He Lost It All, But Not His Will: Displaced Student Raj Thoudam Secures 7th Rank in Manipur Class 12 Exam

Raj battled depression and anxiety triggered by the traumatic events he had witnessed.

By Moirangthem Nganbarel

Manipur Displaced Student Raj Thoudam Secures 7th Rank: He lost all his belongings including his books, notebooks, and clothes. All turned to ashes when violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. But the flames couldn’t destroy Raj Thoudam’s determination or the treasure trove of knowledge he carried within. Against all odds, Raj battled displacement, trauma, and loss to emerge as one of Manipur’s brightest students, securing the 7th position in the Higher Secondary Examination 2025 conducted by the Council of Higher Seconday Education Manipur (COHSEM) in the Arts stream. The results were announced on April 25.

Raj Thoudam is an internally displaced student from Salem Veng in Churachandpur, the very district where the violence first erupted. Forced to flee with his family after the horrific events of May 3, Raj found refuge in Toubul Makha Leikai in Bishnupur District, his family’s ancestral home. His family had been stayed in Churachandpur for years, running a business. But the violence upended their lives, taking away everything they had built.

Yet, what remained untouched was Raj’s will to study and rebuild his future.

A student of UNACCO School, Manipur Raj Thoudam brought pride to his parents, Thoudam Sharat Singh and Thoudam Mirabai Devi. The youngest in his family, Raj found strength in the support of his elder brother, Akash Thoudam, who has been helping their father’s business after completing a BBA degree, though he has not continued further studies.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Raj Thoudam shared his journey through pain and resilience. He began his education in Churachandpur and was studying in Don Bosco Higher Secondary School when the violence broke out. He had just appeared for his Class 10 board exams and had secured 87% when he and his family were forced to flee their home.

His academic excellence and heartbreaking story of displacement caught the attention of UNACCO School in Imphal, which offered him a free schooling in Class 11 and Class 12.

But the new beginning was not easy. Raj battled depression and anxiety triggered by the traumatic events he had witnessed. The fear for his family’s safety and the uncertainty of the future made it hard for him to concentrate on studies. Still, he pressed on. With encouragement from his family, teachers, and schoolmates, Raj slowly rebuilt his confidence and immersed himself in his studies.

“I thank everyone who supported me morally, physically, and mentally. Their support helped me stay focused and achieve this success,” Raj Thoudam said.

Looking ahead, Raj plans to pursue general studies in higher education and hopes to serve his motherland one day. His story stands as a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, the human spirit can rise, rebuild, and shine.

Also Read: Girls Top All Streams as Manipur Class 12 Exam 2025 Records 94% Pass Percentage

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