ZIRO, Jan 14: Prof Pura Tado passed away at his native village Nenchanglya (Hija), Ziro on Saturday. He was 65, and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
He was the senior most serving professor in the Political Science department at Rajiv Gandhi University, and was due for his retirement on superannuation this year. He also served as Pro Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University.
Prof Tado did his schooling from Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, Odisha; graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat; did his post-graduation from Delhi University; and earned his PhD from Rajiv Gandhi University.
After his post graduation, he served as programme executive in All India Radio, Delhi, and was later posted in the same rank to the AIR, Dibrugarh. He was also an active student leader, during the NEFA days, in college and university.
He joined as a lecturer at Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat in 1977-’78, then was posted at Government College, Itanagar (Dera Natung Government College), in 1986 and served there till 1988.
Then he joined as senior political science lecturer at Arunachal University (now Rajiv Gandhi University) in Rono Hills, Doimukh.
He contested as MLA from Itanagar constituency in 1988, and as Member of Parliament from the western constituency in 1990.
Tanw Supuñ Dukuñ (TSD), the Apatani Apex Council, has deeply mourned the sudden demise of Prof Tado.
‘He was a torchbearer in many fields in his youthful age in shaping Apatani community, including eradication of social evils like child and forced marriage, tattooing (Twpe), etc. He was also one of the pioneers in many social organizations like, Popi Sarmiñ Society, Apatani Socio Cultural and Welfare Society, Apatani Career Guidance Forum, Apatani Cultural and Literary Society, etc. The vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill,’ said TSD in a condolence message.
He was also the first professor from the Apatani community and a role model in the teaching profession for the youngsters, TSD said.
The members of Popi Sarmin Society (PSS) of Apatani expressed shock and grief over sudden and immature demise Prof Tado.
‘Prof Tado is the first amongst the graduates from Tanü and the first-batch professors in Arunachal Pradesh. An intellectual par excellence, he had deep love for indigenous tradition and culture, and was an arbiter for its preservation and promotion,’ said the PSS in a condolence message to Mitika Namchoom Pura, wife of late Prof Pura Tado.
The members of the PSS remembered him as a scholar, a social worker, an educationist, and a true ‘Popi’.
‘He was the chairman of the advisory board of the Popi Sarmiñ Society and guided the Society towards preservation protection and promotion of the Apatani art, culture and literature.
‘His immense contribution to the society in various fields will always benefit the younger generation in the days to come,’ it said.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union also expressed shock and grief over Prof Tado’s demise. The apex students’ body of the state termed his demise an irreparable loss for the student community in particular and the state as a whole.
The Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union also expressed deep condolences to the professor’s bereaved family and said his place could never be replaced.
‘Prof Tado was not just a teacher, but an inspiration to many; his death is a great loss not only to the university but also for the indigenous people of the state. His teachings were brilliant. The news of his demise is very devastating for all of us. May his soul find peace,’ the union said.
The Pura Welfare Association, Capital Complex (PWA-CC), Itanagar deeply mourned the demise of Prof Tado, and said that the vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill.
The PWA-CC, on behalf of the entire Pura clan, extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the bereaved family and relatives of late Tado, one of their senior most members.
The Theravada Buddhist Society (TBS), Itanagar has deeply mourned the sudden demise of Prof Tado.
‘In his death, the Society has lost one of its active and energetic members with charming personality,’ said the TBS in a release.
The people of Hija village in Lower Subansiri district also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Prof Tado.
‘He was amongst those pioneers, who had given the then nascent Arunachal a shape. He was not only an academician of Apatani but also a torchbearer of the community, who fought for eradication of various evil practices as youth leader,’ said the Hija Officer Welfare Society and the All Hija Welfare Society, Capital Complex in a joint press statement.
Both the organizations, on behalf of the Hija villagers conveyed deep sense of condolence to the bereaved family, and prayed for strength to the family to bear the irreparable loss.
