Prof L Janmejay: Reminiscence of his association as a teacher, guide & colleague
Dr N Irabanta Singh *
Prof. L. Janmejay Singh was born on 1st July, 1937 in the Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak, Imphal West district as alone male among 4 siblings of late Laikhangbam Parikhit and Late Laikhangbam (o) Mukhi. He had his collegiate education at D.M. College, Imphal.
He passed B.Sc. with distinction having subject combination Chemistry, Mathematics and botany under Gauhati University, Guwahati-14 and M.Sc. (Botany) also from the same University (1960).
He served D.M. College Imphal (1963-1972) as lecturer in botany. He taught us biology (botany) in our Pre-University science classes (1965-66 session). After passing P.U.Sc, the present writer opted botany honours for his B.Sc. course (1966-69).
During this period, Prof. Janmejay Singh was on study leave for undergoing his Ph.D research at the Botany Department, Gauhati University. It was Prof. Janmejay Singh who sent first a telegram to the writer stating declaration of result for our B.Sc (Hons) examination of the Gauhati University.
Under the guidance of Prof. Janmejay Singh the writer took admission for his M.Sc (botany) in Gauhati University (1969-71). After passing M.Sc. from Gauhati University, the writer was staying at home without a teaching job for about one year. It was Prof Janmejoy Singh who helped him to get lecturership job at the St Edmund's College, Shillong (Meghalaya) through his friend Dr. K. Sanajaoba Singh, the then Head, Department of Botany of the same college.
After serving St. Edmund's College, Shillong for 9 years (1972-1981) as lecturer in botany, the writer shifted to Manipur Agricultural University, Iroisemba where he served for about 3 years (1981-1984) as Assistant Professor of Microbiology. Prof. Janmejay Singh was instrumental for bringing the writer from the Manipur Agricultural College, Iroisemba to Manipur University, Canchipur.
The writer joined Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University on 21st July, 1984 as Associate Professor and incharge Plant Pathology specialization. After joining the department no sitting room could be provided to the writer due to the shortage of rooms in the department.
At this situation, Prof Janmejay Singh offered to the writer a small space in the chamber of Head of the department Life Sciences where he was serving as Head. After about 2 months, Prof Janmejay Singh vacated a small room used for his Himalaya Eco Development Programme and allotted the same to the writer.
In that small room, the writer spent 25 years until he shifted to new Life Sciences building block-II on 28th April, 2009. As a colleague, Prof L Janmejay Singh was one of the well wishers of the writer.
Professionally, Prof. L. Janmejay Singh received his Ph.D degree in Botany from Gauhati University in 1971 under the supervision of Prof. Parukutty Barauh. The title of his Ph.D thesis was Physiological & Biochemical studies of wood rolting fungi with special reference to Irpex destruens and he was on deputation at J.N. University the P.G. Centre, Imphal from 15-1-1973 to 31-12-1979.
He was absorbed at the Manipur University, Canchipur as Asstt. Professor Life Sciences on 14-1-1982 and promoted to Assoc. Professor Life Sciences on 14-7-1982. He was promoted to Senior-Fellow, Life Sciences on 7-10-1986. He served Manipur University as Dean, School of Science w.e.f.1-7-1997.
Academically, Prof. Janmejay Singh was a well known personality in the country. He was elected as fellows for
(i) Indian Botanical Society,
(ii) Indian Society of Plant Physiology and
(iii) Manipur Botanical society.
He also received prestigious V. Puri Gold medal Award of the Indian Botanical Society (1997), Leading Scientist of the World (2010) recognised by the International Biogeographical Centre. He was also awarded Rastriya Gourav Award (2011) given by the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi.
Prof. Janmejoy Singh was the first plant physiologist from North East India to become President, Indian Society of Plant Physiologist (1989). He was Vice-President, Association of Plant Physiologist of SAARC countries and also Vice-President, Biological Society of North East India, Assam. He was member of various professional societies of India and abroad.
Prof. Janmejay Singh was also an able organiser. He organises National Conference on Plant Physiology twice at the Manipur University and Manipur Science Congress twice also at the Manipur University. He attended National Seminar/Conference more than 32 times and presented 110 research papers.
He also chaired good number of scientific sessions. He published more than 60 research papers both national, international peer reviewed journals. Prof. Janmejay Singh supervised more than 16 Ph.D scholars under Manipur University. He was UGC Expert
Committee member for accessing Special Assistance Programme of Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar (Odisha).
He also handled successfully 9 (nine) major research projects funded by DOFEN, DBT, UGC, DST, AICTE, etc. Prof. Janmejay Singh retired from the service of Manipur University on 30/06/1997 and expired on 23/01/2018 after long protected health.
He left behind his wife, 2 sons (the third son predeceased him) and a daughter along with a host of grand children. The passing away of Prof. Janmejay Singh is a great loss to the Manipur University in general and Botany students of Manipur in particular.
May his soul rest in peace in his heavenly abode
* Dr N Irabanta Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is former Professor (Higher Academic Grade) Life Sciences, M.U. and former Dean, School of Life Sciences, M.U. and can be contacted through irabanta(DOT)singh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on May 22, 2018.
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