11th May 2017 , Imphal :
Rapporteur:
Aheibam Koireng,
Assistant Professor,
Centre for Manipur Studies,
Manipur University
Prof. Gangmumei Kamei (born on 21 October 1939) was a multifaceted personality who devoted his life in pursuit of sincere and honest initiatives on critical and socially paramount concerns of ‘our society. He passed away on Monday, the 5th January 2017. In academic life, he was well-known for his contribution in the regional history of Northeast India. He served as a professor of History in Manipur University and had also successfully guided many scholars leading to the award of the Doctorate Degree. Also he had guided a number of major research projects in history as Coordinator of the Centre for Manipuri Studies & Tribal Research of Manipur University.
Some of his well-known books are: Lectures onHistory of Manipur, N. Delhi: Akansha 2012; Rise of Middle Classes in Manipur, N. Delhi: Akansha 2012; Ethnicity and Social Change: An Anthology of Essays (Latest Edition), N. Delhi: Akansha, 2009;On History and Historiography of Manipur (Latest Edition), N. Delhi: Akansha, 2006; A History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Raini Gaidi, etcnliu, N. Delhi: Akansha, 2004; A History of Modern Manipur 1826-2000 (3 Vols.); and A History of Manipur: Pre-colonial Period, etc.
Recognition and Awards he received in his lifetime includes: 1. Member, Advisory Committee of the Anthropological Survey of India (1984-87); 2. Member, IndianCouncil of Social Science Research (ICSSR) panel on Tribal Studies; 3. Awarded the Platinum Jubilee Samman by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad for his contribution to history and tribal culture in 2010; Awarded National Fellowship by Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla in 2010-2012.
Achievements in his political life which could notably be mentioned include: 1. Foundingthe Federal Party of Manipur in 1993; 2. Getting Elected to the state assembly twice, in 1995 and 2001, and also served as a minister on two occasions holding key portfolios like Technical and Higher Education, and Forest and Environment; 3. Contesting for the lone Scheduled Tribes Reserved Seat of the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency (OMPC) in the 2014 General Election for 16th Lok Sabha; Appointment and serving as Member, North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong since July 2011 till his last breadth.
KAM organized this seminar with the main objective to highlight and to outreach Prof. Gangmumei’s’ Frame of Mind’, and ‘Rationality of Thought’ to the larger sections of the society through informal discussions. This way, Kalyan Ashram Manipur wishes to offer homage through ‘deliberation among esteemed citizens on his life and contribution to enhance our commitment for our culture, people and nation’.
The inaugural Session of the seminar was graced by Ojha L. Brajakumar Sharma, President, Manipur Cultural Integration Committee (MCIC) and Founder Member, KAM as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries in the dais are Smt. Dikidoma, Secretary, Kalyan Ashram, Manipur and Shri. Jaleshwar Brahma, President, Janjati Faith and Cultural Protection Forum respectively as the Guest of Honour and the President. With the dignitaries in the dais occupying their respective chair in the dais, the inmates of Linthoingambi Girl’s Hostel, Kalyan Ashram Manipur presented the Opening Song in Kabui Dialect. It was followed by the offering of ceremonial light to the portrait of Balasaheb Deshpande Ji, Founder, Kalyan Ashram to invoke the blessings together with the lighting of incense sticks to carry high the prayers to the almighty. Hymns were also recited in rhythm while doing so. The Floral Tributes were then paid to the portrait of Late Prof. Gangmumei Kamei by his Family Members, Dignitaries in the Dias, and everyone present.
A hearty Welcome was extended by Smt. Dikidoma. In her welcome address, she said, she was very much humbled and consider herself privileged to have the opportunity of delivering Welcome Address in connection with the Seminar on Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, a fatherly figure of Kalyan Ashram Manipur, who in his lifetime had contributed so much for advancing and realizing the cause and vision of Kalyan Ashram Manipur as its Patron. In her Welcome address, in addition to extend hearty welcome, she also informed the gathering that Kalyan Ashram Manipur (KAM) was established in the year 1978 with the objective of protectingindigenous faith and culture. To realize it, KAM have continuingly executed three projects, to mention, a boy’s hostel each in Kakching and Senapati, and Linthoingambi Girl’s Hostel which hosted the present ongoing seminar. Moreover, KAM particularly in Hill Areas also run 40 Balwadi Tuition Centres. KAM also run one Lower primary school in Senapati District which has education facilities upto Class V (five).
The Inaugural Speech was delivered by the Chief Guest, Ojha L Brajakumar Sharma, who for a long time had associated with Prof. Gangmumei Kamei since 1960. He said, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, during his student’s days in the Gauhati University as post graduate student, in addition to his academic brilliance, he was also very much active on issues of socially profound common concerns. He was General Secretary of Gauhati University Manipuri Student’s Association (GUMSA), and also Editor of the Bulletin published by the History Dept., of Gauhati University. Further, he said, in the mid-1960s, various threats arising out of illegal immigrants, other external factors and bad governance casted a gloomy spell in the inter-community relations of the native people in Manipur. At such milieu, social workers were very much concerned of the trend of growing cleavage between and among the people of Manipur and the strain in the inter-community relations. He further said, in an attempt to redress and deal effectively with it, the Manipur Cultural Integration Conference (MCIC) was established in October, 1967 with the objectives – to enrich the common cultural heritage of Manipur and develop a sense of brotherhood and broad common outlook in the context of a large vision; to widen as much as possible the area of agreement and understanding among the hills and plain people of Manipur in social and cultural sphere; to promote social harmony and sense of oneness among the various sections of the people inhabiting Manipur and thereby accelerate this process of cultural Integration of the hills and plain people of Manipur. In it, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei shouldered a major share of his responsibility as the first General Secretary of MCIC. He concluded his speech by upholding the rational and vision of Prof. Gangmumei Kamei that indigenous faith, beliefs and cultures should be preserved, protected and promoted.
Jaleshwar Prasad, in his Presidential speech said, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei is a very dynamic person with multifaceted personality who left his trails in various aspects of life, be it academics, social service, politics. His life is a true testimony of the saying, ‘pen is mightier than the sword’. The Janjati people owes to Prof. Gangmumei Kamei for making them realized and also for bringing to light that the Janjati faith and culture were nothing less and equally worthy in comparison with any known religion of the world, he further stated. He concluded by appealing that, the Janjati faith, as desired by Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, which has also been the objective of KAM, should be preserved, protected and promoted for the posterity to come.
The Inaugural was followed by the technical session.
The whole technical session of the Seminar was moderated by Prof. N. Joykumar, Former Director, Centre for Manipur Studies & Head of History Dept., Manipur University. Prof. Joykumar received his Ph.D Degree under the guidance of Prof. Gangmumei Kamei.
In the first session, Shri P. Suryanarayanji, President, Janjati Faith and Cultural Protection Forum, North East India, spoke as Resource Person. He said, Prof. Gangmumei was not an armed chair scholar but a very ‘practical personality’. Because of the examples, he set, he is counted as a ‘role model’. In his lifetime, he led the life of a visionary. His voice equals that of the Kalyan Ashram Manipur that is, ‘all round development of the tribals’ while keeping intact their respective indigenous faith. He concluded by saying that as long as indigenous faith is maintained and practiced, there would be no inter-tribal conflict, and there would instead be inter-tribal cooperation.
Prof. Sadananda (Functionary, United Religious Initiative, Manipur Chapter & Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur) said he fully endorsed the views of Narayanji in so far as the philosophy of Prof. Gangmumei is concerned. Gangmumei in his later life was a brilliant scholar. Prof. Gangmumei believed the inter-faith cooperation is very much the need of the hour. His understanding of ‘unity of religion’ is that of going together and not of obliteration or merging.
With it, the first session was declared closed by the moderator.
In the Second Session Shri PA Theko, ADC Member Senapati, spoke as the rersource Person. Prof. is such a personality vital to the health and welfare of our state. He is always viewed as a symbol of secularism who gave much required importance to the indigenous faith of the tribal people which was derisively interpreted by the western writers and social anthropologists as animism and as a matters of the Satan which is today opposed by every serious researcher. Professor established his own pre-eminence as indigenous religion as primordial religion which is today widely accepted by the social anthropologists of the world to the pleasure and pride of the world’s indigenous people. He was all through his life a fighter for the rights and justice for the weaker sections and the minorities besides his own political battle. He was also an upright and patient upholder of secular democratic ethos and contributed much to keep the body polity of the BJP and the state of Manipur safe and secured, though he did not lived to see the fruit of his patience. He builds strong bonds amongst the different ethnic groups forming a unifying force amongst the tribal indigenous people and a bridge between the hill and the valley people. He refused to accept the idea that Christianity is the highest form of civilization believing that even the indigenous faith which he calls primordial religion is a highly evolved system of faith and civilization which must of necessity be interpreted in its correct perspective for the self-pride and confidence of the indigenous people.
After the presentation of paper, Prof. MC Arun, (Director, Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University) while sharing his views, expressedreservations over the use of prefix ‘Late’ before Prof. Gangmumei’s name in the title of the seminar as he feels that his contributions transcends all barriers and continues to remain relevant for all time to come. According to him, he belonged to the Second generation of Historians in Manipur, who by going ahead of the first generation trends of remaining obsessive with the collection of records and documents, had made serious attempt to critically interpret history. What sets him apart from other historian is approach for unity of ideas and action. His entering into social service as evident by his association with MCIC and political arena could also be viewed as putting his idea into practice for social transformation. He, in the prime time of his career, had also greatly contributed in giving the regional history, at a time when the mainstream history was all eminent and omnipotent in the Indian History. Prof. Gangmumei nurtures and welcomes new ideas in academic exercise and pursuit. The Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University, which at present is taken care of by him, is a brainchild of Prof. Gangmumei, saying this, he also acknowledgingly stated that he personally owes a tribute to the revered teacher, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei.
Prof. Kshetri Bimola (Former Head, Pol. Sc. Dept., & Dean, School of Social Science, Manipur University) said Prof. Gangmumei in his quest for knowledge was always curious and ever accumulating. He doesn’t mind discussing with his junior colleagues on issues of academic and social importance. And in the process if he found anything new to him, he readily acknowledged it. His adhering to Secularism is without question. He firmly believed in women’s empowerment and gender equity. His works and contribution will continue to remain relevant in all times to come, she stated
Chaoba Kamson, General Secretary, Tingkao Ragwang Chakpriak (TRC) Phom, spoke as resource Person in the third and final session of the seminar. His paper which gives a brief background of the difficulties faced by theZeliangrong people in preserving and promoting the Zeliangrong religion and custom, and the constructive role of Prof. Gangmumei Kamei in relation to it is reproduced as follows:
“Alien religious followersand organisations took advantage of the absence of common and collective religious authority at the community level and converted the followers of indigenous faith to their religion by means of temptation, imparting free education, free gifts, free amenities, etc. Despite devoting their whole lifetime by Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidnliu to protect and preserve their Zeliangrong religion, for quite a long period of time, there was no specific organization to continue that legacy. The Zeliangrong religion was under threat as valley based underground killed two ‘innocent TRC people’ in the name of prohibition in 1990. In the year 1994, the hill based underground harassed the TRC people of Khoupum Valley, Nungba Sub Division in 1993-1994 and they threatened the Chinikon Villagers alleging why they had still remained in the TRC religion. The Zeliangrong people of Manipur were helpless in those days. Day by Day Zeliangrong people converted into the religion of Christianity due to heavy suppression of the hill based underground but the valley based extremist never interfered in the religious matter of TRC people. Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, at his initiative organized a public meeting at Majorkhul on 7th April 1991 and in order to preserve, propagate and promote formed a religious organization called ‘Zeliangrong Custom and Religion Protection Committee’.
Subsequently, a memorandum drafted by Prof. G. Kamei and signed by the valley Khullakpas was submitted on 22nd March 1991 to Shri RK Ranbir, the incumbent Chief Minister of Manipur requesting his good office to forbid outside forces from disturbing the rites and rituals performed by the TRC people. Prof. G. Kamei convened a meeting on 14th November 1992 at Manipur University and discussed on the philosophy and theology of Zeliangrong religion. Another public meeting on 22nd November 1992 at Ragailong, Imphal was called and discussed on how yto strengthen the religious organization and how to protect and preserve the said religion. On 27th December 1992, a seminar on Zeliangrong religion and youth was organized at Majorkhul, Imphal to discuss on the sub-theme of cosmogyny and rites of passage. After formation of the Zeliangrong religious organization, Prof. G. Kamei suggested to convene a meeting for further discussion on Zeliangrong religion. Accordingly, the Zeliangrong Custom and Religion Protection Committee, Manipur organized a Public Meeting on 8th March 1993 at Haipou Bhaomei Bishnu Rakai, Bhuvan Hills, Assam to discuss the contemporary situation of the traditional religion and to find out the ways and means to constitute a common authority of the Zeliangrong religion. The congregation was addressed by eminent personalities of Zelianghrong community including scholars, Govt. Officers, religious divines, village elders and youths. The religious congregation was presided by over by Gaiphunnang Thaimei of Binnakandi and Shri M. Maringa, Chairman, Zeliangrong Custom and Religion protection Committee, Manipur. Prof. gangmumei Kamei moved the resolution, ‘The Religious congregation of the Zeliangrong people having deliberated on the Zeliangrong religion and custom resolved to express that there is a need for the formation of a common authority of the Zeliangrong religion to preserve, study, systematize and propagate the Zeliangrong religious philosophy, customs and tradition.
The Congregation is of the opinion that a conference on Zeliangrong religion should be held for a wider and deeper discussion on the theology, rites and rituals and festivals and formation of a representative and authoritative body of the Zeliangrong religion. The zeliangrong people who are the followers of the traditional faith should not accept any other alien religion. Zeliangrong people should not change their religion.
Therefore, this congregation resolved to constitute a steering committee to organize the proposed religious conference at Imphal. The steering committee shall be named and styled as the steering Committee Conference on Zeliangrong religion. The Steering Committee is empowered to take up the appropriate action for the organization of the religious conference. The congregation resolved to elect office-bearers and members of the steering committee with prof. Mangthoi Thaimei as the president. The organization of the Zeliangrong Custom and Religion protection Committee, Manipur was dissolved on 8th March 1993.
To translate the resolution into action, a mass campaign contact programme was conducted led by Prof. G. Kamei covering most of the valley villages. The participants of the meeting underlined the need of the formation of a common authority of the Zeliangrong religion to preserve, study, systematize and propagate the Zeliagrong religion on philosophy, custom and tradition. The aim of the steering committee was to form a common religious authority and to elect new office-bearers, to draft a constitution of the religious organization and to name Zeliangrong religion. The religious conference was fixed to hold in the month of December 1993, but it was postponed due to ethnic conflict of Naga-Kuki and was refixed on 14th -16th April, 1994. Accordingly, the religious conference was carried out on the date mentioned above with the mass support of village authority, elders, educated persons, officers, womenfolks, youtrhs and students. The Steering Committee formed a Finance Committee headed by Shri A.P. Golmei and Shri k.G. Aphunna, both retd. EE, PWD & IFCD respectively, Govt. of Manipur as Advisors. The three days conference (from 14th to 16th April, 1994) on Zeliangrong, the first of its kind in the religious history of the Zeliangrong people was actually convened by the steering committee conference on Zeliangrong religion. The Conference was attended by about 1500 delegates from 150 Zeliangrong villages of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. The important topics prepared by Prof. gangmumei Kamei and discussed in the conference were: i). Zeliangrong Theology and Philosophy; ii). System of worship; iii). Religion and Culture; and iv). Religious Organisation of Zeliangrong.
The plenary and valedictory session was presided over by Prof. G. Kamei and discussed the general problems of organization of Zeliangrong religion in its contemporary situation, the establishment of a religious authority, adoption of the draft constitution, election of office-bearers, naming of religion and other related measures. The following eight resolutions drafted by Prof. G. Kamei were approved and adopted unanimously by the General conference. The resolutions are:
i. The conference resolved to constitute a religious authority of the traditional Zeliangrong religion entitled the ‘Zeliangrong Rachapriak Phom’ (The Zeliangrong Religious Council)
ii. The conference discussed the draft constitution of the ‘Zeliangrong Rachapriak Phom’ prepared and written by Prof. G. Kamei. The conference resolved to adopt the religious constitution of the organization after going through its clause by clause which was appended in this resolution
iii. As per provision of the constitution, this conference adopted and resolved to elect some office bearers namely prof. Mangthoi Thaimei as President, Shri Marlung as Vice President, Shri Chaobam Kamsom and Shri M. Leirenjao as the General Secretaries and Shri Lanbinlung Gonmei as Executive Secretary of the Council.
iv. This Constitution resolve to constitute the Ecclesiastical Council with 30 members.
v. The Conference discussed the name of the Zeliangrong believed and worshipped by Zeliangrong people in great detail. The conference therefore resolved that the zeliangrong religion be named as ‘Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak’ (TRC).
vi. Further, resolved that every Zeliangrong village should construct a temple or a place of worship to Tingkao ragwang or related gods.
vii. Resolved that there should be community or mass prayer in every village offered to Tingkao Ragwang on every ‘Full Moon Day’. There may be prayer in the individual families or group of families also.
viii. This conference resolved to request every Pei to announce these resolutions to the villages and implement the same.
1. In 1994, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei participated a meeting of United Nations’ Organisation (UNO) at Geneva, Switzerland and spoke at length on the topic of indigenous tribal rights. During their separate meeting, Prof. G. Kamei urged Th. Muivah, General Secretary NSCN (IM) to direct his cadre not to interfere in the religious matter of Zeliangrong religion of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC). Thereafter, there was no interference from the side of the NSCN(IM).
2. In 1997, Prof. G. Kamei became a Cabinet Minister of Forest & Environment, Education, Hr. Edn. Under the Nipamacha ministry and influence him to declare the festival of Gaan Ngai as the General Holiday. Accordingly, 10th January, 1998 was declared as a General Holiday on account of the Gaan Ngai Festival.
3. The book entitled ‘Essays on primordial Religion’ written by Prof. G. Kamei refuted the allegations of the western writers that the tribal religion is an animism.
4. Prof. G. Kamei was a retired Professor of Manipur University, member vof DoNER Ministry, Govt. of India, a distinguished academician, author of more than 15 books, a seasoned and visionary politician, former national Fellow of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, Member of Indian Council of Historical research, New Delhi, the Founding General secretary of Manipur Historical Society, the Founding General secretary of Zeliangrong People’s Convention (ZPC), Researcher, a straight forward and mass leader, Founder and guide of TRC, an indigenous religion of North East India.
5. He was a lover of traditional religion of Zeliangrong i.e. TRC. He suggested that the nomenclature of religious organization namely ‘Zeliangrong Rachaphraik Phom’ (The Zeliangrong Religious Council) should be changed into ‘Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland’. The reason behind is that the non Zeliangrong people may not embrace in this religion so long the word ‘Zeliangrong’ prefixed. With this concept, the name of the religious organization was renamed on 16/04/2008 by a General Meeting as ‘Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom, Assam Manipur and Nagaland’ dropping the words, ‘Zeliangrong Rachpriak’.
6. He advised the council to research and find out the common acceptance on Symbol (Boudan) by the majority views. Accordingly, the religious Concil approved the present symbol by the General meeting held on 16-04-1996, G.M. Hall, Imphal after a long study.
7. Again, he advised the religion council to adopt the devotional hymns/songs taught by Jadonang and Rani Gaidnliu and further proposed to compose more prayer songs such as i). Praising the house of Worship, ii). Psalm of Time, iii). Prayer to Tingkao Ragwang, iv). Hymns for long life, v). Prayer for grant of child, vi). Hymns of birth Days, vii). Hymns of the wedding or marriage, viii). Patriotic Devotional Song ix) hymns to learning, (x). Hymns of intellect, xi) Psalm of peace, xii). Hymns for wealth and property, xiii). Song of Unity, xiv). Hymns for good Harvest, xv). Hymns for healing of the sick, xvi). Hymns for rains, xvii). Hymns for stoppage of rain, xviii). Hymns for the prosperity of the village, xix). Hymns for welfare of mankind. Accordingly, ‘we composed and started singing those song at present’.
8. ‘He always encouraged me to write more books on TRC religion. Accordingly, I have already published six books, 3 in English and 3 in Kabui dialect by his influences…”
At the end of presentation by Shri Chaoba Kamson, there were also remarks by those participating in the seminar. Among those,Dr. RK Ranjan (Former Registrar, Manipur University) said, he came into contact with Prof. Gangumei Kamei, in the year 1972 while he was pursuing PhD in Gauhati University. They then started associating together as functionary of MCIC under the initiative of Maharaja Priyobarta and worked collectively for advancing the cause of integration by way of promoting inter-community harmony and amity. Among the contributions made by Prof. Gangmumei, RK Ranjan mentioned that Prof. Gangmumei took the major initiative in establishing Manipur University.
Pradip Phanjoubam (Editor, Imphal Free Press) said ethnicity came to his consciousness because of the writings of Prof. Gangmumei Kamei. He also said, he personally owe to Prof. Gangmumei for his encouragement to apply for Fellowship at Indian institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, which he eventually got and took a time (for two years) off from Journalism to pursue it.
Dr. Lokendra Arambam (Former Director, Audio Visual Research Centre, Manipur University) commented that the Zeliangrong Religion emerged in a more organized form as TRC and became a potent force thwarting many of the invading elements due to the contributions made by Prof. Gangmumei Kamei.
[With inputs from Dr. Hanjabam Ishworchandra Sharma (Economics Dept., Manipur University), Dr. Beeju Kamei&Dr. Hanjabam Shukhdeba Sharma (Dept. of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus-Manipur]
