T Senka Ao (File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 25
Former editor and eminent personality in the field of literature, education, a social work and conflict resolution, T Senka Ao on January 25 was conferred Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
An official release from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs informed that Ao (76) received the award in the category of Literature & Education.
Born in Mokokchung Town on June 6, 1945, Ao was popularly known for his 20 years stint as the Editor in Chief of Ao Milen, the oldest Newspaper in Nagaland started in 1933.
During the same, he was credited for creating the famous ‘Alokba’ character, known for his witty commentary on social and current issues.
Besides many articles in various publications, he has authored nine books in Ao language and one is in press, according to family sources. Two of his book “Kongro Lijen (The Abode of the Maidens) and Kishi Tezulen (Off the Doorway) is in the process of translation into English.
Source: http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/
Ao’s books are included in the syllabus of the Ao Language in ICSE and ISC Board New Delhi, and up to class 10 under Nagaland Board of School Education. He is an examiner of Arrangtet Examination which is the highest Ao Language Degree. He is the recipient of Nagaland Governor’s Award in Literature in the year 2016.
Apart from literature, Ao has been pivotal in bringing peace and understanding between the warring rivals during many communal crises and feuds.
He was a member of Peace Committee in solving communal feud between Aos and Sumis in 1981 as well as member of Peace Committee 1985 during the violent confrontation between Assam and Nagaland at Merapani. He was pivotal in the formation of Joint People Forum having representation from both Nagaland and Assam in collaboration with District Administration.
In the role of a social worker he was elected as a member of the Mokokchung Town Committee, a member of the All India Radio Campaign in Mokokchung in 1972.
Ao did his matriculation from Government High School Mokokchung and graduated in 1969 from St Anthony’s College, Shillong, then under Gauhati University.
He has been a very active participant in public life since his student’s days holding posts as President, Naga Student’s Union Shillong (1968-1969), President, Mokokchung Town Student’s Union (1964-1965) and President, Ao Student’s Conference (1973-1976).
In the field of Education, he was the Joint Secretary in the Voluntary Adult Education Campaign in Mokokchung District (1975-1979). He was also the founder of the Model Night School at Mokokchung in 1972. The school was started to felicitate the surrendered Naga political workers who desired for the continuation of their educational career.
The school successfully enrolled many personnel and at present the school felicitates the housewives, servant and less privilege people for their education, as per the family account.
Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
In 2022, a total of 4 Padma Vibhushan and 21 Padma Bhushan were announced by the MHA. In the Padma Shri, there were 107 awardees.
These awards would be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year, the MHA release added.
