ITANAGAR, Apr 24: Founder member of the Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) and former president of Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA), Mihin Kanning passed away on 23 April at RK Mission Hospital here, after a brief illness.
Kanning, who is survived by his wife and two children, served in the education department as a teacher from 1988, and was posted as the principal of the government higher secondary school in Polo Colony, Naharlagun, at the time of his demise.
He was deeply involved in the indigenous faith and cultural movement, and associated himself with the renowned indigenous faith movement leader, Golgibote Talam Rukbo as founder member of the erstwhile Donyi-Polo Spiritual Society of Arunachal Pradesh.
A prolific writer, Kanning’s notable literary works include The Spiritual Message of Donyi-Polo (1994); The Spiritual Questions and Answers (1995); The Lingua-franca of Arunachal Pradesh; The Holy Charuñ (1998); Speak in Apatani (Apatani grammar); The Rising Culture of the Apatanis (2008); The Sacred Chanting of Myòkó (2010); Spiritual Enquiry Systems of the Apatanis and The Ritual Version of the Apatanis, Vol 1 (2012).
He was one of the editors of the Apatani book, Kiij? Tanii Aguñ Chiñsa-Vol 1, 2 and 3, which was brought out by the Popì Sarmiñ Society as third language in the government schools located in Ziro valley, and is currently taught in Class 6, 7 and 8.
In a condolence message, the IFCSAP said, “The vacuum created by his untimely demise in the movement of preservation, protection and promotion of the indigenous faith and culture and social awakening of indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh would be difficult to fill. It is a great loss and sorrowful moment for the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh.”
The Popi Sarmiñ Society also expressed grief and shock over the demise of Kanning and assured the family that “the society is with the family in this time of hardship.”
The Tanw Supuñ Dukuñ extended condolences on the demise of Kanning and said, “His contributions would be cherished by the society. We pray to the almighty god to give sufficient strength to bear the irreparable loss to the bereaved family and allow his departed soul to rest in peace.”
The staffers of GHSS, Polo Colony, also prayed that Kanning’s family and relatives are bestowed with strength to endure the loss.
“He was a true educationalist, a prolific writer and a social activist. May his soul rest in peace in his permanent abode,” read a message from the school.
