Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu speaking at the funeral service of Prof Dr D Kuolie on September 10.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 10
Prof Dr D Kuolie, Secretary General, Ura Academy passed away on September 10 in Kohima.
He was former Advisory Member, North East Oral Literature, Vice President, Tribal Literary Forum of India (2008-2014), president, Tribal Literary Forum of India (2014-2018) and Life Member-Linguistic Society of India.
Former Chief Minister of Nagaland and Ura Academy president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu spoke at the funeral service held at Chedema village.
Expressing sadness over the sudden demise of Prof Dr Kuolie, Dr Shurhozelie said “I remember Prof D Kuolie as a young and energetic man, full of great talents with immense potential to contribute to society.”
Dr Shurhozelie said that Prof D Kuolie earned Master’s degrees in three fields: English, Linguistics, and Tenyidie, adding that he was also awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy in Linguistics.
“I believe he stands as one of the most learned men in the Tenyimi society,” he said.
“It is worth recalling that in the early years of Ura Academy, when the Tenyidie subject was institutionalized and introduced at the college level, Prof D Kuolie was the right man for the task. He became a lecturer at Kohima College, teaching the subject of Tenyidie,” Dr. Shurhozelie said.
In 1990, he began overseeing Tenyidie literature and was a pioneer in introducing the Tenyidie language as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program, which eventually led to its inclusion at Nagaland University in 1997, Dr Shurhozelie said.
“The milestones achieved by the department to date are largely due to Prof D Kuolie’s relentless efforts,” he said.
Other who spoke at the funeral service include chairman, Chedema Village Council, Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, HoD, Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University, Chedema Baptist Church pastor Razouvolie Usou, Viketoulie Tsira and Dr. Kevizonuo Kuolie Tsira.
Prof Dr D Kuolie (16-09-1956 to 10-09-2024) served as Headmaster, Govt Middle School, Chedema-1981-1990, lecturer in Kohima College, Kohima 1990-1997, lecturer & Head in-charge, Department of Tenyidie, Nagaland University 1997-1999, Senior Lecturer & Head in-charge, Dept of Tenyidie, Nagaland University 1999-2002 & Head in-charge till 2012, Associate Professor & Head, Dept Of Tenyidie up to 2013, Professor & Head, Dept Of Tenyidie & Linguistic up to July 2016, Professor & Head Department of Linguistic till September 2021.
He was Chairman, Ura Academy, Tenyidie Text Book Division, 1998, member, Nagaland State Library Committee, 2016, Member, Nagaland State Library State Language Policy Framing Committee, 2016 Member, Nagaland State Research Board, SCERT, 2017.
In community office, he was Chairman, Chedema Village Council (1980-81), Secretary, Chedema Village Development Board (1981-82), Chairman, Village Education Committee (2005-2008).
He was editor of Ura Dze (A monthly Tenyidie Literary Journal) from 1994.
He received award of Bhasha Samman 2005-Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), New Delhi and Governor's Award for Literature (2007).
