Dr. HH Mate Achieves a Milestone of 100 Awards

Kuki Inpi Manipur Confers Top Award Winner to Dr. Mate

New Delhi, Dec 13, 2013 —  No one in India has ever received 100 awards in their lifetime, but Dr. Houlim Hemkholun Mate, commonly known as Dr. HH Mate, from Manipur — a state often marked by unrest — has achieved this remarkable feat. An eminent scientist, educationalist, social worker, writer, and spiritual leader, Dr. Mate was recently honoured with four prestigious awards: the Rashtirya Shiksha Shree Award, Rashtirya Vikas Shiromani Award, Janseva Sadbhavana Award, and National Corporate Leadership Award. These accolades, presented at the Constitution Club in New Delhi during a Thursday evening event, brought his total award count to 100, with the possibility of more to come.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, P. Balram Naik, conferred the awards on Dr. Mate during the National Seminar on Outstanding Contribution for National Progress & World Peace, organized by the Indian Society for Industry & Intellectual Development and the Economic Growth Society of India.

Last month in Dubai, Dr. Mate received four other prestigious awards: the Asia Pacific Global Award, Global Corporate Leadership Award, International Gold Star Award, and International Status Award for Asia Education Excellence, which marked his 96th accolade. Additionally, in December 2011, the Apostolic Theological Seminary in New Delhi awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dr. Mate’s lifetime achievements include 30 international awards, 63 national awards, 5 global awards, and 2 state awards, recognizing his multifaceted contributions to society. He has authored over 1,300 articles, 31 research papers, 13 books, and presented 53 seminar papers — 8 international and 45 at national and state levels.

Born in 1957 to Mr. Holkhojam and Mrs. Deihat in Lamjang Village, Chandel district, Manipur, Dr. Mate is the eldest of five brothers and four sisters. He began his education at the age of five and, despite modest academic beginnings, worked diligently to achieve higher qualifications. After passing the HSLC exam with 38% in 1982, he persevered to complete PUC (Sc) with 45%, BSc (Phy) with 58% from Churachandpur College, BE (Elec & Tele) with 63% from AMIETE, New Delhi, MSc (Phy) with 73%, MPhil (Phy) with 75%, and PhD (Phy) with 78% from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Notably, he was the topper of his MPhil program.

In July 1989, Dr. Mate experienced a profound dream that deeply influenced his life. While passing by a 30-story building in New York City, he dreamt of being addressed by none other than Albert Einstein. In the dream, Einstein blessed him and advised him to dedicate his life to Education, Science & Technology, Social Work, and Ornithology. Though Dr. Mate chose not to pursue ornithology due to a lack of expertise, he embraced the other areas wholeheartedly. For years, he kept this dream to himself, allowing its message to shape his endeavors.

Dr. Mate married Kimjalam in 2000 and has been blessed with five children. His journey toward national and international recognition began in 1997 when he received the Bharat Excellence Award in New Delhi after publishing three books — a project that took 15 years to complete. This marked the beginning of his dream becoming a reality.

After serving as a Junior Scientist at ISRO, New Delhi, for eight years, Dr. Mate left his position to fulfill his vision. In 2002, he founded the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Foundation School in Tuibuang Village, Churachandpur district, Manipur. The school’s mission is to uplift and educate underprivileged children, and it currently sponsors 35 orphans. Dr. Mate’s dedication to shaping the lives of young people has made him a well-known and highly respected figure.

In recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments across various fields, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki people in Northeast India, honored him with the Top Award Winner title during an assembly held in Kuki Inpi, Imphal, on Friday.

Despite being twice nominated for the Padma Shri award, Dr. Mate has not yet received it. Speaking on this, he remarked, “I am not happy with the Manipur government. The government has ignored my name, which has been nominated twice for Padma Shri. But I am not demanding it.”

Dr. Mate’s legacy continues to inspire many, as his life exemplifies the power of perseverance, vision, and dedication to the betterment of society.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

(Texts & Photos) 

Special Correspondent 

THE MIZORAM POST |  MANIPUR CHRONICLE |  ZOGAM TODAY

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