Achievements

The people of Manipur have achieved remarkable success in various fields, particularly in sports, arts, and activism. Notable achievers have gained both national and international recognition, earning prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award.

Sports

Manipur is known as a powerhouse of sports in India, producing many Olympians and international medal winners. The modern game of polo is also said to have its roots in the traditional Manipuri sport of Sagol Kangjei.

• Mary Kom: A legendary boxer and Olympic bronze medalist, she is a multiple-time World Amateur Boxing champion. She has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

• Saikhom Mirabai Chanu: An Olympic silver medalist and Commonwealth Games gold medalist in weightlifting.

• Dingko Singh: An Indian boxer who won a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri in 2013.

• Kunjarani Devi: A weightlifter who won more than 50 international medals. She was the first woman from Manipur to gain international recognition in weightlifting and has received the Arjuna Award.

• Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu: A hockey player who received the Arjuna Award in 2023.

• Naorem Roshibina Devi: A Wushu player who was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2024.

• L. Bombayla Devi: An archer who has represented India in international events, including the Olympics.

Arts and culture

The state has a rich cultural history and has produced many accomplished artists, dancers, and writers.

• Ratan Thiyam: A renowned playwright and theatre director who has been awarded the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

• Aribam Syam Sharma: A filmmaker and composer who has received the Padma Shri for his contributions to cinema.

• Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi: An iconic Manipuri classical dancer who received the Padma Shri in 2025.

• Elam Endira Devi: A renowned classical dancer and choreographer who received the Padma Shri in 1972.

• Lourembam Bino Devi: A folk artist known for her Leeba and Moirang textile traditions, who received the Padma Shri in 2022.

• Rajkumar Chandrajitsana Singh (RKCS): An artist whose paintings document Manipur's history, culture, and traditions. The RKCS Art Gallery and Museum is dedicated to his work.

• M. K. Binodini Devi: A novelist, short story writer, filmmaker, and social activist who was a member of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur.

• Haobam Satyabati Devi: A writer who won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2024 for her work in the Manipuri language.

Science and activism

Manipuris have also made significant achievements in science and social justice.

• Dr. Raghu Ningthoujam: A physicist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) who was part of the team for the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission in 2023.

• Irom Chanu Sharmila: Known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur," she is a civil rights and political activist famous for her 16-year-long hunger strike to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

• Rani Gaidinliu: A Naga spiritual and political leader who fought against British rule. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan posthumously.

• Major Ralengnao Khathing: An administrator, politician, and war veteran who was awarded the Military Cross for his service in World War II and the Padma Shri in 1957 for his government service.

References:

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[1] https://www.nsu.ac.in/about-manipur

[2] https://unacademy.com/content/railway-exam/study-material/general-awareness/a-brief-note-on-famous-personalities-of-manipur/

[3] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096285

[4] https://ukhrultimes.com/double-hit-for-manipur-as-sushila-chanu-and-roshibina-devi-conferred-with-arjuna-award/

[5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/2018-commonwealth-games-weightlifters-sanjita-and-mirabai-chanu-tread-the-path-shown-by-kunjarani-devi/story-q1AgBMBhmezgfGoWLV6MXK.html

[6] https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/12/21/NEW-DELHI-Dec-20The-Sports-Ministry-on-Wednesday-put-its-stamp-on-the-nominations-for-the-annual-sports-awa.html

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Recipients_of_the_Arjuna_Award

[8] https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Manipur-famous-in-games-and-sports

[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6t74AA0jI

[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningthouja_dynasty

[11] https://www.facebook.com/GovtofManipur/posts/smt-thiyam-suryamukhi-devi-an-iconic-manipuri-classical-dancer-is-one-of-the-113/122129086736820033/

[12] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792640

[13] https://testbook.com/question-answer/which-famous-female-personality-received-the-padma--64a5098143180c102f8946ca

[14] https://dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Place=Manipur

[15] https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/sahitya-akademi-awards-2024-full-list-of-winners-1734616763-1

[16] https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/manipur/imphal/rkcs-art-gallery-and-museum

[17] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irom_Sharmila_Chanu

[18] https://www.facebook.com/LibraryOfManipur/posts/peopleofmanipur-raghu-ningthoujam-dr-raghu-ningthoujam-is-a-scientist-noteworthy/1175157550836342/

[19] https://www.bhbcollege.ac.in/online/attendence/classnotes/files/1743150170.pdf

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