Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 06 2010:
The 106th birth anniversary of Chingakham Pishak Singh was observed at MDU hall today.
MLA O Joy, renown musicologist Laishram Birendrakumar and editor Naorem Birendrakumar graced the occasion as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Chongtham Nilamani Singh, Okram Ibopishak Singh, Hanjabam Pishak Sharma, Chongtham Manihar Singh, Md Khalif and Longjam Rajen Singh as presidium members also spoke on the life and achievements of Chingakham Pishak.
Speakers at the function remembered Pishak as a prominent educationist, prolific writer, social reformer and a politician.
Chingakham Pishak was instrumental in bringing about a value based education in the State, they observed.
When the people of the State experienced the sweet and bitter transition period befalling Manipur after the princely State merged with the Union of India in the late forties, Pishak openly came out to become a critic against the ills of the State for which he was rounded up many times by the authorities and put behind bar.
Born on October 6, 1909, Chingakham Pishak passed his Matriculation examination in 1926 .
He pursued higher studies at Sylhet and got his Master's degree from Dhaka University after which he served as Headmaster of Churachand High School.
Later he became the Principal of Manipur College and served for ten years in a row ending 1968 .
Pishak was associated with organisations like Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha, Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha, Manipur Nationalist Union, Kanglei League, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Manipur People's Party, etc and took active part in social reformation.
On political aspect, Pishak was elected to the first Manipur State Assembly in 1948 which was dissolved after Manipur merged with the Union of India.
During his time, Pishak emerged as the most distinctive educationist.
He wrote a number of books on different subject matters.