Kohima, July 28 (MTNews): Former Chief Secretary Nagaland and the first Chief Information Commissioner of Nagaland, P. Talitemjen Ao, Retd IAS passed away this morning at Oking Hospital, Kohima. He was born on 26th February 1944 at Akhoya village in Mokokchung district, the eldest son of Lt. I. Pangersowa Jamir. Late P. Talitemjen Ao is survived by his wife Moala Jamir, two sons and one daughter.
Brief profile of Late P. Talitemjen Ao
Late P. Talitemjen Ao did his primary and middle schooling from Chuchuyimlang Govt. M.E. School, Nagaland till 1957 and later went to St. Anthony’s High School, Shillong, Meghalaya, from 1958 to 1959. He then studied at Government High School, Mokokchung, 1960 – 1961 and passed his matriculation examination in 1962. Late Talitemjen went on to study at St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, Meghalaya, (1962 – 1967) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He completed his Master of Arts in English from Gauhati University, Assam, (1968 – 1970).
He cleared the Nagaland Public Service Commission civil service exam in 1972 and got into the Nagaland Civil Service as an Extra Assistant Commissioner. He was posted as EAC, Mokokchung, from 1972 – 1973. He then cleared the Union Public Service Commission examination and joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service in 1973 (Nagaland cadre).
He was posted as Assistant Commissioner, Tuensang, from June 1974 till December 1975 on probation and as the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Zunheboto, from January 1976 till July 1977. Talitemjen served as Deputy Secretary, Home Department from July 1977 till June 1978 and later Joint Secretary, independent charge of Industries & Commerce department, in July 1978 till December 1978. He was transferred as Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto district, in January 1979 and served till July 1980.
Late Talitemjen served in various categories in a number of Departments in the State including Home Commissioner, Nagaland and Commissioner, Nagaland. He was the Chief Secretary of Nagaland from July 2004 till his retirement from service in February 2006. He was appointed as the first Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland Information Commission, in March 2006 and served till February 2011.
He served as Editor of ‘Ao Milen’ from Shillong in 1964. As a social leader, he served in various capacities such as President, Naga Students’ Union, Shillong, 1965 – 1966; President, Langpangkong Students’ Conference (LKM), 1965-1967; President, Naga Students Union, Guwahati, 1968 -1969; President, Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), 1969 – 1971; President, IAS Association, Nagaland till 2003 and President, Nagaland Rifle Association and Kohima Rifle Club till 2012. (Source: DIPR)
Condolences
Governor: Nagaland Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said Talitemjen was an honest, committed and hardworking officer and that his passing away is an irreparable loss to the people of the State, and the relentless and selfless services towards the people of Nagaland during his career will be remembered for many years to come.
Chief Minister: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio while expressing shock and sadness said Talitemjen was a God fearing, conscientious, upright and dedicated officer, who left his imprint of hard work, honesty and integrity in all his assignments and postings. “He was a true gentleman, who was always calm and collected even in the most difficult of situations, and was a role model to many within and outside the Government,” Rio said. He said that during the most critical times, Talitemjen stood steady and firm like a steel frame providing strength to the Government. Describing him as an officer with a high degree of professionalism, punctuality and sense of duty, Rio added Talitemjen was a man of principle and a noble soul. “His death is a great loss for the people of Nagaland in general, and the Ao community in particular,” he added.
Deputy CM: Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton in his condolence message said he was deeply saddened by the news of the former Chief Secretary’s demise. He said Talitemjen’s contributions and commitment towards the people throughout his illustrious life will continue to inspire others.
NLA Speaker: Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said Talitemjen was a man of vision, who was a hardworking and upright officer and added that his contributions to the state will be remembered for all times to come. He added that Talitemjen was a devout Christian who rendered his selfless service particularly for the Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo.
NDPP: President of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Chingwang Konyak, has expressed sadness on the passing away of P Talitemjen Ao. Konyak stated that after joining the Indian Administrative Service, Talitemjen held various important positions in the government, eventually retiring as the chief secretary of Nagaland with an impeccable service record. He also described Talitemjen as one of the finest officers to have served the state and expressed hope that his sincerity and dedication would be emulated by all in the service of the people.
NPF: Leader of NPF Legislature Party and UDA co-chairman, Kuzholuzo Nienu, while describing Talitemjen Ao as an upright, humble, dedicated and a great statesman, lamented that his demise was a great loss for the people of Nagaland. Nienu said that he had served in various capacities in the state government until his retirement as the chief secretary. Nienu added that his dedication for the welfare of the Naga people will always be remembered and cherished.
CANSSEA: Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) has also expressed sadness on the passing of P Talitemjen Ao. It stated that Talitemjen Ao was a sincere, dedicated, soft-spoken, and efficient administrator and added that his demise has created a void that would be difficult to fill.
IAN: The IAS Association of Nagaland described Talitemjen Ao as a gentleman and an officer par excellence, a man of impeccable integrity, who embodied finest values and qualities that one yearns to aspire for and wishes to see in any person. It stated that during his illustrious career as an IAS officer, he made significant contributions in furthering the welfare of the people and the state. It added that he remained the pillar of strength giving the right measured guidance and support to the political decision makers as well as to junior officers. It lamented that in his demise, the entire service fraternity has a friend, philosopher and guide.
AKM: The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) in its condolence message said that Talitemjen, who served as its president during 1969-1971, was a strong pillar of the AKM who went on to serve the government at the state’s top bureaucrat. It further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members, that God would grant them divine comfort and strength in their hour of grief and sorrow, and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.