C. Rokhuma
Mizo researcher and author (1917–2016)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 famine.
C. Rokhuma | |
|---|---|
Chuauhang Rokhuma Padma Shri Portrait | |
| Born | 21 July 1917 Reiek Village |
| Died | November 23, 2016 (aged 99) Aizawl |
| Occupations | Mizo scientist and author |
| Known for | Padma Shri |
Early life
Career
Rokhuma began his career in 1934 as a teacher. He became a sub-inspector of schools in 1946. During World War 2, Rokhuma also served in the military.[2][1] In 1951, Rokhuma founded the Anti-Famine Campaign Organisation to combat the mautam famine.[1] Rokhuma functioned as its organising secretary. As a non-political organisation, it attracted members of both the Mizo Union and United Mizo Freedom Organisation.[3] The organisation undertook plans and measures to reduce the impact of the mautam famine in anticipation of its cyclical resurgence.[2] Rokhuma invented an insecticide he termed as RK Mixture, to help orange farmers fight insects attacking their crops.[1] RK Mixture was also utilised for sugarcane. From 1955-1966, Rokhuma became an Instructor at a Teacher's college and then transitioned into a Sunday School Teacher Training Instructor at MSSU from 1967. In 1978, Rokhuma founded the Mizo Writer's Association and authored books and translations from English to Mizo.[2]
In 1992, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in recognition of his social work.[2][1] Rokhuma continued to research rats and their behaviour in a laboratory to study the effects of mautam.[4]
Rokhuma was assigned deputy chairman of the State Rodent Control Committee, headed by Zoramthanga.[5] In 2009 when the mautam famine cycled back, Rokhuma was sought after by local, national and international media on the topic of bamboo flowering.[1][6]
Later life
Works
- Rokhuma, C. (1973). India Hmar Chhak (Hmanah-Assam) Ram Thu: Pawl Thum Zirlai Bu [Geography of North East India (Formerly-Assam): A Grade Three Textbook]. Aizawl: Synod Bookroom.
- Rokhuma, C. (1975). Bomb sakei leh Bible: tun lai ralthuam hlauhawmte [Bomb tigers and the Bible: Modern weapons of mass destruction]. Aizawl: Rokhuma.
- Rokhuma, C. (1980). Zoram Parmawi [Beauty of Mizoram]. Aizawl: Education Department.
- Rokhuma, C. (1985). Phawngpui Kawng [Phawngpui road]. Aizawl: CT Printers.
- Rokhuma, C. (1988). The secret of Famines found. Aizawl: Gosen Press. Retrieved 11 January 2025.