Inspirations from Scientists of Manipur : Prof. Waikhom Vishwanath (Rtd.)
Downloadable Book Extract – Serial No : 6

Research Institute Of Science & Technology (RIST) *

Prof. Waikhom Vishwanath (Rtd.)

A journey of a freshwater fish taxonomist
Prof. Waikhom Vishwanath (Rtd.)
Department of Life Science, MU

I was born on March 8, 1954 as the first son of my parents. My father went to an astrologer after my birth, and he was told that I could fit into any subject. That was a matter of concern on how to choose my future career. However, finding good teachers, friends and co-workers had to do a lot in shaping my career.

My early school education started in Tamenglong High School where my father was the Headmaster. First, I was admitted in Class II, but I did not attend classes for long, since the medium of teaching was in the local dialect. My father admitted me in class III in which the medium was either in Manipuri or in English. But I was too young for the class and I had hard times to understand the subjects. Later I had my education from Chingamakha High School and then Johnstone Higher Secondary School and opted for science subjects.

My parents wanted me to become a medical doctor. After my secondary education, I was told to pursue pre-medical course. I went with some of my friends and got admitted in B.Sc.-I in JSS Science College in Dharwad, a township in northern Karnataka. B.Sc.-I examination conducted by Karnatak University, was equivalent to Pre-Medical Exam. The results of all of us from Manipur, were very unsatisfactory.

All my friends left the college out of frustration. But I did not like to show my face to my parents and decided to continue B.Sc. course in that college. I secured highest marks in Chemistry and was thinking to join B.Sc.-II with Chemistry as major subject. However, I was advised to opt Zoology as the major subject by one my teacher, Dr. Ram Mohan Rao.

He knew that I was good in animal dissections and that would contribute a lot in the course. That was the turning point in my career. Interestingly, I was the only student who got first class both in B.Sc. II and III in Zoology major from that college respectively in 1972 and 1973. I obtained highest marks in the practical paper of the subject in the final year in that university. I was availing National Scholarship since B.Sc. III till my M.Sc.

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