Reminiscence of assignment and recognitions for a legendary aerobiologist of NE India after getting pension

Dr N Irabanta Singh
The writer became a pensioner from the service of the Manipur University with effect from 1st March, 2015.
After that he receives an assignment as honourary consultant, Forestry and Environment Science Department, Manipur University for 1 years (8/4/2015 to 7/10/2016). On 12th October, 2015 his students Ms. Jayalaxmi Ningthoujam was awarded Pd.D. degree in Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar on the topic “Aeromyco-diversity studies in Moreh – A border town of Manipur in the Indo-Myanmar Hot Spot Region”.
She worked under the joint supervision of Prof. B.K. Dutta of Assam University, Silchar and Prof. N. Irabanta Singh of Manipur University, Canchipur. On 14th January, 2016 another two students, viz., Ms. Supriya Maimom was awarded Ph.D. degree (Eco & Env.Sc.), Assam University Silchar on the topic “Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi from soils of Ginger fields of Churachandpur districts, Manipur and their possible use as biofertilizer for sustainable Ginger cultivation”.
 On the same day, Ms. Yumnam Nganthoi Devi was also awarded Ph.D. degree (Eco & Env.Sc.), Assam University Silchar on the topic “Studies on Parthenium hysterophorus L. growing along the selected National and State highways of Manipur and its management through Allelopathy Approach”. Both the scholars worked under the joint supervision of Prof. B.K. Dutta of Assam University, Silchar and Prof. N. Irabanta Singh of Manipur University, Canchipur.
During the last week of October, 2016, the writer received an offer from the Global Open University, Nagaland, Dimapur for the post of Controller Examination with a request to join the said post on or before 5th November, 2016. The remuneration offered was a consolidated pay of Rs. 40,000/- per month besides free of cost Type IV apartment, a vehicle and other basic support.
He replied to the offer with a request for increasing the remuneration by another Rs. 10,000 that is Rs. 50,000/- per month. In the meantime, he along with his wife, N(O). Ibempishak Devi attended the 19th National Conference of Indian Aerobiological Society (December 9-11, 2016) at the Bose Institute, Kolkata – 9. 
He also chaired one of the scientific session. During the conference, the Editor, Int. J. Mendel, Bihar wanted the writer to contribute a review article for their journal. Accordingly, a review article entitled “Aerobiology in North-East India in the context of epidemiology and forecasting for fungal diseases of major crop plant” was submitted and published in Int. J. Mendel, 33(182): 63-68 (2016) (ISSN-0970-9449).
During the second week of December, 2016 an assurance letter was received from the authority of the Global Open University, Nagaland, Dimapur that the remuneration will be increased few months after joining the university. On the basis of the letter the writer decided to join the said University on 13th January, 2017.
On 12th January, 2017, the writer along with his wife left Imphal for Dimapur via Guwahati by Indigo flight. We stayed 12th January, 2017 night at Mayur hotel, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati.
Next day, 13th January, 2017 by 6.30 am we left Guwahati Railway station for Dimapur by Jana Shatabdi Express and reached Dimapur Railway station by 10.40 am. At the Railway station, Dr. H.N. Dutta, VC/the Global Open University, Nagaland, along with his driver was waiting for our arrival. They picked us up and took us to the University campus. The writer joined the University as Controller of Examination by 11.55 am. We were offered packed lunch by Dr. Imotemsu AO, Registrar/Director, the Global Open University, Nagaland, Dimapur. By 2.00 pm we shifted to the apartment allotted for us.
On the 14th January, 2017 the University was closed due to Saturday. After lunch we took Informative Executive, Ms. Mhaloo Ezung and VC’s driver to buy some items for our day to day requirements. 15th January, 2017 was Sunday, so we visited Bramhakumaris’s Centre at Padumpukhari, Dimapur. 
We had the opportunity to get Brahma Bhogon at the Baba’s Centre. It was really a happy day. VC’s driver dropped and picked us up from the Baba’s Centre and dropped to our apartment. On 16th January 2017, the writer attended office by 10.30 am. By 2.00 pm we had a gathering at Registrar/Director’s office for welcoming new Controller of Examination and gave farewell to the old Controller of Examination, the Global Open University, Nagaland. Although the University promise the writer a vehicle with a driver but it was not provided till date. During the last week of January to the 1st week of February, 2017 there were intermittent band called by Naga Civil Society in connection with holding Municipal Local bodies elections in Nagaland.
That causes a lot of hardship to everyone of us due to non-availability of eatables.
 On the 7th March, 2017 afternoon, we left Dimapur Railway station to Guwahati Railway station for Yaoshang Holidays. At night we halted at Mayur hotel, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati. On 8th March 2017, we left Guwahati for Imphal by Indigo flight and reached home by 10.30 am. After Yaoshang Holiday, on 27th March, 2017, the writer left Imphal alone for Dimapur by Winger (7.30am). The road was bad but anyhow, he reaches JCB showroom (6th mile), Dimapur around 5 pm. Mr. Benathung, VC’s driver/peon was waiting for the writer in the front of the JCB showroom Dimapur.
At Night, the writer took rest after taken light dinner prepared by himself.
On 1st April, 2017 the writer gave lecture on “Parthenium hysterophorusL. management in NE India” among the students and the staff of the Global Open University, Nagaland, Dimapur. It was followed by physical uprooting of the young Parthenium plants from the campus.
On 2nd April, 2017 (Sunday) the writer left JCB showroom, Dimapur (6th mile) for Imphal by winger and reached Imphal by 4pm.
On the 5th April, 2017 around 2.00 pm, the writer called VC/CAU, Iroishemba and requested him to release their coauthored book “Parthenium menance in the Indo-Myanmar Hotspot Region”.
He agreed to release it on 15th April, 2017 at Iroishemba campus. On 9th April, 2017 Cha-umba(Anna prasana) of their grandson, Mangal-leibawas solemnized. About 50 persons were offered community feast. The writermailedan application to the Registrar/Director, theGlobal Open University, Nagaland, for 4 days (10-13 April, 2017) medical leave due to knee pain. On 14th April, 2017 (Good Friday), we enjoyed Cheiraoba (Goura) lunch at our home. All members of the family joined the big lunch.
On 15th April, 2017 our book “Parthenium menance in the Indo-Myanmar Hotspot Region – its impact on Biodiversity and Management” co-authored by N. Irabanta Singh, B.K. Dutta and Y. Nganthoi Devi; publisher – LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Germany was released by Prof. M. Premjit Singh, VC/CAU, Iroishemba. About 100 persons attended the function.
The writerpresented one copy of the book to the VC/CAU. On the 16th April, 2017 (Sunday) the writer left home by 8.00 am for Imphal Airport. Left Imphal Airport by 9.55 am for Guwahati Airport and reached Guwahati Airport by 10.45am. Night was halted at Mayur hotel, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati. On 17th April, 2017 (Monday) left Guwahati Railway Station by 6.30am for Dimapur Railway and reached Dimapur by 10.45 am by JanaShatabdi express. Mr. Benathung picked up the writer from the Railway station and joined duty by 1.30 pm.
The authority handed over a new car (Renault Kwid) with basic accessories on 24th April, 2017 which is 4 months after joining the University. On 27th April, 2017 (Thursday) evening, we (driver Benathung and myself) attended 5th Annual fashion show organized by the students of Hospitality management & Catering Technology Department, the Global Open University, Nagaland, at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur.   
On 29th April, 2017 (Saturday), the writer left Dimapur for Imphal by leaving behind allotted vehicle and reached Imphal by 6.00 pm. It was tiresome journey. On 3rd May, 2017, we (the writer and his wife) left Imphal for Dimapur by winger service and reached JCB showroom, Dimapur (6th miles) by 3.00 pm.
On the 7th May, 2017 (Sunday), we spent from morning to evening at Baba’s Centre, Podum pukhari along with taking “Brahma Bhogon”. On the 12th May, 2017 driver S. Shyama arrived Dimapur to take us to Imphal. On the 13th May, 2017 (Saturday), we left Dimapur (7.30am) for Imphal with allotted car and reached Imphal by 4 pm.
On the 17th May 2017, we left Imphal (8.00am) for Dimapur with allotted car by hiring a driver. On 27th May, 2017 we left Dimapur for Imphal with allotted car by hiring another driver and reached home by 3.30 pm. On 1st June, 2017 we attended Murli class at R.4 Centre, Singjamei. On 4th June, 2017 (Sunday) we left North AOC/ Imphal (8.00am) for Dimapur with allotted car by hiring a driver and reached Dimapur by 3.00 pm. On 10th June, 2017 (Saturday) we left Dimapur (7.00am) for Imphal with allotted car by hiring a driver and reached Imphal by 3.00 pm. On 12th June, 2017 (Monday) we left North AOC/ Imphal (7.30am) for Dimapur with allotted car by hiring a driver and reached Dimapur by 3.00 pm.
(To be contd)