KANGPOKPI, November 9: Founder and former principal of Presidency College of Motbung and Damdei Christian College, Henkholen Sitlhou passed away this morning at around 6 am at Shija Hospital.
Late Henkholen Sitlhou was 86,he was survived by his wife, three son and two daughters.
The mortal remains of the noted educationist, Henkholen Sitlhou was brought to his Taloulong residence at Sadar Hills, where thousands inclusive of his family members and relatives, near ones from Nagaland, Assam and within Manipur, representatives of various civil bodies, students and teachers, social workers, Church leaders, village chiefs congregated to pay their last tribute.
The teaching staff and students of Damdei Christian College paid their last tribute at the college premises and later his body was taken back to his residence.
Ngamthang Haokip, IFCD minister, Haokholal Hangshing, chairman, ADC Sadar Hills, members of ADC Sadar Hills, Chongpu Kipgen, MCS, CEO-SHADC,Kpi, Khaimang Chongloi, Secretary, Kuki Inpi and others dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony of the educationist.
While condoling the bereaved family of Henkholen Sitlhou, minister Ngamthang Haokip assured that the people will cherish the desired dreams of the departed educationist particularly in the field of education among others.
Head of Khaochangbung(Sitlhou) family and Chief of Taloulong village, late Henkholen Sitlhou was born on 1st July, 1927 at Sempang village in Tamenglong District.He was the eldest son of the then Superintendent Pastor Late Pakho, the first missionary among the Zaliangrong(Rongmei) community who established the Sempang Baptist Church and an L.P.School.
Late Henkholen Sitlhou began his education at the L.P.School which his father had set up at Tamenglong M.E. School. Later he completed his matriculation in Johnstone High School, Imphal and passed his ISC(Intermediate) examination in Cotton College, Guwahati. He finished B.Sc. Physics(Honours) in Scottish Church College, Calcutta and M.A., B.T., LL.B in Guwahati University.
Considering the importances of education particularly among the Thadou-Kuki community in Sadar Hills, Henkholen managed and organized Motbung Govt. High School, the then only existing educational institute in area.
Later he introduced higher education in Sadar Hills by establishing Presidency College, Motbung in the year 1973. Now the College is a state government administered college and recognized by the University Grants Commission, Delhi.
He was the member of Manipur University Syndicate till 1994 during his tenure as the Founder-Principal of PCM, Motbung.
Later in the year 1987, he again founded and established Damdei Christian College which is presently a full-fledged college where one can pursue B.A/B.Sc. and Human Rights Certificate Course recognized by UGC, Delhi.