Homage to the late communicator : Seram Mangi

Seram Neken *

Late Seram Mangi :: Pix - TSE

He simplified serious issues and invented solutions. He spoke loud, hid little for himself and was open-hearted. He lived simple, wrote simple and talked simple. But he thought deep and worked incessantly. His demise is untimely and immature. He had much to accomplish in life. With his death, the society has lost a truly objective communicator. May the last article of the year 2012 from the column 'voiceless speaks' be a true homage to the late communicator.

All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) was born to the unfortunate events happened at the afternoon of Friday, the 27th August 1965. Students protesting against the artificial famine created by the then government were brutally charged and some of them even killed inside the compound of the then Chief Commissioner.

On 28th August, a meeting of students presided by Nameirakpam Madhusadan Singh was held at the residence of Leihaothabam Saratchandra Sharma at Keishampat Laisom Leirak, leading to the formation of AMSU. Next day, the first Executive Council of AMSU was constituted at a meeting held at Uripok Tourangbam Leikai (residence of Gurumayum Jatishwar Sharma) with N. Birendrakumar as president.

Late Seram Mangi Singh was one of the members of the first Executive Council with Shri Thiyam Gambhir as its first President and Loitongbam Tombi Singh as General Secretary. In the second Executive Council constituted on 12 September, 1965, Shri Seram Mangi was entrusted Chairmanship of Civil Defence Board of AMSU. After the adoption of constitution of the AMSU, Seram Mangi was elected as General Secretary of the Union for 1967-68. As the Debate and Extension Secretary of Manipur College Students' Union, Seram Mangi took active role in the students' movement in Manipur in mid-1960s.

As a founder of Boy Scouts Movement in Manipur, Seram Mangi participated in the All India Trained Scouts Conference and National Seminar on three years plan on 12-13 December in 1964 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He also took part in the Rover Wood Badger Course at Barwane from 14 to 19 December, 1964 along with the then boy scouts namely late NK Sanajaoba and late Leishangthem Chaoba. While serving in the Meitei Mayek High School as teacher, he also served as Assistant Scouts Master in the scouts unit of the school.

Besides being teachers in various schools such as Meetei Mayek High School (1964), Praja High School Lamsang (1965) and Hindi High School, Akampat (1966), Seram Mangi was also the Secretary of Ideal Girls College from 1973 to 1980. He contributed much to the affiliation and development of the College.

"Akashvani Imphal Seram Mangi Na Manipuri Da Pao Pazari"- Mangi's clear voice and contented tone in the radio newscast earned the reputation of being a popular broadcaster in the later 60s and early 70s. As a news reader, Seram Mangi was popularly known as Announcer Mangi. He joined the All India Radio Imphal as a Casual News Reader in 1968.

He was selected by the UPSC in the Central Information Service (later known as Indian Information Service) in 1982 and served as head of Regional News Unit Imphal till his voluntary retirement in 2001. Besides working to disseminate news, Seram Mangi wrote a number of lyrics, musical spots, documentaries etc. for broadcast in radio.

During his association with Imphal Radio, he was also a renown broadcaster. As an approved Lyricist of All India Radio Imphal, he has published three Manipuri Poetry books. Seram Mangi was also the Founder President of All Manipur Sports Journalists Association and the Secretary, Touryatrik Kala Vikas Sanga Nat College, Imphal (1990-2000).

He was also the founder member of All Manipur Music Association and chief Editor of 'Raga Ranga' published by AMMA. Mangi Singh was also the Executive member of Sangeet Mandal and Founder member of Writers Forum.

Joining the Indian National Congress in 2001, Seram Mangi contested Assembly Elections with congress ticket. Although he could not get elected, he became the Chairman of Media Department of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee. During his lifetime, Seram Mangi worked in various social and cultural organizations.

As a veteran mediaperson and broadcaster, Mangi participated in a number of workshops, seminars and trainings as resource person. He was an unbiased news analyst in the 7.30 bulletin of All India Radio Imphal. After a brief illness, he breathed his last in the morning of 11th December last.

May his soul rest in peace.