The 6th death anniversary of Pabung Iboyaima also known as ‘Father of Social Work’ in Manipur, organised by Pabung Iboyaima Memorial Trust was observed at Singjamei Parking Community Hall on Friday.
At the function, Pabung Iboyaima Memorial Trust, convenor Khunjanmayum Gopen Luwang said that to commemorate late Pabung Iboyaima it is required that the present generation learns the real meaning of social work. Various sections of society gave the title ‘Father of Social work’ to late Iboyaima as an acknowledgment of the contributions he made to make Manipur a better society, he said.
Gopen recalled that Pabung Iboyaima or Thounaojam Iboyaima was born on November 11, 1916 at Singjamei Thongam Leikai. Despite being born to a poor family, he began to dedicate his life for the welfare of society from an early stage by actively involving politics, starting in 1946, during which he formed the regional party Gandhi Seva Sevak, he said.
He said that Iboyaimajoined the Socialist Party earlier but later formed the Nationalist Party in 1970 by quitting the former. He contested the election in 1972 but got defeated, he said. Without giving up, Iboyaima continued to serve the public by doing social work, he added.
He said that Iboyaima gave focus for the welfare of farmers’ community and launched various movements to make Manipur self-reliant in terms of agricultural production. Iboyaima was associated with Educational Guide Centre, State Celebration Committee of International Volunteers Day, Manipur People’s Party, All Manipur Socio-Cultural Organisation, Integrated Manipuri Association Bangladesh, etc., he mentioned.
As a part of the programme, floral tributes were paid to late Thounaujam Iboyaima. A one-day discussion on ‘The Thought and Concepts of Pabung Iboyaima in the Contemporary Society of Manipur’ was also held.
President of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, Longjam Memchoubi; president of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, Pheiorijam Nando Luwang; chairman of Committee on Human Rights, Phunindro Konsam among others attended as presidium members.
