Chuauhang Rokhuma (21 July 1917 – 23 November 2016) was a Mizo scientist and author. He is most well known for his work in researching agriculture and the
mautam
''Mautâm'' () is a cyclic ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48–50 years in the northeastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur, as well as in many places of Assam which are 30% covered by wild bamboo forests, and Chin State ...
famine.
Early life
C Rokhuma was born on 21 July 1917 in Reiek village. He was only educated up to Grade 8, but continued to read books and educate himself. He was married to Lalrinthangi in 1939.
Career
Rokhuma began his career in 1934 as a teacher. He became a sub-inspector of schools in 1946. During
World War 2
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilisin ...
, Rokhuma also served in the military. In 1951, Rokhuma founded the Anti-Famine Campaign Organisation to combat the
mautam
''Mautâm'' () is a cyclic ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48–50 years in the northeastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur, as well as in many places of Assam which are 30% covered by wild bamboo forests, and Chin State ...
famine. Rokhuma functioned as its organising secretary. As a non-political organisation, it attracted members of both the
Mizo Union
Mizo Union (6 April 1946 – 12 January 1974) was the first political party in Mizoram, in Northeast India. It was founded on 6 April 1946 at Aizawl as the Mizo Common People's Union. At the time of independence of India from British rule in I ...
and
United Mizo Freedom Organisation. The organisation undertook plans and measures to reduce the impact of the mautam famine in anticipation of its cyclical resurgence. Rokhuma invented an insecticide he termed as RK Mixture, to help orange farmers fight insects attacking their crops. RK Mixture was also utilised for sugarcane. From 1955-1966, Rokhuma became a Instructur at a Teacher's college and then transitioned into a Sunday School Teacher Training Instructer at MSSU from 1967. In 1978, Rokhuma founded the Mizo Writer's Association and authored books and translations from English to
Mizo.
In 1992, the Government of India awarded him the
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
in recognition of his social work. Rokhuma continued to research rats and their behaviour in a laboratory to study the effects of
mautam
''Mautâm'' () is a cyclic ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48–50 years in the northeastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur, as well as in many places of Assam which are 30% covered by wild bamboo forests, and Chin State ...
.
Rokhuma was assigned deputy chairman of the State Rodent Control Committee, headed by
Zoramthanga
Zoramthanga (born 13 July 1944) is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Mizoram from 1998 to 2008 and 2018 to 2023. He is also the president of Mizo National Front (MNF) party. He represents the Aizawl East I constituency in the ...
. In 2009 when the
mautam
''Mautâm'' () is a cyclic ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48–50 years in the northeastern Indian states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur, as well as in many places of Assam which are 30% covered by wild bamboo forests, and Chin State ...
famine cycled back, Rokhuma was sought after by local, national and international media on the topic of bamboo flowering.
Later life
Rokhuma was admitted to Aizawl hospital in the ICU on 15 November 2016. He would be transferred to a private ward before dying on 23 November 2016.
Works
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References
Sources
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Mizo people
1917 births
2016 deaths
Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Social Work