The 11th Dr. Thingnam Kishan Memorial Lecture was held today at the Imphal Public Library, Uripok Sorbon Thingel, Imphal West, under the initiative of the Dr. Thingnam Kishan Foundation (DTKF). The annual memorial event honoured the memory and contributions of the late Dr. Thingnam Kishan, while engaging the public in critical discussions on cultural and academic issues.
This year’s memorial lecture was delivered by noted archaeologist Oja Okram Kumar Singh, who spoke on the theme “Archaeology as a Source of Understanding the Culture of Manipur.” In his address, Okram Kumar highlighted the significance of archaeological findings in reconstructing the historical and cultural narratives of Manipur and emphasised how these insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the region’s indigenous heritage.
The session was chaired by retired professor and former Dean of the School of Humanities, Manipur University, Oja Soyam Lokendrajit Singh. Two discussants, Michael Singh Samjetsabam, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, D.M. College of Arts, and Chabungbam Babina Devi, a researcher and dancer, enriched the event with their reflections and analytical inputs on the lecture.
The programme began at 1:30 p.m. with the assembling of invitees and floral tributes, followed by the formal introduction to the memorial lecture. The open discussion session saw active participation from the audience, followed by concluding remarks from the chairperson and a vote of thanks. The event concluded with light refreshments.
Co-ordinator of the memorial lecture, Senate Khuraijam, along with other volunteers, managed the day’s proceedings. The memorial lecture continues to serve as a platform to promote critical dialogue and academic engagement in memory of Dr. Thingnam Kishan, whose legacy remains influential in the fields of governance, literature, and social justice.