Dr Saroj Nalini remembered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 03 2012: Patriotic Writers' Forum, Manipur organised the observance of third death anniversary of Late Dr Arambam Saroj Nalini Parratt at Manipur Press Club today.

The anniversary function was graced by Prof Gangumei Kamei, National Fellow, Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla as chief guest, Sagolshem Indrakumar, president, Patriotic Writers' Forum as president and independent writer Prof Elangbam Dinamani as guest of honour respectively.

Floral tributes to the portrait of Late Dr Arambam Saroj Nalini Parratt and discussion on her contributions towards Manipuri culture and history were the main activities of the function.

Prof Polem Nabachandra also spoke about Late Dr Saroj Nalini in the function.

Saroj Nalini was born on June 2, 1933 at Sagolband Meino Leirak Imphal as eldest daughter of Arambam Ibungohal and Binokumari.

Her father Ibungohal was a prominent educationist and a high ranking Government officer of that time.

After passing out her BA degree from the Calcutta (Kolkata) University, she further studied Philosophy in the same University.

Her beliefs in the Christian religion influenced a lot in the later part of her life.

In late 1950s, she went to Britain and studied Theology in London University and was awarded Bachelor Degree in Divinity in 1951 .

She then married to John Parratt a British from London.

During 1975 to 1990, she further studied in Malawi and Botswana University of South Africa.

Even though she published papers on different topics from other countries, she had a very profound relationship with Manipur University.

In 2001, Manipur University selected Dr Saroj Nalini as Honorary Professor of the University.

Besides publishing her academic papers, she along with her husband also published two rare books related to the history and culture of Manipur such as "Queen Empress versus Tikendrajit; The Anglo Manipuri Conflict of 1891 (Bikash, New Delhi 1992) and The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba (Bikas, New Delhi 1997) .

In 2000, while Dr Nalini was in Botswana University, she translated the Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicles) into English and published it in the year 2005 under the sponsorship of Royal Asiatic Society.

Dr Saroj Nalini Parratt took her last breath at her residence of London on January 3, 2009 .

Her contributions to the Meitei history and culture would remain a legacy.

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