Former MP Rano Shaiza passes away

Many leaders and organisations including Governor, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, SC Jamir, KV Pusa, NPF, Tangkhul Hoho condole

EMN Dimapur, April 1 Rano Mese Shaiza, former MP from Nagaland, passed away in her afternoon nap at 2pm on Wednesday at their family home in Kohima. She was 86 and is survived by one son and two daughters and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was born on November 11, 1928 and was a member of Lok Sabha in 1977 becoming the first and only woman from Nagaland till date to be elected to any legislative house. She was also the first president of the Naga Women Federation of the Naga National Council (NNC), and was a member of the first Naga goodwill mission to Assam in 1953. Besides her pcareer in politics late Rano Shaiza was also an educationist and an active social worker. She was the second headmistress of the then Baptist English School, and until today was running a school at their home in Kohima. She was also a founding member of the Naga Mothers Association (NMA). Meanwhile, the funeral service will be held at the Ura Academy Hall, Kohima at 12 noon on April 2. Meanwhile, many leaders including Governor of Nagaland P B Acharya, the Governor of Odisha S C Jamir, Chief Minister T R Zeliang, Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, Congress leader K V Pusa have expressed their sorrow on the demise of Rano Shaiza. In his condolence message P B Acharya said he was very sad to hear about the passing away of Rano M. Shaiza, former Member of Lok Sabha. P B Acharya said Rano Shaiza was a proud leader of Nagaland and the lone woman Member of Parliament who represented the State in the Parliament. “She will always be remembered for her contribution to the welfare of the people of Nagaland. In her demise, we have lost a tall and prominent leader,” said the Governor. “I convey my heartfelt condolences to you and other members of the family and pray to the Almighty God to grant them strength to bear the irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in peace,” the condolence message of P B Acharya added. T R Zeliang: In his message the Chief Minister said was sorry and sad to hear the news of the demise of Rano M. Shaiza, former MP (Lok Sabha) of Nagaland in Kohima on Wednesday. According to T R Zeliang, Rano M. Shaiza was born and brought up in a political family, and had her early ‘baptism’ in Naga nationalist movement. She became the first and only woman president of United Democratic front (UDF) Party in 1971, which was followed by her election as the first woman MP from the lone Nagaland constituency in the year 1977, in the aftermath of the Emergency, declared by Indira Gandhi in 1975. This was a great achievement, given the fact that even after 38 years of her election as MP, and after 50 years of Nagaland Statehood, Nagaland has so far not been able to produce any other woman MP or MLA till date. Rano M. Shaiza raised many important Naga issues in the Parliament, thereby proving before the world that Naga women are second to none. She also engaged herself in many social activities for the advancement of the people, stated the Chief Minister. “In her death, Nagaland has lost its pioneer woman politician and a social and political activist. The void creates by her death would be difficult to fill,” the Chief Minister added. “On my own behalf, and on behalf of my family and the people of Nagaland, I convey my heartfelt condolence to the children, grandchildren and relatives of Smti Rano M. Shaiza. May God grant them the strength and courage to bear this tragedy. May her soul rest in peace,” said the message of T R Zeliang. Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio said he was deeply saddened to hear of the demise of ‘Apfü Rano Shaiza’, former Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagaland. Late Apfü was a Member of the Lok Sabha in 1977 becoming the first and only woman from Nagaland till date to be elected to any legislative house, stated Rio. “She was a path breaker, a pioneer and a nation builder. She was an inspiration to all sections of society, especially to women as she proved through her works and actions that Naga women are on par with all others. Hers was a life dedicated towards the cause of society and upliftment of the people’s welfare. Hard work, confidence and fearlessness in the face of challenges were qualities which left lasting impression on those who knew her including myself. Her clarity of vision and determination of purpose along with her simplicity and down to earth nature are qualities which endeared her to one and all,” said Rio in his condolence message. According to the Lok Sabha MP, Rano was a very special person to him as she was his head mistress in school, a political mentor and a part and parcel of his family. “I had the privilege of working closely with her when I was the youth president of the UDF when she contested and won the Lok Sabha elections. I had always looked up to her for guidance from my school days and it is indeed a significant coincidence that she has passed away at a time when I had followed in her footsteps in becoming a member of the Lok Sabha,” stated Rio. “I shall always cherish the many years of my association with her and look back at the numerous fond memories our family and I have shared with her over the past decades,” the message of Rio added. Neiphiu Rio then said late ‘Apfü Rano Shaiza’ was an inspiration to one and all, especially to women. She provided the Naga people with clear and confident leadership during a very difficult time of our history and her record remains unblemished. Her place in our history is assured and her contributions towards our people and towards the cause of nation building will be written in letters of gold. “My family members join me in conveying our deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty God that her departed soul rest in eternal peace,” the message prayed. Former Chief Minister of Nagaland and Governor of Odisha S C Jamir has expressed deep shock on learning about the passing away of Rano Shaiza. In his condolence message, Jamir said from a very young age, she had chosen a path that very few could ever fancy. With a burning desire to serve Nagaland and her people, she was deeply involved in the Naga political movement, Jamir stated. He said that with the passage of time, her commitment and single-minded devotion to the movement was evident and she became a leading light for the woman community in the struggle. Her love and concern for the people was unparallel. According to S C Jamir, Rano Shaiza was the first women who represented the Naga people in Indian Parliament. She earned respect from other MPs for her spirit. Her participation in all activities focussing on the welfare of the people of Nagaland was always complete, the Odisha Governor added. “In her demise, the people have lost one of their acknowledged leaders whose legacy will continue to inspire the youth in general and young women in particular. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray that her soul rests in peace,” the message of S C Jamir said. Chairman Political Affairs Committee (PAC), NPCC and member AICC K V Pusa in his message said Rano Shaiza was not only the first woman MP from the state but she had also inspired many young Nagas to join politics during her time. As MP she had stood and voiced for the welfare of Naga people in all aspects which will never go in vain. Mrs. Rano Shaiza was also upright, clean and honest Naga leader who had worked for the Nagas in her entire life. She was one of the exceptional Naga leaders which the state has produced so far. With her demise the Nagas have lost a tall leader, Pusa added. Shurhozelie led NPF: Fraternity of the Naga People’s Front is deeply grieved by the news of the demise of Rano Shaiza at Kohima, said the NPF led by Shurhozelie. Closely associated with the first political Democratic Party of Nagaland, United Front of Nagaland (UFN) and United Democratic Front (UDF), Rano Shaize was appointed as the President of the party in February 1973, said the message of the NPF. Late Rano contested and won the lone seat for Nagaland in the 6th Lok Sabha in March 1977, creating history by becoming the first (and so far the only) Naga lady to become a Member of Parliament. “She was instrumental in lobbying the Christian MPs in Parliament against a Private Member’s Bill, namely Freedom of Religion Bill, which was passed by OP Tyagi. The said Bill was detrimental and against the rights of the Christian community in India, and was ultimately not passed, it added. “In her death, we have lost a strong leader whose contributions towards people’s welfare as an educationist, women leader and a politician who advocated for a peaceful solution to the long standing Indo-Naga political problem.” The president, Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu and members of the NPF family extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that the departed soul rest in peace. The rank and file of Noke led NPF expressed deep pained to hear of the demise of former MP( Lok Sabha) Late Rano Shaiza. According to the party, she was the first and only woman to be elected to any legislative position from Nagaland. She was also the president of the UDF and was a pioneering person in all aspects. “Her entire life was dedicated to the service of the people and she has made significant contributions in the progress of Naga society. Even after her passing away, she remains an inspiration to young and old and she will continue to inspire all future generations as her legacy and position in the annals of Naga history is unquestionable. We will always recollect her contributions and all sections of our society should imbibe her virtues of courage, confident leadership and commitment to the people.” “We convey our deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty God to let her soul rest in peace,” it stated. The Tangkhul body said it is grieved to learn about the demise of Ms Rano Shaiza former, Member of Parliament and wife of late Lungshim Shaiza. According to THN, late Ms Rano Shaiza was not only a good wife to her late husband and a mother to her children, but she was an extraordinary woman, a larger than life character, a mother to the whole Naga community who had worked tirelessly and done a lot for the Nagas. “Many people come into our lives. However, they leave no footprints in our hearts but aunty Rano Shaiza came and brought us all together and left a legacy. She will always be remembered as a great soul,” THN stated. “Grief can be so hard, but the THN prays that our special memories about her, will, with time, help us cope and overcome the sadness and pain”. “We also pray that peace and comfort find place in the hearts of the bereaved family members during this difficult time. May her soul rest in peace,” the message stated.