Indira Oinam

Indira Oinam (, born 1 February 1975) is an Indian social activist and politician from Manipur. She is known for her work in women empowerment and child welfare, as well as her involvement in Manipur politics. Oinam has been associated with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) at different times in her career. She is the Secretary of the Women’s Income Generation Centre (WIGC) in Thoubal, Manipur.

 Early life and education 

Indira Oinam was born on 1 February 1975 in Thoubal Ningombam, Thoubal District, Manipur, to Oinam Chaobhal Singh and Oinam (O) W. Ibemhal Devi. She was the sixth of nine children and the second daughter in her family.

She studied at Ningombam L.P. School and completed her HSLC examination in 1992 at Keinya Girls High School, Thoubal. Oinam graduated from Waikhom Mani Girls College, Thoubal, in 1998 with first-class honors in Education under Manipur University.

She grew up in a poor family and financed her education by working as a private tutor and doing embroidery work. Despite family discouragement, she completed her education and supported her younger sisters through their studies.

 Childhood 

During her school days, Oinam participated in debates and symposiums and often won first prizes. She faced hardships, including lack of family support during competitions. One incident during a debate competition in Class VII made her realize the emotional value of encouragement, as she received her first prize without her parents’ presence.

Another incident, when she was denied food by relatives as a child, inspired her to later establish an Ashram for Children, providing food, shelter, and education to orphans and underprivileged children.

 Early activities and NCC training 

Oinam was active in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) as Senior Under Officer of the 65 Girls Unit in Manipur. She completed First Aid Training at Military Hospital, Shillong, and attended various NCC camps.

She received several awards for discipline and leadership, including:

 Governor’s Medal (1995) for Best Cadet

 Duke of Edinburgh Award (Gold Standard), presented by Queen Elizabeth II

Although she received job offers to join the Army and other government services, she chose to work in the voluntary sector for social causes.

 Social work and WIGC 

Oinam founded the Women’s Income Generation Centre (WIGC) in Thoubal to support women and children from poor backgrounds. The centre provides:

 Skill training and vocational courses

 Support for handloom and handicraft workers

 Micro-finance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

 Shelter and education for destitute women and children

WIGC also runs ashrams for children, Swadhar homes for destitute women, and working women hostels. The organisation supports women in trades like Kouna (water reed) crafts, bamboo work, and tie-dye.

The centre conducts awareness programmes against human trafficking, especially for women and children, and collaborates with national schemes under various ministries of the Government of India.

 Major projects and programmes 

Some projects under Oinam’s leadership include:

 Vocational Training Courses for handloom and handicrafts

 Swadhar Shelter Home with helpline services

 Working Women Hostel with Day Care Centre

 Ashram for Working Children in Chandel District

 Training for Self-Help Groups and micro-loan facilities through SBI

 Campaigns against human trafficking

 Agasti Cultural Academy and Agasti Creative Bal Bhavan

 Environmental projects on medicinal plants

 Social involvements 

Oinam has held various positions in social and voluntary organisations, including:

 President, Association for Paona Memorial Arts Rural Development Services (1994–1996)

 Member, District Peace Committee (1994–1999)

 Member, South Asian Fraternity (1996–2000)

 Chairperson, District Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal (from 2007)

 Service Provider under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (from 2008)

She is also an honorary Animal Welfare Officer with the All India Animal Welfare Board and a regular speaker for All India Radio, Imphal.

 Awards and recognitions 

Oinam has received numerous awards for her work in youth development and social service:

 Devala Award (1992–93) – Government of Manipur

 National Youth Award (1994) – Presented by the President of India

 Governor’s Gold Medal (1996) – Government of Manipur

 Duke of Edinburgh International Award (1996)

 UNDP Youth Volunteers Against Poverty Award (2000)

 Best Voluntary Award (2004–05) – Government of Manipur

 Prof. Yeshwantrao Kelkar Yuva Puraskar (2008) – ABVP and Vidyarthi Nidhi

 Stree Udhyami Award (2016) – for contribution to women empowerment

 Political career 
 Entry into politics 

Driven by her interest in social service, Oinam joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She contested the 2012 Manipur Assembly Election against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh from the Thoubal constituency but lost by a narrow margin. Despite the defeat, her campaign helped strengthen BJP’s presence in Manipur.

 2016 protest and party ticket issue 

In May 2016, Oinam’s supporters protested at the BJP office in Imphal after her name was not included in the list of candidates for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. Her supporters demanded the resignation of state party president Chaoba Thounaojam, alleging bias. Oinam claimed that her contributions, including her efforts during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Imphal, had been overlooked.

 Joining the Indian National Congress 

In 2017, Oinam left the BJP over the issue of ticket distribution. She joined the Indian National Congress along with around 7,000 supporters. She was appointed as the spokesperson of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee by State Congress president T. N. Haokip. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh welcomed her into the party.

Oinam stated that she joined Congress because of its inclusive principles and her belief that the party would continue to form the government in Manipur.

 Related pages 
 Oinam family

 References 

Category:Meitei people
Category:People from Manipur
Category:Indian politicians