A.Tally (Son of late Dr. T. Ao)
The Nagaland State School Education Department has proposed to re-name the Government High School, Changki, Mokokchung after my father, late Dr. T. Ao. It is, indeed, commendable that such honour should be bestowed.
However, if the said department did a little research, I believe that that honour should be given to my ‘Abazumba’ Noksangyuba Ningdangri. While in service, it was he who was pivotal in establishing the said High School in Changki. He was an administrator under the British and, later, under free India. He established the said Government High School (circa) 1958. And he served the State of Nagaland beyond the call of duty.
The Impur Mission Centre, Mokokchung, has already honoured my late father by proposing that a Sports Stadium to be named after my father. The authorities of Impur at least had the decency to request my mother, T Ao (widow of Dr. T. Ao) for that honour. My mother gave them the permission to do so, with her blessings, but it has yet to materialise due to financial constraints.
We are not the public, per se, but Dr. T. Ao's own flesh and blood and are not objecting to the said proposal. But I believe that credit should be given where it is due. And that the said Government High School should be named after my 'Abazumba', the late Noksangyuba: "Noksangyuba High School", Changki. It would be admirable if Abazumba Noksang's 'anak-apang' take up the matter instead of remaining silent spectators. Dr. T. Ao left an indelible mark in the football history of the Nagas as long as we Nagas remain Nagas — and the North-East of India. If the NSSED wishes to commemorate my father's 100th Birth Anniversary, don't you think that making his birthday (28th January) a 'red letter' day in the Government of Nagaland's official calendar and naming it "Dr. T. Ao Day" or "Naga Youth Day", should suffice? It won't cost the Nagaland Government a paise over the margin. After all, he did bring great honour to the Nagas as a whole. However, let the State School Education Department do as it deems fit and proper. It should be noted, however, that State School Education Department did not take the sentiments of Dr. T. Ao’s family into consideration. His widow, after all, still remains alive.
