Rishang chooses religion after politics
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, March 03 2014 :
As his term as the Rajya Sabha MP ends on April 9, 2014, veteran politician and Congressman, Rishang Keishing would retire from active politics and become a 'Messenger of Christ' .
94 years old Rishang Keishing who will retire as the oldest MP of the country is determined to dedicate the remaining period of his life to preach Gospel among the 'unreached,' irrespective of castes and creeds.
"The gospel of Christ should reach every one for peaceful co existence among all the communities of North East India in particular," the retiring parliamentarian, who is sort of into his 'grace period' told a gathering during the 1st Commencement Service of Rishang Keishing organised by the Covenant Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Viewland, here.
Speaking at the programme, the Nehru era politician Rishang Keishing said that reaching the gospel to the unreached was one last wish of him.
Being raised in a Christian family, the seasoned politician who was the Chief Minister of Manipur for many years, said that he cultivated the good habit of saying prayer before the commencement of his daily works.
"This personal attachment is indis- pensable for every follower of Christ," he said.
He also offered his respect and reverence to Tangkhul Christian pioneers like T Luikham and Phanitphang Vashum, who according to Keishing, have done a wonderful job for the Tangkhul community.
Under their able leadership, more than 300 different dialects of Tangkhul villages adopted a common language thus paving way for the Tangkhuls to have Bible in their dialect which is commonly used today as Tang- khul mother tongue, he said.
He asserted that the Tangkhuls are the first to be converted.
He also dreamed of all Tangkhul churches coming together and pray together without maintaining any barrier in the true spirit of Christian fellowship.
The Director Vision 20-20 of Covenant Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Rev Dr Jim Starr presented a memento to the Parliamentarian in his honour as a politician and in recognition of his achievement during his long years in public space dedicating himself in many activities at different capacities.
The Director, along with ordained Christian workers pronounced the blessing prayer at his 1st Commencement Service.
Later, Rishang Keishing headed to Phungyo Baptist Church to attend the graduation programme of the seminary students.