Imphal: Sometimes, the most profound lessons in life come from the most unexpected encounters. For Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, two such encounters during his younger days remain etched in his memory, reminding him that honesty and humanity transcend all boundaries.
Recounting one of the most humbling experiences of his life, Khemchand recalled an incident in 1998 at Wolmido (Wolmi) Park in Seoul, South Korea, when he was still a taekwondo player.
After an exercise session, he was resting in the park when a Korean woman approached him, apparently mistaking him for a beggar when he said he was an Indian. In a gesture of compassion, she offered him a bottle of beer, a T-shirt and some bread.
At the time, he did not fully understand the woman’s intention. It was only after returning to his gym and narrating the incident to his master that he learnt she had offered him those items because she thought he was a person in need.
What could have been an embarrassing moment instead became a lasting lesson in human kindness.
That was not the only encounter that left a deep impression on him during the same journey to South Korea. Earlier, while stranded in Singapore for two days, he had taken a taxi for which the fare was S$12. After reaching his destination, the driver returned S$2 to him, apologising that he had taken a longer route because he himself was unfamiliar with the way.
The two seemingly ordinary incidents, separated by different places and circumstances, taught him extraordinary lessons about honesty, compassion and humanity.
Sharing these personal experiences, Chief Minister Khemchand said that honesty and humanity were among the greatest services one could offer to society. He expressed his belief that these values not only helped individuals achieve success in life but could also pave the way for peace and harmony in Manipur.
He urged students to carry these virtues with them wherever life took them, stressing that material achievements alone could not define a meaningful life.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the 32nd National Children’s Science Congress 2026 and the launch of the AI-Enabled Career Intelligence Hub at TG Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Imphal. The hub, described as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Northeast, aims to help students explore career opportunities through artificial intelligence.
Addressing the young participants, Khemchand also emphasised the importance of communication and mutual understanding in resolving problems. He reminded students that no challenge was insurmountable if people were willing to sit together, communicate and seek solutions.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the AI-Enabled Career Intelligence Hub and interacted with students participating in the Science Congress.
Rajya Sabha MP and BJP Manipur president A. Sharda Devi, along with officials of the Education Department, also attended the programme.
From being mistaken for a beggar in a foreign land to witnessing the quiet honesty of a taxi driver in Singapore, Khemchand’s recollections offered students a simple yet powerful message: kindness does not need wealth, honesty does not need recognition, and humanity remains the greatest measure of a person’s worth.
