Two of his books, “Kongro Lijen (The Abode of the Maidens) and Kishi Tezulen (Off the Doorway) are in the process of translation into English while his books are also included in the syllabus of the Ao Language in ICSE and ISC Board, New Delhi, and up to class 10 under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
T Senka Ao from Nagaland, who was amongst the 107 recipients of “Padma Shri” for the year 2022 was finally conferred with the fourth highest civilian award in the country. He was recognized for his contribution in Literature and Education.
The Padma awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March or April every year.
Born on June 6, 1945 in Mokokchung town, Nagaland, Senka (76) is popularly known for his 20 years stint as the editor-in-chief of the oldest Newspaper in Nagaland, Ao Milen, which started in the year 1933.
During the same period, he was credited for creating the famous “Alokba” character, known for his witty commentary on social and current issues.
Besides many articles in various publications, he has authored nine books in Ao language and another is still in print, according to family sources.
Two of his books, “Kongro Lijen (The Abode of the Maidens) and Kishi Tezulen (Off the Doorway) are in the process of translation into English while his books are also included in the syllabus of the Ao Language in ICSE and ISC Board, New Delhi, and up to class 10 under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
He is an examiner of “Arrangtet Examination” which is the highest Ao Language Degree.
Also a recipient of Nagaland Governor’s Award in Literature in the year 2016, T Senka was pivotal in bringing peace and understanding between the “warring rivals” during many communal crises and feuds including being a member of Peace Committee in solving communal feud between Aos and Sumis in 1981 as well as member of Peace Committee 1985 during the violent confrontation between Assam and Nagaland at Merapani.
He also played a pivotal role in the formation of Joint People Forum (JPF) having representation from both Nagaland and Assam in collaboration with the district administration. As a social worker, T Senka was elected as a member of the Mokokchung Town Committee (MTC), a member of the All India Radio Campaign in Mokokchung in 1972.
T Senka’s life as a student leader
The “tribal Ao author, teacher and a journalist who has preserved Nagaland’s Ao language (dialect) through his writings over the decades, his matriculation from Government High School (GHS), Mokokchung, and graduated in 1969 from St Anthony’s College, Shillong, then under Gauhati University.
He was a very active participant in public life since his student’s days holding various posts including the president including Naga Student’s Union Shillong (NSUS) from 1968-1969, President, Mokokchung Town Student’s Union (1964-1965) and President, Ao Student’s Conference (1973-1976).
In the field of Education, he was the Joint Secretary in the Voluntary Adult Education Campaign (VAEC) in Mokokchung district from 1975 to 1979.
He was also the founder of the Model Night School, in 1972, the school which was started to felicitate the surrendered Naga political workers who desired for the continuation of their educational career while successfully enrolling many and at present the school felicitates the housewives, and less privilege people for their education.
Neiphiu Rio congratulates T Senka Ao
Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio through his twitter handle has congratulated T Senka Ao on receiving the Padma Shri Award 2022 in the field of literature and education from the President of India.
“It’s a moment of pride for Nagaland as he gets the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. We’re proud of his exemplary contributions and accomplishments,” he wrote.