Chandra Singh Teron- A Man of Integrity
Chandra Singh
Teron was the 5th Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong. He was
the eldest son of Sarsing Teron Habe and Kare Engtipi in a family of three
sisters and four brothers. His father Sarsing Teron was a social activist and
had worked in close association with Semson sing Engti and many other
torchbearers in the formation of the first organization of Karbi people - the
Karbi Adorbar to pave way for the creation of Karbi Anglong District.
It was in a
village called Langprat in between Tika and Langchingbar in West Karbi Anglong
that Chandra Singh Teron was born on 15th August 1926. In 1934 the
family shifted to Hongkram by the side of the River Karbi Langpi near
Vothatlangso. In that period of time there were only two schools in the whole
area -- the Tika primary and Tika M.E School. Chandra Singh Teron completed his
schooling up to the M.E level there and went to Kampur to complete his
Matriculation from Kampur High School. There after he completed his IA from
Nowgong College and finally took graduation from cotton College Guwahati.
After the completion of his studies
he joined as Assistant Secretary in the District Council office and served for
some time. But soon he gave up the job and decided to serve his people by
plunging into active politics. He fought the District Council Election in 1957 and
elected to the Council. After the Resignation of Nihang Rongphar, he was
unanimously elected as the Chief Executive Member. He served as the CEM from 3rd
December 1957 to 25th June 1962. Due to ill health he could not
fight the next election but he was nominated taking into consideration his
knowledge and expertise. He was elected as the Chairman of District Council and
served from 25th June 1962 till his unexpected early death in 1965.
He was married to Mabel Khulung
Terangpi, Daughter of the first MLA and first CEM of Karbi Anglong -- Khorsing
Terang. They had two children Dr. Kaban Dolly Teronpi and Sar-im Ratul Teron.
While Chandra Singh Teron was serving
Chairman in the Council he was taken ill and taken to Assam Medical College
Hospital, Dibrugarh. On the fateful day of 2nd March 1965 he died
there at the young age of 39 only. His death was mourned by one and all. It was
no doubt an irreparable loss to the district and its people.
Chandra Singh Teron was not only a
politician but a man who took interest in other aspects of life also. He took
interest in writing, the village life and many socio-cultural activities. He was
always honest and dedicated in everything he did. His family members recall his
good manners, who had been good in studies from the very beginning. Being
actively associated with the Axom Sahitya Sabha, he was executive member of the
literary body from 1960 till his death. He was the president of Diphu club for
three years from 1962.He was also founder member of Diphu Govt. College. It is
worth mentioning that while still pursuing his education in cotton College, he
edited a monthly newspaper named Pirthe Kimi in the Karbi Language. It was
published by Chattra Sing Teron who later became Deputy Chief Minister of
Assam. The newspaper was to be the first Karbi newspaper after the formation of
the Karbi Anglong District,representing the social awakening of the people in the
new hills District. Chandra Singh Teron was also the founder member of K/A
sports association and he was the president of the sports body from1962 to
1965. He had been associated with many other organizations even in that short
span of life, eagerly working for the people’s social uplift. Chandra Singh
Teron both in his writings and oratories reflected a deep concern for his land
and people. Longkam Teron, the eminent Karbi writer recalled Teron’s energetic
speech in the Annual Session of Karbi Adorbar in 1957 at Pongve Kro village
near Howraghat, which impressed him a lot.
Chandra Singh Teron is today
remembered solely as an honest, able leader of the people of Karbi Anglong and
still respected for his personal integrity, who could have contributed much to
the society if fate permitted. As John Donne had said to Death--
Soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones and soules deliverie.
Chandra Singh
Teron was perhaps one among the many best of men.
In memory of this great soul a High
School at Daramnala,Diphu was established imparting essential education to the
local children and ushering in social development. A central part of Diphu Town
has also been dedicated to him as Chandra Nagar, honoring his memory. Chandra Sing
Teron Memorial Club at Lurulangso, Diphu has been trying to retain his culture
and impart social services in memory of
this distinguished personality. The Club completes 50 years of existence on 31st May
2020. Let C.S.T Memorial Club take forward the dreams of Chandra Singh Teron to
uplift the Karbi people by extending help to the needy people in our
society.
-KACHE TERONPI 