Book on former Nagaland Chief Secretary Late Temjen Toy released

KOHIMA — Almost three years after the demise of former Nagaland Chief Secretary Late Temjen Toy, a book titled "Not just another bureaucrat: Temjen Toy as I knew him" was released on Friday.

Written by Limawati Longchar, the book celebrates the life of Late Temjen Toy.

Sharing his thoughts about the book during the launch event at Hotel Japfu in Kohima, Longchar said he wanted people to celebrate the life of former Nagaland Chief Secretary instead of mourning his "untimely demise".

He said that his friend Late Temjen Toy had lived his life to the fullest after contributing his best for the state.

The author wished people ‘remember him as someone who gave his all for our people’. Many people still feel very sad about the untimely demise, ‘but I wanted it to be something else; I wanted it to be a celebration of his life', Longchar said.

The author, who is also a retired director of Information and Public Relations department, said the book was the outcome of his three decades of association with Late Temjen Toy.

He said that he had been contemplating to write this book for two years but could not put it into action for so long. He finished it in just two weeks once he started but proofreading and collecting photographs took him about five months.

Releasing the book, the incumbent State Chief Secretary, J Alam, fondly remembered late Temjen Toy as "not an ordinary bureaucrat". The very fact that this book was written after three years of his demise and with so many people attending the book release itself is a testimony to the legacy of Late Temjen Toy, he said. 

He recalled his association with his predecessor since 1997, when they used to exchange notes amid the "turbulent times" and signing of ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the government of India, as well as infighting among the Naga political groups.

Back then, Temjen Toy was the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung while Alam was the DC of Tuensang. He recalled receiving "confirmed threats" to their life. "We don't know whether we will come out of the districts alive," he said.

They also worked together for almost a year before Temjen Toy passed away.

He introduced a few officers he relied upon and those officers are probably the best officers (I have worked with), Alam added.