Pradeep Kumar

ITANAGAR, Oct 12: Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) led by President Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi felicitated its founder member-cum-state’s pioneer journalist Pradeep Kumar Behera at a function in Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Thursday before his departure to his native state Odisha.
The APLS was set up in 2006 by a group of literature enthusiasts with Thongchi, Mamang Dai and Behera as president, general secretary and publicity secretary respectively with motto "Start Writing Keep Writing" that had spread a wave across the state for growth of literary activities.
Reading out the citation, Thongchi said, “Behera came here in 1983 to serve in Donyi-Polo Vidya Bhawan and launched weekly English Echo of Arunachal on  20.02.88 when there was no newspaper in this remote state for vibrant growth of journalism. He also served as Editor of  The Arunachal Times, Arunachal Front and now Arunachal Observer besides as stringer of UNI, PTI and ANI consulting Editor (NE), writing in magazines and periodicals as columnist to become a god fatherly figure to motivate and guide young scribes. 
He was instrumental in activating APC and serve as its president for two terms and now chief advisor including of Aruanachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists besides chief advisor of Aruanachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
He was also part of 25-member national team to accompany then President Pratibha Devising Patil during tour to United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Damascus and  Syria in 2010 besides visiting few other countries and interviewing former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam twice.
But, his motivation, particularly creative writing and composing poem in various languages on the spot, had popularized APLS across the state to inspire young writers that facilitated growth of literature and journalism, Thongchi said before lauding his wife Kalpalata Behera for supporting him.
“Adami musafir hai aata hai jaata hai, Aate jaate raste me yade chhod jaata hai (Man being mortal, gets born and die but leaves behind memories)” which sometime are indelible for others to emulate, said state’s  first Chief Minister Prem Khandu Thungan after felicitating Behera as chief guest to the thunderous applause of gathering including APLS members and scribes .  
Behera is the glittering example of adages "As you sow, so shall you reap" as during those tough days without any facilities in this state dared to face all challenges while endearing all Arunachal communities, including the Nyishi, for which the Arunachalees made him what he is today, Thungon said, adding that the masses were aware that he would not harm the state or any tribe.
Pointing out that Behera had obtained a Diploma in Mass Communication from INGOU in this state, he recalled as to how Arunachal with only college JNC and night college in DNGC when he was CM, had contributed in setting up of IGNOU by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Recalling his experience about functioning of secretary up to Cabinet secretary when he was Union minister, Thungon lauded Capital DC Talo Potom doing quite well as first citizen of a district and urged him to maintain the tempo.
Potom, speaking as the guest of honour, said that Behera was adopted by Tarh, Bamang and Bengia tribes reflecting their love for him. He was instrumental in formation of Tani Jagriti Foundation for protecting and promoting Donyi-Poloism “as he had approached me in writing during 1992 Donyi Polo Day celebration”.  Behera has been a multilingual spot poet but served a beacon to provoke others by his thought provoking creative writings which would continue to inspire all in the state, said APLS former general secretary Tokong Pertin.
Terming Behera as legend, APC vice president Bengia Ajum recalled that he along with late Ravindran and late Taro Chatung by their services had turned the prevailing harsh situation favourable for journalism. He recalled his 1999 report that had invited wrath as there was vast difference between Delhi and state journalism then, he recalled.  
Informing about her write up on Yeti sent to Echo, Mamang Dai recalled that Behera had met her and persuaded to return to the state. “When I first served for Sentinel and then Hindustan Times, Telegraph and Arunachal Times, Behera was only non-local journalist in the state to give a new turning to the profession,” she added.
DNGC principal Dr M Q Khan recalled appointment of 14 lecturers on adhoc basis in 1989 and he had joined the college on 15.10.89 and every two-month used to run from pillar to post for service extension when Behera and late Ravindran had highlighted their agonies and fought for them with forceful writing facilitating their regularization. “I convey deep gratitude to you on behalf of all of them,” Dr Khan added.   
 IPR secretary Nyali Ete termed him as “too pushing while questioning as a journalist”, IPR director Onyok Pertin described him as a “multi-faceted personality” while former APLS AGS Dr Pekba Ringu recalling his association since mid-1980s, “He along with late V Ravindran served as philosopher and guide for GenNext.” 
APLS general secretary Mukul Pathak, while terming Behera “unstoppable”, said that he dedicate 41 years to the state through journalism, APLS and other NGOs, which would always be remembered.
  Behera, while recalling few past reports, like JK Rifles Hav Shere Thapa killing 175 PLA jawans in Tama Chug Chung sector of Upper Subansiri district, defined media as ‘Mein’ ‘Diya” and urged media friends to project Arunachal or Nilalaya in right perspective, particularly Tawang Monastery, Bhismak Nagar, Malinithan, especially Dewakota shrine, where. Guru Rimpoche, 2nd Buddha, has hidden many sacred treasures. The shrine 40-km Tuting in Upper Siang district remain submerged under Nyigong River. This would woo religions tourists to tap state’s vast tourism potentials, he said, 
  He termed  Thongchi as a living Buddha to win Sahitya Akademi Award-2005 for his Assamese novel Mauna Outh Mukhar Hriday (Silent lips, Murmuring Heart) and conferred with Padma Shri in 2020 for his work in the field of literature and education.
 Behera said that he might go away physically but his soul would remain in Arunachal and wished to be take birth in the state in next life after reciting his self-composed poem.

---

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

<< Back to News List