Who is Ronaldo Laishram? Meet Manipur astrophysicist PM Modi praised in Mann Ki Baat | Today’s news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded astrophysicist Dr. Ronald Laishram for his work in the field of science and for honoring his motherland, Manipur, in an interesting way.
In the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday (July 26), Prime Minister Modi introduced Laishram saying, “Now I will tell you about a person you will be very proud of. He is someone who is actively working in the field of science and innovation and is gaining global recognition; yet he remains deeply connected to his roots and never forgets to honor his motherland whenever the opportunity arises.”
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“That person is Dr. Ronaldo Laishram from Manipur. His name is Dr. Ronaldo but he is an astrophysicist by profession,” PM Modi said.
Who is Ronaldo Laishram and what has he done?
PM Modi said that Ronaldo Laishram works in Japan and was part of the team that discovered the massive cluster of young galaxies.
He led an international research team as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). He studies the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Laishram is the son of Laishram Mahajon Singh and Laishram Sanahanbi Devi and is the youngest of five siblings from Khangabok village in Thoubal district.
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He graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from JSS Science and Technology University (SJCE), Mysuru, and later completed his Masters and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Tohoku University, Japan.
Laishram and his associates also founded the Manipur Astronomical Society in 2025 to bring together astronomy enthusiasts and researchers on a common platform.
“You may be wondering what exactly he did. Well, he named this whole cluster ‘LoktakProto-cluster’ after a beautiful lake in Manipur,” PM Modi said in his podcast.
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Loktak is a vast freshwater lake. ‘Phumdis’, floating islands of vegetation in Loktak Lake create a unique landscape.
“It looks like little islands floating in a huge ocean,” he said.
“Similarly, these young galaxies form a massive structure in the universe,” PM Modi added.
“Today Manipur’s Loktak shines not only on the map of the country but also in the entire vast cosmos. This achievement is a source of pride for every Indian. It teaches our young friends that they can reach new heights while remaining connected to their traditions. These are the roots that can also light up the world of stars,” PM Modi added.
Why Ronaldo Named Young Galaxies After ‘Loktak’?
Earlier this May, Dr. Ronaldo Laishram said the newly discovered large galaxy structure was studied using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii and the NSA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
“The study, which began around October 2024 as part of a larger ongoing research program, was published this month in the ‘Astrophysical Journal Letters’,” he told PTI over phone.
Laishram said the idea of naming the structure after the Loktak lake came to him immediately after the discovery.
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“When I first discovered it, the first thing that came to my mind was to do something for my home Manipur. Loktak is the mirror and lifeline of Manipur. It is not just a lake – it is deeply woven into the identity, stories and lives of our people. I wanted to place Manipur and Loktak in the story of the universe itself,” he was quoted as saying.
The 29-year-old researcher from Khangabok in Thoubal district said he considered several names associated with Manipur’s cultural and historical identity before finalizing Loktak.
“I thought of several names associated with the history and identity of Manipur. Taoroinai, a mythical serpent deeply associated with Manipur’s cultural and religious heritage, also came to mind. But when I saw four separate concentrations of galaxies, all connected into one larger system, Loktak felt like the most natural name,” he said.
“I also took an aerial photograph years ago and saw Loktak from above. That image stayed with me, the way everything was connected. When I looked at this cosmic structure, that memory came flooding back,” said Laishram.
Significance of Lake Manipur
Describing the significance of the lake, Laishram told PTI that it is the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast and serves as a lifeline providing livelihood to thousands of fishermen.
“It is also home to the country’s only floating national park, home to the Sangai, an antlered deer. By naming this discovery Loktak, I want to immortalize its name in the cosmos forever,” he said.
He said the naming has created curiosity among researchers abroad about the lake and Manipur. “The curiosity is exactly what I was hoping for. Loktak deserves to be known,” the researcher said.
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Laishram said the discovery’s findings suggest that even 12.6 billion years ago, when the universe was about 1.2 billion years old, the galaxy’s surrounding environment influenced its growth.
“Galaxies in crowded regions have already evolved differently from those in quieter regions, offering new evidence that a galaxy’s environment influences its evolution,” he said.
