Rich tributes paid to DORJEE Khandu

ITANAGAR, Apr 30: Rich tributes were paid to former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on the occasion of his first death anniversary on Monday.

Khandu had died in a tragic helicopter crash at Luguthang in Tawang district onApril 30 2011. The single-engine Pawan Hans helicopter carrying five passengers, including the then CM, had gone missing on that ill fated day 20-25 minutes after it took off from Tawang helipad. The chopper lost radio contact with the ground while it was flying overSelaPass, perched at an altitude of 13,700 feet in Tawang district. The body of Khandu and others’ were found after four days’ intense search on May 4.

In a simple function organized here at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan – the headquarters of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), senior Congress leaders including Congress Working Committee member Dr Dhaniram Shandil, AICC secretary Sanjay Bapna,APCCpresident Mukut Mithi, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his Council of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and others paid floral tributes to the portrait of late Dorjee Khandu.

APCCvice president Thupten Tempa, who talked about life and achievement of the former CM, said that in his sudden passing away, the state had lost an experienced and able leader. On the occasion, the leaders also paid homage to late Yeshi Chodak, PSO of the former CM, and three others including sister of the Tawang MLA and two pilots of the chopper.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal along with its City unit also observed the first death anniversary of the former CM at Indira Gandhi Bhawan, Naharlagun today and paid floral tributes to the portrait of late Khandu.

At Tawang, the people of Tawang district also paid glowing tributes to their beloved leader, late Dorjee Khandu, by conducting a march from the Tawang Monastery to his cremation ground at Famla.

Thousands of people gathered at Tawang monastery this morning to take part in the march and their number swelled as the 7-km-long march proceeded to the destination through the Tawang streets. All along the march the atmosphere was filled with a medley of prayer chants and the aroma of incense sticks. Earlier, the abbot of Tawang monastery, Guru Rimpoche along with other monks offered prayers for early rebirth of the departed soul in ‘Monyul’ Tawang.

At the cremation ground, 108 butter lamps were alighted by senior monks and public. Among others, late Khandu’s son, Minister (RWD & Tourism) Pema Khandu, Parliamentary Secretaries Tsewang Dhondup and Jambey Tashi, MLA Phurpa Tsering, Secretary (GA) B Deori, Tawang DC Kemo Lollen, SP S N Mosobi and district head of offices also took part and paid tributes to the former chief minister.

Goleng Monpa, on behalf of entire Khandu family, extended gratitude to people for participating in the march and offering rich tribute to the departed soul. He also recalled the enormous support rendered to the family by the people of the State during the hard time a year ago. He expressed his optimism that the people of State will remember late Khandu by carrying forward the plans and policies conceived by the visionary leader.

Meanwhile, the Lomchoe – a three-day-long ritualistic puja performed by senior monks at the private residence of late Khandu to mark his 1st death anniversary – that started on April 28 concluded today. The puja is performed with the belief that the deceased ones get ‘fast and superior rebirth’.

At Bomdila, the Buddhist community organized a day-long prayer meet to mark the first death anniversary of former CM Dorjee Khandu.

The programme started at 5 in the morning with conduction of ‘Monlam’ (prayer for peace of the departed soul) at Gontse Rabgyeling Monastery and Thubchog Gatseling Monastery by more than 300 monks. It was followed by the day-long prayer meet atBuddhaPeaceParkwhere thousands of candles were lit in honour of the departed soul. Along with the monks, a huge gathering of public attended the meet and fondly remembered their beloved leader, late Khandu. The entire town was echoed with the chanting of ‘Om Mane Padme Hung’ for peace of his departed soul and quick rebirth. The programme culminated with distribution of ‘Tsog’ (sacred offering) to the public.

People of Capital Complex too joined the rest of the State in paying rich tribute to late CM Dorjee Khandu on his first death anniversary. At the Itanagar Gompa, Buddhist monks offered prayers amid chanting of mantras for enlightenment of the departed soul. Large number of people flocked at the Gompa to pay their tributes to late Khandu. The programme, organized by the Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society, was attended among others by Chief Information Commissioner Y D Thongchi, IPR Director Leki Phuntso, IBCS president C R Khampa, AAPSU president Takam Tatung and vice president Sonam Tenzin.

The Arunachal State Badminton Association (ASBA) also observed the first death anniversary of former CM, late Dorjee Khandu at the Raj Bhawan badminton hall here today. The most popular Chief Minister was also the former president of ASBA and a big fan of sports.

Though badminton is not a popular game here in the State, under his leadership, the sport touched a new height. But his untimely demise in the tragic accident deprived the Association from his service as well as his wish to boost the sport. ASBA members paid homage to the departed soul and conveyed heart-felt condolence to the family of late Khandu. The kids, who used to gather in hundreds to enjoy Khandu hitting badminton shots in the early morning during those days, also gathered today and remembered the great fatherly figure.