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Dimapur, May 31 (EMN): Dr. PS Lorin, Founder and Principal Emeritus of Tetso College Dimapur, passed away at Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur on Monday morning. He was 67.
Born on November 1, 1953, Lorin was one of the founding members of the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and a member of Forum of Naga Reconciliation (FNR).
He was also a member of the Executive Council, Nagaland University, member of the Board of Studies, Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), former executive Board member of NEZCC, and former president of the Nagaland College Principals Forum, among others.
Mourning the demise of its Principal Emeritus and founder of the college, the Tetso College family conveyed sympathies and condolences to the Lorin family.
“Words cannot express the sorrow we feel at the loss of a genuine and humble human being, an eminent scholar, and educationist. We have lost a pioneer in higher education among the Nagas, but our hope is the legacy he leaves behind,” read the condolence message.
“He was a resolute man of honour, and the College deeply acknowledges the positive impact that he created for all of us. He has truly lived up to our mission of empowering the many thousands of young people and leaders of Nagaland and beyond. May his soul rest in eternal peace in his heavenly abode,” it added.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed sadness at the demise Dr. Lorin, describing him as “not only a par-excellence educationist but also a social activist, who had sincere concerns for the welfare of Naga society”.
“Although he had a long list of academic achievements to his name, he was always humble, kind, selfless and a true gentleman. His contribution to the society is immense. In his death, Naga society has lost a fatherly figure, a mentor, guide and a true son of the soil. The vacuum created will be difficult to fill. It would be befitting that we continue the legacy of public service that he has left behind so that he will continue to live among us,” read his condolence message.
“My family joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. We pray that Almighty God will give them strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
The NPMHR expressed sadness at the passing away of its founding member and first Convenor, when it was formed about 43 years ago, on September 9, 1978, “in the backdrop of a more than 25 years of ‘attempted genocide’ to annihilate the Naga people and its nationalism”.
“As a founding member and the first Convenor of NPMHR, he never deviated from the ideas and principles of human rights till his last breath. NPMHR as a Human Rights organisation of the Naga People and for its national cause has struggled to remain on its toes like every other peoples' movement. NPMHR has managed to stand on its ground because of the courageous and foresight of its founding members and their fellow-travellers who constantly stand alongside the organisation in all its ‘ups and downs’,” it wrote.
“Today, NPMHR is what it is, and if there is any sense of achievement or success, it is all with thanks, respect and gratitude to our founding members for which, we salute Dr. P.S. Lorin, our first Convenor,” it added.
Describing him as “a strength and a guide”, the NPMHR stated that “his departure is a very sad passage of not just his person but also that ‘gentle powerful voice of assertion’ which the younger generation will surely miss as we do”.
“At this moment of grief for all of us, the NPMHR deeply expresses our solidarity in condoling his passing away as we equally share in grieving with Madam Shasinle Lorin, Brother Kvulo Lorin and Sister Losin Lorin. May our good Lord grant the graces the family needs to accompany them. May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!” read the message.
The FNR described its member Dr. Lorin as a person ‘who stood for the truth of the morality, legality, political and historical rights of the Naga people’.
“We stand too close to the shock of his passing away so soon to be able to think clearly what Dr. Lorin was to his family, community and the Naga people. His life was a grand story knitted by God himself—a pilgrimage of faith in Jesus Christ. Here was a man who never gave up and in his gentle spirit he won people's hearts and traversed lofty heights,” read the message.
It stated that the deceased was the first Convener of the NPMHR and remained a faithful member and mentor to the FNR till his last.
‘Shasinle, his wife and his daughters and son, were the fibre and strength of his soul. He never would have made safe harbour without you, and he knew it,’ it wrote.
“Good night, dear friend. We will all meet on the other side some glad morning and tell the story of how we have overcome!” it added.