (Hons), M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Gauhati University, Assam.

He has 43 years of successful, illustrious and such a long inning of teaching at different levels at various reputed Institutes. At Manipur University he dedicated 31 years of his life as a Post Ph.D. researcher in various capacities. He initiated the Aerobiological research and published the research papers in national and international reputed journals after joining the Manipur University.

It is noteworthy to mention that Dr. Singh published total 143 research papers in the journals of very high quality. Seven M.Phil. and 27 Ph.D. students completed their research under the able guidance of Dr. Singh.

His responsibilities and contributions towards the society are distinctly known to scientific fraternity when he compiled and presented "Three Decades of Aerobiology Research in North East India" which includes aerobiology and diseases of field crops; aerobiology and diseases of plantation crops; aerobiology and mycotic diseases in cattle; aerobiology and allergic human diseases ; extramural aerobiology and intramural aerobiology.

He has so many contributions on his name such as "Fifty Years of Aerobiological Research in North East India", "Endemic Bioresources of India-Conservation and Sustainable Development with Special Reference to North East India" and "Microbial Resources of Indo-Myanmar(Burma) Hot spot region-Conservation and Sustainable Development with Special Reference to North East India" etc.

As an enthusiastic researcher and teacher Dr. N. I. Singh was always instrumental in adopting new technologies in frontier areas of Aerobiology subject. He digitalized the data on airborne blue green Algae of Manipur, airborne fungal spores and the data on morphological characters, their allergic effects and microscopic images of different species.

His more noteworthy contributions in the subject are the release of i) souvenir and compendium i.e. "Aerobiological and allied field research, teaching and extension at Manipur University (1984-2013)" and ii) "Aerobiology and allied field research, teaching and technology transfer at Manipur University"(1984-2015) during the academic events organized by him.

Dr. Singh also re-reviewed "aerobiology in North East India in the context of epidemiology and forecasting for fungal diseases of major crop plants" and his latest review work was on "Aerobiology in North east India in the context of health, heritage and environment". He also co-authored the book entitled "Parthenium Menance in the Indo-Myanmar Hotspot Region"

Being the Professor and hardcore researcher Dr. Singh completed fifteen Major research Projects funded by very prestigious National Institutes. During his tenure he has been awarded by several distinguishing honours and awards befitting his valuable contribution towards society and research field of his interest.

To be a fellow of any reputed Institute, Society or Institution is a great recognition; which speaks about the level of excellence achieved by any person.

He has been honoured as
a fellow by Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi;
International Society for Conservation of Natural Resources,Varanasi ;
Indian College of Allergy, Asthma and Applied Immunology, New Delhi;
Indian Aerobiological Society, Kolkata;
Linnaean Society, London;
Indian Mycological Society, Kolkata and
Society of Biology, London including Chartered Biologist (U.K) and Chartered Scientist (U.K.)
Prof. N. I. Singh served as a President and also as a Vice-President of Indian Aerobiological Society.

Last but not the least; the autobiography of Dr. N. I. Singh is supplemented with his experiences as a student of Prajapita Bramha Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya. Moreover,this is nothing but the guideline for successful life and to know about the soul.

In general, nobody thinks about return journey which needs the sound base of spiritual knowledge and understanding. After all, looking in to the social and spiritual life of Dr. N.I. Singh one can get the instinct to become a successful human being by all means.

Grant salute to grand souls.