ITANAGAR, May 15: Arunachal Pradesh lost one of its senior most and first-generation leader, former Minister and a founder member of the Pradesh Council, Chow Tewa Mein who breathed his last today after prolonged illness due to old age. He was 80. The late leader, elder brother of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, breathed his last while on his way to Assam's Dibrugarh on May 15. He is survived by his wife, Bijeyta Namchoom, son Tseng Tsing Mein and  daughter Sondita Mein.
Mourning the passing away of the former minister, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said in a tweet: “A noble soul and people’s voice, we have lost a great well-wisher, guide and conscience keeper. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, friends and well-wishers. May Lord Buddha grant eternal peace to the departed soul”.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Chow Tewa Mein, a respected leader and former Minister. His contributions to the state will always be remembered,” State Assembly Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona said.
He conveyed heartfelt condolences to Dy CM Chowna Mein and the entire Mein family in this difficult time.
Considered as a living legend and a statesman, he served the people of the state in various capacities and immensely contributed in the development of the State in his long political career of 47 years.  
Chow Tewa Mein was born on 31st March, 1943 at Chongkham village. He did his schooling from prestigious Don Bosco School Guwahati and graduated from B Boruah College Guwahati.
He was elected as a member of Pradesh Council in 1972. When the Pradesh Council was converted to the Provisional Legislative Assembly on August 1975, he became a Member of Provisional Legislative Assembly in 1975. In the year 1978, Chow Tewa Mein was elected from 23rd Namsai-Chowkham Assembly Constituency and became a member of the first 30 elected Members of Legislative Assembly of the State from Janata Party.
After the strength of the Legislative Assembly was increased to 60 members on attainment of statehood in the year 1987, he contested from 46th Chowkham (ST) Assembly Constituency and elected as MLA in the year 1995, 2004, 2009 and 2014. He served as the Minister of Horticulture in 1995 and as the Minister of PHE & WS in 1998. Later, he also served as Parliamentary Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development in the year 2009 and as Parliamentary Secretary of Environment & Forest from 2011-2019 till his retirement from the active politics. During his long political career of 47 years, he also served as protem speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly many times.

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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
Phone: 0360-2212313

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