Philanthropist Rio Zhavise Vihienuo passes away

Kohima, May 7 (EMN): Local philanthropist and founding member of the Red Cross Society of Nagaland and the Gideon International Nagaland, Rio Zhavise Vihienuo, has breathed his last on Sunday morning in a private hospital in Kohima town after a prolonged illness. He was 98.

Vihienuo received education from Kohima Mission School during 1934-41 and had served in the Assam Regiment for five years before being appointed Inspecting Pandit in Kohima Elekha under the then deputy commissioner of Kohima, Sir CR Pawsey in 1947.

As a school inspector for one of the two circles in the Naga area then, Vihienuo is said to have toured villages for 244 days of a year on foot, carrying out his duty. He served in the position till 1956. He had also served as headmaster of a government middle elementary school from the late 1950s till 1963.

Vihienuo also served as the state organisation commissioner of scouts till early 1977from the time of the inception of the movement in Nagaland. Besides, he is being recalled as a man of strong Christian principles who had been involved in the church as a deacon of the Union Baptist Church of Kohima, pastor-in-charge as well as a travelling pastor. He was once a chairman of ex-servicemen of Kohima also. He served as a government nominee to the Kohima Town Committee in the 1980s. He is said to have been a member of Ura Academy since 1969 too.

Further, Vihienuo was a Nagaland State Inauguration medallist and a recipient of the Distinguished Senior Citizen and the National Long Service (Scout) awards too.

Following his demise on Sunday, the Union Baptist Church of Kohima organised a ‘send-off’ service at noon before his mortal remains were taken to his native village, Chiechama, for the final rites.

Hundreds of people gathered at the funeral service of Vihienuo to pay their last respects. His son, Thejao Vihienuo, delivered a brief message on behalf of the family members while former Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s general secretary Rev. Zhabu Terhüja performed the final rites. A contingent of the Bharat Scouts & Guides of Nagaland gave a Guard of Honour to the departed soul.

Messages of condolence

Member of the Lok Sabha Neiphiu Rio mourns the demise of “Apou” Zhavise Vihienuo. The former chief minister stated in a condolence message on Sunday that Vihienuo was a prominent elderly citizen of the state, especially in Kohima and in the Angami community.

“Late Apou Zhavise was a towering personality with several achievements that speak volumes of his contribution to our society,” Rio stated. ‘He was a soldier in Assam Regiment, a pastor and church leader, chairman of Chiechama Village Council, a government employee under CR Pawsey, a teacher and headmaster, State Organisation Commissioner in Bharat Scouts & Guides, a government nominee to the Kohima Town Committee, a founding member of the Indian Red Cross Society and Gideon International in Nagaland and a serving member of the Ura Academy amongst several other achievements.’ He is a recipient of many awards and citations including the State Inauguration Medal, he said.

“A short glimpse of his life indicates that he has made immense contributions to our society and in the making of what is Nagaland today. These contributions came at the cost of untold sacrifices during the most difficult times of our history,” Rio stated. “He was also a person who always had a deep concern for the welfare of all sections of the people. He lived a full and complete life and was exemplary in discipline, commitment and dedication.”

Stating to have had a close personal relationship with Vihienuo as he was a colleague of Rio’s father in the Assam Regiment, the message stated that the two were not only friends “but were more like brothers and they closely worked together throughout their lives in church and social activities.”

Therefore, Rio stated, “he was a father figure, a mentor and guide to me and played the role of father to me after my father’s demise.”

The message recalled Rio’s meeting with the demised soul: “Last week, when I paid a visit to him, it was emotionally painful, as he was too weak to speak but gestured to me that he was fully conscious and stretched out his hands to bless me.”

In his later years, despite his ripe age, he had a sharp memory and would relate the past incidents and historical events with photographic details, Rio stated in recollection. “We are thankful to God for his life, the love that he spread and the leadership he provided. His contributions and sacrifices will be recorded for all times to come and remember him as one of the builders of our nation.”

Adding that Vihienuo’s demise was a personal loss for Rio and his entire family, the MP spoke of ‘emptiness in all of us as we have lost a person who was a father to us and to many multitudes more.’

“Even as we grief his passing away, it is also an occasion to celebrate his life with a sense of joy as led by example and his life will continue to inspire the present and future generations. My family joins me in conveying our deepest condolences to the members of Apou’s family and we pray to Almighty God to let his soul rest in peace,” Neiphiu Rio added.

The Kohima Municipal Council also has expressed grief at the demise of one of its former members, R Zhavise Vihienuo, on the 7th of May.

“Late Zhavise vihienuo served as a member of the erstwhile Kohima Town Committee from 1984-1986. The Kohima municipal council expresses its profound gratitude for the services rendered by him,” stated Kovi Meyase, administrator of Kohima Municipal Council, in a message on Sunday.

“We pray for his soul to rest in peace and for the Lord to give solace to the bereaved family.”

Visatsunuomia Krotho

A community group, the Visatsunuomia Krotho of Kohima, also issued a condolence on Sunday expressing shock and grief for the demise. The message also condoled with the demise of another person, Virevo Tsükrü of Viswema village.

‘The Visatsunuomia Krotho of Kohima is deeply shocked and saddened to know the demise of R. Zhavise Vihienuo of Chiechama village and Virevo Tsükrü of Viswema village on 7 May 2017 from Kohima,’ the message stated.

“The Krotho convey our deepest condolences and pray that Almighty God grant solace to the bereaved family members at this hour of grief and sorrow. May the departed souls rest in peace,” the message stated.