A tribute to Oja Kriti

Free Thinker
Oja Kriti is no more. I was informed by Dr RK Ranjan, former Union Minister of External Affairs & Education about the sad demise of Prof M Kriti, first D.Litt scholar of Manipur. His contribution to Manipur society has been immense particularly in the field of education, culture and social service. I have some fond memories of Oja Kriti – to share with.
Oja Kriti had always been a talking point among the teachers and students. Once the Principal Mr Shukla took a stroll around the class-rooms of the College. He saw Oja  Kriti sitting alone in the class. Then, he asked Oja Kriti, “what are you doing ?”  The prompt reply was, “I am taking my class”. The Principal said, “but there are no students”. Oja Kriti responded, "anytime they may come , I am here for 45 mts". Mr. Shukla was pleasantly stunned by Dr Kriti’s sincere attitude towards his duty.
 I have known Oja Kriti since my student days. He was teaching Philosophy in DM College of Arts & Commerce. I was also a student of the same college. Though I didn't major in Philosophy I was pretty close to the Philosophy Department as many of the Philosophy students were my good friends. I was somehow connected to the Philosophy & Logic students. Another connection was, Philosophy students were good debaters and I was also fond of debating.
When I was in DIPR, Oja Kriti came once to collect the publication 'Manipur Today' . Actually, it is an annual publication normally released on Republic Day.  He came after a month or so. Someone guided him to collect the publication from me.  When he saw me , he could recognize me but not recollect my name. I was happy,  at least he remembered my face  . I reminded him that we used to have tea & alu-chop in the Canteen umteen times - when your favorite student Jawharjit was the General Secretary of the Students’ Union. He nodded with a meaningful smile.
There is no second opinion that Oja Kriti was a voracious reader. You will find him reading something or the other in the library or in the Teacher’s room.  My brother-in-law was working in the Central Library before it was ablazed into ashes by book haters or miscreants. Oja Kriti was a regular visitor ; he kept coming at least twice or thrice in a week.  My brother-in-law was dealing with the book section.  Books are opened for borrowing to members – students, teachers and citizens. One day Oja Kriti was frantically searching for a book on philosophy, but he could not find it. My brother-in-law discovered that the book was issued by a student and informed him accordingly. Oja Kriti was murmuring, “It was difficult for me to understand but a student …”; he told my brother-in-law that “when the boy comes back please keep the boy for me”.
When we saw Oja Kriti in DM college - we normally saw him on a bicycle, carrying an umbrella and a cotton bag ( jhola). If it drizzles his trousers would be rolled up a little, three-four folds. He was not exactly wearing a belt around his waist but a rope-like thing was used to tie the trousers. Oja Kriti was a very simple man , a great scholar and extremely loveable.
There was a student KK Phurai (Cultural Secretary – a Bamon ) and he was a student of Oja Kriti. In philosophy classes there is always open discussion on anything and everything - about beauty, God, reality, existence, ideology etc. Students were allowed to ask any question. One day in Oja Kriti's class students were allowed to ask any question of their choice.  One by one reply was given by Oja Kriti on the queries of his students. Towards the fag end of the class KK Phurai asked Oja Kriti in Manipuri " Oja achumba haibasibu karino ". The bell rang, Oja Kriti went away without giving any reply. After a week or so Oja Kriti was looking for the Cultural Secretary. He caught the cultural secretary, “ Eigamcha, you asked me a question - I was thinking for the last few days  to give you a simple reply,  “achumba haibadi khoidaba oigani”. This story was narrated to me by KK Phurai himself.
Oja Kriti was one of the early owners of the Maruti car. But he hardly used his car.  He was always fond of riding his bicycle.  Some activists (insurgent type) went to him, asking his car - for some obnoxious activities.  When he was approached for his car, his first reaction was “battery down since the car remained unused for several months now”.  The intruders asserted – “Oja, we will see and so give us the keys”.  Then Oja Kriti said, “we have to go to the bank to collect the keys from the locker”. The youngsters got frustrated and left.
Once a group of students very inquisitively asked Oja Kriti, ‘why Sir, you always carry an umbrella?' He gave them a very logical reply – “it is useful throughout – it protects me from rain or sun and it is more useful when I am surrounded by dogs”; he confessed the abundance of community dogs in his locality.
Oja Kriti was indeed an asset for our society particularly for the academic world. He taught his students with passion and utmost sincerity.  He was a voracious reader and avid writer who could explain things in his inevitable style. Prof Krit’s awards and rewards are the testimony of his excellent works in academics and social service. His Padma Shri (1992) and Best Citizen Award (2003) are nothing but the best reflections of his impeccable scholarship and benevolent behavior. We  will be  terribly missing you Oja. Khurumjari.