Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, August 1:
The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) today honoured 45 outstanding Tangkhul students and achievers at the 6th edition of the TKS Top Performers and Achievers Award 2026, celebrating academic excellence and inspiring young people to pursue higher goals through education, discipline and perseverance.
Held at the TGB-125 Hall, TBCA Mission Compound, Alungtang, the programme was attended by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah as chief guest, along with leaders of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long (TNAL), Tangkhul Mayar Naga Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Hunphun Katamnao Long (HKL), TKS zonal units and other community organisations.
The awards recognised top performers in the HSLC and HSSLC examinations, as well as achievers who excelled in higher education, public service and sports. Students from BOSEM, COHSEM and national education boards were among those felicitated. Three successful Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) candidates and AFC ‘A’ Football Coaching Licence holder Yurgam Zimik were also honoured.
Addressing the gathering, Ram Muivah congratulated the awardees, their parents and teachers, saying success is built on discipline, sacrifice and perseverance. He stressed that education remains the strongest foundation for the future of Tangkhul Naga society, while character is the true measure of an individual. Citing the development of countries such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, he said investment in education and human capital is the key to lasting progress.
In his presidential address, TKS president Eno Ramreichan Keishing described the awards as a platform to recognise excellence and inspire future generations. While congratulating the achievers, he expressed concern over the decline in the number of awardees—from more than 100 during the inaugural edition to 45 this year—and called for greater collective efforts to create opportunities that would enable more Tangkhul youths to realise their academic potential. He also lauded the three MPSC qualifiers as role models for aspiring public servants.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed call for sustained investment in education, character-building and leadership development to ensure a brighter future for the Tangkhul community.
