Whenever and where you meet her, Ch Priscilla Thiumai is determinedly an activist. She combines the bold and the beauty of activism, and the pursuit of them, to the brim. Today, she holds the baton of Naga Women Union (NWU) as president. She deserves the position, indeed.
This 48-year-young beautiful and elegant activist has come a long way. Born in Makhan village and presently staying in Kanglatongbi, Priscilla has done a Master’s degree in Sociology and ‘post graduate’ in public relations, and also B Ed.
Priscilla Thiumai was president of Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi, Manipur (2017 – 2023), president of Women Union Namdilong, Kanglatongbi (2011-2017), a board member of Jan Shikdhan Sansthan under CHAMS (2012 – 2019). Before all these, she had worked in schools as assistant teacher and had also worked in an NGO in Dimapur, Nagaland.
Priscilla mostly works to defend human rights and fights for the victims with conviction. She has also taken up a number of rape cases. Because of her consistent fight and perseverance in her pursuit, most of the cases and issues she took up fructified. Priscilla does not differentiate which community the victims hail from. She simply cannot tolerate injustices.
Some years ago, during an agitation in connection with the raping of a Nepali girl, a man was shot by police. He succumbed to his injuries in a hospital. His kin was provided a 4th grade government job, all thanks to Priscilla Thiumai. In this regard, she filed a case in the High Court of Manipur. She (the victim party) won the case and the victim's brother was given a government job.
Priscilla also took up a rape and attempt to murder case some years ago. In this case, too, the victim was immensely benefited.
Priscilla also filed a case against a reputed private hospital in Manipur after the hospital “disabled a normal girl child” during the course of medical treatments. The victim got justice.
A mother of two children, a 12 year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, Priscilla Thiumai is warm, simple yet outspoken, exceedingly intelligent and exhibits utmost humility. She will go to any extent to help anyone in need.
This activist has a flair for good, clear and emotive writing. She has authored a book entitled ‘Mother and Child Care’ which was published by Tribal Research Institute, Government of Manipur.
Priscilla has also been participating as resource person on various topics in events, panelist on TV discussions in Manipur, paper presentations, writing articles for newspapers, organising meetings and mega programmes.
What comes as a pleasant surprise is that Priscilla loves to promote values and gives tremendous efforts to bring out the best from anyone. She is a very amiable person.
One gem of a trait Priscilla possesses is that she is not affected by connections and influences of the powers that be. Since she does not allow such trivia to stand her way, Priscilla is admired and appreciated by people. “I don’t want to talk about myself. It is really not comfortable at all that I’m talking about myself,” Priscilla softly said with a youthful-giggle.
Priscilla has been taking the role of the votaries of truth and justice in the society. “We are a minuscule voice in the sea of chaos and shoves,” said the activist. She added, “We do not get disheartened that easily inspite of intimidations and threats from various quarters' '.
On the home front, this fiery activist praises her husband. “He is a wonderful person who knows the needs of the children and takes care of the chores,” Priscilla told Newmai News Network on Thursday. “My husband is supportive of my activism”, she added. Obviously, if there is anyone who exemplifies the embodiment of the balancing act between the home front and the activism, then one cannot leave out Priscilla Thiumai. She puts the two fronts in just one virtue.
