Naharlagun, December 7: The Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) honored two of the state’s eminent literary figures, Dr. Tai Nyori and Dr. Takop Zirdo, for their remarkable contributions to literature and cultural preservation. The felicitation ceremony, marking the 19th anniversary of APLS, was held at their residences in Naharlagun and Pappu Nallah on Friday. The event was led by APLS President Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, accompanied by other senior members of the society.
Dr. Tai Nyori: A Luminary in Literature and Culture
Born on January 1, 1947, in Pero village of the then Siang District, Dr. Tai Nyori’s journey in academia and literature has been extraordinary. A former registrar of Rajiv Gandhi University, he completed his schooling at Along High School, graduated from St. Anthony’s and St. Edmund’s Colleges in Shillong, and earned his master’s degree in history from Gauhati University. He holds the distinction of being the second person from Arunachal Pradesh to achieve a PhD.
Dr. Nyori’s career included serving as a history lecturer at J.N. College, Pasighat, and D.N.G. College, Itanagar, along with administrative roles as Controller of Examinations and Registrar of Arunachal University. Beyond academia, he has been a crusader for preserving indigenous faith and culture. As the first president of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh, he actively opposed religious proselytization.
A prolific writer, Dr. Nyori authored several acclaimed books, including The History and Culture of Adis, Freedom Movement in the Twilight, and Tribal Patriotism in the North-East Frontier Tracts of India. His works span multiple languages, including Galo Adi, Assamese, English, and Hindi, and have been widely published in newspapers, magazines, and souvenirs.
Dr. Takop Zirdo: Champion of Galo Language and Culture
Dr. Takop Zirdo, a noted pediatrician and literary figure, was born on April 23, 1958, in Zirdo village, Siang District. A trailblazer in the medical field, he completed his MBBS from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, and post-graduation in pediatrics from RIMS, Imphal. He became the first pediatrician from Arunachal Pradesh, dedicated to saving the lives of children in the state.
Dr. Zirdo is celebrated for his efforts in promoting the Galo language. As the President of the Galo Language Development Committee under the Galo Welfare Society, he played a pivotal role in developing the Galo script (Galo Ennam).
An accomplished poet, Dr. Zirdo’s poetry collection Mvii-Momii in Hindi and Galo has earned widespread acclaim. He has also contributed numerous lyrics and served as Vice-President of APLS during his tenure.
APLS General Secretary Mukul Pathak, Cultural Secretary Sokhep Kri, and branch secretaries Jummi Yomcha and Wanggo Socia from Delhi and Tirap, Executive member Biki Yader respectively, attended the event, adding to the significance of the occasion.
