Imphal, ManipurAn archive of his life and work · English · Meitei Mayek and Bengali coming later
Prof. N. Tombi Singh
Born 2 February 1927, Uripok, ImphalDied 6 May 2001, Imphal

Teacher, freedom fighter, editor, author, parliamentarianProf. Ningthoukhongjam Tombi Singh

His life followed Manipur's own journey, from princely state to full statehood. He taught at Imphal College, founded two English newspapers, wrote six books and spoke for Inner Manipur in four Lok Sabhas.

Read his life storyHear him in Parliament
Prof. N. Tombi Singh, seated, in a white cap and white kurta, hands folded.
Prof. N. Tombi Singh. Courtesy of the family.

A life of many roles

  • Teacher, Imphal College1955–64
  • General Secretary, Manipur PCC1963–71
  • Cabinet Minister, Manipur1967–69
  • Member of Parliament, Inner Manipur4 terms
  • Founder-editor, Manipur TimesEnglish weekly
  • Author6 books

In his words, from the Lok Sabha

  1. Such units have defied the normal yardsticks while deciding their political individuality and status.

    Maiden speech · 25 March 1971
    Manipur Budget 1971-72 · 5th Lok Sabha · Read the record

  2. Many of us could be compared with the proverbial blind men trying to see the whole of the elephant.

    On a country of many cultures · 25 March 1971
    Manipur Budget 1971-72 · 5th Lok Sabha · Read the record

  3. This Bill has got a very special importance, because the amendment of the Eighth Schedule has been demanded from many language groups.

    On the Eighth Schedule · 29 March 1985
    Constitution (Amendment) Bill · 8th Lok Sabha · Read the record

  4. I belong to one of the islands of isolation in North-East.

    On roads and transport · 19 August 1988
    Motor Vehicles Bill · 8th Lok Sabha · Read the record

  5. The rising national consensus in favour of the inclusion of Manipuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution does not need re-emphasis.

    On the Manipuri language · 8 January 1991
    Need to Include Manipur language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution · 9th Lok Sabha · Read the record

Quotes are lightly corrected from the OCR text; the record shows the original.

A life in five chapters

See the full timeline

  1. Chapter one

    1927–54

    Uripok

    • Born to N. Chaoba Singh in Uripok, Imphal
    • Took part in India's freedom struggle
    • M.A., Guwahati University

  2. Chapter two

    1955–66

    Teacher and organiser

    • Taught at Imphal College, 1955–64
    • Married Chittamohini Devi, 1955
    • Secretary, All Manipur Sports Association, 1955–63
    • General Secretary, Manipur PCC, from 1963

  3. Chapter three

    1967–70

    Minister in Manipur

    • 1967: elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly
    • Cabinet Minister under M. Koireng Singh, 1967–69

  4. Chapter four

    1971–91

    Voice of Inner Manipur

    • In the Lok Sabha as Manipur's statehood was enacted
    • 1977: re-elected as Congress lost across India
    • Convenor, Official Language sub-committee
    • 1985: President, All India Small Newspaper Editors' Conference

  5. Chapter five

    1992–

    Legacy

    • 1992: Manipuri added to the Eighth Schedule
    • 2001: died in Imphal, aged 74
    • 2002: Sahitya Bhushan and Gang Sharan Award
    • Peeshumlei published after his death

The many sides of his work

Parliamentary

Four terms in the Lok Sabha

781 distinct passages spoken in the House, from his first recorded speech, on the Manipur Budget in 1971, to 1991.

Explore and search →Social

Editor, teacher, organiser

Founded Manipur Times and Manipur Mail. Served on the Manipur University Senate and built sports clubs across Imphal.

Read more →Books

Six works, two languages

Histories of Manipur in English, short stories in Manipuri, and a historical novel.

See the books →Manipuri Cultural

Language and literature

Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Manipuri Cultural Forum, Manipur Sangeet Natya Sabha, Naharol Sahitya Premee Sabha.

Read more →

His books

Cover images to come

Manipuri Cultural

The language he championed

Manipuri was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992. He had pressed for that recognition in Parliament and on its Committee on Official Language.

  1. 1985Speaks for amending the Eighth Schedule to include more languages · Read the record, 29 March 1985
  2. 1985–91Convenor of the Official Language committee's second sub-committee, in the 8th and 9th Lok Sabhas
  3. 1991Raises the inclusion of Manipuri in the Lok Sabha · Read the record, 8 January 1991
  4. 1992Manipuri added to the Eighth Schedule by the Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act, after his last term had ended

Read his speeches on the language →