Sh Ajit, Journalist
Shambanduram Shamu is one of the silent warrior in the history of modern Manipur. His vision of a Manipur, free from exploitation and suppression, is itself his mission. Since his youthful days, he is committed to the mission. No other matter is serious enough than the realization of the dream of a free Manipur. As a young companion of NK Sanajaoba of Pan Manipuri Youth League, he fearlessly worked for the cause of creating a new Manipur, free from corrupt minds and social evils. In his youthful days, he was actively associated with the social and political movements, launched by the Pan Manipuri Youth League. For his dream and commitment to the mission, he traveled length and breadth of Manipur, interacting with different ethnic groups in Manipur; he also went different places, outside the state, where Manipuris are inhabiting. Even in his second inning, he is tirelessly involved with the Manipuris in Myanmar. Shamu was inspired with the idea of Manipur, where all are equal and committed to contribute in creating a new Manipur, under the leadership of Arambam Somorendra. For his commitment and strict discipline, he is known as Shamu and for the young as Ta Shamu.
Shambanduram Shamu Singh was born in Khongman Moirang Pandit Leikai, Imphal East on December 17, 1948. His father Shambanduram Gullapchaobi Singh fondly known in the locality as Sanaba for simplicity. His mother Thongam Ningol Kumari Devi nurtured him with humble means and strong values. Simple life with high moral value is the legacy of his parents.
Shambanduram Shamu’s early years were spent in the serene yet uncertain environment of his hometown. His educational journey began in 1952 at the LP School in Khongman, where he studied up to Class II. He later moved to the ME School at Khongman Mangjil and completed Class VI by 1963. In pursuit of higher education, he attended Churachand High School from 1964 to 1966 and successfully passed his matriculation under the Guwahati Board.
Determined to continue learning, Shambanduram Shamu joined Dhanamanjuri College for Pre-University studies (PUC) and studied there from 1966 to 1970. He later enrolled at LMS Law College under Guwahati University, hoping to earn a law degree. However, due to financial difficulties faced by his family, he was unable to complete his degree.
During his student life, Shamu started working for the welfare of the people and community development. His life as active social worker started as Secretary of People’s Welfare Organization. This was a mile-stone of his journey towards making the people of Manipur great in the history to come.
His life took a new turn when he was selected by the Government of Manipur for the position of Forest Ranger. From 1971 to 1973, he underwent rigorous training at the prestigious Northern Forest Rangers College in Dehradun, then part of Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand).
On April 2, 1975, Shambanduram Shamu married Naorem Kamalabati Devi. Together, they built a warm, nurturing family, raising four daughters and a son. Their family tree has since blossomed further with two grandsons and three granddaughters.
Over the decades, Shambanduram Shamu Singh dedicated himself to the cause of environmental conservation. Rising through the ranks, he eventually retired as a Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) with the Forest Department Government of Manipur on 29 February 2012. But retirement was not an end—it was a new beginning for Shamu.
He has remained actively involved in environmental conservation. Alongside like-minded friends, formed an organisation Apunba Manipur Lou-Shing-U Lup at Yaiskul Moibung Lokpa Leikai in the year 1982 under the guidance of Arambam Somorendra . And served as its President from 2017 to 2022. As part of the organization’s efforts, the organisation developed a land in the Hongbiban area of Kakching Khunou by planting saplings and cultivating medicinal plants and indigenous plants.
Furthermore, he is currently serving as the Vice-President of the NK. Sanajaoba Memorial Trust, with Arambam Lokendra as the President. He was also close to NK. Sanajaoba, the editor of Lamyanba, a monthly publication and the mouthpiece of the Pan Manipuri Youth League (PANMYL), of which he was also a member.
Shamu is also a founding member of the MAPI Council, which was established on July 1, 2001, and now serves as a lifetime advisor.
In 2015, he pursued a diploma course in the Myanmarese language at Manipur University. He is also working on publishing a book to bridge Myanmarese languages to Manipuri.
Without wasting time, he had already written a book titled Eegi Khongul Liba in 2013. For this book, the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Paona Bazar, Imphal, awarded him the Talem Abir Cash Prize in 2018. Additionally, the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Bishnupur District, honored him with the Salam Ibomcha Sahitya Award in 2016.
He also served as the president of the local Khongman Students’ Club and is the founding president of the Thongju Kendra United Clubs’ Association, a position he continues to hold. From 2017 to 2025, he served as the President of the Indo-Myanmar Association and now serves as its Lifetime Advisor.
His commitment to the environment extended even to his own backyard. In front of his home, he built a vermicompost pit, turning kitchen and garden waste into rich, organic compost—a simple but powerful act that demonstrated how sustainability begins at home.
On July 3rd, 2024, he underwent major surgery as a cancer patient. But he did not stop there. Shamu took his message to the streets, quite literally. Near his own home, he set up a small table with a banner that read, “Take One and Plant for the Future.” From that humble table, he distributed saplings—free of charge—to anyone willing to plant them. Since 2010, he has marked key national and international days such as World Environment Day, Earth Day, International Yoga Day, National Cancer Awareness Day, Manipuri Language day 2025 and many others by organizing free seedling distributions, using these moments as opportunities to raise awareness and inspire action. This is a campaign to make a healthy equilibrium of beautiful Manipur and great people of the state. He is to nature as to social and political freedom of the state and people.
His life is an example of committed worker in the creation of a New Manipur. He is not a uni-dimensional man; but unity of his life is love of a beautiful Manipur, free from ugly hands and their evil works.
