BOLUNG, Mar 27: A simple but fitting floral tribute was held here today to commemorate the 25^th death anniversary of Late Gora Pertin, the first pro-tem speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly who passed away on 27^th March 1992. The commemoration was attended by family members of Gora Pertin, executive members of Kepang Erang Kebang (KEK) and under its banner, representatives from Pertin Bodum Bane Kebang, Ratan Welfare Society, Perme Kening Welfare Society, Tinling Borang Kebang and Perying Erang Kebang.

Terming him as one of the towering personalities of the Adi society, the Kepang Erang Kebang announced to commemorate his death anniversary from every year henceforth. Gora Pertin was also instrumental in making the de-reservation of Deopani Reserve Forest a success – the only one in entire Arunachal to be de-reserved till date- by initiating the process in his tenure as MLA, Roing constituency in the early seventies. Arunachal is dotted with numbers of such randomly created reserved forests since the time of British rule by authorities who were oblivious of migratory pattern of tribal groups and their close affinity with forest areas.

Calling this act of him as foresightedness beyond time, Head Gaon Burah of Bolung Osup Dai said “Today we are all enjoying the fruits of his labour. Every person in this district needs to appreciate the sacrifices he made to make this happen. While many tribals have been ousted from their homes on the basis of legal formalities, we are still able to own, possess and use the land available to us according to our tribal rights due to his efforts”. He recalled how he singlehandedly pursued the case, travelling long distances and paying from his own pockets during the initial days. After his death, the matter was pursued by several other affected people and public leaders. But along with these people, he deserves special mention for understanding the crux of the matter and acting according to changing times because of which Deopani De-reservation has seen the light of the day, Dai asserted.

Born in 1922, Gora Pertin lost his father at an early age when the world war was raging at its peak. A self made man, he traveled all the way up to Sadiya by foot - then a major British administrative post and a hub for education - to enrol himself in school.  He worked as a labourer during holidays to fund his studies and learned the trades of business during his stay there. An enthusiastic folklorist, he often led Ponung dance troupes and was a popular Miri during festive occasions.

Gora Pertin was also instrumental in laying the foundation for resurgence of Donyi Polo movement in the eastern zone by raising his voice early on against uninformed conversion. He vociferously spoke against the practice of abandoning one’s culture and traditions on getting converted. While he faced huge opposition for carrying these views during his lifetime, the effect of his far reaching vision can be seen from the fact that most educated people today are unanimous in opinion that one need not stop following their tradition, cultures and festivals even when converting to another faith.

An entrepreneur who saw possibilities in every sphere of his life, Pertin was also associated with many first ventures to his credit. A three hundred plus seater Cinema Hall at Shantipur, Assam-Arunachal border started by him was for a very long time the highlight of every film crazy goer in the area. He was also instrumental in laying down the foundation of VKV Roing along with some of his associates by earmarking land for its construction and facilitating the school authorities to select the place. The Roing to Shantipur road, then an unmarked road was started under his initiatives.

This emphasis on quality education and respect for one’s traditions and culture has been carried forward by his children who donated land for Gora Pertin Memorial School and contributed land with other families for building Donyi Polo Gangging Siiring (prayer centre) in memory of the ideals he stood for. The family has also donated land for erection of the late doyen Bhupen Hazarika’s statue, of whom he was a close friend.

 

Later on, representatives of all the societies spoke in the commemoration. After the floral tributes, one minute silence was observed in his memory. Toni Pertin, Senior Advocate and Vice President Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) Protocol narrated the life story of his father. This was followed by a vote of thanks from Mibom Pertin, Ex ZPM Meka Block cum President ABK, Lower Dibang Valley unit and Gora Pertin’s eldest son. The commemoration was attended by all his ten children and many other 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
Phone: 0360-2212313

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