Dr Rouchhunga laid to rest; thousands pay last respect
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Siamchinthang Tangpua

Churachandpur, October 24 2015 : Funeral programme of Rev Dr Rouchhunga Pudaite (1927-2015) was held at Sielmat Christian Higher Secondary campus, Sielmat village, Churachandpur on Saturday morning.

Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur Lunminthang Haokip, Langkhanpau Guite; Chairman, ADC, Churachandpur; United Naga Council President Gaidon Kamei; Kuki Inpi Manipur; Paite Tribe Council General Headquarters; Vaiphei People Council; Mizo People Council, Simte Tribe Council United Zou Organisation; Hmar Women's Association and various churches paid rich tributes to the harbinger of Church reformers among the tribal communities and the man behind the spread of the Bible to millions through his "Bible for the World" .

Rev Dr Rochung Pudaite's body was brought home to be buried at his ancestral place and home at Sialmat, Churachandpur.

Dr Rouchhunga laid to rest; thousands pay last respect

It may be mentioned that, he had also translated the Bible into the Hmar language in 1950s after his graduation from Allahabad University.

He was the earliest pioneer of Christianity in Manipur and its spread among the Hmar community in particular.

His body arrived from the US where he has been residing after becoming a citizen of the country some decades ago.

It took eight hours for the body to reach Churachandpur from Imphal on Friday as many churches, groups and organisation had arranged receptions at several villages along the way.

Dr Rouchung was the son of Rev (L) Chawna Pudaite and (L) Taii from Phualpui Village of Vangai Range.

After his graduation, he studied theology at Wheaton Graduate School, Northern Illinois USA, where he completed his Master's degree and later did his D Lit at Ohio's Malone College.

Starting from 1971, he set up his pet project "Bible for the World" with great zeal and success which was responsible for handing out the Holy Bible to Christian and non-Christians and was lovingly called "God's tribesman" after he wrote eight books and was included in the list of "Who is Who" in USA apart from winning accolades and at least three awards.

He was the founder of Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI) which had grown by leaps and bounds among the Hmar community.

He was also social, religious and educational reformer.

Dr Rouchung also set up Sialmat Christian Higher Secondary School, Partnership Mission Society, Trinity Bible College and Sialmat Christian Hospital in Churachandpur district.

Dr Rouchung Pudaite Funeral Committee was set up to organise his last rites which culminates at the Rouchung Bangalow and attended by people from all communities residing in the district.