Early Christian Pioneers of Kakching

Rev. Madhuchandra Moirangthem *

Kakching is located at south-eastern part of Manipur, a sub divisional headquarter and major commercial hub under Thoubal district. It has about 28,000 populations (2001 census), mostly belong to Lois (Scheduled Caste) community. Peace, harmony, tolerance of different faith and undisputed relationship within and with surrounding communities has been the social fabric and beauty of Kakching. The people of Kakching have embraced different religions and sects from the time immemorial. A few among them has also embraced Christianity in late 1950s and 60s.

Naorem Thambalngou Singh – The First Convert of Kakching

Naorem Thambalngou Singh latter known as Thambalthang, is believed to be the first Christian convert of Kakching, Thoubal District, Manipur. However, the exact year of his conversion is uncertain but it is believed to be around 1957 according oral sources collected from his nephew, Naorem Manikchand Meitei of Kakching Ningthou Leikai.

He is the second son of Shri Naorem Mangoljao of Kakching Ningthou Leikai. He had a friendship with a Kuki major during World War 2 and his name seems to have changed to Thambalthang, a combined name of Meitei and a Kuki tribe. He was first local rice bear vendor in Kakching. Traditionally, running local wine shop was supposed to be the profession of tribal. The public of Kakching opposed him to run the rice bear vendor at Kakching and he pretended to be a tribal by producing a fake document, which is believed to be obtained from his Kuki friend.

He was poor and tried hard to earn livelihood and left home at young age in search of better source of earning and found doing a manual scavenger at Waikhong, 20 km away from his home town. He married to a Meitei woman from Waikhong and latter divorced. Then he moved to Tonsen a Kom village in southern Manipur and married to a Kom woman from Sagang in Churachandpur district and bore one son and two daughters.

He embraced Christianity when he and his wife were living in Tonsen, then moved to Lukhumbi village under Sagang region and became a member of Lukhumbi Baptist Church. Latter he worked as evangelist until he moved and breathed last in around 2004 and buried at Yangthingphai.

Mostly he emphasised his evangelistic work among the Kom communities in Sagang region. However, he never forgot his birth place and brought the Good News of Lord Jesus Christ to his family members and his childhood friends. His untiring work at his birth place seems unfertile but he could see some of his friends also embraced Christianity.

Moirangthem Lairenjao Singh – Second Convert of Kakching

Evangelist Thambalngou’s work never went in vain. Lairenjao is his one of his first fruit of his faith at his birth place. Moirangthem Lairenjao Meitei is a son of Moiranthem Lolito Meitei of Kakching Khunyai Leikai. He had two sons and two daughters.

He heard the message of the gospel from Evangelist Thambalngou and embraced Christianity. He was baptised by an evangelist from Ukhrul in the month of December 1961.

His baptismal ceremony was carried out at Sekmai River near Kakching Bazar Bridge. It was first event of such in the history of Kakching. The out lookers flocked to the event site, as if a Meitei converting to a tribal.

Under his leadership, the United Pentecost Church was established, which is the first church at Kakching, presently situated near Library & Information Centre. He served the evangelist work for 65 years until he breathed last on 20 February 2007. He led many others to Christian faith and helped many young boys and girls from Kakching to study theology and nurses in Bible and Nursing colleges in different parts of India. He lived a simple life, never done anything for personal gain, except helping the youngsters, some of them are teaching in renown schools at Kakching and many nurses are serving in government hospitals.

Evangelist Lairenjao’s faith was so strong that he had to go through many struggles in life both in the church and at home. He alone attended the church for years, many Sundays and special occasions, singing from his old song book, and bible, carried most of the time in his white colour shoulder bag. Being a lone Christian in his family, he struggled to keep his faith compromised.

Evangelist Thambalngou was outstanding Christian outside of his birth place, ministering to the other tribe while Evangelist Lairenjao stayed within his community and served his fellow villagers.

The faith embraced by duo evangelists became a very unique. Today there are nearly 1000 Christians and around 10 different denominational churches at Kakching. The Church of Christ at Kakching is playing its role in bringing the transformation within the community.

Greater Kakching Churches Fellowship, after having known the service rendered by duo evangelists, would like to acknowledge them as “Kakching Gi Christian Lamyanbasing” (The Pioneering Christians of Kakching) on 14 December 2014 during Advent Christmas Celebration, held at Kakching Library & Information Centre Auditorium.

** With input from Ksh. Suresh