Who was Major Ralengnao Khathing? Man in Whose Honour Defence Minister Inaugurated a Museum in Tawang
First Published: 31st October, 2024 19:54 IST
Jairamdas Daulatram, the then governor of Assam, ordered Khating to occupy Tawang and extend Indian administration till there.
A Naga from Manipur, Bob Khating is best known for his expedition to the remote region of Tawang in 1951 which paved the way for its integration with the rest of India.
Later, he served as Indian ambassador to Myanmar from 1972 to 1975. The officer was decorated with Military Cross, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and later with Padma Shri in 1957. Khathing became the chief secretary of Nagaland in 1967.
Khathing, who had served in the Assam Rifles, was made the Assistant Political Officer after he joined the Indian Frontier Administrative Service, which was created to administer the North East Frontier Agency (present-day Arunachal Pradesh).
At that time, Tibetans arrived in India in large numbers through various routes to escape Chinese rule and tyranny in their land. The British Indian government had attempted to extend its administration up to Tawang but never met with success.
Jairamdas Daulatram, the then governor of Assam, ordered Khating to occupy Tawang and extend Indian administration till there.
In January 1951, the Tawang expedition party set out to do their job. In the harshest of conditions presented by the lack of connectivity and the environment, the team led by Khathing journeyed from one point to another.
After reaching Tawang, Khathing held court for people there where he conveyed to them that they should not have any apprehension about any interference in their monastic rituals and functioning. He added that the Constitution of the new Republic of India tolerated religious freedom and as Indians, they would enjoy the same rights and privileges as enjoyed by others.
Finally, on February 14, he moved his administrative headquarters to the permanent site he had selected. Once the task was accomplished, Assam Governor Daulatram informed about his order to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Tawang was successfully brought under the ambit of India.
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