Dimapur, January 2 (MExN): Several individuals and organisations today expressed shock and pain over the death of KV Pusa, while singing praises of the deceased politician and offering condolences to his family. Pusa, ex-minister and former president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), passed away on January 2 in Kohima.
CM: Chief Minister of Nagaland remembered Pusa as a thorough gentleman. “His personality was the epitome of humility, always approachable and ready to extend a helping hand or a word of advice to all who sought an audience with him,” the CM said in a condolence message. Profoundly dedicated and committed to his principles and beliefs, Pusa maintained an unwavering stand to his political ideologies, he added. “He was a meek and humble person who endeared himself to one and all, and was forever concerned about the welfare of the downtrodden, the deprived and the general mass. One of the first among my good old friends to congratulate and wish me well when I took over the responsibility to steer the affairs of the State Government in 2014, he was emphatic that the necessity of the time was to provide good governance to the people and that the people desired peace and development,” the message read. The CM further noted that having been closely associated with Pusa almost all his political career, he had never seen him lose his cool no matter how serious the circumstances were. Zeliang acknowledged that in his passing away, he has lost a very good and personal friend, and the Naga society has been deprived of a tall political leader.
Chotisuh Sazo: Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Chotisuh Sazo informed that Pusa was elected as Member of NLA for four consecutive terms since 1993 till 2008 and also served as Minister for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Roads & Bridges and Mechanical Engineering. “He was a man of vision and a dynamic leader who dedicated his life for the dignity and integrity amongst the Naga brothers and sisters. He was a man of multifaceted personality whose concern for social welfare and upliftment of the society led him to be associated with various social organizations. His concern for the decorum, freedom and dignity of the House earned him the reputation of an outstanding parliamentarian,” Sazo said.
CL John: Minister for RD & REPA, CL John said Pusa was one of the most sincere, hardworking citizens as well as a competent public leader with kind heart, integrity, ample bookish knowledge and vast wisdom. Further, his untiring voluntary services to society and individual will be heartily remembered by one and all, he said.
Deo Nukhu: Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu stated that KV Pusa was good at heart, a good friend of both young and old, and also a prominent Naga leader regardless of political party colour. His passing away will leave behind a vacuum not only to his constituency but to all Naga people, he added.
Nagaland Congress: The Nagaland Congress also expressed shock at the sudden demise of KV Pusa. “In his death we have lost a visionary leader and has created a vacuum which will be difficult to fill,” it said.
NPCC: NPCC President, K Therie recollected that Pusa was his classmate during 1965 to 1968 at Bhubaneshwar Sainik School. “We joined again in the 80s in the Congress organization…He was a pleasant friend and colleague. Despite of little and temporary disruption in the recent time, he had continued to be loyal to the Congress. It is regretted that AICC has kept the case pending,” Therie said. Acknowledging that he was also an efficient and effective Minister, the NPCC President further said in his death, “I have lost a personal school friend and Nagaland has lost a great leader.”
SC Jamir: Governor of Odisha, Dr. SC Jamir stated that Pusa began his political career at a young age and had the privilege of serving the people in different capacities with dignity. Jamir recollected that Pusa worked with him as a Minister and an office-bearer of the NPCC for many years. “In every responsibility he (Pusa) was assigned, he did it with sincerity and honesty. He was one of the leading lights among his peers, who served the people of Nagaland with love, devotion and commitment. He was an upcoming Naga leader, who could have served the people many more years, but life is not in our hands. At a very crucial and critical political and social firmament in the state, the Nagas will be deprived of his contributions and service,” Jamir stated. Pusa’s passing away, he acknowledged, is a great loss for the entire state and the vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill up.
PNUK: Poumai Naga Union Kohima (PNUK) also expressed shock and deep pain at the sudden demise of KV Pusa. Describing Pusa as a sincere, dedicated and humble leader, the union stated that in his demise, the Nagas have lost a great leader.
TSUD: Describing KV Pusa as one of the most sincere leaders not only in politics, but in every field, Tenyimi Student's Union Dimapur (TSUD) stated that losing a great leader like him has created a big vacuum for the Tenyimi people and Nagas in general.
Wangyuh Konyak: W Wangyuh Konyak, former Member of Parliament, pointed out that Pusa had served the people of Nagaland in many capacities. “Though he is no more with us, his contributions will always be remembered. Personally, he was a friend, a man of principles, honest and simple,” Wangyuh added. In his death, he added, the people of Nagaland and particularly Angami community have lost a good leader.
Y Patton: Expressing shock at the death, Home Minister Y Patton said the sudden demise of the former minister and veteran Congress leader is a great loss to the Nagas in general and the Angamis in particular. The void created by his untimely demise will be difficult to fill, he said.
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