THE SILENT PRIDE OF MANIPUR: Dr. Sir H.H MATE
-By Kapsiam Hangshing
Houlim Hemkholun Mate is an ordinary boy who turns into an extraordinary man. He is an eminent academics, journalist, philanthropist, theologian, sociologists, engineer and scientist. He had gained a multi-gift package and in light of every aspect he is accountable. He has been labelled one of the most awarded man in India. In spite of being hailing from the province of North East India, he earned a worldwide attention and reputation. No wonder, as a keen admirer of Albert Einstein, he is a recipient of more than 130 National and International awards in recognition for his exemplary works.
Hemkholun Mate, the eldest of the nine, was born in the hilly terrains of Lamjang Tombi village, a sub-division of Chandel district in Manipur on 15th September 1957. He was born to Pastor (retd) Holkhojam and Deihat Mate. In response to a call from his father, being the eldest he left his service in the year 1999 and returned home to live under his father’s roof. His comeback was hard and painful but he soon had a blissfully blessed life ahead. At the age of 43, Hemkholun took a formal religious vow with Kimjalham on 19th February, 2000. The wedding was a simple quiet affair under the hands of Rev. Seikholet in L. Semoul ECA church and the couple had four children. At present, they are residing in Tuibuong, Churachandpur running the Dr.Radhakrishnan Foundation School.
Little is known about his early life. Hemkholun had a miserable childhood life but at a very young age he felt a calling to be a man of medal. At the age of five, he started his schooling in a dusty village of Chandel district. In the beginning, he was uncertain about his career due to the lack of facilities and poverty but his penniless did not worry him. In 1974, he passed class VIII with first position and was supposed to study IX the following year, but he got himself re-admitted in Class V to make his academic career excellent. So, he enrolled in the Bethany Christian English School in Churachandpur and later moved to Don Bosco High School at Imphal to complete IX and X. After passing HSLC Examination, he attended Kha-Manipur College, Kakching for PU Science (equivalent to XII). It was said that he wouldn’t sit down at a dinner table without finishing his daily assignment. In 1982, he graduated his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Churachandpur Govt. College.
In 1988 he went to pursue a technical B.E course (Electronics & Communication) under AMIETE, New Delhi, where he completed the course with 64 per cent. After a couple of years, he further studied MSc. then M.Phil in Physics from Osmania University and achieved first class in both the courses. Finally, he holds PhD under the thesis ‘ Television Working Technology’ in 1999. At the meantime, he received PG Diploma in Journalism as well as Business and Industrial Management. He became passionately active in studying without limits. Apart from his educational degrees, Dr. Mate also has Diploma in Theology with a high first class under NEIBBCS (Silchar), NLCS (Norway) and IBCS (New York).
Dr. Mate starts his career as an assistant teacher in Ideal Mission School at Pallel. Life was hard for him at first. Later on, he joined Dr. Calvin Academy at Moreh to be the Vice-Principal for two years. Then he left Moreh, returned to Ideal Mission School and became the Headmaster. Dr. Mate was the Assistant Director (Research & Development) in Akham Institute of Technology and Registrar of A.L. Engineering College, Imphal. From 1989 to 1991, he worked as a Junior Scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Instrument Engineer at IIT, Kanpur and a Research Officer in Telecommunication Wing, Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune. His years at the ISRO were the most crucial ones as they left a lasting impact on him.
The landing in United States was a successful trip. Here, something traumatic happened to him, as he recalls the night he had a vision in his dream, he saw an old man in the busy street of New York calling out to him ‘Hemkholun’ that he was caught sudden and unexpected. The old man asked to kneel before him and he would lead to the place where none of his people has ever been before. The old man turned out to be Albert Einstein. These early journey shaped his psychological bent of mind, redecorated his ideas. He set off for his home with a great deal of interest and a sense of enthusiasm. Henceforth, he always tried his hand writing and work so hard.
In 1992, Dr. Mate was invited to Bethany Christian Higher Secondary School at Churachandpur district and he was made the Vice-Principal cum HOD (physics). The next year, he worked in the Christian English High School as the Principal cum superintendent till 1999. He then moved to Keithelmanbi where he worked as a Lecturer-cum-HOD (physics) at H.M Higher Secondary School till June 2001. From 2001 to mid 2003, he served as the Headmaster of S.Ideal High School at Churachandpur. On 15th October, 2003 he founded the Dr. S Radhakrishnan Foundation School.
There seems to be no limit in the scope of his interests and expertise. Dr. Mate was known for his non-exhaustive writings. Right from 1988, he started research in science and technology, socio-cultural, education and literature. Through constant experiment, he wrote more than 25 research papers which had been published in the scientific and electronics research journals. He penned numerous books and gave lectures on various topics in seminars, workshops, orientations trainings, conferences, symposia and in summits. In addition, he has authored 16 influential books both in English and Thadou-Kuki, 13 had already been published. Three more books are yet to be published. He has contributed nearly 1600 articles in the leading daily newspapers, magazines and journals so far. With all this multi role and busy schedule he manages to keep going ahead.
Dr. Mate is tireless, never dull, never pedantic, never theatrical, and never say quit. His vow in life is to continue with his works until his final breathe. His ideologies are never to waste the wisdom and knowledge one's earned, it should be imparted and made good use for the betterment of the society. His fame was on a rise from the year 2000 AD onwards and it even crossed the boundaries of India. All his inputs immediately gains widespread interest and attention to the national and international ears. He has been honoured with great laurels, accolades and numerous awards. Besides, what most fascinated about him is the Apostolic Theological Seminary, New Delhi conferred him the Doctor of Divinity in 2011. And on the 50th World Congress of Integrated Medicines and International Convocation ceremony, the OIUCM &MA conferred him a Doctorate of Literature (LittD) in 2012 at Kuala Lumpur(Malaysia). Again, during the 52nd Convocation ceremony in 2014, they conferred the knighthood to be called ‘Sir’.
Dr. Sir Mate is popularly tagged as the ‘Global Achiever’ ‘Star of Asia’ ‘Pride of India’ and ‘Man of Achievement’. He is also known as the Millennium Achiever, International pride, Pride of Asia, Glory of India, Jewel of India, Noble Son of India, Shining Star of India and Best devoted teacher. He has won an array of great laurels including the Bharat Excellence Award in 1997 for the first time. Then came awards and honours one after another till today. He disclosed that he is also nominated for Padma Bhushan Award. It is expected that one day he will be bestowed with the highest Indian civilian award and who knows even the Nobel Prize since he is far more looking for it. With a total awards of 130 awards, he is the highest man among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo(CHIKIM) of all time. One of his biographer, in Seikam Haokip’s words, ‘’If you are not so sure about the figures, you can approach him straight and make sure about it’’.
Nearly in all interviews, Dr. Mate has credited his orphan father as his main inspiration. He dedicated all his success to the departed soul of his father. In his response to a questionnaire, the reason behind acquiring so many degrees, he said, ‘’All these are in honour to my father. The first factor is that my father was an orphan who always has the enthusiasm for studying. They were desperately poor. Unlike me, my father was unable to fulfill his own dreams due to the pressure from his elders who insisted that as an orphan one must work and earn a living to sustain one's life. So, my father always wanted me to be well educated being the eldest. Secondly, my father always advised me that I should complete my bachelor degree if I chose educational line and BE if I chose technical. However, I have pushed myself to a further step in honour of him", he added. He gives his credit to three persons- God, parents and wife.
Indeed, there is a beauty in simplicity. He believes in humility but always go for perfection. Usually dressed like a casual ordinary workman rather than suit dresses, he was in fact, short and stocky with a lock of short black hair flow over his head. He speaks low with a throaty voice and often go to the flea market instead of the showroom, but there is something aristocrat about him and his features always expressed a terrific will power and strength. Never proud of what he gave and what he earned. He says that pride goes before destruction. His passion in life is always charity for the needy and selfless services for the worldwide progress in his chosen field of specialisation. Above all, he is a holy high spirited and a devoted God’s man.
According to him, the secret of success depends upon hard work, true determination and perseverance. The best, he means is the knowledge, wisdom and skill which are the three wonderful lights of education. He believes that riches are not from abundance of worldly goods but from a contented mind. Obsession with material wealth has drawn us away from the world of harmony, propelling us instead to the illusory world of possession. He never tolerates any malpractices and totally opposed to corruption. Dr. Mate has travelled extensively in and around the globe for collecting his feather in cap. He amazed the hilly people of Manipur by exploring his scientific works. Still he was an unknown quantity in many ways.
Mr. Bruce T.K, a journalist interrogated in 2012 for the North East Sun magazine as ‘Dr. H.H. Mate the Jewel of Manipur’. He describes, ‘‘The Jewel of Manipur has brought many laurels for Manipur. Though his output was prodigious, the government of Manipur is still silent about him. The reason behind may be that he is a poor tribal educationist’’. Nevertheless, he acquired the will to contribute significantly and encouraged the essence of scientific research to a great extent to uphold the society. He devoted himself to give the best ability he has to the world, hoping that the best will get back to him one day. Therefore, both the government as well as the community owes him a lot.
Dr. Mate committed sincerely in the social, economic, political and religious affairs in his walk of life. He is then and now entrusted with a variety of task. He was the former Magazine Secretary of MSO, Manipur; Vice-President of KSO, Tengnoupal Block; President of MSO, Churachandpur; Gen Secy (Administration) of the GTU, North East India; President of the GSO, GHQ, Manipur; Vice-President of the GYO, Manipur; Academic Secretary of the Sadar Hills District private Recognised High Schools Association; Adviser of KSO, Saikul Block; President of the Rural Aid Service, Churachandpur. At present, he is the Advisor of the Kuki Innpi,Churachandpur and Member of the Literature & Publication department of the Kuki Baptist Convention, India. Dr. H.H. Mate is the founder President of H. M. Science Club and Dr. S. R. Science Forum under Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
Moreover, he was the columnist of the Manipur Mail, Manipur News, Eastern Herald Tribune, Thuthang, Manipur Express, Imphal Free Press, Sangai Express, Sumkawn, Gosem, Zalen Banner, Tulai Zougam, Freedom Manipur, Lamka Post, Zogam Today, Meridian, Bualkhon, Niso Magazine, Shitwi Magazine, Thinglhang Post, Chollha, Laizon Digest, Jingvalpa, Electronics Research Journal, Frontier Weekend, Lhangkichoi, School Campus, North East Sun, Khivui Magazine, Voice of the Hills Today, Zing Daitui Mangazine, etc. He is at present, columnist of Khohui Magazine, Ahshi Somleng and Jingninou Weekly Newspaper.
He is now having research on:-
1. Development of Children in 21st century.
2. Innovations in Science and Technology.
3. Sensing the needs of people in the world.
4. Dreams came into reality on earth.
He wrote the following chapters in Thadou-Kuki (MIL) text books under BSEM & COHSEM:-
1. Value of Science and Its Importance (IX Course Book).
2. Electronic and Its Applications (IX Course Book).
3. Mass Media and Its Importance (IX Course Book).
4. Computer; Its Importance and Uses (X Course Book).
5. LASER and Its Importance (X Course Book).
6. Information Technology and Its Importance (X Course Book).
7. New Things from Science (X Literature).
8. Biography of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (XI Prose and Poetry).
9. Scientific Inventions and Their Development (XII Literature).
He has authored and published the following books:-
1. Advances and Development of Science and Technology.
2. Computer and the Modern World.
3. The Threshold of Education.
4. Television Transmitter and Receiver Systems.
5. The Seasonal Inputs & Outputs.
6. Television Antennae Systems.
7. The Secret of My Success in Education.
8. Know Your Space and Universe.
9. Chung Pathen Laitan kahi.
10. Genthei Thoh a kahollai jin.
11. Gaova Thilmu Guilhung ho.
12. Chin, Kuki, Mizo (Manmasi) Thusim.
13. Lung jinna Meipi.
14. Sunggil kiel kahipoi.
15. Nampi Siemphatna ding Lampi ho.
16. Thimjil na hi Hinkho Siemtu ahi.
AWARDS AND HONOURS PRESENTED TO Dr. Sir. HH Mate
(B.Sc, B.E, M.Sc, M.Phil, PhD, D.Litt, DD & KC)
(NATIONAL)
1. Award for Excellence in Research (2013) in Kolkata.
2. Arch of Educational Excellence Award (2014) in Kolkata.
3. Bal Sahyog Award (2006) in New Delhi.
4. Best Citizen of India Award (1998) in New Delhi
5. Best Teacher Award (2010) in Hyderabad.
6. Best Educationist Award (2014 in New Delhi.
7. Bharat Excellence Award (1997) in New Delhi.
8. Bharat Gaurav Award (1997) in New Delhi.
9. Bharat Jyoti Award (2003) in New Delhi.
10. Bharat Shiksha Ratan Award (2011) in New Delhi.
11. Bharat Nav Nirman Ratan Award (2011) in New Delhi.
12. Bharat Vibhushan Samman Puraskar and Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
13. Bharat Gaurav Award & Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
14. Bharat Jyoti Ratan Award (2014) in Hyderabad.
15. Bharat Gaurav Puraskar (India Pride Award-2014) in New Delhi.
16. Communal Harmony Award (1999) in Mumbai.
17. Child Welfare Award (2001) in New Delhi.
18. Devoted Teacher Award & Silver Medal (1999) in Jaipur.
19. Dr. Ambedkar Sadbhavana Award (2014) in New Delhi.
20. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookherjee Award (2014) in New Delhi.
21. Eimi International Achievers Award (2014) in Lamka, Manipur.
22. Gayan Jyoti Ratan Award & Gold Medal (2011) in New Delhi.
23. Gold Star Award For Excellence in Education (2011) in Bangalore.
24. Good Reader Award (1999) in Mumbai.
25. Great Achiever of India Award (2012) in Hyderabad.
26. Glory of India Award & Gold Medal (1997) in Bangalore.
27. Gem of India Award (2014) in Hyderabad.
28. Glory of India Award (2012) in New Delhi.
29. Guru Sreshta Award & Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
30. Hind Ratan Award (2012) in New Delhi.
31. Hind Gaurav Award & Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
32. Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award (2011) in New Delhi.
33. Indian Glory Achievers Award (2013) in New Delhi.
34. India Pacific Gold Award (2014) in New Delhi.
35. International Achievement Award (2013) in Kolkata.
36. Journalism Award (1997) in New Delhi.
37. Jewel of India Award & Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
38. Jan Seva Sadbhavana Award & Gold Medal (2013) in New Delhi.
39. Jewel of India Award (2013) in Hyderabad.
40. Jewel of Asia Award (2015) in Panaji, Goa.
41. Life Time Achievement Award (2012) in Kolkata.
42. Life Dedicated Service Award (2009) in Churachandpur, Manipur.
43. Life Time Education Excellence Award (2013) in New Delhi.
44. Man of Achievement Award (1999) in New Delhi.
45. Manav Seva Puraskar (2013) in Kolkata.
46. Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award (2014) in New Delhi.
47. Marvel Man of Kukis Award (2012) in Dimapur, Nagaland.
48. Millennium Achievers Award & Gold Medal (2000) in New Delhi.
49. Mother Teresa Excellence Award (2011) in Hyderabad.
50. Most Outstanding Service Award (2012) in Churachandpur, Manipur.
51. Mother India International Award (2012) in Bangalore.
52. National Child Welfare Award (2004) in Mumbai.
53. National Social Development Award (2012) in New Delhi.
54. National Eminence Award (2013) in Kolkata.
55. National Education Leadership Award (2013) in New Delhi.
56. National Corporate Leadership Award (2013) in New Delhi.
57. Noble Son of India Award (2011) in Hyderabad.
58. Outstanding Performance Excellence Award (2013) in Hyderabad.
59. Paryavaran Dronacharya Award & Silver Medal (1998) in Jaipur.
60. Pride of India Award (2012) in Bangalore.
61. Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award (2011) in Bangalore.
62. Pearson Teaching Award (2015) in New Delhi.
63. Rashtra Pratibha Puraskar (2011) in Bangalore.
64. Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award (2012) in New Delhi.
65. Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award (2012) in Bangalore.
66. Rajiv Gandhi Unity Award (2012) in New Delhi.
67. Rajiv Gandhi Samaj Ratna Award (2014) in New Delhi.
68. Rajiv Gandhi Achieve’s Award for Vidya Ratan (2014) in New Delhi.
69. Rashtriya Shiksha Samman Puraskar & Gold Medal (2011) in New Delhi.
70. Rashtriya Vidya Saraswati Puraskar (2012) in Kolkata.
71. Rashhtriya Shiksha Ratan Award & Gold Medal (2012) in New Delhi.
72. Rashtriya Shiksha Shiromani Award (2012) in Bangalore.
73. Rashtriya Pragati Award & Gold Medal (2013) in New Delhi.
74. Rashtriya Shiksha Shree Award & Gold Medal (2013) in New Delhi.
75. Rashtriya Vikas Shiromani Award & Gold Medal (2013) in New Delhi.
76. Rashtriya Vigyan Ratan Award (2014) in New Delhi.
77. Rashtriya Sadbhavana Award (2014) in Kolkata.
78. Rashtriya Vidya Ratan Award (2014) in New Delhi.
79. State Teacher Award (2003) in Imphal, Manipur.
80. Social and Public Service Award (2013) in New Delhi.
81. Social Writer Award (2002) in Churachandpur, Manipur.
82. Star of Asia Award & Gold Medal (2014) in Goa.
83. Twenty First (21st) Century Educational Excellence Award (2012) in Hyderabad.
84. Vikas Ratna Award (1998) in New Delhi.
85. Vijay Ratna Award (1998) in New Delhi.
86. Vidya Ratan Award (2012) in New Delhi.
87. Vanyajeeva Dronacharya Award & Silver Medal (2008) in Jaipur.
88. Writer Award (2013) in Imphal, Manipur.
(INTERNATIONAL)
1. American Medal of Honour (2003) in North Carolina, USA.
2. Asia Pacific Gold Star Award (2011) in Dubai, UAE.
3. Asia Pacific International Award (2012) in Bangkok, Thailand.
4. Asia Pacific Global Award (2013) in Dubai, UAE.
5. Asia Pacific International Gold Star Award (2014) in Tashkent, Russia.
6. Gold Medal for India (2010) in North Carolina, USA.
7. Global Achievement Award (2011) in Dubai, UAE.
8. Global Corporate Leadership Award (2013) in Dubai, UAE.
9. Global Education Excellence Award (2012) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
10. Global Achievers Development Award (2013) in Bangkok, Thailand.
11. Global Achievers Award For Education Excellence (2013) in Bangkok, Thailand.
12. Global Achievers Award (2014) in Bangkok, Thailand.
13. Global Arch of Excellence Award (2014) in Bangkok, Thailand.
14. Global Humanity Excellence Award & Gold Medal (2014) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
15. Gold Star Asia International Award (2012) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
16. Golden Beam of India Award (2013) in Bangkok, Thailand.
17. Gold Star Asia International Award (2013) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
18. Indo-Nepal Friendship Award (2012) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
19. Indo-Nepal Sadbhavana Award (2013) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
20. Indo- Nepal Friendship Award (2014) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
21. Indo-Nepal Economic Growth Award (2014) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
22. India International Achievers Award (2014) in Bangkok, Thailand
23. International Excellence Gold Star Award (1998) in London, UK.
24. International Millennium Gold Star Award (2000) in Bangkok, Thailand.
25. International Gold Star Award (2000) in Dubai, UAE.
26. International Status Award For Intellectual Development (2013) in Bangkok, Thailand.
27. International Status Award For Asia Education Excellence (2013) in Dubai, UAE.
28. International Social Activities Award (2012) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
29. International Education Excellence Award (2012) in Kathmandu, Nepal
30. International Intellectual Achievement Award (2014) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
31. International Corporate Leadership Award (2015) in Bangkok, Thailand.
32. International Economic Gold Star Award (2015) in Bangkok, Thailand.
33. International Status Award For Intellectual People (2015) in Bangkok, Thailand.
34. Man of the year Award (2002) in North Carolina, USA.
35. Nelson Mandella Peace International Award (2015) in Moscow, Russia.
36. Pride of India Gold Award & Gold Medal (1999) in Washington, USA.
37. Pride of Asia International Award (2014) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
38. Star of Asia International Award (2015) In Moscow, Russia.
39. Star Gold International Award (2012) in Mauritius, USA.
40. Shining Star of India Award (2013) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
41. UNICEF Diary Award (1998) in Paris, France.
42. World Medal of Honour (2003) in North Carolina, USA.
Note : An authorized biography written with prior consent