Meet the recipients of State Senior Citizen Award 2026

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 5

The Nagaland Department of Social Welfare recently conferred the prestigious State Senior Citizen Award 2026 to Prof Alongla P Aier and Dr LM Murry. The award was handed over by Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen in the presence of Limawabang Jamir, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Tosheli Zhimomi, Director, Department of Social Welfare during the state level observance of International Day of Older Persons in Kohima on October 1.

Alongla P Aier
Prof. Aier is a distinguished educationist, theologian, social worker and advocate for the empowerment of women and girls in Nagaland. Prof. Aier, born on December 8, 1954, is a distinguished educationist, theologian, social worker and advocate for the empowerment of women and girls in Nagaland. She is married to Wati Aier and has two children. 

She is Professor Emeritus of English and Communications at the Oriental Theological Seminary, Bade, Chumoukedima, Nagaland, where she served for 27 years before retiring in 2020. In recognition of her dedicated service and significant contribution to the ministry and public witness of the Church, Oriental Theological Seminary conferred upon her the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoraris casa).

Prior to her tenure at Oriental Theological Seminary, Prof. Aier also served as a lecturer at Kohima College from 1975 to 1980, at Clark Theological College from 1987 to 1991 and as Adjunct Faculty at Patkai Christian College from 1991 to 1993.

Prof. Aier’s commitment to society extends well beyond the classroom. In 2001, she co-founded Sisterhood Network, an organisation working to empower marginalised women and girls through a value- based approach. She subsequently served as its Director for several years. Sisterhood Network is currently working in several urban settings and 19 rural communities in Dimapur, Peren, Chumoukedima and Niuland Districts of Nagaland.

She has also served in various national and international capacities, including as a member of the National Society and Board of World Vision India, member of the Haggai Institute, Secretary of Governing Board, Imliyanger Memorial Center, Dimapur from 2005-2015, facilitator and mentor in Langham Partnership Preaching initiative in Nagaland, Member of Governing Board, Miqlat, NBCC Women Department, Member of Board of New Woman Ministry, Shillong and as Brand Ambassador for Nagaland under the Poshan Abhiyaan Mission in 2018.

She is also a recipient of the 10th Martha Farrell Awards for Excellence in Women's Empowerment and Gender Justice and Human Rights Defenders and Brave Front for effective Covid-19 response.

At present, Prof. Aier is associated with Oriental Theological Seminary as Professor Emerita, serves on the Governing Board of Patkai Christina College and is member/faculty of HIAAD, Haggai Dimapur chapter.

Dr. LM Murry
Dr. Murry is a distinguished medical professional, whose life has been dedicated to medical service, humanitarian work, community welfare and Christian ministry. Dr. LM Murry was born in 1932. He was married to Lt. Abeny Murry and has 5 children and 5 Grandchildren. He completed his MBBS degree in 1959 from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh.

In 1961, he was appointed as an Assistant Surgeon Grade-I at Naga Hospital, Kohima in a Class II Gazetted post. Murry obtained his Master of Surgery from King George's Medical College, Lucknow where he studied from April 1963 to May 1965.

He subsequently served as a surgical Specialist at Naga Hospital, Kohima. He underwent training in Plastic surgery in the United Kingdom from January 1970 to 1971. In December 1980, he was promoted to the position of Director of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland.

Following decades of dedicated services, he subsequently retired from Government service in June 1989. From 1990 to June 1996, Dr. served as the General Director of Christian Medical Centre, Vankhosung, Wokha where he dedicated his services to the people of his home district and neighbouring areas particularly those with limited access to specialist medical care.

From November 1996 to 1998, he served as a General Medical Officer at Korean Mission Hospital, Kauri Shankar General Hospital, Dolakha, Nepal. From 1999 to 2003, he worked as a Physician Trainer at the National Health Training Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, under United States Agency International Development (USAID).

During this period, he also served as a missionary doctor in Nepal while pursuing his commitment to Christian service and ministry. From 2005 to 2015, he served as the chairperson and an active member of the Okotso Mission Society, which has undertaken humanitarian and charitable activities in different parts of India, particularly the downtrodden and marginalised communities.

He is also one of the founding and active members of the Senior Citizens Association Nagaland (SCAN), where he previously served as an Executive member and currently serves as an Advisor. He continues to be an active senior member of the Nagaland Senior Retired Doctors Association (NSRDA).

At present, Dr. Murry continue to devote his time to writing Christian books. Some of his books included; “The God of History,” “A Response to God’s Calling,” “ Baptist Heritage in Nagaland,” “ Reflection on the book of Daniel,” “ Baptist Church Renewal,” “A new Frontier of Baptist Church in Nagaland” and “ The role of laity in the Church.”