Manipur’s Khagembam Indrakumar Singh dedication in transforming education over three decades has been a source of inspiration and hope for many under-privileged students.
Khagembam Indrakumar Singh, from Kumbi under Bishnupur district, who is an educator by profession, embarked his journey of teaching in 1991. The passion of social activism ingrained from childhood has been his driving energy in the mission. Indrakumar has been dedicating his life in improving the Kumbi Sandhong Upper Primary School where he joined as headmaster in-charge in 1995.
Considering education, a key means to bring change in society, his profession not restricted only in class room teaching. He also focused on launching various campaign that caters moral values, discipline environment issues etc as some of the important topic. Another significant is setting up of boarding for under-privileged students so as to curb issue of dropout and cope up problem of slow learners.
During these 30 years of journey, Indrakumar encountered many challenges, mainly resulting from lack of adequate resources. Nevertheless, without losing any hope and aspiration, he continues to serve for society to date.
Indrakumar had joined as an ad-hoc teacher in Kumbi Setupur Primary School in 1991 for the first time. After transferring to Kumbi Sandhong Upper Primary School in 1995 as a government teacher, he began to devote his life in improving the condition of school with sole vision to transform society through education.
By then in 1995, the school was in modest structure and it was just up-to lower primary standard. There were around 81 students and managed to run the school by himself with the help of one ad-hoc teacher recruited in 1997.
As the students gradually increase since 1998 there is acute shortage of teachers. Worrying about future of students, he has started hiring private teacher from his own pocket. Apart from his, he also developed infrastructure without waiting government fund from his own expenses.
The institution saw several upgradations, but it was not until 2012 that additional government teachers were posted. During this period of 1995 to 2012, Indrakumar remained the sole government teacher.
“If I want to do something, I do it with heart and soul and with all positivity. My struggle gets relieved when I see students doing well,” Indrakumar stated with commitment to continue his until and unless he is capable to do it.
Recognising his dedication, he was honoured presenting State Teacher’s Award 2013 and National Teacher’s award 2017
As the school evolved in due course of time, it has become beacon of hope for many underprivileged students particularly for Kumbi region. There are also private school in Kumbi yet Kumbi Sandhong Upper Primary School also get enrolled good number of students with 613 students. Even two children of Inndrakumar all completed upper primary standard from Kumbi Sandhing Upper Primary School. The school is managed by altogether 18 teachers. Out of it, 11 are government teachers and the rest is hired by Indrakumar from his own pocket.
Another significant contribution made by Indrakumar is the setting up of a boarding facility within the school premises by selling his 1.5 acres of cropland. This initiative was started to address the issue of slow learner and school dropout due to lack of support.
The boarding is free but students are charged a modest Rs 1,500 per month for food.
Talking about present trend of losing discipline and moral value, he said that “Considering the degrading moral values in society, a campaign was launched in 2022. Under this campaign, cleanliness drive and awareness on environment issue is being carried out every Sunday in Kumbi area. This will be followed by talk on moral and disciple and motivational speech.”
He also initiated a plantation drive on World Environment Day in 2018. To date, he has personally planted over 4,000 saplings. More than 80 per cent of sapling grow successfully.
In pursuing his aspiration, the support extended by wife of Indrakumar, Khangembam Promila Devi is also immense. As most of his income has been invested in improving and transforming the school, Promila has engaged in selling bakery items.
“My wife tirelessly delivers bakery items to Kumbi and neighboring villages to meet their ends. Sometime I also involved when she fall sick or have some busy work,” Indrakumar stated.
As Kumbi lies at a distance of around 60 Km from Imphal is mostly inhabited by lower income people. Agriculture is the mainstay of economy. In such places, having such a dedicated teachers give enormous hope to many parents. His sacrifice stands as testament of power of selflessness and impact to society by one’s person devotion.
The writer is an award winning reporter
