Nabam Atum felicitated with ‘One India Award 2012’
My Home India (MHI), a Mumbai-based NGO felicitated Shri Nabam Atum of Arunachal Pradesh with ‘One India Award-2012’ for his outstanding work. The award was presented by the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi at a function held at Ravindra Naatya Mandir, Mumbai on June 4.
Shri Ekanath Thakur, Chairman of Saraswat Bank was the guest of honour. Noted film actress Kiron Kher, patron of MHI Sanjay Kakade, founder of MHI Sunil Deodhar, BJP’s Mumbai unit president Raj Purohit were also present on the occasion.
After receiving the award, Nabam Atum promised to continue his work for the cause of North-East India for his remaining life. Shri Atum was instrumental in generating a wave of nationalism among the people living on the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh through Seemant Darshan Yatra.
Shri Narendra Modi appreciated Shri Atum’s work and came down heavily on the Central Government for neglecting North-East India. Shri Modi said North-East India has tremendous potential for generation of electricity through hydro power projects, but the government is negligent to it. He said that his government has offered all the north-eastern State governments to send about 200 policemen each to Gujarat for a period of two years, which would bring about a social and cultural exchange with these states. He said Gujarat government is ready to take-up the expenses of these police personnel who would get exposure to the culture of Gujarat and at the same time encourage them to spread the message of unity after going back to their respective states.
Shri Sunil Deodhar explained the work of MHI and stressed on the need of awareness about north-eastern states among the people from rest of India. Kiron Kher did the compering for the function. A video film on Nabam Atum’s work was also shown during the event, which got appreciation from the public. The award was sponsored by Saraswat Bank.
Born in Aampoli village of Paapumpaare district of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Nabam Atum’s father Shri Nabam Ipo was well known as a distinguished and righteous personality in the community. Shri Atum did his schooling in Itanagar. In 1965 Shri Padmanabh Aacharya from ABVP initiated the mission ‘My Home India’ by virtue of which the students from North-East seeking their education in different parts of the country were facilitated and were housed in families to be taken care of.
In 1968, under this scheme, Shri Datta Didolkar took Shri Nabam Atum to Nagpur where he stayed at the residence of Shri Kishore Kale and got admitted in Dharmapeeth Vidyalaya where he spent a year. In the beginning, he found it extremely tough to learn Marathi language. However with his perseverance and dedication, he secured first rank in the subject of Marathi. Not just in academics but even in sports activities he was always a remarkable performer. Thereafter, he completed his college education in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Nabam Atum is now regarded as the first well educated member of the Nyishi community. After completing his education he served as a teacher in 1978-79 and thereafter as a District Information & Public Relation Officer. His performance as the member of the Public Service Commission from 1994 to 1998 and as President of the Public Service Commission from 1998-2004 has been commendable.
In the year 1997, Shri Nabam Atum came in contact with the Arunachal Vikas Parishad which is a voluntary organisation affiliated to the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. He was thoroughly impressed with the thoughts of veteran volunteers of the Vanvasi Kalian Ashram – Shri K Bhaskar Rao and Shri Vasant Rao. Thus, he determined to dedicate his life towards social service. He served as president of Arunachal Vikas Parishad from 1997 till 2011.
During his tenure as president of Arunachal Vikas Parishad, multiple varied programmes for education were initiated. Anticipating the possible threats of attacks from China, a Seemant Darshan Yatra was conducted in February 2010 during which 97 volunteers surveyed the villages and hamlets located at the Indo-China border. Through, casual discussions with the local residents of these villages, the volunteers ignited the spark of patriotism amongst the villagers. This inimitable endeavour was appreciated by the local government as well as the Governor.
Shri Nabam Atum was actively involved in the establishment of ‘Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh’ which is dedicated towards conservation and promotion of the sanskriti and swadharm. After its establishment he also functioned as president of this organisation. In order to inspire the youth, a tradition of organising youth conventions was initiated. In December 2008 in the city of Pasighat, under the leadership of Shri Namab Atum, a convention of about 4,000 youths was conducted. This ceremony was inaugurated in the gracious presence of none other than the Governor and Chief Minister. This programme triggered the awareness regarding their motherland and faith in the youth.
Since the last ten years, Shri Atum has been suffering severely from throat cancer. However, undaunted by his physical condition, he has been serving his duties by travelling from village-to-village inspiring the villagers for social service. His journeys through villages, his visits to Gangeen Namlo (the places of worship) have awakened the sense of national pride in the villagers.
Shri Atum has been vigorously involved in the activities of multiple organisations such as Arunachal Seva Sangh, Ram Krishna Mission, Vivekananda Kendra, Janjati Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Manch. His popularity is the resultant of his selfless and committed nature. Due to his far sightedness and efficient leaderships, under his guidance umpteen social organisations have been benefitted. Considering his noteworthy work, he has been given the honorary membership of North- East Zone Cultural Centre which is a Government body. Due to his nationalist school of thoughts, Shri Atum has been closely associated with diverse social, national organisations as well as with spiritual leaders such as Sri Sri Ravishankar and Buddhist Guru Shri Tulku Rimpoche. (FOC)
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