BJP MLA, Taekwondo master urges Meiteis to lead peace process in Manipur

Imphal, Jan 11: Manipur BJP legislator and a 5th Dan Taekwondo master, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on Sunday, said that like every Vaishnavite Meitei Hindus want to visit Vrindavan at least once in their lifetime, he also went to Seoul, the sacred place of Taekwondo martial art.

He added that learning Taekwondo from South Korea is the ultimate goal for a Taekwondo player.

Speaking at a reception function organised in his honour at Singjamei assembly constituency, the former rural development minister expressed, “Every Meitei elders feel that Hinduism is not complete without visiting Vrindavan during their lifetime, likewise I also felt that learning taekwondo art is incomplete without visiting Korea.”

While detailing about his journey, Khemchand detailed that he started his career in 1978 and went to Seoul in 1990 to learn Taekwondo. He graduated in the Martial Art from World Taekwondo Academy, Kukkiwon in Seoul.

Vice President of the Assam Olympics Association, Raj Kakoti and Peleselie Khezhei, President of the North East Taekwondo Federation attended the reception.

Khemchand was recently awarded 5th Dan in traditional taekwondo style by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation (GTTF). The GTTF is the highest body of traditional Taekwondo, while the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) controls its sports form.

Kakoti recalled how Khemchand landed in Guwahati in 1980 and then formed the All-Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982.

“Khemchand Sir came to Guwahati when the anti-foreigner agitation was at its peak in Assam. What I have learnt in life is from him. During this period, Assam Police used to harass him saying why he was teaching boys to fight,” he said.

Kakoti then stated that after the Assam Accord was signed in 1985, and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won the assembly election, things improved.

“There were four ministers who were Taekwondo students of Khemchand Sir in the cabinet including Home Minister Bhigru Phukan. He then started teaching Taekwondo to Assam Police personnel,” he added.

Peleselie pointed out that Khemchand is not only the Taekwondo master of Manipur, Nagaland and northeast, but for the entire India.

“Sir is a man of action, he is not only an MLA, but a sportsman. You are not a politician, but a sportsman. Please continue to guide us in the sports,” he urged.

Khemchand began his career in taekwondo at the age of 16 years. He was the founder President of the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982, and was one of the pioneers in the promotion of the martial art in Manipur.

R K Shivachandra, a Taekwondo exponent in Manipur, said that Khemchand was recognized in the early eighties as a key figure in popularizing the sport in the country and forming the Taekwondo Federation of India. He had also served as the Vice President of the federation.

‘Meiteis should play role of big brother’

The BJP MLA then urged the gathering about the need of Meiteis to play the role of big brother in resolving the present crisis in Manipur.

“One year back, people here could not accept the concept of peace because the situation was tense. Today, people started realizing the need for peace to bring back normalcy in the state,” he said.

Khemchand once again emphasized that Manipur is a home to 36 communities and every community has to play a role in bringing peace and normalcy in the state.

“Meiteis being the majority community needs to play the role of big brother in resolving the present conflict,” he said and added that Meiteis are still hesitant to cross Kangpokpi on NH 39 because there is trust deficit with Kukis. “We need to remove this,” he added.