Standing as a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education, the FEEDS Group of Institutions (FGI) Colleges in the remote village of Hengbung, Kangpokpi district, has defied all odds to rise to national prominence.
These institutions have set new standards of excellence, inspiring generations of students to dream beyond the constraints of their circumstances.
Amid the state’s ongoing conflicts, the FGI Colleges Hengbung has emerged as a beacon of hope and academic brilliance, with its students achieving meritorious success at the national level, most recently in the ICAR-JRF examinations. This achievement marks a significant milestone, reflecting the unwavering commitment to academic excellence despite the region’s challenges.
Recently, five outstanding students from the FEEDS Group of Institutions achieved top JRF-AIR ranks, excelling in their respective fields, alongside 33 students who cleared the All India Entrance Exam through ICAR. In recognition of their remarkable accomplishments, a special felicitation ceremony was held on Saturday at the College Conference Hall in Hengbung.
The event was graced by Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi, Mahesh Chaudhari, as the chief guest, with the District ADM, N Shokhongam Baite, and chief executive officer of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Kangpokpi, James Doujapao Haokip, attending as guests of honour. The District Superintendent of Police, Manoj Prabhakar, was also present as the special guest.
MLA Haokholet Kipgen, the founding Chairman of FGI Colleges Hengbung, attended the event, alongside prominent representatives from Kuki Inpi Manipur, SAHILCA, KSO Sadar Hills, Senapati District Students’ Association, and other distinguished guests from civil society organizations and student bodies.
Among the top five meritorious students recently honoured, Kaipunglen Kipgen achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 26 and Rank 1 in the ST category for Biotechnology. Thangminlun Haokip secured AIR-55 and ST-2 in Agriculture, while Phalneilhing Singson attained AIR-178 and ST-9 in Forestry. Lunjapimon Haokip ranked AIR-306 and ST-14 in Agriculture, and Vahjahat Khongsai earned AIR-490 and ST-13 in Agriculture.
Additionally, the College proudly felicitated Hatneichin Carolyn Haokip, the top-performing student in the Horticulture Department of FGI College of Agricultural Sciences, Hengbung, recognizing her outstanding academic achievements.
“I’m genuinely surprised by my rank, especially achieving Rank-2 in my category given the level of competition,” said Thangminlun Haokip.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to his college, stating that everything he accomplished is because of his college. Thangminlun also said he “dreams of revolutionizing agriculture in the hilly districts.”
He hopes to secure a seat in ICAR-AIEEA-PG, which would enable him to study at one of India’s premier institutes.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in India’s economy, he emphasized the need for more researchers and educators in the field. “As an agrarian economy, we require professionals not only in general courses but also in technical and professional agricultural programs. Coming from a farming family, I aspire to make a meaningful contribution to my society one day,” he asserted.
“Today is undoubtedly one of the happiest days since the inception of this college. Despite being established only in 2019, in a remote corner of India, and amid the challenges and disturbances often associated with Manipur, this institution has thrived and flourished,” said Haokholet Kipgen, Chairman of FEEDS Group of Institutions, Hengbung.
He expressed his immense pride in the college’s achievements, highlighting that FGI Colleges is among the first private institutions in the Northeast to achieve success in the prestigious JRF exam.
Regarding future opportunities for students, Kipgen revealed ongoing discussions with prominent companies such as the Ambani Group, which has an agriculture division, and several others, including potential partnerships from Israel.
These discussions, he said, aim to bring campus recruitment opportunities for students who excel in their studies and competitive exams.
Helena Shephrou, Assistant Professor, who is also Director Incharge of FGI-CAS Hengbung said in her keynote address that with a vision to excel on the national stage and develop globally relevant curricula, the FEEDS Group of Institutions (FGI) College of Agricultural Sciences, Hengbung, was founded in 2019 under the visionary leadership of Haokholet Kipgen, Chairman of FGI Colleges and current MLA of the 51-Saitu Assembly Constituency.
What began as a humble start with the College of Horticulture and the College of Agri-Biotechnology soon expanded to include the College of Agriculture and the College of Forestry, marking the growth of a pioneering institution in the hill districts of Manipur, she added.
The FEEDS Group of Institutions is the first-ever technical and professional degree college in the entire hill districts of Manipur, offering specialized programmes in Biotechnology, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Forestry.
It has set a new benchmark in higher education for the region, equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills in these vital fields.
