C. Rokhuma
C. Rokhuma | |
|---|---|
 Chuauhang Rokhuma Padma Shri Portrait | |
| Born | 21 July 1917 Reiek Village |
| Died | November 23, 2016 (aged 99) Aizawl |
| Occupation(s) | Mizo scientist and author |
| Known for | Padma Shri |
Chuauhang Rokhuma (21 July 1917 – 23 November 2016) was a Mizo scientist and author. He is most well known for his work in researching agriculture and the mautam famine.
Early life
[edit]C Rokhuma was born on 21 July 1917 in Reiek village. He was only educated up to Grade 8, but continued to read books and educate himself.[1][2] He was married to Lalrinthangi in 1939.[2]
Career
[edit]Rokhuma began his career in 1934 as a teacher. He became a sub-inspector of schools in 1946. During World War 2, Rokhuma also served in the military.[2][1] In 1951, Rokhuma founded the Anti-Famine Campaign Organisation to combat the mautam famine.[1] Rokhuma functioned as its organising secretary. As a non-political organisation, it attracted members of both the Mizo Union and United Mizo Freedom Organisation.[3] The organisation undertook plans and measures to reduce the impact of the mautam famine in anticipation of its cyclical resurgence.[2] Rokhuma invented an insecticide he termed as RK Mixture, to help orange farmers fight insects attacking their crops.[1] RK Mixture was also utilised for sugarcane. From 1955-1966, Rokhuma became a Instructur at a Teacher's college and then transitioned into a Sunday School Teacher Training Instructer at MSSU from 1967. In 1978, Rokhuma founded the Mizo Writer's Association and authored books and translations from English to Mizo.[2]
In 1992, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in recognition of his social work.[2][1] Rokhuma continued to research rats and their behaviour in a laboratory to study the effects of mautam.[4]
Rokhuma was assigned deputy chairman of the State Rodent Control Committee, headed by Zoramthanga.[5] In 2009 when the mautam famine cycled back, Rokhuma was sought after by local, national and international media on the topic of bamboo flowering.[1][6]
Later life
[edit]Rokhuma was admitted to Aizawl hospital in the ICU on 15 November 2016. He would be transferred to a private ward before dying on 23 November 2016.[2][1]
Works
[edit]- Rokhuma, C. (1973). India Hmar Chhak (Hmanah-Assam) Ram Thu: Pawl Thum Zirlai Bu [Geography of North East India (Formerly-Assam): A Grade Three Textbook]. Aizawl: Synod Bookroom.
- Rokhuma, C. (1975). Bomb sakei leh Bible: tun lai ralthuam hlauhawmte [Bomb tigers and the Bible: Modern weapons of mass destruction]. Aizawl: Rokhuma.
- Rokhuma, C. (1980). Zoram Parmawi [Beauty of Mizoram]. Aizawl: Education Department.
- Rokhuma, C. (1985). Phawngpui Kawng [Phawngpui road]. Aizawl: CT Printers.
- Rokhuma, C. (1988). The secret of Famines found. Aizawl: Gosen Press. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Assam Tribune (23 November 2016). "Mizo scientist C Rokhuma dead". The Assam Tribune. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- Vanlalfakawma, David. C. (23 November 2017). "Upa C. Rokhuma". Bambu Sapiens (in Mizo). Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- Associated Press (17 November 2006). "Bamboo Blooms, rat population booms in India". NBC News. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- AtMigration (12 July 1999). "Mizoram at war against rats. Hunt down the vermins or face a famine". India Today. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- Nag, Sajal (2008). Pied Pipers in North-East India: Bamboo-flowers, Rat-famine and the Politics of Philanthropy. (1881–2007)=New Delhi. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7304-311-6.
- Nag, Sajal (March 2001). "Tribals, Rats, Famine, State and the Nation". Economic and Political Weekly. 36 (12): 1029–1033. JSTOR 4410428.