Prof T Kameshwar: Reminiscence of his association as a best colleague and family friend

Dr N Irabanta Singh *

Prof. T kameshwar Singh was born on 1-3-1945 in the Uripok Sinam Leikai, Imphal west district as a second son among four siblings (elder sister1, elder brother 1 and a younger brother) of late Thangjam Nokul Singh and Late Thangjam Ongbi Nungshirei Devi.

He had School and Colligiate education at Johnstone High School, Imphal and D.M College (Now DMC Science), Imphal respectively. He passed B.Sc Honours in Zoology (1964) and M.Sc zoology with specialization in entomology (1966) from the Gauhati University, Guwahati-14 (Assam).

He served Government Higher Secondary Schools in Manipur as Lecturer in Biology (Zoology). He went to Calcutta University, Kolkata on study leave for his Ph.D. research and received his Ph.D from the same University in 1977 with specialization in Entomology (studies on Aphids of Manipur).

Prof. T Kameshwar joined J.N. University P.G. Centre, Imphal on 3-11-1978 as Assistant Professor/ Life Sciences, Manipur University on 16-6-1984. He was prompted to professor/ Life Sciences (Entomology specialization) on 11-6-1992 (P.P.Scheme). he served a short period (18-09-1995 to 23-01-1996) as Professor to Head, Life Sciences Dept, Manipur University.

The present writer joined Life Sciences Department , Manipur University on 21-07-1984 as Associate Professor. There are two faculty members in the Life Sciences Department, M.U. who used to talk to the writer. The first was late Prof. L. Jammenjay and the second was Prof T. Kameshwar. Later on Prof Kameshwar became the best colleague and family friend of the present writer.

It was during first week of time, 1992 when 3 persons were given interview call letter for promotion to Professor(PP), the present writer was not call for interview. It was Prof Kameshwar who disclosed to the writer that your interview call letter had been denied due to misguided comments given by one of the three external experts.

Accordingly, the writer immediately approached the then Vc/MU Prof V.K. Ahluwalia. After discussion, Prof Ahluwalia told the writer to give him one night time for his final decision. On the day of selection committee meeting, around 11 am Prof Ahluwalia sent a message to meet him in his chamber. The writer met Prof Ahluwalia in his chamber and asked the writer to be present before the selection committee.

Thus, without issuing interview call letter, the writer faced the interview and was prompted to Professor (P.P0 on 21-07-1992. Apart from best colleague in the Department, Prof kameshwar and his family became very close family friend.

Every year they went for new year picnic along with the students of Aerobiology Laboratory, Life Sciences Department, Manipur University. Prof kameshwar and his family members were invited for picnic party. One of the memorable picnic we enjoyed was the one which was held at a restaurant at langol area. Academically, Prof Kameshwar Singh was a well known personality in the field of Entomology/Aphidology in the country.

He was elected as Fellows for
(i) Zoology Society of Kolkata,
(ii) Plant protection Science, New Delhi,
(iii) Zoological Society of India,
(iv) Aphidological Society of India, Delhi,
(v) Entomological Society of India, Delhi.

Prof Kameshwar Singh completed 13 (Thirteen) major research projects funded by various agencies like CSIR, DST, UGC,AICTE etc. He published a good number of research papers both National and International peer reviewed journals.

He was one of the Co-Investigator, Manipur University Centre for “Developing a digital database on bio-resources of North East India through a network approach among NE States” funded by DBT/GOI (01/2/2012 to 28/11/2015).

Out of this projects, 2(two) papers, viz (i) Edible Orthoptora Insects of Manipur(UPJ.Zoo1.33(3).307-309,2013) and (ii) Edible and Medicinal Insects of Manipur (Ind.J.Ent.76(3):256-259,2014) were Co-authored by the present writer along with Prof Kameshwar and his students Ms Natasha.

Prof Kameshwar also attended 12 (fourteen) National Seminars/Conferences as Sessional Chairman. He also supervised 4 M.Phil, 25 Ph.D. Scholars under Manipur, Gauhati and Tripura Universities. He had 42 years teaching experiences out of which 32 years as Post Doctorate research experience.

He retired from the service of the Manipur University on 28-02-2017. After retirement he worked for 2 years as Emeritus Professor/UGC, New Delhi,2019. He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter along with host of grand children. The passing away of Prof T. Kameshwar Singh is a great loss to the Manipur University in general and Zoology students in particular.

May his soul rest in peace in his heavenly abode.