Manipur CM Khemchand Singh champions honesty and hard work at Herbert School
Synopsis
At Herbert School's 27th Foundation Day in Imphal, Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh drew on personal anecdotes from Singapore and Seoul to argue that a nation's progress is inseparable from the values of its people — and urged students to carry honesty and humanity beyond the classroom.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh addressed the 27th Foundation Day of Herbert School in Imphal on 7 November .
He stressed that academic qualifications must be accompanied by honesty, sincerity, and hard work to make a person truly capable.
He recalled a Singapore taxi driver who returned 2 dollars of a 12-dollar fare, citing it as a model of integrity.
He linked Singapore's high per capita income in Southeast Asia to the values and work ethic of its people.
A stranger's act of kindness in Seoul was cited as evidence of the power of everyday humanity.
Students were urged to continue striving after completing their education, guided by honesty and compassion.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, 7 November called on students to anchor their lives in honesty, sincerity, hard work, and humanity, asserting that these values must be cultivated from the earliest stages of life to build both capable individuals and a stronger society. He made the remarks while attending the 27th Foundation Day Celebration of Herbert School in Imphal.
Student Life as a Defining Foundation
Addressing the gathering, Khemchand Singh emphasised that student life represents one of the most critical phases in a person's journey, as it lays the groundwork for future careers and lifelong aspirations. He cautioned that academic qualifications alone are insufficient to make a person truly capable, and must be complemented by integrity and a strong work ethic.
Lessons from Singapore and Seoul
The Chief Minister drew on personal experiences from international travels to illustrate his message. Recalling a visit to Singapore in the 1990s, he described an encounter with a taxi driver who was new to the profession. Although the fare meter read 12 dollars, the driver voluntarily returned 2 dollars, charging only 10 dollars after acknowledging he had taken a longer route due to his unfamiliarity with the roads. Khemchand Singh said the driver's candour left a lasting impression on him.
He noted that despite being geographically smaller than the combined area of five valley districts of Manipur, Singapore has risen to become one of the countries with the highest per capita income in Southeast Asia — a trajectory he attributed, in part, to the values and integrity of its people. Separately, during a visit to Seoul, an elderly woman who was a complete stranger approached the Chief Minister and offered him food — a gesture he described as a powerful expression of everyday humanity and compassion.
The Call to Students
Khemchand Singh urged students not to treat the completion of their education as a finishing line, but to continue striving toward their goals with determination and commitment. He advised them to adopt honesty, sincerity, hard work, and humanity as guiding principles rather than situational choices.
Broader Significance
The address comes at a time when Manipur continues to navigate complex social and political challenges. The Chief Minister's emphasis on values-based development, delivered at a school anniversary, reflects an effort to shape civic character at the grassroots level. Notably, Herbert School's 27-year milestone provided a symbolic backdrop for a message about long-term institution-building — whether of schools or of societies.
Point of View
At its core, a soft-power speech — and an implicit acknowledgement that Manipur's challenges are not solely administrative. The subtext is harder to miss: a state that has faced prolonged ethnic conflict and governance strain needs a values reset as much as a policy one. Whether a school address translates into that reset is another matter, but the choice of venue and anecdote signals that Khemchand Singh is at least trying to reframe the conversation around character rather than just crisis management.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh say at Herbert School's Foundation Day?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged students to embrace honesty, sincerity, hard work, and humanity as lifelong values. He said academic qualifications alone are not enough and must be backed by integrity and a strong work ethic.
What was the Singapore taxi driver story shared by the Manipur CM?
During a visit to Singapore in the 1990s, Khemchand Singh encountered a new taxi driver who charged only 10 dollars despite a meter reading of 12 dollars, returning the difference after admitting he had taken a longer route. The CM cited the driver's honesty as a lasting lesson in integrity.
Why did the Manipur CM reference Singapore's per capita income?
He used Singapore's economic success as an example to argue that a nation's progress reflects the values and work ethic of its people. He noted that Singapore, smaller in area than five valley districts of Manipur, has become one of Southeast Asia's wealthiest countries.
What was the Seoul anecdote mentioned by the Chief Minister?
During a visit to Seoul, an elderly woman who was a complete stranger approached Khemchand Singh and offered him food. He described the gesture as a powerful example of humanity and kindness toward others, even those one does not know.
Which school event did the Manipur CM attend on 7 November?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the 27th Foundation Day Celebration of Herbert School in Imphal on Saturday, 7 November, where he delivered his address on values and character.
