Dr Kishan : A Hope nipped in the Bud?

By Phurailatpam Jayalaxmi *

Dr Kishan's untimely murder literally shattered the earth beneath by feet. A man like him didn't deserve this cruel fate. God seems to love the young and the good. That's why, God doesn't want His loved ones to live in this big nasty world. That's why, God has taken him away leaving this society to the corrupt and the cruel who don't know life's value. Is violence the only solution to our woes ? Is it a crime to think about a new innovative world ? Is it a sin to do something good for the society? Who is the sinner?

Is it the people who think good for the society or those who are against it ? His death compels us to think that to do good for our land is a crime. If killing a virtuous person mercilessly is the only language that the people know, then, no good person has a right to live in this callous society.

I heard numerous good things about Dr Th Kishan Singh from his students, mends and well-wishers. He was one of the most promising leaders of Manipur who believed in progress and development. He was a good teacher who introduced a new way of teaching. "I consider him the best teacher who taught me in DM College. He was the only one to take pains to hand out study materials. He was the only one to take presentations in the class. He was a gem of a teacher. His loss is the loss of the humanity." lamented Kamala Oinam, his ex-student, now a Research Scholar in JNU.

Malem Mangal Laishram (LLM 1yr, Law College) who met him during his editorship in The Alternative Frames expressed, "He had a remarkable energy. His willingness to help everyone was notable. His inclination towards activism also inspired me to follow his path. He showed great enthusiasm for everything he did and he encouraged everyone to stand for the betterment of the society."

He was an academician, a writer and a man of multifarious quality. His aura attracted everyone. Even his death inspired many youths like me with his courage and never yielding attitude in time of adversity. He motivated many young people with his writings, works and ideology. He instilled us a sanguine feeling that we could modify the mindset of people and give a new light to the darkness of Manipur, a new progressive Manipur sans violence and killings. He could have been the perfect model for a brand new Manipur.

I am Youngistan. I believe in bringing new changes to this world. In fact, Dr Kishan was the ideal person for many young people like me, who had a faith in a new changed world without violence, barbarism, sadism and bloodshed. The more I heard about him the more I was eager to become like him and wished to meet him too.

Recently I went to the Imphal Book Fair 2008 with my elder brother who was his senior in Jamia Millia Islamia and there I had got an opportunity to meet him. I saw him with his little daughter. His daughter was holding his hands and like any other doting father he was ushering his daughter to a bookstall. He was introducing his daughter to the knowledge of the world. I heard him say to my brother, "I want her to choose whichever books she likes." He possessed a kind of personality that instantly endeared to me.

It is indeed very sad that his dreams have remained unfulfilled. His vision of new Manipur has been dashed to the ground. His death has taught us new lessons to be truthful and honest. From now on, it must be the responsibility of every youth to carry on with his dreams. His loss is irreparable "I am always grieved when a man of real talent dies. The world needs such men more than Heaven does." True to this saying this world needs a good human being like Dr Kishan more than heaven does. Every individual should condemn the brutal murder of such a precious person like him.

Let us revive his dreams and work together for the society. Let us take a pledge to live harmoniously. It is the responsibility of every person to contribute something to the society.