First Raksha Mantri Padak receipent from Manipur, Motimala Ngangom conferred ‘Mother of Manipur NCC’ award

Retired Major Motimala Ngangom, the first recipient of the Raksha Mantri Padak from Manipur, has been conferred the first-ever “Mother of Manipur NCC” award by the NCC Alumni Foundation, Manipur.

The award was presented on September 13 in recognition of Ngangom’s dedicated service towards nurturing, mentoring and guiding several generations of NCC cadets over more than three decades.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Ngangom, who is now in her 70s, expressed her happiness and said the recognition brought back memories of her 34-year association with the NCC. She recalled serving in various capacities from 1984 to 2018.

From 1984 to 1994, Ngangom served as the Lady Commander of the NCC North East Region, while from 1995 to 2018, she served as DC NCC All India In-charge (Cultural). She also served as an Associate Professor in the Hindi Department at GP Women’s College, Manipur.

Recalling her years with the NCC, Ngangom said it was a memorable experience to work with cadets and take responsibility for their participation in events including the Republic Day Parade. She also highlighted her efforts to promote the culture and traditions of Manipur and the Northeast through the NCC.

Ngangom further recalled receiving the Raksha Mantri Padak from the Ministry of Defence in 1994, recognising her contribution during her NCC service.

She emphasised the role of the NCC in promoting discipline, unity and a sense of nationalism among young people. According to her, joining the NCC can help youngsters develop discipline and national consciousness beyond their academic pursuits.

Ngangom’s journey has also been marked by her contributions to education, women’s empowerment, social service and the preservation and promotion of Manipuri culture. Her long association with the NCC and involvement in different fields have made her a prominent figure in public life in Manipur.

The “Mother of Manipur NCC” award recognises her longstanding association with the organisation and her contribution to mentoring and strengthening young cadets over the years.