C Thsarubla Sangtam, known as Nagaland's tallest girl, dies at 27

DIMAPUR — C Thsarubla Sangtam, who was known as Nagaland's tallest girl at 6 feet 10 inches, passed away at her home in Mokokchung on October 31, just 26 days after celebrating her 27th birthday.

Born on October 5, 1999, to J Chokhase Sangtam and Rebecca Sangtam, she had moved to Mokokchung with her family when she was a month old.

Thsarubla had been diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder caused by excessive production of growth hormone, usually due to a tumour in the pituitary gland. The condition was detected in 2009 following an MRI scan at Zion Hospital & Research Centre, Dimapur, and led to an abnormal growth spurt after she turned 10.

Eastern Mirror had reported on her life and struggles in 2018. According to the earlier report, persistent headaches, joint pain and other complications forced her to discontinue her studies after Class 10, despite aspiring to become a veterinary doctor. She spent much of her life confined to her home.

Her height also brought everyday difficulties. She struggled to find clothes and footwear that fitted her, while her six-foot-long bed was too short, forcing her to sleep diagonally. Her father had special footwear made by a cobbler in Dimapur, while her mother stitched her clothes.

In an earlier interaction with this newspaper, Thsarubla had spoken of her wish to live a normal life, saying she felt uncomfortable going out because people stared at her.

She was assisted by the Care & Support Society, Mokokchung, which helped her obtain certification as a person with disabilities.

She is survived by her parents and sister. Her funeral service was held on November 1 in Mokokchung.