“People should know he died not only as a Reverend but also as a Gaonbura”
Dimapur, June 14 (MExN): Widely known as “Impur Chanu”, Rev. Dr. I. Benwati died in a ripe old age on June 14, 9:30 am, at his brother Col (Retd.) Maken’s residence in Dimapur. The Reverend was 91 years-old. It was informed that he was not suffering from any serious ailments but was physically weak due to old-age. He is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren. Also, the late reverend’s wife, late Nirmala Mahanty breathed her last on May 28 at Oxford, UK.
Honouring the late Reverend, a funeral service was conducted at his brother Maken’s residence, which was attended by well-wishers and family members. The Reverend’s body will be taken to his birth place - Impur tomorrow, June 15, where another funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am, after which his remains shall be buried there. It was informed that he had already made plans with his family members that his body must be buried in Impur only, even if he dies abroad.
Earlier, late Rev. Dr. I. Benwati was in Bangalore but left for United Kingdom to live with his daughter’s family. However, after his wife’s demise, accompanied by his grandson he left for India and reached Delhi on June 3, where his brothers I Imkong, MLA and Maken picked him up. The reverend told his brothers: “... I am ready but it is God’s will.”
Today at the memorial service, Lanu Toy and I Imkong, nostalgically narrated about their brother’s life and said they have no regrets over his demise, stating that their brother has fulfilled all his wishes. And during his life time he had always prayed for the well-being of Naga leaders and Nagas.
I Imkong said his brother was a “visionary and committed servant of God”. He also said that the Overseas Naga Association had appointed him as “Naga Gaonbura”. “...servant of God to be appointed as a Gaonbura is an honour. He was a very conscious social worker,” Imkong added.
Imkong also said that before his brother died, he instructed them that his body should be wrapped in an Ao shawl and his coffin wrapped in a “red blanket”. “People should know he died not only as a Reverend but also as a Gaonbura.”
Well-wishers and different organisations also paid tribute to late Rev. Dr. I. Benwati. And most of them said that he is an inspiration to the younger generation of how someone from a remote place climbed the ladder of success.
Rev. Dr. I. Ben Wati is known for his selfless service, especially in the field of Christian education and had authored a number of books in Ao, including a two volume autobiography.
