Congratulations ! Armstrong Pame (IAS) as I see

By:- DP Panmei *

It is a very proud moment for me to hear the news of the success of my former student in the person of Shri Armstrong Pame as a new IAS officer. He is the second son of Shri Haitung Pame and Ningwangle, hailing from Impa village of Tousem Sub-division, Tamenglong district where there is no road communication except the British bridle path that links with his village from Tamenglong HQ not to speak of electricity. He belongs to Zeme speaking group of Zeliangrong community.

I, on behalf of the School Management, teaching & non-teaching staffs and students would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to him on his remarkable success, the 6th Position holder among the 61 tribals who got through in the last civil exam.

From his childhood days Shri Armstrong Pame grew up as an obedient boy. By nature he looks always radiant and brilliant. When he was 9 years old he was admitted to our School in Class II in 1993. In the I Terminal Examination of Class Ill, 1994 he topped in the class securing more than 90% of marks.

So he was given double promotion in the same year. In the School Annual Examination, 1994 he topped all the more securing more than 90% of marks. In the Final Examination of Class V in 1995, he topped in the class securing more than 90% of marks so he was given double promotion again to study Class VII (seven) in the year 1996.

In the year 1997 he then left the School as there was no higher upgraded class for him.

Question 1 : What is your comment about Christian Grammar School ?
Armstrong Pame : "There was so much competitive spirit among the students and I had also improved my communication skill in English as English speaking among the students was made very compulsory. I would like to advise all the students when there is a will there is a way. God does not take away the good and desirable things unless He has a better one. Be all you can be."

Question 2 : Is there any other comment about the Teachers ?
Armstrong Pame : Sir Lungruanang was the one who grounded me in Mathematics. Madam Akunga was a model teacher who really was a motherly fine, Madam Sucy, w/o Daniel Section Officer in Tamenglong Autonomous District Council was a good Science Teacher who gave me 120 marks in Science when I was in Class V, 100 marks for the subject and 20 marks for good handwriting. I give my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the teachers who groomed me up to be like today's status.

Gaikhangam presenting gift to Amrstrong Panmei Picture Courtesy: Hueiyen Lanapao

Later he joined United Builders School and matriculated from the said School in I Division in 2000. After his matriculation he studied in St Edmund's College, Shillong in Class XI (Science) and passed Class XII from Meghalaya Board of Hr Sec Education in 2002 and stood at 3rd Position of I Division.

Shri Armstrong Pame was a hard working student in addition to his intelligence. Realising that he was hailing from a poor family of ill­communicated village, he was determined to study hard and excel in life by overcoming all the hurdles that might come on his way. He was even compelled to shed tears thinking of his people who are living from hands to mouth, carrying their daily needs on their backs by climbing up the high mountains everyday except Sunday for sustenance of their lives.

I still vividly remember the mother of Shri Armstrong Pame approaching me and requesting in tears, "Hujuwangpeugau, nangchahmedui leisi ketei neihsan kilung-a lungsia kesang, nange in-gia gairadelei."
(Father of Hujuwang, your nephews and nieces want to study very much but our family is very poor, therefore, please have compassion on us for their fees).

I know that all his brothers and sisters including Jeremiah Pame, Lecturer in English Department, Delhi University, Ms Poureigale, Lungtuabui Pame were all bright in studies. Of course, it is the ceaseless prayers of the mother to God that could make them somebody great in the society, for matter in the country.

I am really proud of Shri Armstrong Pame whom I and other teachers trained him up to become somebody in the society from his school days. His becoming as an IAS officer after putting in many years of hard studies has created a history on the pages of the School's academic performances. All other students have many things to learn and emulate him. It is hoped that many other students will also follow his footsteps and bring laurels to the School in the years to come.

I used to advise my students that "though we are from the poor families, our brains are second to none." Shri Armstrong Pame is one of the glaring examples he has set for all to follow. Poverty is not the only factor that hinders our studies, we need to work hard with grim determination that will give us way to shine.

Shri Armstrong Pame is a God-fearing young man who respects the elders and teachers. He was conferred Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree by St Stephen's College, Delhi in the Convocation Celebration at which I was Invited as his guardian and Former Principal to grace. He was conferred two certificates—one for being the Best Student of the year, 2005 and another for being the Best Participant in the College's Chapel.

Shri Armstrong Pame was the best debater during his college days at both University level and National level having received as many as 25 certificates for being the Best Debater. With the cash awards he received as prizes for his performances in debating in the University and National competitions he used to support himself for his studies in the college.

Shri Armstrong Pame got selecton in the All India Level Entrance Examination for Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in 2005 securing the 7th rank. But he continued his Three Year Degree Course (TDC) till graduation. He appeared the Civil Examination in 2007 and got Indian Revenue Service (IRS); in Custom and Central Excise.

But he got Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2008 when he has attained the age of 24 years. His Date of Birth is 23-09-1984. Lastly but not the least, I pray to God that many other students from our School will also come up by looking unto God and following the foot­steps of Shri Armstrong Pame and shine wherever they are and shall enlighten the whole world as we sing in our School's Anthem and pray to God everyday.

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* DP Panmei wrote this article for The Sangai Express (and also for Hueiyen Lanpao - English Edition) . The Writer is the Principal of Christian Grammar School, Manipur
This article was webcasted on June 21st, 2009.

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