Life Well Lived: ‘Home Going Service’ honours Late Bendang Ao’s legacy

Family members and well wishers pay tribute to Late N Bendang Ao at the ‘Home Going Service’ held at his residence at Lake View Colony, Dimapur on November 3. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 3 

Family, friends and well-wishers gathered today in multitude to say their final goodbyes N Bendang Ao at a solemn ‘Home Going Service’ held here at his residence at Lake View Colony, Dimapur.  

Bendang Ao, 83, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in New Delhi, died on November 1. 

He is survived by his wife Ainla Bendang, five children and 8 grandchildren as well as distinguished professional and public service legacy, garnered in nearly 6 decades of selfless dedication. 

As the family and others bade final farewells to Late Bendang Ao, his significant contributions during his 34 years in government service, starting from his first stint as Deputy Director, Information and Publicity (IPR) to retirement as Secretary to Government of Nagaland, were recounted and celebrated. His equally rich contributions to community service were equally honoured. 

Rich legacy 
Among others, Late Bendang Ao was instrumental in starting of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), officially inaugurated by Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on October 6, 1987.  He served as its first director and earned him the sobriquet as the “institution builder.”  

During his stint in IPR, he led the Committee on Publicity during the famous (late) Billy Graham’s visit to Kohima in 1972 and was commended by the late Evangelist. 

It was informed during the funeral that late Bendang Ao also a played a big role in establishment of Kohima District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd. (KOMUL) in 1980s, later renamed as Dimapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (DIMUL), after the creation of Dimapur district in 1997. It promotes dairying and related sustainable economic activities.

Outside his professional life, he was founder –member of Clark Theological College and Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland State Branch.  

He was also a former president of Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) -1964-65 and General Secretary of Naga Students Union Shillong & All Colleges Union Shillong. 

The first Bachelor of Arts in Economics Graduate from his village Mopungchuket, Late Bendang Ao could not pursue further studies due to financial constraints and served as the Headmaster of Clark Memorial High School (CMHSS) Impur from 1963-65, and was a Patron of Clark Memorial Trust. 

Late Bendang Ao’s numerous contributions to his village and  range (Asetkong) as well as church activities, particularly to the Kohima Ao Baptist Church (KABA) were also remembered during the service. He was a recipient of the Mopungchuket Village’s Century Award (2000) for his “outstanding services to the society.” 

All along, one of the most notable aspects recounted at the ‘Home Going Service’ was Late Bendang Ao’s journey from a humble beginning to a prominent citizen, without forgetting his character and roots while adopting progressive outlook.

At the service presided by DABA Associate Pastor, Rev L Lima Jamir, glorious ‘Eulogies’ were paid, among others,  by his wife; his son, Along Longkumer, the Founding Editor of The Morung Express; in-laws and grandchildren; Kohima Ao Baptist Church (KABA); Clark Memorial Higher Secondary School (CMHSS), Impur; Lake View Colony Council; and Dimapur Mopungchuket Telongjem.

Condolences messages were also read out from various quarters including IPR, Nagaland and NEZCC.   
With final sharing of God’s word by Rev I Wati, Pastor Dimapur Ao Baptist Church  (DABA), the mortal remains of Late Bendang Ao was finally laid the rest with the Hymn, “Nearer My God, to Thee,” accompanying his ‘Home Going.’