I read, on the 15th Sept, 2017 instant, in the laudable Eastern Mirror, that the Nagaland State School Education Department (NSSED) has proposed to re-name the Govt. High School, Changki, Mokokchung after my father, (late) Dr.T.Ao. It is indeed commendable that such honour should be bestowed. However, if the said department did a little research, I believe that that honour should be given to my ‘Abazumba’ NoksangyubaNingdangri. While in service, it was he who was pivotal in establishing the said High School in Changki.
The Impur Mission Centre, Mokokchung, has already honoured my late father by proposing that a Sports Stadium there be named after my father. The authorities of Impur at least had the decency to request my mother, Mrs.TAo (widow of Dr.T.Ao) for that honour. My mother gave them the permission to do so, with her blessings, but it has yet to materialise due to financial constraints.
We are not the public, per se, but Dr.T.Ao’s own flesh and blood and are not objecting to the said proposal. But I believe that credit should be given where it is due. And that the said Govt. High School should be named after my ‘Abazumba’, the late Noksangyuba. If the NSSED wishes to commemorate my father’s 100th Birth Anniversary, I should think that making his birthday (28th January) a ‘red letter’ day in the Govt. of Nagaland’s official calendar and name it “Dr.T.Ao Day” or “Naga Youth Day”, should suffice. It won’t cost the Nagaland Govt. anything over the margin.
However, let the NSSED do as it deems fit and proper.
And in the observation of the witty, honourable and insightful ‘uncle’ Thepfulouvie Solo (rtd.IFS) : I hope that I have not over-dosed or under-dosed but have given the right dose.
A. Tally,
Late Dr.T.Ao’s son
