A Brief Life Sketch of Late Dr. N. Lairen Singh (1893 - 1978)
- Part 2 -

M Nilamani *

Dr. N. Lairen Singh

Outstanding services rendered by Dr. Lairen Singh during Cholera Epidemic was highly praised by Civil Surgeon - Captain Neel, IMS.

His Comment: Quote:
"My dear Dr. Lairen Singh, I desire to record my great appreciation for your excellent works during Cholera Epidemic. Your public spiritedness in volunteering your service without any remuneration is worthy of great praise and recognition. I thank you for your help to me and to my staff ... 6-10-35."

Now the Epidemic was totally suppressed. The Doctor's duty and responsibilities to serve the public were over. He had given up all relationships with the service matter and accordingly Dr. Lairen Singh joined into the field of his most desired social works and politics.

Having seen the most unwanted socio-political system of the society of those time being led to a path wherein development and light of education of the whole people living throughout the length and breadth of Manipur was completely dark, Dr. N. Lairen Singh had decided to take up his first step towards the field of "Education". Keeping it in his mind to educate every one irrespective of male or female belonging to the state of Manipur, without which, he thought, the present prevailing system of existence of life cannot be lifted to a degree whereby people could live comfortably with the rights of bonafide citizen.

There was only one High School in Manipur namely "Johnstone High School" set up by Johnstone Saheb besides 2/3 U.P. schools and some Lower Primary Schools throughout Manipur.

Only fifty students from amongst the students who passed Upper Primary School Examination were selected for admission to Johnstone High School and the remaining students whose admission to Johnstone High School were discarded had to suffer for want of schools for their future studies.

Having seen the loss of educational career of the students due to shortage of schools and also his decision to lift up the field of education in Manipur - Dr. Lairen Singh, with the co-operation of his colleagues who fully supported his venture, established "Manipur Institution High School" at Wahengbam Leikai, Imphal.

With hard labour and sufferings arising out of many hurdles being faced from Manipur to Calcutta with an attempt to get affiliation, from Calcutta University Dr. Lairen Singh's attempt, later on, became successful. His High School "Manipur Institution" was affiliated to Calcutta University.

Since Manipur was a native state - consent and approval of Shreejut Maharaj and Political Agent of Manipur ought to be sought even for such affiliation. It is needless to write further details on the issue. It would be very easily guessed and understood by reading the opinion of the President, "Manipur State Durbar - Captain C.W.L.M.C. Harvey, M.C.I.A.

Quote :
"I have seen a good deal of Dr. Lairen Singh while I have been in Manipur and have much admired his public spirit. He has an independent look out in life and is not afraid to adhere to his opinion.

He is mainly responsible for erecting the "Manipur Institution" which he achieved in the face of much official obstruction and after much criticism and has been its secretary since it commenced. I have found him a most pleasant and broad minded colleague in that school Committee and knew that he works very hard indeed to further the school's interests.

I am very sorry to have to sever our connection... 30-1-33".

Now the heavy burden on the head of boys were removed. Private L.P. schools were established in the villages as well as the Imphal areas.

As the time passed on the name of this High School "Manipur Institution" was changed into the name of Maharaj Churchand which later on became to be known as "Churachand High School" situates near Pureiromba Khongnangkhong.

After changing the name of the High School "Manipur Institution" (originally founded and set up under the initiative of Dr. N. Lairen Singh) into the name of Churachand High School, taking the name of His Highness, the Maharajah Churachand Singh", Dr. N. Lairen Singh took up his 2nd step to enable general public of Manipur to smell as to what and how and in what manner the Government of Manipur was running, for which he thought and realised that without the activities of Media persons, his desire for enlightening the public on the governance of Manipur, would be impossible.

Hence, with hard labour and various hurdles Dr. N. Lanren Singh managed to set up "Yakairol Press" first of its kind in Manipur and accordingly monthly publication of "Yakairol" being edited by Dr. Lairen himself started its circulation throughout Manipur and some parts of Assam. As an Editor, he stood against the poor governance of the Government and opposed many time the wrong doings targeted as against the innocent general public of those time.

The clear picture of hurdles in getting the "Yakairol Press" registered and objections thereof along with its stand, opposition and criticism against the poor administration of the Government could only be realised and confirmed after reading the remarks of Mr. J.C. Higgins, I.C.S.C.B.E. Details of complete notes of Mr. J.C. Higgins could only be seen after opening the confidential file.

Comment by Mr. Higgins - Quote:
"Dr. Ningthoujam Lairen Singh is a qualified Doctor, who has a private practice in Imphal. He served with credit in the "Kuki Rebellion" and I can vouch for the fact that he showed courage in attending the wounded under fire. He is a man of public spirit who has an interest in education and chiefly responsible for the starting of the "Manipur Institution" High School. He was the 1st to start a magazine published in Manipuri. He was interested in the starting of the Public Library. In every way he has his best for the public of Manipur ...22.2.33".

"Yakairol Press" and its monthly journal "Yakairol" were the 1st of its kind in Manipur established in 1931. Many prominent educated persons like Hijam Irabot, Sheetaljit, Ayekpam Shyamsunder, Sorokhaibam Lalit, Khwairakpam Giri etc. etc. (to name a few) published their articles in "Yakairol" edited and published by Dr. N. Lairen Singh during British Colonial Rule in Manipur.

Realising the needs of the public for a place of reading Dr. N. Lairen Singh set up "Chitrangada Public Library" by constructing building at the present place of Punjabi's Gurudwara. However, after continuing the functioning of the Library for 2/3 years it was stopped due to many reasons.

One W. Pettigrew, Padri Saheb of American Baptist Mission was the 1st who established Nimna Primary School which is now known .as "Singjamei No. 1 Pettigrew School".

Pettigrew's Comment on 'Yakairol"

"I thank you (Dr. Lairen Singh) for the June copy of Yakairol and also for the kind remarks about the beginning of Education in Manipur. A lot more could be written about those early days especially about the preparation of Text Books, for the Lower Primary School as well as for the middle school, now Johnstone High School in Imphal. And the spelling.......

I wish you all success in your endeavour to dispel ignorance to open up darkened minds and let in the light of progress. Manipur to my mind, is one of the lovely spots of the earth and I have grown to love it after nearly forty years residence. But the people of Hills and in the valley are backwards in many things and are unwilling to forget the things that are behind.

In these days of progress and enlightenment manifested in most of the native states of Iitdia, Manipur should not lag behind. I am glad that you and others who are like minded are seeking and endeavouring to make people awake from this sleep of ignorance and superstition. It is refreshing to know that there are a company of men and perhaps women too following in the foot steps of reform in Manipur... 17.6.32".

To be continued....