Noted personality K Paochunbou Niumai, who hailed from Liangmai Naga tribe, passed away on January 2 in Imphal. His funeral was held on Wednesday at his residence in Chingmeirong East, Imphal.
He was born in Konphung village under Tamei subdivision of Tamenglong district in 1948, and is survived by his wife, two sons, six daughters and six grandchildren and four sons-in-law.
Paochunbou was a votary of giving importance to education and healthcare. He founded a number of education institutions and worked hard to uplift the standard of education and healthcare facilities in rural areas, especially in the Tamei subdivision.
He was also a philanthropist who established or helped found NGOs to support and help people who are downtrodden.
A brief profile of Late Paochunbou says he “was a social activist, educationist and a scholar who dedicated his life to education, social work and healthcare”. The profile further says that he was the first matriculate from Tamei subdivision. It also stated that he graduated from DM College and earned a PhD in “folk medicine, emphasizing the efficacy of herbs and cash crops”.
Paochunbou was a “prolific author, his research focused on medicinal plants, tribal history, and innovative healthcare”, the profile of Paochunbou also stated, adding, “His extensive publications, spanning medicinal guides to tribal history, reflect his commitment to holistic healthcare and community development”.
K Paochunbou was also one person who spoke his mind without any hesitation. He stood for what is right and took decisions without any biased and vested interests. He took pride in stating his convictions in any issue. “His legacy endures through impactful social work and transformative research,” the profile of Paochunbou also added.
The brief profile also says that Paochunbou was chairman of Peace Coalition of Northeast India (PCNI), Manipur Chapter. He was also an Expert Member of Advisory Committee, Composite Regional Centre, Guwahati during 2002-2007, nominated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. He also served as vice president of Manipur Voluntary Health Association (MVHA).
Paochunbou also served as president of All Manipur NGOs Forum, Imphal (AMNF). He was also Advisor of All Manipur NGO Partners’ Consortium on HIV/AIDS. He was a member of State Biodiversity Conservative Board, Department of Forest, Government of Manipur. He founded Oriental Rural Development Organisation (ORDO). Paochunbou was nominated as a member of the State Medicinal Plants Board, Government of Manipur.
