Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 4 Sep: Amid the controversy surrounding his tribal identity, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein brought out old records of his late father Chow Pook Gohain (Mein) and late Nabam Runghi, former Agency Council member of the NEFA and the founding father of Itanagar capital city.
On his social media handles, the deputy chief minister on Friday paid rich tribute to late Runghi, and remembered his contributions in the state's formative years.
"This morning, while going through some old papers, I came across these records and was reminded of late Nabam Runghi ji, former Agency Council member of NEFA and one of the pioneers and founding fathers of Arunachal Pradesh. I remember him with deep respect and gratitude," the DCM said.
Mein said he remembered Runghi with deep respect and gratitude for the latter's significant role in the establishment of Itanagar as the capital of Arunachal Pradesh - a contribution that has been duly recognised by the state and its people.
"Late Nabam Runghi ji played a significant role in the establishment of Itanagar as the capital of our beautiful state and was duly recognised for his contribution towards the founding of Itanagar as the capital city," he added.
Posting old letters of late Runghi to his late father Chow Pook Gohain (Mein), acknowledging his father's contributions, Mein further expressed gratitude to late Runghi for acknowledging the contribution of his late father, who served as an elected member of the first Agency Council from Lohit.
Though Runghi is no longer alive, the deputy chief minister said he remains sincerely grateful to him for acknowledging the contribution of his late father, Chow Pook Gohain (Mein), who served as an elected member of the first Agency Council from Lohit.
According to late Runghi, Mein recalled, during the Agency Council deliberations held in connection with the bifurcation of the NEFA, Chow Pook Gohain had proposed the name 'Arunachal Pradesh', among several suggestions that also included 'Hill Pradesh' and 'Ita Pradesh'.
Mein also observed that official records of that period carried spelling variations in the names of some Agency Council members, “possibly due to clerical errors and the limitations of the typewriter era.” Late Runghi was recorded as Nabam Runkhi, late Dani Kunya as Doni Kunya, and Chow Pook Gohain (Mein) as Chew Pak Gohain or Chow Pok Gohain.
"Such errors in official records, however, neither diminish their identity nor take away from the respect, dignity and immense contributions of these pioneers to the making of Arunachal Pradesh," he stated.
He added that he would remain indebted to late Runghi for documenting and bringing to light the contributions of those who worked together during those formative years. Runghi's pioneering efforts and his contribution to the state, Mein said, would always be remembered with respect.
The deputy chief minister offered humble prayers for the eternal peace of the departed leader.
