Chuauhang Rokhuma (21 July 1917 – 23 November 2016) was a Mizo scientist and author. He is most well known for his work in researching agriculture and the mautam famine.
C Rokhuma was born on 21 July 1917 in Reiek village. He was only educated up to Grade 8, but continued to read books and educate himself.[1][2] He was married to Lalrinthangi in 1939.[2]
Rokhuma began his career in 1934 as a teacher. He became a sub-inspector of schools in 1946. During World War 2, Rokhuma also served in the military.[2][1] In 1951, Rokhuma founded the Anti-Famine Campaign Organisation to combat the mautam famine.[1] Rokhuma functioned as its organising secretary. As a non-political organisation, it attracted members of both the Mizo Union and United Mizo Freedom Organisation.[3] The organisation undertook plans and measures to reduce the impact of the mautam famine in anticipation of its cyclical resurgence.[2] Rokhuma invented an insecticide he termed as RK Mixture, to help orange farmers fight insects attacking their crops.[1] RK Mixture was also utilised for sugarcane. From 1955-1966, Rokhuma became a Instructur at a Teacher's college and then transitioned into a Sunday School Teacher Training Instructer at MSSU from 1967. In 1978, Rokhuma founded the Mizo Writer's Association and authored books and translations from English to Mizo.[2]
In 1992, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in recognition of his social work.[2][1] Rokhuma continued to research rats and their behaviour in a laboratory to study the effects of mautam.[4]
Rokhuma was assigned deputy chairman of the State Rodent Control Committee, headed by Zoramthanga.[5] In 2009 when the mautam famine cycled back, Rokhuma was sought after by local, national and international media on the topic of bamboo flowering.[1][6]
Rokhuma was admitted to Aizawl hospital in the ICU on 15 November 2016. He would be transferred to a private ward before dying on 23 November 2016.[2][1]
