Semsonsing Ingti
| Semsonsing Ingti | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 8, 1910 West Karbi Anglong (then Tika Hills), Assam, IN |
| Died |
February 28, 1948 (aged 38) Delhi |
| Cause of death | Sun stroke |
| Resting place | Nagaon Baptish Church cemetery |
| Nationality | India |
| Ethnicity | Karbi |
| Citizenship | India |
| Education | I.A. (1933) |
| Alma mater | Cotton College, Murari Chand College (Sylhet) |
| Occupation | Academician, Social and Economic Reformer |
| Years active | 1937-1948 |
| Employer | Sub-Inspector of Schools |
| Known for | Upliftment of Karbi Tribe |
| Home town | Nagaon |
| Title | Lametpo |
| Spouse(s) | Labangalata Baruah |
| Children | 6 (Rani Ingtipi, Beauty Ingtipi, Pabansing Ingti, Dr. Tapansing Ingti, Ajay Ingti, Nakul Ingti) |
| Parent(s) | Thengkursing Ingti, Madhobi Ruth Bezbarua |
| Relatives | Junaki Sailabala Ingtipi (eldest sister), Lawrence Sing Ingti (brother), Rolensing Ingti (brother), Pratap Sing Ingti (brother), Maya Ingtipi (sister), Carmel Philip Ingti (step-brother), Florence Basapi Ingti (step-sister) |
Semsongsing Ingti was a Social and Economic Reformer. He is called as the Father of Karbi, for bringing them together. He is also called Lametpo during his heyday. [1]
Childhood
Semsonsing Ingti was born to Late Thengkursing Ingti and Madhobi Ruth Barua, as their second child.
Education
Semsonsing Ingti did his education from Golaghat Mission High School. He did his matriculatuion from Bezborua High School, to which he returned after completing his graduation as a teacher. He then did his education from Cotton College, Guwahati (citation needed) and completed his graduation from Murari Chand College, Sylhet in the year 1933.
Literature
List of books written by him
- Kalakha (table book)
- Tomopuru
- Bituso
- Vopi
He was called Lametpo for being the first to write a book in Karbi.
Social and Economic Reformer
Semsongsing Ingti begin visiting area that were not reachable by anyone, others would have chived at going to such place, but he was determined to outreach education to everyone in the world, for he believed only education will bring the people from backwardness.
He noticed the social taboo prevalent at that time. like women were not allowed to walk beside or in front of their husband, they weren't allowed to carry umbrella cause it was considered disrespect to their husband. he worked hard to lift all this superstitious. Although there is no evidence of mistreating their women folk in Karbi, there is evidence of inequalities on social status and their participant on social event(s).
He also spread knowledge on improving Jhum cultivation and asked farmer to live together rather than in small group. So they can quanties their produce.
Drinking beer is traditional in Karbi culture but this has been misinterpreted for him. Beer drinking was only for social occasion, but it has become a daily life habit for people at that time. He give up drinking beer as an example for other.
Death
The cause of death of Semsonsing Ingti is varied across different people. His health has been deteriorating since he begin working for the upliftment of the people he loved. His long travel and crossing across great weather difference, from chilly Meghalaya to scorching Delhi. Walking mostly on foot and through jungle. Since he was already in financial trouble he could not afford for his own illness, which ultimately lead to his demise.
According to his eldest sister, Junaki Sailabala Ingtipi, he had sun stroke while in Delhi.
It's sure he died from his illness on his quest for upliftment and love of his own people.
References
- ↑ "A Tribute to Semsonsing Ingti : Father of Karbi Nationalism", Dharamsing Teron, March 13, 2009