Academic and Professional
Academic and Professional Career
Dr. Thangjam Dhabali Singh was born in Imphal on 1st January 1956. He is the fifth among ten siblings in the family. He had a bright academic career and completed MBBS from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (the erstwhile RMC) in the year 1977. He completed his post-graduation (MD) in Pathology from PGIMER, Chandigarh, in 1982, was awarded the Silver Medal, the highest departmental accolade, and nominated for the Katariya Gold Medal for the best outgoing Resident. After serving at PGIMER as a Senior Resident, he joined the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, as a teaching faculty member. Having served for many academically fulfilling years at RIMS, he voluntarily retired from service as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology in 1994. Since then, he has been working full-time as Laboratory Director of BABINA Diagnostics (formerly BABINA Diagnostic Centre), Imphal. Under his watchful guidance, BABINA Diagnostics has grown into one of the largest and most well-equipped medical diagnostic laboratories in Eastern India. He served as Professor of Pathology on a contract basis at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, for two years, 2010-2012.
Recognising the necessity to diversify its activities and to harness the untapped tourism potential of the region, by 2005, he started planning, and BABINA Healthcare and Hospitality Industries Pvt. Ltd. was established in 2007. It operates as a conglomerate comprising BABINA Diagnostics and The Classic Hotel. The BABINA Group of Companies includes BABINA Healthcare & Hospitality Industries Pvt. Ltd., BABINA Hospitalities Pvt. Ltd., BABINA Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., and BABINA Education Foundation Pvt. Ltd., with operations spanning healthcare, hospitality, education and related fields. The Classic Group of Hotels are the hospitality unit of the group. BABINA Specialty Hospital, established in 2020, provides dedicated cancer care facilities, being the first of its kind in the state. BABINA Hospital, a 200-bed multispecialty hospital, became operational by August 2024. BABINA Institute of Nursing is the latest addition to the list. As Chairman and Managing Director of the BABINA Group, Dr. Th. Dhabali Singh has been the principal driving force behind the Group’s success through his dynamism and visionary leadership. Currently, the Group employs approximately 1250 professionals, a figure of considerable significance given the region’s acute unemployment challenges.
As the Classic Group of Hotels promoter, Dr. Dhabali has demonstrated outstanding leadership and transformed Manipur’s hospitality sector. His pioneering efforts have played a crucial role in stimulating tourism, contributing immensely to the state’s economic growth and overall development. His initiatives have made Manipur more accessible to tourists, significantly enhancing its appeal as a destination for domestic and international visitors.
Imphal, the capital city, has emerged as a host city for high-profile national and international events, mainly due to Dr. Singh’s leadership in tourism and hospitality. These events include the Tri-nation Football Tournament, the G20 Summit, the Femina Miss India Final, the Chintan Shivir of Sports Ministers of India, and the historic Durand Cup Football Tournament. The development of hospitality infrastructure and improved amenities has been instrumental in the success of these events, positioning Imphal as a premium location for tourism and event-based activities.
As the President of the Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF), Dr. Singh has been pivotal in boosting state tourism. His collaborative efforts with key stakeholders have resulted in a consistent 10% annual increase in domestic tourists visiting Manipur. Moreover, there has been a 30-fold increase in foreign tourists over the past decade. Despite challenges such as the ongoing ethnic crisis, Dr. Singh’s initiatives have inspired strong optimism for the continued growth of tourism in Manipur.
The Imphal Peace Museum, a symbol of peace and reconciliation, stands as testament to Dr. Singh’s commitment to fostering understanding and unity. Built under his supervision, the museum has become a significant attraction, offering residents of Manipur and the Northeast region a unique opportunity to explore their contemporary history, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Dr. Singh’s contributions to healthcare are equally transformative. His establishment of BABINA Diagnostics, the largest laboratory in Northeast India, alongside the AOI-BABINA Cancer Hospital and BABINA Multispecialty Hospital, has vastly improved regional healthcare access and bolstered medical tourism.
Under his visionary leadership, the BABINA Group has become a major employer, providing over 1,250 jobs in a state struggling with unemployment. His entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to skill development have created meaningful employment opportunities, instilling hope among educated youths and driving economic growth.
Additionally, his dedication to promoting sports, particularly football, in a state where sports are deeply cherished, has been exemplary. His initiatives, such as supporting NEROCA and founding the Classic Football Academy, have united youth from all the communities in the State. By nurturing local talent, especially among children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Dr. Singh has fostered a sense of community and shared success, leaving a legacy that extends beyond tourism and healthcare.
Through his visionary leadership across multiple sectors, Dr. Singh has left an indelible mark on Manipur’s economic landscape, driving growth, fostering unity, especially among youths, and setting a high standard for future generations to follow.