Toshi Wungtung, Advisor IPR, SCERT and Village Guard.
Tributes pour in for Toshi Wungtung
Kohima, July 2 (MExN): Condolence messages continued to pour in from various parts of the State over the demise of Toshi Wungtung, Advisor IPR, SCERT and Village Guard, Nagaland on July 1 in Delhi. Various leaders and organizations remembered the departed leader and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
CS: Chief Secretary (CS) J Alam expressed shock and sadness at the demise of the Advisor. The CS stated that he personally knew Wungtung for the last three decades from his student days. “He was equally passionate about the socio-economic and educational upliftment of the people of Eastern Nagaland as well as for faster development of the entire State,” he said.
In his demise, Nagaland has lost an energetic and passionate soul and the Eastern districts of Nagaland and especially the Yimchunger community has lost a budding leader who could advocate their development issues at the State and the central level with equal felicity, the CS said. Above all, the CS stated that he has lost a personal friend and a well-wisher. He will always be remembered for the courage of conviction and the passion he had for the welfare of the people. His untimely demise has left a deep void that will be difficult to fill, he said.
Rev Dr V K Nuh: “He was born as a patriotic son of the soil and was actively involved in Naga reconciliation. His contribution to the Naga community cannot be forgotten. We have lost a great young leader. His valuable contribution cannot be replaced,” stated Rev Dr V K Nuh.
R Tohanba: Former Parliamentary Secretary & Advisor R Tohanba described Wungtung as a gifted leader, a statesman, a guide and a thorough gentleman. “With his passing, we have lost one of the tallest leaders of Eastern Nagas and Nagas in general,” he said.
Temjen Imna Along: Nagaland’s Higher Education & Tribal Affairs Minister Temjen Imna Along described Wungtung as a deeply knowledgeable gentleman who always stood out from the crowd with his wisdom and tactfulness on varied subjects. He was not only a colleague; but an elder brother to me in its truest sense, Along stated. “Toshi's in depth knowledge on Naga political issues, his visions for Eastern Nagaland people, and his dreams of ushering development to the deprived regions are unique and incomparable,” Along stated. His simplicity and humility, his benevolent nature and his broad outlook on life are his greatest traits that shall be dearly missed, Along added.
V Kashiho Sangtam: Nagaland’s Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining and NSMDC Minister V Kashiho Sangtam stated that in Wungtung’s demise, Nagaland has lost one of the most charismatic and visionary leaders who had so much more to contribute to the State and society. He was a storehouse of knowledge on issues of Nagas and of Eastern Nagaland in particular and a visionary leader who was passionately focused on the socio-economic upliftment of the people, the Minister stated.
Zale Neikha: Nagaland’s Youth Resources & Sports Advisor Er Zale Neikha described Wungtung as a tall figure and an influential person who had contributed immensely towards the welfare of the Naga people. Stating that he had personally known Wungtung, Neikha said that he was a man of dignity and honesty, a very intellectual and learned man, always ready to speak and stand for the truth. His loss is irreparable, not only to the Government and Yimchunger community, but to the entire State, Neikha added.
Kaito Aye: Minister, Agriculture and Cooperation G Kaito Aye stated that Wungtung was not only a colleague but a dear brother. “A dedicated, humble, polite and a respected gentleman, a visionary and a true leader who served and stood for the less privileged in many capacities,” Aye described the departed leader. “His was a life well lived and his contribution and service toward the progress and growth of the Nagas will be cherished forever,” he added.
K G Kenye: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) K G Kenye also mourned the loss and remembered late Wungtung for his selfless services for the cause of Naga people in various capacities. The MP said, with his departure, the Naga people have lost a young and dynamic leader.
Medo Yhokha: “A refined leader who led by examples, a scholar and intellectual at best, an active activist and environmental conservationist at large, he always displayed genuine concerns for the welfare of the society,” Medo Yhokha, Advisor Technical Education and Elections stated. The region, State and people of his community have lost a dynamic and committed leader leaving a huge vacuum behind, he added.
Abu Metha: Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister described Wungtung as a brilliant mind, an intellectual and a visionary leader. He had a deep concern for the Nagas and constantly strived for a better and more peaceful future for the larger Naga family, Metha stated adding that Wungtung had so much more to contribute towards the Naga nation building process. He was a bright and rising star amongst the new generation of leaders. Nagas have lost a precious son, he said.
ENCSU: Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) described the late leader as an exemplary and visionary leader, a peace facilitator, a knowledgeable personality and a dedicated social reformer who had significantly sacrificed most of his time towards promoting peace and tranquility. “His passing away is an irreplaceable loss for the entire people of Eastern Nagaland in particular and the Nagas in general. His legacy will be remembered and aspire the future generations to come, it added.
ENWO Dimapur: Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) Dimapur unit said Wungtung had large goals and commitment in providing leadership to the Eastern people in particular and Naga people in general. We have lost a great leader among us, who had more to offer in future, the Organisation stated.
ENWO: Eastern Nagaland Women Organization (ENWO) expressed grief over the demise and said that Wungtung was a skilled orator and a visionary leader who has been the main advocate for the upliftment of the Eastern people. “His contribution and commitment for the welfare of the Nagas in particular will forever be remembered and cherished,” it added.
ESH: Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) expressed grief and said that his death was not only a big loss to his family members but particularly to all the citizens living in the Eastern areas. The ESH said that late Wungtung was “a rare breed of gentleman politician who had remained committed person for the progress and development for his people till his last breath.”
GBs Pungro Town: Gaon Bura (GBs) of Pungro Town remembered late Wungtung as a “dedicated and farsighted leader for the Nagas...” “His death is not only a loss for the people of Yimchungrü tribe and to the Eastern Nagas but is also a great loss for the entire Nagas which created a huge vacuum and difficult to fill,” it added.
KGOU: Konyak Gazetted Officers Union (KGOU) said Wungtung was one of the finest and courageous Naga leaders who univocally advocated for ushering peace and development in the Naga Society. “His immense sacrifices for the empowerment and upliftment of the people at the grassroots are second to none, and different Organisations of Eastern Nagaland have availed his service immeasurably…,” it stated. Terming his demise as one of the darkest moments the Union said that they have suffered “an irretrievable loss.”
MHSU: Mopong Hong Kong Students Union (MHSU) conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members of late Wungtung. His death has created a vacuum for eastern people in general and Yimchunger in particular, the Union stated and prayed for eternal rest of the departed soul.
Naga Hoho: “Lt. Eno. Toshi Wungtung was a humble and a committed leader who had contributed so much towards the Naga cause,” the Naga Hoho stated.His dedication and contribution towards unity of Naga society will always be remembered, it said while adding that, “In his untimely demise, Nagas have lost a very promising and a visionary leader. The vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill.”
NDPP Central Youth Org: NDPP Central Youth Organisation said Wungtung’s impassioned works for the Naga people as an elected member of NDPP will be cherished and that the departed leader would be difficult to replace.
NPCC: Wungtung was remembered by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) as a dedicated leader, sincere in his endeavor to uplift the people he represented. “He dedicated his life in this pursuit evident in the illustrious testimony his career in public service bears. Naga society faces an irreparable loss in his demise for we have lost a farsighted, well educated and upcoming young Parliamentarian who has passed away too young,” NPCC President K Therie stated.
NPP: NPP Nagaland state said that is extremely saddened and shaken by the demise of Wungtung. “Throughout his life he stood to give voice to our Naga students and for the wellbeing of our youths. He worked tirelessly as the President of NSUD, played the role of an active advisory committee of NSF as well as led the ENPO. His hard work and dedication towards our state and our people shall remain engraved in our hearts,” it stated.
USLP: United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) said Wungtung dedicated most of his life championing for the upliftment of Eastern Nagas and Nagas in general. During his life time he selflessly worked towards bridging the gap between different strata of the society. In his demise, Eastern Nagas and Nagas have lost one of the most dynamic leaders, he stated, adding that his immeasurable contribution towards the people of Eastern Nagas especially in the field of social and political justice will be remembered for years to come, it added.
USSC: United Sangtam Students' Conference (USSC) mourned the demise of a promising and visionary leader and remembered Wungtung as an upright leader and a man with principles. “He was an agent in bringing the key changes that impacted the lives of the young Nagas,” it stated. His death has created a void which will be difficult to fill in, it added. The Conference acknowledged his monumental contribution and said that his legacy would be cherished forever.
WC, NNPGs: The Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) said Wungtung was a quintessential visionary leader whom older generation identified as a true heir to their ideals and younger generations looked up to and admired. “A great light of the Nagas has been snuffed out by the cruelest hand of destiny,” it added.
NSCN (IM): The Collective Leadership (the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the General Secretary) of NSCN (IM) recalled and acknowledged late Wuntung’s role and concern for the Naga people through his involvement in various capacities beginning from his students’ days in Delhi. The Collective Leadership honored his service to the Naga people stating that it “proved his credentials as a true son of the soil.” He left behind an illustrious legacy and it is an immense loss for the Naga people in general and for his Assembly Constituency in particular, the NSCN (IM) stated.
YBA: Yimchunger Berü Arih-ako (YBA Pungro Unit) recalled Wungtung as a man of principle who always stood by his conviction. He was a social worker/activist, served in various NGOs/CSOs including Yimchunger Tribal Council and ENPO, and besides, he was also a successful politician of his time. He is truly an inspiring leader and someone everyone looks up to, the YBA said. Terming his demise as a great loss for all, the YBA said that his guidance and contributions during his lifetime will remain in the heart of the people.
YBBA: Yimchungrü Baptist Borü Amukhungto (YBBA) said that it is at a loss of words to hear of the Advisor’s demise while putting on record that Wungtung was “the brightest son of the soil” on whom the Association heavily relied and placed massive expectations on for the upliftment of the community. It remembered him as a born leader of the masses, a gifted spokesman and public icon and the flag bearer of the ENPO towards fulfillment of the long term aspirations of Eastern Nagaland. Paying its ‘highest tribute’ to the departed leader, the YBBA prayed that more brilliant minds like Wungtung would emerge.
YUBKAA: Yimchungrü Union Borlengri Karbi Anglong Assam (YUBKAA) expressed shock and sadness over the demise of Wungtung and remembered him as one of the most instrumental personalities who worked for the welfare of the society. It is a loss not only to Yimchungrüs and Eastern Nagas but the Nagas as whole, creating a huge vacuum which will be difficult to fill, it stated.
SNUNS: SNUNS Organisation has expresses condolence at the demise of Toshi Wungtung and termed it as “an irreplaceable loss” for the people of ENPO in particular and all the Nagas who have lost a well qualified, dynamic and a visionary leader. It is also a great loss for the youths and students community whose significance in future building he had always advocated, it added.
APO: Angami Public Organisation (APO) shared its grief with the wife of Toshi Wungtung and remembered the late leader as a ‘mass-based’ leader whose departure has left his followers and the ENPO in particular and the Nagas in general speechless. “The passing away of a vibrant young leader with lots of experiences and variant qualities to lead the people in the likes of Late Wungtung will be hard to find and difficult to fill the void at the moment,” it stated. It lamented the loss of ‘one of the true sons of the soil’ and expressed hope that his aspirations would continue to lead the Eastern Nagas and the Nagas to greater heights.
FAN: Film Association of Nagaland (FAN) offered sincere condolences on the passing of the Advisor and stated that he was a guiding light for the film fraternity. It expressed gratitude for his leadership and said that Wungtung’s passing has left a big vacuum for the organisation and that he would be dearly missed.
