An autobiography of Kuki Inpi India former kumpipa (former president) entitled Against All Odds was released on his 50th wedding anniversary at Kangpokpi district.
One of the most popular Kuki leaders, a trendsetter and a peacemaker, Haojakam Chongloi, a retired district education officer in 1993 is the living signatory in the memorandum of Kuki state demand which was submitted to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru on March 24, 1960.
Born in March 1931 at Gopikot in NC Hills, Assam, Chongloi is a diploma holder in Educational Planning and Administration, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Delhi. He retired as district education officer (DEO) while posting at Kangpokpi in Manipur after serving as headmaster in Kangpokpi Government aided High School, principal in Government Higher Secondary School, Churachandpur, district education officer in Tamenglong and deputy director of Education (Tribal Dialect), Directorate of Education, Manipur.
He was also the first president of the Kuki Students’ Association, NC Hills, Assam in 1950. He also served as secretary, Kuki Students’ Union, Shillong from 1957-1959 and an organiser of Kuki Students’ Meet 1958 at Tamphasana Girls High School in Imphal. He then became the general secretary of Kuki National Assembly.
Haojakam Chongloi is also a member of the Manipur Government Peace Mission on the Kuki-Hmar feud during 1960 having a monumental contribution in restoring peace among the two communities, in which otherwise many innocent lives could be destroyed during the feud. He became the vice-president of Kuki Inpi Manipur from 1995-1998 and served as the president of the apex body, Kuki Inpi Manipur from 1998 till 2001 during which he led the historic rally of the Kukis in New Delhi.
Before he became the president of Kuki Inpi India in 1998, he had also initiated a peace accord to end ethnic violence in Churachandpur while he had also submitted a memorandum to UNPO during tenure as Kumpipa from 1998-2001. He was also the secretary and chairman of Kuki Literature Society from 1971-2014, a managing trustee of Anglo Kuki War Patriots Memorial Foundation apart from many other posts and designation in various organisations.
According to the autobiography, Haujakam Chongloi is a man of limited means and he did not let scarcity define his life but instead scaled the heights of success through pure grit and hardwork. Although his schooling was done in Assam and Meghalaya, he spent his lifetime working as an educationist in Manipur, initially as a teacher in schools and later in the state Education Directorate as district education officer (DEO).
Chongloi is a deeply religious person and has been associated with the Kuki Christian Church, where he is an ordained elder. Today he lives a retired life in Kangpokpi town with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
Representatives of Hmar Inpui who attended the occasion presented Haojakam Chongloi a Hmar traditional shawl while thanking him for being the peacemaker during the Kuki-Hmar feud. The Hmar Inpui representative said that had Haojakam Chongloi not been there, many innocent lives would be lost unnecessarily during the feud while adding that the people do not want to talk or recall such incidents anymore. He also said that Chongloi is the true son of God and said that the blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
The autobiography of Haojakam Chongloi was released by Kuki Inpi India kumpipa (president), Solet Lhungdim, who attended as chief guest while it was dedicated by the minister. A monthly magazine, Themjil Meivah, October edition was also released by Haojakam Chongloi during the momentous occasion.
The programme was attended by Pr Janglet Lunkim, KCC as minister while retired IRS, Ngulkholun Lhungdim was the guest of honour. Various prominent leaders among the Kuki community also attended the function apart from ADC Sadar Hills caretaker chairman, Haokholal Hangshing; intending candidate from Saikul AC, Paotinlien Chongloi; intending candidate from Saikot AC, Paolienlal Haokip; intending candidate from Saitu AC, Kamm Elmun; Kuki Inpi leaders and other local bodies.
