TODAY -
✦

E-Pao! Education - Future of Physics in Manipur

Future of Physics in Manipur

By: Ningombam Bupenda Meitei *



Physics is indeed a study of nature in true sense. I have come across so many Physics students from Manipur, some are now working as undergraduate students, Master students, some doing Ph.D and a few are in some universities both in our nation and abroad.

We, Manipuris have pride in taking up the subject because it is the subject where one needs to really devote and give time with hard work. Studying physics is not everyone's cup of tea.

In this century, its not the question of developing Biotechnology, Nanotechnology or Computer Science which needs to be stressed but also the importance of Physics and in particular High Energy Physics that needs to be acknowledged.

There are so many students coming out from Manipur to study or to pursue science as mostly their parents enforced them to do so and they think that by doing so , they can live with some prideness telling the society that they are science students whether they study physics or chemistry or biology or some field of science.

Yes, we need to appreciate this mentality. And so many people who have taken science also did well and a few even fared extremely well in so called securing good grades or marks in Universities or institute exams. Even , some continue to do Ph.D and become some high profile people in the society.

Now the question is , we are good but we don't have some feeling to keep continuing with our work and doing something to generate our own originality which is very much required to fight or to compete in the international forum in Physics. People who have done physics even till M.Sc are preparing for becoming IAS and keeping beating around the bush.

Many with Physics graduation are working here and there for some white collar jobs. Why , why we have to go around looking for jobs, why can't we as physicist think and try to do something in physics? We can do it because we have the potential. Manipuris are there in the Physics department as faculty in the Cornell University in USA (to my knowledge).

Yet , there is no Manipuri faculty in Physics Dept., IISc,Bangalore though there are so many Ph.D students there also,hardly we have Manipuris in IIT doing physics or there is none in IIT Physics faculty, we have one faculty in Physics Dept., Delhi University and I think there must be a few more in some universities in India besides having in some reputed Indian colleges.

Now,the whole question is towards the future physics students from Manipur.

Why can't we sacrifice our life to do some contributions in this field?

Why can't we think or dream of getting Nobel Prize?

Why parents in majorly don't want their son or daughter to become physicist?

Why should we stay as mediocre in our life?

Why we want to just satisfy very quickly in our life journey by just getting some good paid job?

Ladies and gentleman, we have come only once on this earth and there is no logic or scientific proof to disprove that our life right now in this universe will be repeated after our death, then why shouldn't we think of doing something which nobody has done it ,at least we need to encourage people particularly the youngsters to do it both by our educational and environmental systems.

Why students need to think only of getting high marks? We need to look and study the life of so many great physicists who have set the really meaningful life in terms of hard work, dedication and total commitment with sincerity to Physics. And, we know today of Einstein, Feymann, Abdus Salam, Fermi, Pauli, Schrodinger, Dirac etc.

Well , there are so many Nobel laureates but the unfortunate is there is no one from Manipur inspite of so many great global celebrities in sports. I think physics students of today need to open their eyes in this regard that what shall we do to get Nobel Prize.

Yes, some may say that why we should go after the prize, indeed the more fortunate will be to contribute something in the field of Physics. Why should we just use physics for our livelihood by just becoming a mere lecturer?

Yes, there is nothing wrong in becoming lecturer but I feel there is no point of getting salary or staying as a Physics lecturer without doing any present research in his own field or without publishing any paper. We have so many lecturers and professors in so many colleges and university in Manipur and in India also but the unfortunate part is they hardly have any web page showing their works ,their interests and their publications in some Physics journals.

Without having any original paper or some papers published in some national and international journals , what is the big deal in teaching physics to the college students , there is nothing great in that, so many teachers are there just doing their jobs and get salary but where is their mind of doing research and without this mentality of doing research,how can that lecturer or teacher or that professor going to inspire the coming up future physicists.

Yes, people may become physicists but who will be motivated to get Nobel Prize by working whole heartedly. Well,we the present students of Physics need to think a lot in this regard that marks or grades are not the end of life, by just getting degrees or just getting some Ph.D, our life shouldn't be made to be ended as far as our intellectual curiosity is concerned.

There is an enormous amount of untapped energy in our Manipuris but due to lack of adequate laboratories and infrastructure and the most importantly, we need to culture the mindset and encourage the youths to think in the way that will bring the scientific revolution not only in the state or in region or in nation but in the entire world and I think time has come that we need to honour those who are going to sacrifice their life for physics.

Life is indeed a function of time.

Nowadays, people don't want to spend their life only in one field and that too by spending life long in physics ,one need not have to expect at all and that too in the field like Particle Physics one needs to work hard and hard and the correct results may be obtained after his or her demise but that part of research becomes an important part in the building of great theories or principles in Modern High Energy Physics in the times to come.

Parents are expected to encourage their child to become physicist but in our society ,most of them rather force their child to go to medical or engineering.

I am very happy to see science exhibitions like Science Meet organised by MASTEC and ST Dept. of Manipur but the question is how long we can continue selflessly in physics to contribute something new so that we will be remembered like Einstein ,Fermi ,Feymann,we need to have the globalised mindset.

When I was doing my summer project in CHEP,IISc , I met one physics professor who led the teachers and students of one school in Bangalore to go for a rally to publicise the World Year of Physics 2005 ( last year) and when I saw that , I remembered my home state where there are so many strikes ,bandhs and calls to disrupt the education in the state and in fact , there is no such rally to tell to the people of Manipur that Physics is the saviour of all and all mankind and its going to bring a total change in our lifehood.

I am sure that those young minds who love to continue in Physics will appreciate my writing if there are so many to discourage people of this type of mentality also.


Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, an IISc (Indian Institute of Science) Young Science Fellow, writes regularly to e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on March 04, 2006.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Langban Tha Katchaba @Haying #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy : Obituary
  • Tale of Ahu, Alang & Apapang: Amur Falcon
  • Consumerism :: Poem
  • Condemns Khamenlok Killings
  • Humble Appeal to All Concerns
  • Envious of the Chief Minister
  • Delivering a powerful point
  • Catholic Valley Schools Sports #1: Gallery
  • When the extraordinary becomes ordinary
  • The Map We Chose :: Poem
  • Dhakeswar Potsangbam : ToI Wellness Award
  • Nigeria calls on world to turn AMR pledges
  • Understanding the pressure students face
  • Training on Mushroom at Khagempali
  • Pointing finger of accusation
  • Digital Revolution & MK Binodini Devi
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #15
  • Letter From A Lost Crony :: Poem
  • Procedural lapses in dismissal of Dr Bimol
  • Manipur Sanaleibak (The Golden land)
  • Training on Seismic Hazard @MU
  • 2026 edition of Hnahsin Kut
  • Oncology & Neurosurgery OPD launched
  • Yaoshang Thabal Competition #5: Gallery
  • Orchids of Manipur
  • Pharmacists: A misunderstood profession
  • Vision Service Week at Ibotonsana School
  • Drone Tech Bootcamp at NIT Meghalaya
  • Athokpam Krishnakanta : World 2% Scientist
  • No Solution Without Identifying "Kuki"
  • Stands in Solidarity with Prof Bimol
  • Taking the idea of Manipur to Senapati
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #3: Gallery
  • 'Enoong Ngallamdai' :: Movie Review
  • VanDyke Release: Diplomacy or US pressure
  • Mental Health Awareness at High Court
  • 2026 NAMA Research Grant [Upd]
  • Fermented food for beauty
  • Mizoram Targets 5-7% Tourism Share
  • The hills continue to burn
  • Hearthside Story of Naothingkhong #2
  • Between Delhi Power & Valley's Protagonists
  • The Zeliangrongpui at a crossroad
  • Mushroom Cultivation Training at Konthoujam
  • Break from within :: Poem
  • White Canes to Govt Ideal Blind School
  • Concerned: Conflict - Yimkhiung & Tikhir
  • Mizoram Travel Fest 2026
  • Condolence : Kh Armstrong Charang
  • Turning Imphal into a dumping site
  • Sushila & Bichu @Airport #2: Gallery
  • When prime-time spectacle replaces priorities
  • For a new world organization for peace
  • Intl Day for Disaster Risk Reduction @MTU
  • Solidarity with Professor Angomcha Bimol
  • Intl Day for Disaster Reduction @Wangkhei
  • Condemns Barbaric Killings
  • Schools, roads, power & water supply
  • 'Meeyamgi Khollao Khongchat' #2 : Gallery
  • RIST Talk #76: Gravitational-Wave
  • Breast cancer month, October, 2026
  • Free Screening of "Ishanou"
  • Unlocking potentials of 7 horticultural crops
  • Skies and me :: Poem
  • Eramdam hanna kanbiyu
  • The hills, the SoO camps
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • China's Mayor Economy
  • My muse :: Poem
  • Condemns Killings & Beheading of Civilian
  • Who doesn't do Vote Chori ?
  • EZE Perfumes Enters Northeast
  • One to one meet with PM
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #14
  • 61st Hunger Marchers' Day #3 : Gallery
  • Humlennganba, Saka : Eming
  • Two interviews, one empty table
  • A landscape of silence :: Poem
  • NSS Runathon for Peace 2026
  • Gender equality- central to diplomatic leaders
  • Manipuri Calendar for year 2027 : Download
  • Meiteilon not Tibeto-Burman language: Rvw
  • Visit to George Gordon's tomb at Canchipur
  • Anandkumar Naorem: World Top 2% Scientist
  • Protect the hills to protect the valley
  • Call for Papers on Manipuri Pony
  • Ashok Singhal Ji - A Karmayogi
  • Addressing the basics of life
  • 228th Bheigyachandra @Nabadwip #1: Gallery
  • Wildlife Week Celebration at Thanga
  • Evolving women's role in Manipur tourism
  • Where do we go from here ?
  • Training Programme on Mushroom
  • Festival look for Navratras
  • Condolence : Demise of Adino Phizo
  • Significant Delhi invite to 3 leaders
  • Heterogeneous Structure of Meitei Society
  • Concert @ 18th Orange Fest #1: Gallery
  • When water management was Statecraft
  • Who switched off the respect :: Poem
  • All is not yet lost for Manipur
  • Wildlife Conservation: Securing the Future
  • Exam : Post of Under Secretary (Law)
  • Understanding narco-terrorism
  • 1500 Burma Refugees Families in 1968-1973
  • 17th World Bamboo Day : Gallery
  • Land affected families: NH-202 in Ukhrul
  • Training Programme on PCB Repair
  • World Habitat Day 2026
  • AMR survivor & WHO call to protect medicines
  • Cut fuel taxes, not food
  • Creating chaos on roads of Imphal
  • Sushila & Bichu @Airport #1: Gallery
  • Manipuri Pony: Case for Animal Science Univ
  • Hemp plant for sustainable textile & Manipur
  • Flame of the lamp & our cultural sensibility
  • Without you :: Poem
  • Welcomes Lalremsiami, Lalthantluangi
  • On the growing roadside eateries
  • Naga Peace Process: Indo-Naga Talk: Timeline
  • 36 Names: Manipur at the Asian Games
  • Abok Ki Singju to Premiere
  • A vision fragmented by corruption :: Poem
  • Gandhi Ji's 3 monkeys and Manipur
  • AI-powered X-Rays are helping find TB
  • Mizoram Reward Lalremsiami, Lalthantluangi
  • 15 years in power Vs 10 years in power
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #13
  • US-Manipur Digital Archiving Workshop
  • 8th Cultural/ Freshers' Meet for Rongmei
  • The Same Smoke :: Poem
  • Supriya looks at HYROX World C'ships
  • AI4SEVA Hackathon @IT SEZ, Mantripukhri
  • 38th Foundation Day- NIELIT Imphal #2
  • Heikru Hidongba @Bijoy Govinda : Gallery
  • Manipur's Indigenous Natural Farming System
  • Basic human needs a struggle for Sinakeithei
  • Demise of Pame, Marinmai, Lianvela
  • When I met the pugilist Sarita
  • 38th Foundation Day of NIELIT Imphal #1
  • Mizoram's Anthurium Festival Returns
  • Poll fever seems to be catching up
  • My attempt - Meiteilon is not Tibeto-Burman
  • XXXII National Thang-Ta C'ship concluded
  • One Village One Product: A better alternative
  • When machines can answer, who will judge ?
  • Explain motive- Tronglaobi Terror Attack
  • Merger of 5 elected members of NPP
  • Namghar Unites Assam & Maharashtra
  • Trade and commerce : In a limbo
  • 130th Irawat Anniversary : Gallery
  • Lamyanba Irabot Day at Itanagar
  • Irabot's Ideals Remembered at Mumbai
  • Coffee as a sustainable alternative to poppy
  • Her Godname :: Poem
  • Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Rejoinder to NPCC
  • Need to get priorities right
  • Irawat and Meetei National question
  • XXXII National Junior Thang-Ta C'ship
  • World Heart Day 2026: Don't miss a beat
  • Science in everyday life
  • Nature Education Workshop
  • Rejoinder to Dr S C Jamir
  • Daslakshan Mahaparva: Festival of 10 supreme
  • Focus back on SoO camps
  • Raengdai Vs NEROCA : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • October Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • Lebensraum or ethnic cleansing
  • World Alzheimer's Day 2026
  • Sensitization Workshop on POSH
  • Mourns Passing of Aribam Shantimo
  • Lecture on 'Indigenous Knowledge Systems'
  • Rejects allegations by NPCC President
  • The narrative Manipur needs
  • Tour Diaries of Maxwell & Higgins #2
  • Laitonjam Rishikanta @ Asian Bodybuilding
  • First poster of Interlude released
  • In the womb of time :: Poem
  • Running an abnormal State
  • Khunung Eshei & Mukna competitions
  • Conference: Challenge in Sustainable Science
  • Rolling back the highway blockade
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #12
  • Manipur Mesopotamia Force WWI : Gallery
  • PhD in Manipur : Fund it, Fix it
  • Many Voices, One State: Manipur's dilemma
  • Me and Moon: Both do the night shift : Poem
  • Putting rights: Body autonomy & sexual health
  • Green Tea for beauty
  • Yaoshang Thabal @Khurai #2: Gallery
  • AI = Arangpham Intelligence, the Frankenstein
  • World Pharmacists' Day 2026
  • Tapes of 1979 Film 'Ashroy' Discovered
  • From Pangaea to the unpredictable Earth
  • In a Crooked Room :: Poem
  • Debt recovery should be done, but within law
  • Regionalism : New political flavour
  • Chali-Saba - Kang Ningol Palli #1: Gallery
  • Book Release: Exploring The Vanishing Self
  • The Echo After Forever :: Poem
  • The paradox of Kukiland
  • Dr Wairokpam Yaiphaba : Fulbright Fellowship
  • Essay, Painting & Speech Competitions
  • Manipur : Mixture of opposites
  • Naothingkhong & Pitanga #1: Hearthside Story
  • Meiteilon is still not a Tibeto-Burman language
  • 52nd Foundation Day of AMWJU : Gallery
  • The chokehold on Manipur's potential
  • Another Langban has com :: Poem
  • Ageing needs a gendered human rights
  • Mizoram's 2026 festival season opened
  • Inspect the SoO camps
  • 61st Hunger Marchers' Day #2 : Gallery
  • lEkoLdugi warisiH :: Seireng
  • Can Strong Anti-Racism Law save NE Indians
  • Before Building a Viksit Bharat, Learning
  • Quality planting for Pineapple & Banana
  • Seminar: Career Options in Life Sciences
  • Fitclass Gym Moti Nagar Opens
  • Burning hills of Manipur
  • Culturals @Beating of Retreat #4 : Gallery
  • Justice for 6 Liangmai Nagas #2 : Gallery
  • 17th World Bamboo Day 2026
  • 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly : Gallery
  • The 731, and those who may follow
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #11
  • Little Flower School, 1973 batch : Gallery
  • Bichu Kharibam: FIH Magic Skill Award
  • Tour Diaries of Maxwell & Higgins #1
  • Ningol Phida - Shumang Leela #2 : Gallery
  • Study: Social Worker on Counselling Practice
  • India-Myanmar boundary : Mistakes of 1967
  • Radio E-pao: 5 new songs updated
  • Chiru Maroi : Scientific Documentation
  • Academic Administration Course @MU
  • To our star Tamo Vicky, Vikram Chongtham
  • Vice President visited Manipur : Gallery
  • Langban Tha Katchaba @Haying #1 : Gallery
  • Hiring @ 4-Star Hotel in Udupi
  • Ibudhou Pakhangba Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Protest by Researchers @DM Univ : Gallery
  • Meitei Esei
  • US Ambassador @ CM Mantripukhri : Gallery
  • Chongtham Vikram: Delhi Cannot Explain Away
  • A teacher does not leave when his classroom
  • 'Meeyamgi Khollao Khongchat' #1 : Gallery
  • Candle Light- Chongtham Vikram : Gallery
  • Manipuri Pony Heritage Talk to Students
  • Colonial records: Hill Areas, 1891-1947
  • Joint Resolution: Abrogation of SoO
  • Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  • Justice for 6 Liangmai Nagas #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Can Simply Be Manipur
  • PhD Admission at Assam University
  • Teachers' Day Celebration : Gallery
  • Census 2027 for Manipur deferred
  • Read Meitei Mayek news in romanized English
  • 24-hour Gen Strike (Sep 1) : Gallery
  • Panthoibi Anoi Khuthek #1 : Gallery
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #3 : Gallery
  • The flame of Haipou Jadonang
  • Kang Khichri Chaba #2 : Gallery
  • Relevance of NRC, 1951 for immigrants
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #4: Gallery
  • The King Who Caught a Bird : Konthoupa
  • Meira Rally 'No NRC, No Census' : Gallery
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #2 : Gallery
  • 35th Manipuri Language Day, 20 August
  • The chappals we leave behind
  • Search 25 years of e-pao.net
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #23
  • 360° panoramic view of spots in Manipur
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1