Memorial statue of Oiram Bori unveiled at Oyan village

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, February 22: Pasighat West MLA and Parliamentary Secretary (Industry) Tatung Jamoh yesterday unveiled a memorial statue (Liipang) of Babu Oiram Bori, the pioneer of Mising art and culture, at Oyan village located at Assam-Aruchal boundary.

Unveiling the stone at Oiram Bori Cultural Complex (Lotta) at Oyan village in East Siang district, Jamoh said the statue will keep alive the contribution of Oiram Bori towards the Mising people living in Aruchal and Assam. He urged the local villagers to take proper care of the memorial stone and opined that the stone of the legendary artist will inspire youths in preservation of their culture.

Speaking on the occasion, Oyan Head Gaon Burah, Muhim Pait recalled enormous contribution of late Babu Oiram Bori, who dedicated his life for promotion of art and culture of Mising tribe during NEFA days, an official release said here today.

According to him, late Oiram Bori had inherent quality in singing and dancing, improved the melodious 'Mising Oi Nitom' and 'Lo-Le Nitom'.

The newly built rostrum inside Oiram Bori Cultural Complex was also opened by Raju Medok, an executive councilor of Assam based Mising Autonomous Council.

The programme was followed by a discussion, wherein eminent persons including former Rajya Sabha MP Nyodek Yonggam, Bogong (Pasighat) ZPM Okom Yosung, Mising Bane Kebang executive Girin Morang and others delivered speech in favour of preservation of the tribal cultures through research and proper documentation.

The unveiling programme was conducted by 'Oiram Bori Trust Committee' dedicated to preserve the socio-cultural contributions of Oiram Bori.

The committee led by Dr Rabin Bori has built the statue with a cost of Rs 5 Lakh, which was funded by East-Aruchal MP Ninong Ering. The trust committee also released a booklet depicting biography and dedicative works of Oiram Bori.

Born in 1877 at Peneng Oyan, near present Sille Teromile village in East Siang district, Oiram Bori achieved his primary education at Murkongselek (present Joi in Assam) and later he took admission in Middle English school at Sadiya.

He took active role for the development of then Abor Hill district during NEFA rule. The NEFA government, following supervision of Oiram Bori, prepared projects for construction of motor-able road between Oyan and Pasighat. He was popularly known as 'Member Mijing' in the society.

During the quit India movement, Oiram Bori was appointed as a member of Area development council in 1944, by the local authority. He made master plan for the entire Oyang area by demarcating the boundaries of inter village to avoid future land dispute.

By formation of Murong Okum (community Hall), he insisted on the villagers to hold development meeting. He breathed his last at Oyan , his tive village in 1964, the release added.