Dr Jodha, Richard fall prey to Covid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 16 2021: COVID-19 has claimed Sahitya Akademi awardee Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam today.

An eminent writer and a medical professional, Dr Jodhachandra died at RIMS Hospital today.

Born on November 20, 1944 at Singjamei Okram Leikai, Dr Jodhachandra was 76 .

Dr Jodhachandra, during his lifetime, wrote and published 23 books including "Mathou Kanba DNA", which won him a Sahitya Akademi Award in 2012.For the same book, he was also given the State Kala Akademi Award in 2011 .

He had also translated Hijam Anganghal's Manipuri poetry "Khamba Thoibi" to English in 2016 .

Recently in 2018, the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad had honoured him with Sahitya Bhushan Upadhi.

Dr Jodhachandra won many accolades and awards in literature.

Some of the awards under his name include BM Maisnamba Novel Award, Dineshwari Sahitya Award, Professor Chongtham Manihar Singh Award, Yendrembam Surlata Sahitya Award, Khuraijam Phulo Sanathoi Award, Waribam Meino Sheireng Award and Tayenjam Jayenta Poetry Award, Kavya Bhushan etc.

Dr Jodha, Richard fall prey to Covid

Following the news of his demise, many condolence messages have poured in from different organisations and individuals who shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

Writers' Forum, Imphal recalled the contributions of Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam and said his demise is a great loss for Manipur.

He was a well known doctor and an eminent writer who made enormous contributions in the field of literature.

His death has created a void that can never be filled, said the Writers' Forum and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

The Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur State Branch too mourned his death and said Dr Jodhachandra was a well known medical professional, an eminent lyricist, writer and translator.

He was an excellent human being who smilingly helped others.

His demise has left a void, it said.

Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Meghalaya; Progressive Writers' Association, Manipur; Iramdam Meeyamgi Apunba Khorjei Lup (IMAKHOL); Writers Club Nambol; Sahitya Akademi Manipuri Language Advisory Board; Apunba Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup (AMMIK); Sheirengbashingee Apunba Lup (SHAL) Manipur; Artiste Training Cum Educational Research Centre (ATEREC) and Yairipok Thambalnu Shahitya Marup Cum Library also condoled the demise of Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam and shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

Dr Jodhachandra is the second doctor in Manipur to fall victim to the virus in the second wave.

Earlier, a doctor, Kyoduwo Richard Duomai posted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal succumbed to Covid-19 infection.

The doctor, who was serving as a Senior Resident in the Urology Department of JNIMS, died on Saturday night at the medical college.

The physician, who hailed from Senapati district, had been undergoing treatment for the last five days in the COVID-19 ward of the medical college hospital and was on oxygen support.

Deeply condoling his demise, the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), said that the late doctor of Phuba Khuman village was the forefront fighting the pandemic when he contracted the virus.

The student body also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

Official reports say that some other doctors and nurses in the JNIMS have tested positive for the infection.

Bhimo, JNIMS Director, said that the college has been providing facilities and taking proper care to the healthcare workers undergoing treatment in the college hospital.

"About 40 JNIMS health workers have so far contracted COVID-19 .

Nine persons are under treatment as others had been discharged.

Food, medicines and food supplements are provided to them," he claimed.

Kangleipak Loinasillon Apunba Marup Manipur and Union of Associations of Manipur Writers also condoled the demise of Dr Jodhachandra Sanasam.