Dr HH Mate Honoured with National Award in Delhi

New Delhi, April 29, 2013 — Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate, popularly known as HH Mate, a versatile personality with notable contributions in education, science and technology, and social work, has been honoured with a prestigious national award today at the Constitution Club in New Delhi.

Dr. Mate received the Rashtriya Pragati Award from Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Assam, during a national seminar on “Individual Achievements on Economic and Socio-Development.” This award, recognizing his excellence in education, was instituted by the All India Business Development Association, Delhi. Among the 130 awardees, Dr. Mate stood out as a lone recipient from Northeast India.

Hailing from the conflict-ridden state of Manipur, Dr. Mate has added another feather to his cap with this honour. His impressive list of accolades includes 13 International Awards, 50 National Awards, 4 Global Awards, 6 Regional Awards, and 5 State Awards, totaling 78 so far. By May-June, he anticipates receiving six more awards -- two each in Bangkok, Hyderabad, and Colombo -- bringing his total to 84. If he garners another 16 awards between July and December, Dr. Mate’s tally will reach a remarkable 100.

Speaking to Zogam Today, Dr. Mate shared, “I have written over 700 articles, 30 research papers, and 13 books, and presented 33 seminar papers in India and abroad. I will continue to contribute in the days to come.”

A Journey of Perseverance and Excellence

Born in 1957 to Pu Holkhojam and Pi Deihat in Lamjang Village, Chandel district, Manipur, Dr. Mate is the eldest among five brothers and four sisters. His educational journey began at the age of five. Despite scoring only 38% in his HSLC exam in 1982, Dr. Mate persevered, later achieving 45% in PUC (Science) and 58% in BSc (Physics) from Churachandpur College, Lamka, in 1982 and 1985, respectively. He went on to earn a BE (Electronics & Telecommunication) with 63% from AMIETE, New Delhi, in 1989; MSc (Physics) with 73%, MPhil (Physics) with 75%, and PhD (Physics) with 78% from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1991, 1993, and 1999, respectively. Notably, Dr. Mate was the MPhil topper at Osmania University.

A Vision Inspired by a Dream

In July 1989, Dr. Mate experienced a dream that left a lasting impact on his life. While passing a 30-story building in New York City, he heard a voice calling his name. Turning back, he encountered an old man resembling Albert Einstein. In the dream, the man blessed him, saying, “I will lead you into lands where your forefathers never landed. Go peacefully, teach, show, and enlighten the children.” The dream revealed four areas -- education, science and technology, social work, and ornithology -- where he should focus his efforts. While he chose not to pursue ornithology, Dr. Mate committed himself wholeheartedly to the other three fields. He kept this dream private for many years before sharing it with Zogam Today.

Early Milestones and Recognition

Dr. Mate’s first significant recognition came in 1997, when he received the Bharat Excellence Award in New Delhi after publishing three books that took him 15 years to complete. This marked the beginning of his journey toward realizing his dream.

A Life Dedicated to Education and Social Work

Married to Kimjalam in 2000, Dr. Mate is blessed with five children. He attributes his success to hard work and honesty, saying, “There is no shortcut to success; hard work and honesty are my secrets.”

After working as a Junior Scientist at ISRO, New Delhi, for eight years, Dr. Mate left his job to fulfill his dream. In 2002, he founded the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Foundation School in Tuibuang, Churachandpur district, Manipur, where he currently resides and oversees the school’s operations.

“Doing charitable work is the best service for mankind on earth. To uplift and educate poor children is my mission. Since the beginning, I have sponsored 35 orphans in my school,” Dr. Mate told Zogam Today.

Dr. Mate has dedicated his life to molding and transforming the lives of children, striving to make them true citizens and future pillars of the nation. His unwavering commitment to education and social service continues to inspire many.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal, Joint Editor, ZOGAM TODAY

 

Share: