A Brief Life Sketch of Late Dr. N. Lairen Singh (1893 - 1978)
- Part 4 -

M Nilamani *

Dr. N. Lairen Singh

Having decided to construct the building of the college at the present ground of Kwakeithel where the brick Field was situated, an application for permission of the Calcutta University for affiliation of the college was filed. At this time Guwahati University was not in existence. Calcutta University sent its Inspector to Manipur for collecting detailed information with regard to the establishment of Manipur College but due to untimely transfer of Mr. Harvey and also many divergent views were being erupted in the Governing Body of the College Dr. N. Lairen Singh had resigned from membership of the Governing Body and thereafter the functioning of the activities of the college was totally stopped.

Dr. N. Lairen Singh also contested the Election. He was elected from Khurai Assembly Constituency and became Minister in the Council of Ministers. He was in charge of "P.W.D. & Education" Departments. His desire to work for the people was intensified and was in a position to serve the people successfully and to a great extent.

Shortage of Text Books of Meiteilon in the Education Department was remedied by printing numbers of books. Almost all the U.P. Schools of Manipur were upgraded to M.E. School to meet the demand of the High Schools.

All the Private High Schools with the exception of few schools were converted to Government High Schools during the regime of Dr. N. Lairen Singh who was In-charge of Education Department, Government of Manipur. Grants and subsidies were given to many L.P. Schools so as to open a convenient way at the time of lifting the schools as Govt. Schools.

Foundation stone of Dhanamanjuri College was laid and the contract work for the Building was assigned to the Contractor. Arrangement for opening "Botanical Garden" was made in the meadow (a vast area) lying vacant just in front of the D.M. College intervened by National Highway Road leading to Dimapur. There was no building or offices or any sort of residential houses within the said area.

The vast areas proposed for opening "Botanical Garden" at the said place ­ could have been the best and most attractive garden in the North-East. The venture of Dr. N. Lairen Singh for the establishment of Botanical Garden was unsuccessful since the term of his Ministry was over.

Many reformative measures were taken up while Dr. N. Lairen Singh was Minister In-charge of P.W.D. River bunds of all the major rivers particularly viz. Imphal River and lril River were badly damaged yearly during rainy season due to excessive flow of water running through the rivers, which caused floods all over the surrounding agricultural lands. He took up the scheme for, blocking water flow of Iril River at Khongjaithabi - a little above Pukhao Village.

By blocking and diverting the flow of water of Wangjing Turel (River) ­ now it could go to its original direction without affecting River Bunds.

Dr. N. Lairen Singh also took up construction work of the Road leading to "Thanga passing through Keibul Lamjao" and another Road leading to "Nambol" from Hiyangthang. The road leading to Andro was also construcdted by Dr. N. Lairen Singh during the tenure of his Ministership.

Besides the above-mentioned work of the constructed many river bunds giving sufficient height so that water could flow smoothly without obstructing the bunds. The Nambol river was made to fall on the Loktak Lake. Thus by Dr. N. Lairen Singh's efforts the floods which occurred every year were prevented and saved thousands of paddy fields from floods. The cultivators praised Dr. N. Lairen Singh for saving their crops.

During the tenure of Dr. N. Lairen Singh as Minister-in-charge of P.W.D., Meenuthong Bridge and Pukhaothong Bridge were constructed and the scheme for Koirengei Bridge was also put up. During the British Rule except National and International Roads of the British Government no bricks were utilised for other Roads. Thoubal - Yairipok Road was not in a good condition. It passes through Thoubal Market and villages very inconveniently. But the Minister diverted the way near the sides of the hills and made it a good road.

At this time political atmosphere of Manipur and its future prospects became complex. His Excellency, the Governor of Assam, Sir Haider Ali who had soft comer for Manipur visited Imphal. But suddenly he died at Waikhong and his dead body was buried in the grave within the premises of "Kangla". After the death of Haider Ali - Congress Government at the Centre turned its face towards Manipur.

An attempt for "Revolution" led by some opportunist people of Manipur started - convassing for merging Manipur into the Congress Government of India by removing or overthrowing the King of Manipur with the alleged ground that financially Manipur would be sound enough if merged with the Government of India and also these people claimed that they did not like to remain under Assam Government. They demanded President Rule in Manipur.

At this critical stage in Manipur, Indian Congress seemed very happy inasmuch as the Tortoise felt happy when thrown into the water. Outwardly not indicating the forcible snatching away of the administration of Sir Bodhchandra Maharaj but in alleged collusion with the Manipur Cong, the administration of Manipur was taken away form Maharajah Bodhchandra.

The name "Manipur State" had been removed and it was replaced by "Manipur Territory". Legislative Assembly of Manipur was abolished. Administration of the Territory was given to the leaders (Netas) of the Revolution and they run the Government. When Dr. N. Lairen Singh was no longer Minister, all the controversial issues and circumstances leading to the conflicts of various nature before Manipur was merged with the Cong Govt of India were focussed and published for complete one month without leaving any point under the heading "Paojel" of daily newspaper "Bhagyabati Patrika" printed and published at Sagolband Meino Leirak.

As no point was left out in the said publication, few "Netas" of that time who stood against Dr. N. Lairen Singh alleged that the said publication was not made with points - so the mind of Dr. N. Lairen Singh looks like floating Bio-Masses (Phumdis) in the Loktak Lake.

To this allegation Dr. N. Lairen Singh replied - "Perna Yelltou Pltahi-Tungi Poloi Yengnaslti." The significant meaning of these words could be interpreted as follows : "Do not talk rubbish - before you talk - think and realise the forthcoming future result". After giving his reply Dr. N. Lairen Singh gave up politics and did not touch any work except giving treatment to the patients. Bodhchan-dra died and the works of Dr. N. Lairen Singh were also completed and closed.

A significant turning point, after serving the people of Manipur as "Physician, Politician, Journalist,. Educationalist and Social Worker", had come to the life of Dr. N. Lairen Singh which had changed his early career and thought and turned into the search for spiritual life. Being fortunate enough with the mercy of Almighty God, Dr. N. Lairen got the opportunity to learn "Vedanta Upanishad".

In the year 1968 - on Monday, the 16th Dec, Dr. N. Lairen's mother Ningthoujam Ongbi Lairellakpam Leibakleima Devi died. Having realised the underlying ideas in the words which contain the essence of wisdom of the Vedas, Dr. N. L.airen's happiness knew no bounds as if rays of light was fallen on him by the grace of God.

Shandogut Upanishad (6, 8, 7), Tatwamasi (Thou Art That); Bradarnia Upanishad (2, 5, 19), Ayamat-ma Bramha (This Self is Brahma); Eibhariya Upani-shad (5, 3), Pragyanam Brahma (This Projna is Bramha); Brahadarnia Upanishad (1,4, 10); Ahang Bramhasim (I am the Bramha).

By reading the said Upanisads and fully realising its essence, Dr. N. Lairen Singh had become the (Self Styled) Disciple of Bhagavan Shree "Ramana­Maharashi" of Arunachal Ashram of Southern India - and treated Him as his "Guru", A life size photo of Gurudev "Bhagavan Ramana Maharashi" was placed in his house and followed the instruction of the Guru and started meditation on "Who am I". Dr. N. Lairen Singh expired on 05-10-1978.

Concluded...