A tribute to Prof Konthoujam Rajendra Singh
- Mar 15, 1926 to Mar 15, 2003 -

M Ranjit Singh *

Professor Konthoujam Rajendra Singh was born on March 15, 1926 at Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal, Manipur. He was the ninth child of Shri K. Chaoba Singh and Smt K. Tonshija Devi amongst seven sisters and two brothers. He passed the Matriculation Examination and Intermediate Examination(Sc) in Class I from the Calcutta University in 1945 and 1947 respectively. He got his B.Sc. Degree with First class First from the Cotton College, Gauhati under Calcutta University in 1949.

He was awarded GOLD MEDAL in M.Sc. Applied Mathematics from the Calcutta University in 1951. He went to UK for pursuing research. He submitted his thesis titled "Some Problems of Thermal Convection in Magneto Hydro- dynamics" for the Degree of Ph.D., being an account of research work carried out in the Department of Mathematics of the University of Leeds under the supervision of Professor T. G .Cowling, F.R.S., Professor of Applied Mathematics during the session 1958-1960 (quoted from his thesis page 1). He was awarded the Ph.D. Degree by the University of Leeds, U.K. on the seventeenth day of May, 1961.

He published many research papers. One of them (as per record) is "Thermal Connection in Magneto Hydrodynamics" (jointly with T.G.Cowling), Qtrly. Journal of Mechanics & Applied Mathematics, Vol. xvi, Part I Feb.1963.

He guided many research scholars directly or indirectly. His past doctoral students are (i) Dr. Jacob Zachariah (1978), Some Problems on MHD Flow Past Solid Bodies and Thermal Convection in MHD, (ii) Dr. S. Khogen Singh (1991), Stratified Fluid Motion in a Channel with reference to the Flow towards a Sink and Flow past a Dipole and Solid Bodies and (iii) Prof. Bhavan Chandra Kalita (1990 as a joint), Investigation of Solitary Waves in Plasma .

He left many unpublished manuscripts on Dynamics and Statics, and lecture notes on Analysis, Electricity & Magnetism, Numerical Analysis-Theory of Problems & Errors, Inequalities, Geometry, Theory of Relativity, etc.

He was also a creative writer and left many unpublished short stories and poems in Manipuri language.

He served as a teacher and administrator in the Assam Engineering College, Centre of Advanced Study in Applied Mathematics , Calcutta University, C.I.College, Bishnupur (Manipur) and visiting Professor in JNU Centre (Manipur University). He was one of the pioneers in the subject in this country.

He had worked in the department of Mathematics, GU for a total of 20 years and retired as a Professor & Head of the same on the 22nd May, 1988. Having retirement from his service he was appointed (as) a visiting Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Manipur University.

He was one of the architects who developed the Department of Mathematics, Manipur University (the erstwhile JNU Centre, Imphal). He was also in touch with the Teachers' Association in the University.

He associated with the Editorial Board of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council for Higher Secondary School, Manipur, for Mathematics text books. He rendered his service to UPSC, MPSC, UGC, CSIR, etc. for academic matters and confidential works.

He also held important positions in academic committees of Manipur Univer- sity and other universities of the neighboring states. He was the sole contributor of Curriculum Framework in Mathematics at the Regional/National level.

He was one of the prominent mathematicians in the eastern India. In fact, he was the first person awarded the Ph. D. Degree in Mathematics in the state of Manipur.

He was honored by the Manipur Association for the Promotion of Science (MAPS) on June 20, 1998 in the sixth anniversary conference of the society in due recognition of his pioneering contributions in the field of Mathematical Sciences in Manipur

He was associated with all the groups of people working to promote the subject in the state of Manipur till his last day.

Needless to say. Professor K. Rajendra Singh was born genius. After dedicating his life for more than fifty years in promoting the subject and moral education in the state of Manipur, our beloved and dedicated teacher left for his Heavenly abode on March 15, 2003. In the Manipuri society, there is a belief that the soul of those who are born and also die on the same day will not be reborn.

He left his wife, three sons and one daughter.

May his soul rest in peace.