Imphal: Primrose Raikhan Sharma, the first female Indian Foreign Service officer from Manipur, died Thursday evening. She was the daughter of the late Mazachang Raikhan, who was the first Indian Railway Service officer from the state. She broke barriers early. After clearing the civil service exams in 1976, she built a career that spanned the globe.
Her resume was massive. She served as the Indian Ambassador to Portugal in 2008 and worked in Japan, South Africa, the UK, Belgium, Italy, and across the Americas. She also held roles as Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs and as a Regional Passport Officer in Jaipur. Later in life, she mentored foreign officials from nations like Afghanistan and Bhutan. After retiring, she managed the Nillai Tea Estate in her home village of Talui.
State leaders offered their respects as news of her passing spread. Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah praised her long career and intellect. He described her as a "very articulate person coming from an illustrious family." Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and current Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh noted that her legacy as a pioneer from the Northeast will influence future generations. She belonged to a prominent family, as her sister Christenssen Raikhan Chhibber was the first woman from the state to join the Indian Administrative Service.
Comments