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Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio speaking at the funeral service of late KV Pusa. (R) Kevi Pusa (file photo)[/caption]
Kohima, Jan. 2: Senior Congress leader and former minister, KV Pusa passed away early Monday at a private hospital in Kohima following a brief illness. He was 63 and is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren.
Pusa was a four-time MLA and had served as minister for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry (1998-1999) and minister for Roads & Bridges and Mechanical (2000-2003) during the SC Jamir regime. He also served as the president of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) in 2008-09 and was a sitting member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Other than his political career, Pusa was associated with social activities which include spearheading various students, farmers and sports organizations. He was also the chairman of Mezhür Higher Secondary School Kohima and a founding member of the Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union.
On Monday afternoon, a funeral service was held at his private residence in Old Ministers’ Hill, Kohima where hundreds of well wishers, besides relatives, came to bid their last respects to the departed leader. Among the rich tributes that were paid to Pusa by different speakers on the occasion, his humility and staunchness to principles as a public leader were the qualities that were highlighted the most.
Speaking at the funeral service, Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio described Pusa as his “childhood friend and colleague” and an able leader who gave his all to his people. He said the news of Pusa’s demise came as a shock that it is still difficult to come to terms with.
Rio recounted that not only had he and Pusa worked together in the government as legislators since 1998, but that they went to school together too when they were younger. During the course of time, he recalled, they parted ways in politics and were later even pitted against eachother during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as candidates of different political parties.
“But our friendship stood through time, through the difference in political affiliations and ideologies,” the MP reminisced.
Maintaining that Pusa was a leader who never wavered in his beliefs and had remained steadfast with his party, Rio asserted that such a leader is very rare. “He (Pusa) always fulfilled his responsibilities towards the people… I can testify that he was a true leader,” he added rather emotionally.
Echoing similar sentiments, former CLP leader and current PHE minister, Tokheho Yepthomi said it was difficult to believe that his friend Pusa is no more with us. He said Pusa was “one of the best human beings” he had known, one who had commanded all the requisite leadership qualities including great patience and tolerance.
“Today, we have lost a visionary leader…..the people of Viswema, and the Nagas in general, have lost a visionary leader,” Tokheho stated.
Fellow congressman and senior politician, I Imkong, who also delivered a brief speech at the funeral service, described Pusa a true patriot in Naga nationalism. He remembered Pusa as being ‘second to none’ in patriotism and in working for the people.
Recalling the past 28 years of working together, NPCC dissident-turned-president of newly floated Nagaland Congress, Nillo Rengma said Pusa was a humble and sociable person who was against corruption, and a man of strong determination to serve his (Naga) people besides being a strong believer in Christianity as well. In his demise, Rengma said, the people have lost one of the greatest Naga leaders who always aspired to faithfully work for the Naga people.
Former speaker, Z Lohe also shared some of his memories of working together with Pusa. He said the late leader had full of God-given wisdom and the requisite amount of rationality. “In my friend Pusa, God gave him a wonderful gift- an asset to the family, friends, villagers, and to the community of the Nagas as a whole,” he said.
Pusa’s eldest son, Dr. Elivil Pusa spoke on behalf of the family and thanked all the well wishers for their prayer support at this time of grief. Representatives of Viswema village council and youth organization also spoke on the occasion.
A condolence message from the governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, was read out during the service. A host of ministers, MLAs, public leaders, politicians and bureaucrats were amongst those who attended the funeral.
The mortal remains of the veteran politician were later taken to the native village Viswema for the final rites and burial.
Chief minister, TR Zelaing issued a condolence message on Monday expressing grief at the demise of the congress leader. “A thorough gentleman, his personality was the epitome of humility, always approachable and ready to extend a helping hand or a word of advice to all who sought an audience with him.
“Profoundly dedicated and committed to his principles and beliefs, he maintained an unwavering stand to his political ideologies. He was a meek and humble person who endeared himself to one and all, and was forever concerned about the welfare of the downtrodden, the deprived and the general mass,” the message read.
“On behalf of the people of Nagaland and my family members, I extend my profound condolences to you and your family members and pray to the Almighty to grant you solace and comfort at this hour of grief.”
In a separate statement, the speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Chotisuh Sazo recalled of Pusa as a man of vision and a dynamic leader who dedicated his life for the dignity and integrity amongst the Naga brothers and sisters.
Governor of Odisha, Dr SC Jamir also issued a condolence message. “He worked with me as a minister and an office-bearer of the party for many years. In every responsibility he was assigned, he did it with sincerity and honesty. He was one of the leading lights among his peers, who served the people of Nagaland with love, devotion and commitment,” Jamir recalled.
Parliamentary secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu remembered the late Pusa as “a good friend of both young and old and also a prominent Naga leader regardless of political party colour.” His passing away will leave behind a vacuum not only to his constituency but to all Naga people, he stated.
