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Pu T Gougin "The Father of Zomi" passes away at 87

Lamka, 05 June 2012: Pu T. Gougin, popularly known as "The Father of the Zo People," passed away this morning at around 8 AM at his home in Zoveng, Zenhang Lamka.

BIO-DATA OF PU T. GOUGIN

1926: Born to Mr. (L) Thangkhotual and Mrs. (L) Nemzavung as the eldest son in Mong-on village, Thanlon Sub-Division, Churachandpur, Manipur.

1932: Began schooling at Mong-on L.P. School.

1943: Joined as Army Boy and passed all educational exams in First Class until 1948.

1953: Married Nouzanem and was blessed with nine children (five sons & four daughters).

1955: Joined as Clerk in Tribal Development (Govt. of Manipur) while also pursuing I.A. (Intermediate Arts).

1959: Founded United Manipur Zou Organisation (UMZO) and served as its Secretary.

1959: Inaugurated Tuaitengphai High School.

1960: Passed B.A. Economics (Hons.) from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong.

1962: Worked as Lecturer in Churachandpur Higher Secondary School and contested M.P. Election. Edited daily newspapers/magazines – "Young Democrat", "Young Zomi", and "Thuthang" (established in 1971, propagating Zomi nationalism).

1966: Completed M.A. (Economics) under Gauhati University.

1971: Contested M.P. Election.

1972: Founded Zomi National Congress (Z.N.C.).

1974: Elected as M.L.A. (Singngat A/C) and held the post of Deputy Minister (Co-operation).

1988: Participated as one of the founding leaders of ZORO in Champhai, Mizoram.

2002: Received Deacon (Upa) Ordination from his congregation church on December 15, 2002.

Pu T. Gougin was an honest, dedicated, and hardworking leader whose primary ambition was the unification of the Zomi people.

In his self-written book, Life Sketch of T. Gougin, he mentioned that he had read over 500 books. Among them, he was most influenced and inspired by the following books...

Discovery of India – Jawaharlal Nehru

Profiles in Courage – John F. Kennedy

A Treasury of the World's Great Speeches

Principles of Social Reconstruction – Bertrand Russell

New Hopes for a Changing World – Bertrand Russell

The Nature of Leadership – Arian

Mao Tse-Tung & Gandhi – Bandhyo Padraya

My Experiments with Truth – Mahatma Gandhi

If I Were Assassinated – Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Lenin & the Russian Revolution

Wisdom of the West – Bertrand Russell

Asian Drama – Gunnar Myrdal

The American Democracy – Henry Kissinger

The Frontier Man – Dr. Vumkhohau

O Jerusalem

 

Books written by Pu T. Gougin

01. Zou Tangthu.
02. They sacrifice for Mankind
03. Tales from Shakespeare
04. An Indian Army Primer
05. English - Hindustani - Paite Premer
06. War Against Poverty.
07. Martyrte Tangthu
08. ABC of Zomi Economics.
09. Zogam Novel minthang
10. Hindi into Tribal dialects.
11. Hindi Pau zilna.
12. Zoram tan Duhthlanna.
13. Zogam Kumpi pai ding dan.
14. Nehru’s Journey on Earth.
15. Two Nouns can save India.
16. Discovery of Zomi Resurgence
17. Discovery of Zoland.
18. History of Zomi
19. This is how I know Indira Gandhi.
20. Must Manipur March Ahead.
21. Too much for Tears but plunge on
22. Re-unification of Congress.
23. Revamp of Political System a must for India.
24. My Role as a Parliamentarian.
25. Gems of Late President Kennedy.
26. What life has taught me.
27. Zogam itna late.
28. Students English Grammar.
29. Life Sketch of T. Gougin

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Note: In 1998, this KV News editor had the privilege of visiting Pu T. Gougin at his residence. During the visit, the editor shook hands with Pu Gougin and expressed deep admiration for his Zomi nationalist spirit, saying, “I am truly touched by your passion for Zomi Nationalism.” Pu Gougin, in turn, was impressed and graciously showed his room, typewriter, and collection of books. He also gifted some of his own works to the editor, who was then a young lad studying in Class XI. The editor returned to Imphal with Pastor Dongthawng, who had initiated the journey from Imphal to Zoveng. Pastor Thawng affectionately nicknamed this young lad “Gougin Junior”.

Together, we shared tea in Pu Gougin’s room, surrounded by his writings and books. It was a truly memorable and historic encounter. 

It was around 1988 or 1989 when Pu Gougin and his team arrived in Muallum village. The villagers warmly welcomed him, placing a garland of flowers around his neck. He stood by his Mahindra jeep, dressed sharply in a black-and-white suit, a slim figure against the backdrop of a village that had rarely seen a vehicle. I was just a child, more interested in the jeep than in his words, though I recall snippets -- something like ‘ZNC = Zomi National Congress’, ‘Zomi for Zogam’, ‘ZNC, Damsawt hen! (Long live, Zomi National Congress)’. That period marked the surge of Zomi Nationalism, a wave that resonated across our Zo hills. 

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal, editor, KHALVONTAWI MEDIA Online

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