Under the British rule, during Sir. Churachand Singh, KCSI,CBE (1891-1941 CE), a Britisher known by the people as „Kabrang Sahab‟ were pleased to see the skills of people rearing silkworm at place at Khurkhul, Phayeng, Leimaram ,Thongjao,etc. By seeing the dedication and inborn skills of the people rearing silkworm, he brought new silkworm races and mulberry varieties from other states and countries for the development in the felid of Sericulture in Manipur.
In 1951-1952, Shri Potsangbam Tomal Singh (president of Indian Congress, Manipur) who was very much concerned about the Sericulture Industry in Manipur, discuss with his counterpart Shri. Bimala Prasad Chaliha, who was a freedom fighter and a leader of Indian National Congress, later became Chief Minister of Assam, regarding the upbringing of Manipur Sericulture which needs support from outside the State. Then with a series of thorough discussion, the Deputy Commissioner of Manipur, Shri.M.N.Phukan, A.C.S., started taking the initiative to safeguard and develop the lost antiquity Sericulture of Manipur.
Shri.Elengbam Achou Singh of Bramhapur and Shri.Chongtham Paite of Churchandpur was send to Titabar/Titabor of Assam to get trained and study of new technologies and methods of Sericulture. After completion of the training, they were left ideal and not much of extension work can be perform due to the non-availability of office & transportation to them.
As the effort of bringing Sericulture to the State was vanishing, Shri. P.Tomal Singh tried to establish the first ever Sericulture & Weaving Co-operative Society at Kakwa Makha Naorem Leikai, Imphal West. He & Shri.Kriti Chand Singh the Chairman & Secretary respectively of the Society has tried to registered the said Society from Register Office of Co-operative Society, Manipur but due to lots of hindrances face by them, they failed. They approach to the Chief Commissioner Mr.E.P.Mund for the matter, accordingly, he ordered to Register Office of Co-operative Society, Manipur to register the Sericulture & Weaving Co-operative Society.
On the other side, Dy. Commissioner Shri.M.N.Phukan has requested the Sericulture Department, Government of Assam to help in establishing the Sericulture in Manipur. After a series of efforts and request to Assam Govt., Shri. Upendra Mohon who works as a Supervisor under Sericulture Department Government of Assam was directed to work as Sericulture Inspector and look after the progress of Sericulture in Manipur. Under the guidance of Shri.Huidrom Brihari Singh, Register of Register Office of Co-operative Society allow to open the first ever branch of Sericulture Office in Manipur at his office.
Shri.Upendra Mohon, Shri.P.Tomal Singh and Shri.Naorem Kunjaraj Singh, jointly make an enormous effort for development in the field of Sericulture in Manipur. Later on the Sericulture & Weaving Co-operative Society was handed under the guidance of Shri.Naorem Kunjaraj Singh for upliftment and betterment of the Sericulture Society.
On the other hand, Shri Potsangbam Tomal Singh made a reeling charkha (spinning wheel) known as „Tomal Charkha‟. With the help of his own made charkha, he started teaching the reeling of Eri cocoon to the young & unemployed ladies of Manipur.
By seeing the dynamic skills of the young and energetic ladies involving in reeling of Eri cocoon by Tomal Charkha and other Sericultural activities, as a part of encouragement and motivation, Shri.Huirongbam Atulchandra Singh, who was founder of the 1st Polytechnic School, Canchipur agrees to organized the 1st Sericulture Exhibition at the open and spacious ground of the Polytechnic School, which was famously known as “Canchipur Mela”, where an astounding production of cocoon and silk related items were displayed.
Thereafter, in short span of time, “The Thoubal Community Project”- a scheme/project mainly for the welfare and enhancement of the ladies involving in Sericulture activities were introduced. In connection with the launching of the said project and to showcase the potentials, skills and benefits of Sericulture in Manipur to the dignitaries and people, under the guidance of Shri.Naorem Kunjaraj Singh who was the chairman of the Sericulture & Weaving Co-operative Society, Kakwa Naorem Leikai, a road side demonstration in relations with the Sericulture activities and utilization of Tomal Charkha was demonstrated from Lilong to Kakching, an spectacular and impressive demonstration of Tomal Charkha and many traditional Sericultural activities were perform by all the ages of women. Because of the endeavor and efforts by the people who love Sericulture, Government of Manipur was compel to alleviate the Manipur Sericulture into the next level by opening the 1st Government Sericulture Farm at Thoubal Wangbal, which is at present the District Sericulture Office of Thoubal District in 1956.
When Shri. Upendra Mohan became the Director of Industry, Government of Manipur, Sericulture was under Industry Department, during his tenure he established many more Sericulture Farm at Wangbal, Chingmeirong, Thongjao, Khongampat, Chingarel, Jiribam, etc.
Among the great pioneer who dedicated their life in bringing the Sericulture in Manipur, Shri.Y.Birchandra Singh, Director of Industry, Manipur not only established many more Sericulture Farms but also work very hard in exploring the Oak Tasar Silkworm. During his time abundant amount of Oak Tasar trees were found in the hills & foothills of Manipur. Many oak Tasar Silkworm cocoons were collected from almost every corner of the State. His greatest achievement was when the Oak Tasar Silkworm draws the full attention of Indian scientist and experts of Sericulture. After a series of through discussion, a project only for Oak Tasar Silk known as “Oak Tasar Project” especially for the Manipur State was agreed and given the permission to Manipur Government.
As the Oak Tasar Project was launched, an expert and well aware of the Project Shri. C.S.Krishnamurthy was given the full power by Central Silk Board to help and look after the Project for 3 years. He was working as a project officer in the year 1973-1974. After collection of data, surveys, discussion and field report from both the hills & valley of Manipur and interactions with the individuals farmers. The Project was modified for more convenience and betterment in production. Both the Central Silk Board and Manipur Government has agreed and given the permission to start the Modified Oak Tasar Project.
In short span of time, the outcome of the project was in flying colours and shown an positive impression to Central Silk Board. Due to rapid development of the project, the work allocation was heavy and manpower was less, which leads to form and established a new and separate Sericulture Department of Manipur from Industry Department. Shri.C.S.Krishnamurthy was appointed as the first Director of Sericulture, Government of Manipur. He served under the Vth Five Year Plan and under his dynamic leadership he successfully directed both the Oak Tasar Project and made Manipur a famous State in the field of Sericulture under Vth Five Year Plan.
Now, Manipur at present holds an overwhelming position in the felid of Sericulture as compare to other States of India. All the four kinds of Silkworm can be reared here.It is the responsibility of the youth of the generation to be aware of the hardship done by the great people who dedicated their entire life in up bringing the Sericulture of Manipur. Sericulture not only helps the livelihood of the people it also teaches us the relation of co-existence of mankind with the nature. With lots of hard work and discipline from the youths of upcoming generations, we should not forget the potential and its benefits for Sericulture in Manipur. Lastly but not the least, let us promote Sericulture to the need and rural place of Manipur to support their livelihood.
Collection & Compiled by:
1. Shri.Huirem Gopen Singh,
Supdtt., Sericulture Training Institute, Kwakta. (Collection of resource)
2. Shri.Laitonjam Devkumar,
Inspector (seri), Sericulture Training Institute, Kwakta. (Compiled & Translation)
Reference from:
From the book of “Uyung tin Yokpa”
Author by: Shri.Kriti Chand Singh