Soram Ratan Singh - National Awardee 2013
- Individual Achievement at Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse -
- A Profile -

Daniel Chabungbam *

Soram Ratan Singh receiving the National Award from President of India, Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi

SORAM RATAN SINGH

Recipient of: National Awards for outstanding Individual Achievement for the Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse, 2013 by a former Addict, awarded by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), New Delhi, Government of India.

Name: Soram Ratan Singh
Father's Name: (Late) Soram Tombi Singh
Address: Nagamapal Soram Leirak
Achievement : Drug Abstinent for the 18 years.
Educational Qualification: Graduate (English Honours), Diploma in Computer Education

Positions held till date:

1. Activist- Social Awareness Service Organisation, Imphal (SASO)- 1997-98
2. Peer Educator/Outreach Worker for RIAC Project- Integrated Women & Children Development Centre, Imphal. 1998-2001
3. Counselor at SHINE De-addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre, Imphal. 2001-2004
4. Project Co-ordinator for RIAC Project-Integrated Women & Children Development Centre, Imphal. 2004-2005
5. Training Co-ordinator cum Field Worker for RRTC NE-I, Galaxy Club Imphal. 2005-2010
6. District Resource Person (Training)/DPR-2 for Link Worker Scheme (LWS) Churachandpur District- SPYM, New Delhi. 2010-2011
7. Project Manager for RIAC Project and honorary Senior Counselor of SHINE De-addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre, Imphal. 2011 till date.

Soram Ratan Singh

Soram Ratan has been making selfless contribution in the field of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS since the last seventeen years and above. He served as group representative for Recovery based Self Help Group (one and fittest group of Narcotics Anonymous) during 1996-97 which included responsibilities like conducting home group meetings, reporting activities and achievements to Imphal Area Service Committee (IASC) and North East Regional Forum (NERF). He also served as panel member Hospital and Institution (H&I) sub committee IASC during the same year which included sharing recovery based testimonials to patients to patients in drug treatment centres, motivating substance abusers to seek treatment, etc. He also volunteered for one month Free Detoxification Camp for substance abusers at Kombirei Keithel Imphal organised by Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) which includes assisting counselors, medical staffs during medication, supportive interaction with patients and documentation during 1997-1998.

During 1998-2001, Ratan got appointed as Volunteer/peer educator and then promoted to ORW for RIAC Project implemented by IWCDC. His role included reaching out to hard-to-reach substance abusing peers and provide motivational counseling to adopt Safer practices, Promote NSEP/condom usage, conduct group discussion, organised and facilitate Peer Educators as well as Community Leaders training. Provide basic counseling to get treated at DDRC, referring them to relevant service centres like DDRCs, ICTCs, SHGs, etc. Networking with CBOs, Local clubs within the project area for conducting awareness campaign upon HIV/AIDS.

Ratan also facilitated and promoted Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous spiritual programmes to patients as a Counselor at SHINE DDRC. Counseling patients and their families on ill effects of drug abuse, conducting awareness programmes among youths, students and general public upon drug abuse prevention in collaboration with local clubs, school authorities and CBOs and developed as well as directed patients of SHINE DDRC to act for skits on Drug Abuse Prevention in collaboration with UNODC G-72 project staffs, IWCDC and school authorities among students during 2001-2004.

During 2005-2010, Ratan worked as a Training Coordinator cum Field Worker under RRTC NE-I. His job included conducting supervisory support/mentoring the overall programme of DDRCs/IRCAs sponsored by MSJE in Assam and Manipur. Co-ordination and facilitation of Inductive and Refresher trainings for staffs of DDRCs/IRCAs supported by MSJE from time to time. He also provided supervisory and technical support to Staffs of the DDRCs/IRCAs. Further, he co-ordinated and facilitate Inductive and refresher trainings for staffs of TI projects supported by MACS/NACO from time to time. He also co-ordinated and facilitated Inductive and refresher trainings for staffs of NGOs supported by UNODC (both regional and ROSA) from time to time.

Ratan also assisted in developing and compilation of Implementation Manual on Minimum Standard of Services for TI projects under Manipur State AIDS Control Society and NACO, Working Guidelines for H-13 projects in Manipur under UNODC, MSJE/NISD, Guidebook for PLI projects under DFID, MSJE/NISD, SPYM & RRTC NE-I.

During 2010-2011, Ratan worked as District Resource Person (Training) for LW Scheme under SYPM, New Delhi at Churachandpur district Manipur. He visited remote villages in Churachandpur district of Manipur to provide awareness, informations and skills to Link Workers and village authorities to adopt safer practices/positive living treatment regarding treatment for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. Co-ordinated and facilitated Inductive and refresher trainings for staffs of LWS from time to time. Co-ordinated with IRCAs and District AIDS prevention & Control Unit. Networked and Advocated the LWS to various stakeholders in the district.

Presently Ratan is working as Project Manager for RIAC Project and also as an honorary Senior Counselor at SHINE IRCA implemented by IWCDC. His role and responsibility includes supervising, monitoring and supporting the overall program, co-ordinating and facilitating in-house Inductive trainings for staffs on various aspects of Drug Abuse & HIV/AIDS from time to time, providing technical support Staffs, developing linkage with FINGODAP (state chapter) for smooth referral of clients to IRCAs & State AIDS Control Society, networking and advocacy of programme with various stakeholders. Creating enabling environment of substance abusers by becoming a Crisis Response Team.

Soram Ratan sharing his experiences with others

Additional description of special contribution made by Ratan:

• Columnist on the topic Drop-in Centre for Training Manual for Outreach among IDUs in north east India published by Institute of Social Defence (ISD) Imphal 2003.
• Co-ordinated Regional level training for Project Development Strategies, Organised by ISD and Sponsored by UNAIDS - 2003.
• Assisted Mr. Tapas Kamarkar: Consultant NACO & Ms. Annie Mangsatabam: Consultant NACO as Recorder for Consultancy of Targeted Intervention programmes on HIV/AIDS in Manipur funded by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS)- 2003.
• Assisted Mr. Tarun Roy (Consultant, NACO) and his partner as a transcriptor for evaluation of HIV/AIDS programme implemented under the sponsorship of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and National AIDS Control Organisation- 2005.
• Worked as Researcher for documentary film on Drug Abuse & HIV/AIDS scenario in Imphal titled 'The Road to Explore' produced by AKA Vision for programme production centre (PPC) Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Guwahati in 2005.
• Facilitated a session on Drug Abuse prevention & HIV/AIDS intervention among CRPF personnels on the Annual Day function of CRPF Group centre Langjing, Imphal in 2006.
• Facilitated/Capacitated as a Resource Person for Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers training upon Drug Abuse Prevention at training programmes conducted by NYK Imphal West district during 2009.
• Participated at Review Workshop for Draft Questionnaire of 'Pilot Survey on Prevalence and Dependence on Harmful Drugs', co-organised by Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur, Regional Resource & Training Centre North East-I (RRTC NE-I), National Sample Survey Organisation (NASSO); Ministry of Statistics and Public Information, Government of India in April 2013.
• Member, State Grant-in-aid Committee for screening the projects proposals under the scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse for the year 2013-2014.