Manipur University marks World Population Day, confers Iboton Singh Memorial Award
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2026: Manipur University's Department of Economics observed World Population Day on Saturday at the department's Lecture Hall and conferred the Prof (Retd) Maisnam Iboton Singh Memorial Merit Award 2026.Dean, School of Social Sciences, MU, Prof Memcha Loitongbam; former Head of Biostatistics Department, RIMS and demographer RK Narendra; and Head of Economics Department, MU, Prof Damodar Nepram attended as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion.

RK Narendra said World Population Day has been observed every year on July 11 under the United Nations Development Programme since 1990.This year's theme is "Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young peopletoday and for the future".

He recalled that on July 11, 1987, Matej Gaspar of Zagreb, Yugoslavia was symbolically declared the world's 5 billionth person.

Following a proposal by demographer Dr KC Zachariah, the UN declared July 11 as World Population Day from 1990 onwards.

Narendra said the global population has now reached 8.30 billion.

India accounts for 1.46 billion and China 1.41 billion.

India overtook China in population in 2023 .

Manipur's population stands at 3.50 million.

He added that while population growth rate has slowed, focus must now shift to dignity, lifestyle, environment, health and education.

Through a PowerPoint on 'Census and NRC: A Comprehensive Overview', he stressed that population data is crucial for planning and delimitation of assembly and parliamentary seats.

He also underlined the need for NRC updation in Manipur in view of changing demographic patterns due to migration.

As part of the programme, Khumanthem Chanjit of Singjamei Chingamakha Yanglem Leikai, who secured the highest marks in Developmental Economics in MA Economics 2024-2025, was given the Prof (Retd) Maisnam Iboton Singh Memorial Merit Award 2026.The award, instituted by Prof Iboton's wife Maisnam Ongbi Banabati and family, carries Rs 10,000, a certificate and a biography of Prof Iboton.

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