Salangtem GMS celebrates literary day in memory of former English teacher

Morung Express News
Mokokchung| November 7
 

The Salangtem Government Middle School, Mokokchung celebrated its literary day in memoriam of Late Taliakum Pongen who passed away early this year in February. Late Taliakum was an English teacher in Salangtem GMS and was a strong pillar of the school.  

The literary day had two sessions where the first session was a formal programme dedicated to Late Taliakum. In the formal programme, Toshisenla of Class 8 and Imkongsashi of class 4 read an ode and dedicated a song for their dear departed teacher.  

Chubamenla, Head Teacher, Salangtem GMS while reminiscing the life of an exceptional teacher, said that Late. Taliakum was a committed and passionate teacher who was a visionary and had an innovative thinking whose talents and enthusiasm inspired many people especially his students. His charm was not only in dedicating his service towards the society through his works but also caring for his students and nurturing them with his talents.  

Mariam, a class 6 student remembered her Sir as someone who was more a friend than a teacher and as someone who taught them how to sing. She remembered him as a teacher who would come to school in his unusual car and enlightened them with new ways of teaching and learning.  

Family members of Late Taliakum who attended the event said that hosting the literary day in memory of their son was of highest honour and greatest blessing for the family. They encouraged the students to learn from his life and wished that his works and his love will inspire and encourage everyone. The family members wished that the school will produce many students the like of Late Taliakum.  

The second session of the literary day witnessed competitions in various events which included declamation, speech, solo, painting and synchronized Bible reading. Students from class one to eight participated in the various competitions held.  

Celebrating life of an inspirational soul

Longrangty Longchar

Mokokchung | November 7  

‘…in life some souls touches the hearts of many, briefly but deeply and leave forever, only to let their deeds to sway in the air and echo in the valleys, warming the hearts with a sigh.’  

Such was the scene at Government Middle School, Salangtem as they held their Literary Day in memoriam of one its teachers, Late Taliakum Pongen, who passed away in early February this year.  

The school students, of all classes, wrote glowing tributes to their departed teacher and pasted it on the walls of Salangtem Community Hall where the function was held. The love of the students for their departed teacher was evident through their simple but emotional writings as prose or poetries; one had even pasted the Hymn - It is well with my soul - which the favorite hymn of the deceased.  

For the uninitiated (or to recap) Late Taliakum Pongen (1982-2017) was a prominent citizen of Mokokchung town. He was an alumnus of Fazl Ali College and did his masters at Hyderabad University. He was a multi-talented person.  

He was a poet, a singer, a song-writer, a painter, a teacher, a youth leader (he was holding the post of Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem general secretary), a church leader, a humanist and also a writer. There are not many who do not know who Late Taliakum Pongen was or is. He passed away on February 2, 2017 after he was grievously injured in a car accident.  

The formal programme GMS Salangtem today was beset with emotions. A Class – VIII student, Toshisenla recited a poem (in Ao language) remembering and paying rich tribute to her departed teacher. Head Teacher, Chubamenla, while reminiscing about the days gone by, said that her association with Late Taliakum has made her ‘feel as a better person and a wiser person’. She wished that there were many people like the Late Taliakum. Calling her former colleague as a ‘friend, a teacher and a son’, the head teacher said that Late Taliakum was a committed, passionate, innovative and visionary teacher. She vividly narrated how the deceased colleague ‘would strum the guitar and induce all the teachers to sing with him’ and also inspire the teachers.  

Another student, Mariam of Class VI also paid rich tribute to her former English teacher. She especially mentioned how Late Taliakum would use different modern gadgets like computers, films and other innovative methods to make the students learn in a congenial environment. “He was more of a friend than a teacher…” said the young student.  

A short speech was also delivered by a relative of Late Taliakum who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the school for organizing the Literary Day in memory of the departed soul. A teacher disclosed that the Literary Day was being held in the school after being initiated by Late Taliakum while serving in the school.  

In the second session, different literary activities like solo, synchronized Bible reading, speech (or elocution) competition etc were held.  

(Note: The writer, because of long association with Late Taliakum from the college days till has death, has put in some information from personal experience in this feature story.)