Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate (H.H. Mate)
- Multiple award winner -

By Leivon Jimmy Lamkang *

Dr H.H Mate is a man with a unique quality not describable by words alone. He is an eminent Educationist, Social Worker, Scientist, Spiritual man and what more? It's hard to believe how one man can wear all these caps in his one lifetime.

Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate receiving an award

Born on September 15, 1957 at Lamjang Village, Tengnoupal sub-division of Chandel District, Dr Mate is the eldest child of 8 siblings (5 brothers and 4 sisters). His father is a retired pastor of KBC India.

Dr. Mate is known to the people through his ever unceasing social works. He has also been conferred various important recognitions and awards by the National and International community for his multi role contribution to the society. Dr. Mate finished his bachelor's degree in Science (he is a Physics Honours) in high 2nd Class under Manipur University; Bachelor degree in Electronics and Telecommunication passed in first class under AMIETE, New Delhi (1989); Master of Science (Physics) passed in 1st class under Osmania University, Hyderabad (AP) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.d) passed in first class under Osmania University Hyderabad, (AP). He is also a Post Graduate diploma in Business and Industrial Management and Post graduate Diploma in Journalism. Apart from Educational and Technical degrees Dr. Mate also earned a diploma in Bible, passed in first class from IBCS (New York), NLCS (Norway) and NEIBBCS Silchar.

Some of the certificates received by Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate

Every degree or diploma earned he made it worth as none of it goes waste and he continue to make good use of it. He has written many books/thesis/project works both in English and Thadou (Local dialect of the Kuki) in various subjects such as Education, Socio-Economy, Science and Technology and still counting.

He started his schooling in 1962 at the age of five and continued it not for himself but for his parents. He has not yet realized the value of education or has received proper guidance about education. In the year 1975 he came to attend Bethany Christian School and was admitted to class 5 and it was there that "I was mentally awakened by someone deep inside me and started to realize the value of education", he said and added that "I reformed newly my educational careers in high schools, colleges and in University till I completed my Phd in 1999".

Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate receiving an award

In 1989-91 he worked as a Junior Scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), New Delhi then was an Instrumental Engineer, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Indian Research Officer, (Telecommunication Wing), Central Water (1991) and Power Research Station, Pune, Maharastra (93-98). Similar to the 1975 awakening another reformation took place into his life that change the whole course of his life in July 1989 while he was on a trip to New York. He recounted the night he had a vision in his dream of an old man in the busy street of New York calling out to him by his full name very fluently that he was taken by surprise and curiosity. The old man asked him to kneel before him and said he will be blessed and would guide him where no one of his family has ever been before. The old man in his dream turned out to be Albert Einstein who asked him to impart his knowledge to the society in the field of Social, Education, Science and Technology and Ornithology. However he negotiated the fourth subject as he did not have any knowledge about it.

Since the second awakening he started writing books, thesis, research reports and made a drastic change in his life. The visions were turning into reality when for the first time he was conferred with the Bharat Excellence Award in the year 1997, by FFI New Delhi. Then came awards and honour one after another till date. He disclosed that he is also nominated for Padma Bushan Award. He may possibly be the only person with so many awards and honours in the entire North Eastern State. He received 17 National awards, 7 international awards and 4 district and state level awards in the field of Education and Literature, Journalism, Science and Technology, Child Welfare etc.

Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate receiving an award

In his response to the reason behind acquiring so many degrees despite his high Doctorate degree, Dr. Mate said that all these are in honour to his father. The first factor is that His father was an orphan who always has the enthusiasm for studying. Unlike himself, his father, however, was unable to fulfill his own dreams due to the pressure from his elders who insisted that as an orphan one must work and earn a living to sustain one's life. Dr. Mate says that his father always wanted him to become well educated as the eldest child of the family. According to him another factor was that his father always advised him that he should complete bachelor degree if he chose education line and BE if he chose technical line. "However I have pushed myself to a further step in honour of him", he said.

There is no words like "quitting or retirement" in the dictionary of Dr. Mate. He vows to continue with his work and researches until his last breathe. His ideologies are: never to waste the wisdom and knowledge one's earned, it should be imparted and made good use for the betterment of the society. Currently he is researching on Child Development and working on to bring a new and innovative idea in Electronic application.

One of his biggest dream is to achieved the highest National and International honour/award. Bharat Ratna and Noble Prize. Moreover he is still targeting to complete Doctorate in Literature.

Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate posing with many of his mementos

Considered to be among the eminent educationist of the world, he has written many books for schooling purpose besides thesis and research papers and presented them in many seminars, conventions around the world. He established the Christian English High School, Sikul and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Foundation School, Tuibuong, Churachandpur district. As a journalist he has a reputed name in Manipur Journalism, he has contributed about 730 articles so far.

With all this multi role and busy schedule he manages to keep going ahead. The secret behind it according to him are with the blessing of God and secretly he burns his midnight oil when the rest of the world is asleep.

He gives his credit to three persons the first one is God who gives him sound health and mind and then enable him to perform great things for the nation. Secondly his father and mother, who greatly transformed his life and unceasingly pray for his studies and services/works till date and last not the least to his wife who often assists him and pray for his works and financial help till date.

He married in January 19, 2000. He and his family, wife Kimjalham and four children are currently staying at Tuiboung, Churachandpur running the Dr. Radhakrishnan Foundation School.

STATE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND HONOURS conferred to Dr H.H. Mate

Dr. H.H. Mate

Founder Principal - cum - Secretary, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Foundation School,

Founder Principal-cum-- Superintendent, Christian English High School,

President, Rural Aid Service,

Chief Secretary, National Research Laboratory For Conservation of Chin-Kuki-Mizo (Manmasi) Cultural Properties by different Departments, Organisations and Societies (1997-2010)

A. International awards and honours (alphabetical order)

1. American Medal of Honour ABI (NCUSA) 2003 Gold Medal
2. International Excellence Gold Star Award NIED (London, England) 1998 Cash
3. International Millennium Gold Star Award IFNRI (Bangkok, Thailand) 2000 Cash
4. Man of the year Award ABI (NC, USA) 2003 Citation + Cash
5. Pride of India Award & Gold Medal FFI (Washington, USA) 1999 Cash + Gold Medal
6. UNICEF Award UNICEF (Paris, France) 1998 Cash
7. World Medal of Honour ABI (NC, USA) 2004 Gold Medal

1. Bal Sahyog Award UCM (New Delhi) 2000 Gold Trophy +Certificate
2. Bharat Exellence Award FFI(New Delhi) 1997 Gold Trophy + Certificate
3. Bharat Gaurav Award IIF(New Delhi) 1997 Gold Trophy+ Certificate
4. Bharat Jyoti Award IIFS(New Delhi) 2000 Gold Trophy + Certificate
5. Bharat Shiksha Ratna Award GSHEG(Delhi) 2010 Gold Trophy + Cash
6. Best Citizen of India Award IPH(New Delhi) 1998 Gold Trophy
7. Communal Harmony Award NFCH(Mumbai) 1999 Cash + Citatioin
8. Devoted Teacher Award & Silver Medal SFS(Mansarovar, Rajasthan) 1998 Silver Medal+ Certificate
9. Glory of India Award & Gold Medal FFI(Banglore) 1997 Gold Trophy & Gold Medal
10. Journalism Award IPPH(New Delhi) 1997 Cash + Certificate
11. Man of Achievement Award IPH(New Delhi) 1999 Citation+ Volume
12. Millennium Achiever Award & Gold Medal IISA(New Delhi) 2000 Gold Medal + Citation
13. National Child Welfare Award DSWCD(Mumbai) 2004 Cash +Citation
14. Paryavaran Dronacharya Award & Gold Medal ICWESSAR(Jaipur) 1998 Silver Medal + Certificate
15. Vanyajeeva Dronacharya Award & Silver Medal ICWESSAR(Jaipur) 2006 Silver Medal + Certificate
16. Vikas Ratna Award IEF(New Delhi) 1998 Cash + Certificate
17. Vijay Ratna Award IIFS(New Delhi) 1998 Gold Trophy + Certificate

1. Famous Writer Award Kuki Students' Organisation,(C.C.Pur) 2001
2. Good Reader Award Reader's Digest, India(Mumbai) 1999
3. Life Dedicated Service Award DSRFS(Churchandpur) 2009
4. State Teachers' Award Dept. of Edn.(s) Govt, of Manipur,(Imphal) 2003

1. The North Eastern Personalities IPPH(New Delhi) 1997
2. The Rising Personalities of India IPPH(New Delhi) 1998
3. The Best Citizen of India IPH(New Delhi) 1998
4. The Man of Achievements IPH(New Delhi) 1999
5. The Millennium Achievers IISA(New Delhi) 2000
6. The Contemporary Who's Who ABI(North Carolina, USA) 2003
7. The Indian Personalities UCM(New Delhi) 2005

Leivon Jimmy Lamjkang

* Leivon Jimmy Lamkang is a young Writer/Reporter from an Imphal-based daily. He contributes regularly to e-pao.net This article was webcasted on September 19, 2010.