ITANAGAR, Apr 3: Pasang Wangchuk Sona, the former Assembly Deputy Speaker & State Cabinet Minister and father of the present Assembly Speaker Pasang D. Sona passed away at his Mechuka residence on Friday morning after a prolonged illness.
Death of the former Deputy Speaker & Minister has cast a pall of gloom over the political and administrative fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh and condolence messages have poured in all throughout the day. 
Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) while conveying his condolence said with Sona’s demise the state has lost a prominent political leader and great Arunachalee. In his condolence message to Late Sona’s son, the current Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona, Governor said he was an eminent social activist who made immense contributions towards the socio-economic development of the state in various capacities during a long and distinguished political career.
He was a public figure of distinction, a visionary and a pioneer of democratic values in Arunachal Pradesh, Governor said. “In this hour of crisis, I join all Arunachalees to pray to the Almighty to give the members of the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and pray for eternal peace of the departed soul,” his message read.
Deeply mourning the sad demise of Pasang Wangchuk Sona, Chief Minister Pema Khandu in his condolence message to his son P D Sona, the current LA Speaker wrote: “With extreme grief, I write to share the pain of losing a prominent personality of political history of Arunachal Pradesh. In his demise, our state has lost a first generation leader who led from the front and his work for the downtrodden and needy will always be remembered. I pray Lord Buddha to bestow you with enough strength to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace in heavenly abode.”  
Arunachal unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) has deeply mourned the sad demise of the former Deputy Speaker & Minister. Its State President Gicho Kabak, Legislature Party leader Tapuk Taku, Vice-President & Spokesperson Nima Sangey Saling along with other office bearers have extended condolences. 
Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat in its condolence letter said the state will remember Late Sona as an educated personality, social worker and a lover of games and sports among other qualities and his death is an irreparable loss for entire Arunachal Pradesh.
Born in 1951 at Mechuka in Shi-Yomi district, Late Pasang Wangchuk Sona graduated from St. Edmund’s College Shillong at a time when his native place was considered as one of the remotest place even without any road communication. He began his political career as a student leader and held the post of the President, Mechuka Students’ Union during 1965-67 and actively participated in various social works.
Late Sona served as the Deputy Speaker, APLA from January 1980-January 1985 after getting elected to the then UT Legislative Assembly in 1980 from the 33rd Mechuka Assembly Constituency. He served in the State Cabinet in capacity of the Minister for Mines & Minerals and Cooperation & Food & Civil Supplies respectively from 1995 to 1999.  He also served as the Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board (SPB) from 1992 to 1995. Being an intellectual, he led the society in various capacities such as Treasurer, All Arunachal Pradesh Buddhist Society, Chairman, Mechuka Buddhist Society, Chairman, Library Committee etc. He is survived by three sons, one daughter and grandchildren.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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