Morung Express
Dimapur | October 9
Thousands of people, including family, friends, admirers and the populace of his adopted and neighbouring villages bid a dignified final farewell to Natwar Thakkar at Chuchuyimlang village on October 9.
Popularly known with the honorific Nagaland’s Gandhi, the noted social activist died on October 7 at a private hospital in Guwahati at the age of 86. He mortal remains was brought to the village the next day where people paid their last respects.
True the cohesiveness he practiced during his lifetime, the proceedings on his final day, incidentally his birthday, were held with fusion of two religions – Christianity and Hinduism.
While the formal funeral service was conducted in the morning as per ‘Christian tradition’ at the Anü Mai Amphitheatre, Chuchuyimlang village, his last rites were performed in Hindu custom in the evening near the Government High School, Chuchuyimlang Town.
Late Thakkar’s nephew from Maharashtra performed the final rites.
Earlier, it was informed that villagers from all walks of life attended the function, with all the educational as well as other institutions remaining closed to attend the funeral.
Apart for final speeches from family members, the funeral also witnessed messages by neighbouring villages’ councils – Unger and Mongsenyimti as well as Chuchuyimlang VC Chairman and Sub-Urban Station Committee Chuchuyimlang Town.
Chuchuyimlang Senso Mungdang, Langpangkong Tsükong Mungdang, Watsü Unit Chuchuyimlang, Chief Information Commissioner Nagaland and ADC Mokokchung also addressed the gathering.
The morning service concluded with the hymn, “Nearer, My God, To Thee.”
In the evening his pyre was lighted by his nephew near the high school ground.
Born on October 9, 1932, Padma Shri award winner Thakkar, who is originally from Maharashtra, migrated to Nagaland early 1950s. He opened the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram at Chuchuyimlang village, under Mokokchung district of Nagaland in 1955. He has also built a library in the village.
