Remembering Prof Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh
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Dr Laishram Lenin Singh
Khangabok Village has produced many distinguished personalities, but few have achieved such academic distinction as Prof Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh. As the third person from the village to earn a PhD, he became a symbol of scholarly excellence and lifelong learning. Through his contributions as a teacher, researcher, and academic leader, he brought honour to Khangabok and inspired generations of young people to pursue higher education.
Prof Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh was born on 1st February 1963 at Khangabok Maisnam Leikai, Thoubal District, Manipur, to (L) Kh. Mangi Singh.As a dedicated student from an early age, he passed his Matriculation examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, in 1978 and completed his Higher Secondary education in 1980. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Manipur University in 1982 and earned his Master’s degree in Geography from Utkal University, Odisha, in 1986. In 1997, he was awarded a PhD by Manipur University for his thesis ‘Urbanisation Trends in North-East India : A Spatio-Temporal Analysis’ completed under the supervision of Dr M Balaram Singh. This study remains a valuable contribution to the understanding of urban development in Northeast India.
Prof. Jugindro Singh joined the Department of Geography at Thoubal College on 4 September 1987 as Lecturer. Over nearly four decades of dedicated service, he rose steadily, becoming Senior Lecturer in 1996, selected as Grade Lecturer in 2001, and promoted to Associate Professor in 2006, before being promoted to Professor.
Recognised for his leadership and academic excellence, he was appointed Principal in charge of YK College, Wangjing, on 18 March 2025, and later became a full-fledged Principal in the same college. He passed away on 27 May 2026. The sudden demise of Oja Jugindro has left an immense void, a loss too deep for words to express fully.
On the evening of 11 May 2026, I, along with Saikhom Sanahanba and Moirangthem Sanahal, members of the Editorial Board of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary, visited Oja Jugindro at his residence in Khangabok Maisnam Leikai. We requested him to contribute a message for the second issue (2026 Edition) of the Journal (Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary) and invited him to preside over its release function. During our conversation, he was visibly excited to learn about our plan to organise a special exhibition of the historic Khangabok Coin Hoarding (Keipha Loukol), discovered in 1984. While going through the final draft of the second issue, he expressed regret that he had not yet completed the article we had proposed ‘The Geography of Khangabok.’
We had approached him to write the piece long before the publication of the inaugural issue. As he explained, his promotion from Associate Professor to Professor had brought with it heavier academic responsibilities, leaving him little time for the project. His subsequent appointment as Principal of YK College, Wangjing, further increased his administrative responsibilities. Nevertheless, he assured us that the article would be included in the third issue (2027 Edition) of the Journal.
Later that night, at 11:38 pm, Oja Jugindro sent me a PDF file through WhatsApp-his message for the second issue of the journal. In it, he wrote: ‘It gives me immense pleasure to learn that the Book Club, Khangabok, is bringing out the 2nd Issue (2026), Volume II of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary. This is a proud moment, as it is the first journal of its kind produced in our village. It contains important information about outstanding achievements in education, sports, culture, research, and many other fields. Learning about the remarkable accomplishments of people from our village who are making significant contributions in their respective fields is truly inspiring.’
On 17 May 2026, the Book Club, Khangabok, organised the release function of the second issue of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary at the Mandop of Bh. Manithoi Sharma, Khangabok Part-III, Makha Leikai. A special exhibition of the historic Khangabok (Keipha Loukol) Coin Hoard of 1984 was also arranged as part of the programme.
The event was graced by Mutua Bahadur, the Director of the Mutua Museum and custodian of the coin hoard of Khangabok (Keipha Loukol), as the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour included Khundrakpam Menjor Mangang, Founder of MMRC and Unity Park; Khundrakpam (O) Swarnalata Devi, former Adhyaksha of Thoubal Zilla Parishad; and Moirangthem Madhusudan Singh, Secretary of the District Olympic Association, Thoubal, and Vice-President of the Kho-Kho Federation of India. Prof. Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh, Principal of YK College, Wangjing, presided over the function.
After the conclusion of the programme, I had a brief but deeply meaningful conversation with Oja Jugindro. Reflecting on the significance of the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard and the advancing age and ill health of Mutua Bahadur, he said with great enthusiasm: ‘Lenin, we should make a documentary film on the coins discovered from Keipha Loukol. If we can complete it while Oja Bahadur is still with us, it will be invaluable.’
I responded with great interest, assuring him that I would do my best and that we would discuss the matter further in the coming days. With that, he left the venue. I did not know then that it would be our final conversation.
Inspired by his suggestion, I immediately began exploring the possibility of making the documentary. The very next evening, while on my way to The Sangai Express office, I discussed the idea with columnist Gunachandra Kakchingtabam over tea, revisiting the significance of the coin hoard discovered in Khangabok in 1984. He appreciated the proposal warmly and encouraged the initiative. Through his assistance, I also had the opportunity to speak with K. Shashikanta Sharma, Superintendent of the Manipur State Archaeology Department, who had attended the function as a visitor. I later shared the idea with members of the Journal's Editorial Board and with my colleague, Borun Thokchom, a journalist and documentary filmmaker.
Gradually, as the dream began to take shape in my mind, I imagined how the documentary might begin-who would narrate it, what stories would be told, and which scholars and witnesses would be interviewed. More than anything, I cherished the thought of pursuing a vision first inspired by Oja Jugindro.
However, fate had other plans. In the early morning of 27 May 2026, I switched on my mobile phone to find several missed calls from a junior friend, Nongthang. When I returned the call, he shared the distressing news: Oja Jugindro had passed away.
The news left me stunned. It was difficult to believe that a man who had been discussing future projects and inspiring new initiatives only days earlier was no longer among us. Yet the flood of condolence messages on social media soon confirmed the painful reality.
Today, whenever I think about the proposed documentary on the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard, I remember that brief conversation. What remains unfinished is not merely a film project- it is a dream entrusted to us by a teacher, scholar, and visionary whose passion for knowledge and heritage never diminished.
Though he is no longer with us, the dream he shared on that May afternoon remains alive.
Perhaps one day, the documentary on the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard will be completed— not merely as a historical record, but as a tribute to the last leaf Oja Jugindro left for us before his untimely departure: the dream of documenting and preserving a chapter of Khangabok’s history for future generations.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
The writer is Sub-Editor, Sangai Express (Manipuri Edition) and Editor, Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary
Khangabok Village has produced many distinguished personalities, but few have achieved such academic distinction as Prof Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh. As the third person from the village to earn a PhD, he became a symbol of scholarly excellence and lifelong learning. Through his contributions as a teacher, researcher, and academic leader, he brought honour to Khangabok and inspired generations of young people to pursue higher education.
Prof Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh was born on 1st February 1963 at Khangabok Maisnam Leikai, Thoubal District, Manipur, to (L) Kh. Mangi Singh.As a dedicated student from an early age, he passed his Matriculation examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, in 1978 and completed his Higher Secondary education in 1980. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Manipur University in 1982 and earned his Master’s degree in Geography from Utkal University, Odisha, in 1986. In 1997, he was awarded a PhD by Manipur University for his thesis ‘Urbanisation Trends in North-East India : A Spatio-Temporal Analysis’ completed under the supervision of Dr M Balaram Singh. This study remains a valuable contribution to the understanding of urban development in Northeast India.
Prof. Jugindro Singh joined the Department of Geography at Thoubal College on 4 September 1987 as Lecturer. Over nearly four decades of dedicated service, he rose steadily, becoming Senior Lecturer in 1996, selected as Grade Lecturer in 2001, and promoted to Associate Professor in 2006, before being promoted to Professor.
Recognised for his leadership and academic excellence, he was appointed Principal in charge of YK College, Wangjing, on 18 March 2025, and later became a full-fledged Principal in the same college. He passed away on 27 May 2026. The sudden demise of Oja Jugindro has left an immense void, a loss too deep for words to express fully.
On the evening of 11 May 2026, I, along with Saikhom Sanahanba and Moirangthem Sanahal, members of the Editorial Board of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary, visited Oja Jugindro at his residence in Khangabok Maisnam Leikai. We requested him to contribute a message for the second issue (2026 Edition) of the Journal (Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary) and invited him to preside over its release function. During our conversation, he was visibly excited to learn about our plan to organise a special exhibition of the historic Khangabok Coin Hoarding (Keipha Loukol), discovered in 1984. While going through the final draft of the second issue, he expressed regret that he had not yet completed the article we had proposed ‘The Geography of Khangabok.’
We had approached him to write the piece long before the publication of the inaugural issue. As he explained, his promotion from Associate Professor to Professor had brought with it heavier academic responsibilities, leaving him little time for the project. His subsequent appointment as Principal of YK College, Wangjing, further increased his administrative responsibilities. Nevertheless, he assured us that the article would be included in the third issue (2027 Edition) of the Journal.
Later that night, at 11:38 pm, Oja Jugindro sent me a PDF file through WhatsApp-his message for the second issue of the journal. In it, he wrote: ‘It gives me immense pleasure to learn that the Book Club, Khangabok, is bringing out the 2nd Issue (2026), Volume II of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary. This is a proud moment, as it is the first journal of its kind produced in our village. It contains important information about outstanding achievements in education, sports, culture, research, and many other fields. Learning about the remarkable accomplishments of people from our village who are making significant contributions in their respective fields is truly inspiring.’
On 17 May 2026, the Book Club, Khangabok, organised the release function of the second issue of Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary at the Mandop of Bh. Manithoi Sharma, Khangabok Part-III, Makha Leikai. A special exhibition of the historic Khangabok (Keipha Loukol) Coin Hoard of 1984 was also arranged as part of the programme.
The event was graced by Mutua Bahadur, the Director of the Mutua Museum and custodian of the coin hoard of Khangabok (Keipha Loukol), as the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour included Khundrakpam Menjor Mangang, Founder of MMRC and Unity Park; Khundrakpam (O) Swarnalata Devi, former Adhyaksha of Thoubal Zilla Parishad; and Moirangthem Madhusudan Singh, Secretary of the District Olympic Association, Thoubal, and Vice-President of the Kho-Kho Federation of India. Prof. Khundrakpam Jugindro Singh, Principal of YK College, Wangjing, presided over the function.
After the conclusion of the programme, I had a brief but deeply meaningful conversation with Oja Jugindro. Reflecting on the significance of the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard and the advancing age and ill health of Mutua Bahadur, he said with great enthusiasm: ‘Lenin, we should make a documentary film on the coins discovered from Keipha Loukol. If we can complete it while Oja Bahadur is still with us, it will be invaluable.’
I responded with great interest, assuring him that I would do my best and that we would discuss the matter further in the coming days. With that, he left the venue. I did not know then that it would be our final conversation.
Inspired by his suggestion, I immediately began exploring the possibility of making the documentary. The very next evening, while on my way to The Sangai Express office, I discussed the idea with columnist Gunachandra Kakchingtabam over tea, revisiting the significance of the coin hoard discovered in Khangabok in 1984. He appreciated the proposal warmly and encouraged the initiative. Through his assistance, I also had the opportunity to speak with K. Shashikanta Sharma, Superintendent of the Manipur State Archaeology Department, who had attended the function as a visitor. I later shared the idea with members of the Journal's Editorial Board and with my colleague, Borun Thokchom, a journalist and documentary filmmaker.
Gradually, as the dream began to take shape in my mind, I imagined how the documentary might begin-who would narrate it, what stories would be told, and which scholars and witnesses would be interviewed. More than anything, I cherished the thought of pursuing a vision first inspired by Oja Jugindro.
However, fate had other plans. In the early morning of 27 May 2026, I switched on my mobile phone to find several missed calls from a junior friend, Nongthang. When I returned the call, he shared the distressing news: Oja Jugindro had passed away.
The news left me stunned. It was difficult to believe that a man who had been discussing future projects and inspiring new initiatives only days earlier was no longer among us. Yet the flood of condolence messages on social media soon confirmed the painful reality.
Today, whenever I think about the proposed documentary on the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard, I remember that brief conversation. What remains unfinished is not merely a film project- it is a dream entrusted to us by a teacher, scholar, and visionary whose passion for knowledge and heritage never diminished.
Though he is no longer with us, the dream he shared on that May afternoon remains alive.
Perhaps one day, the documentary on the Keipha Loukol Coin Hoard will be completed— not merely as a historical record, but as a tribute to the last leaf Oja Jugindro left for us before his untimely departure: the dream of documenting and preserving a chapter of Khangabok’s history for future generations.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
The writer is Sub-Editor, Sangai Express (Manipuri Edition) and Editor, Khongchat: The Khangabok Diary