ITANAGAR, Oct 4: In a solemn farewell befitting a life dedicated to social service and education in Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, the ashes of veteran social worker A Balakrishnan, who played an instrumental role in the establishment of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas (VKV) in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the Northeast, were immersed in five major rivers across the State.
The immersion ceremonies, held from October 1 to 4, fulfilled Balakrishnan’s final wish to have his ashes immersed in the rivers of Arunachal Pradesh, which he had chosen as his Karmabhumi.
Balakrishnan passed away at Kanyakumari on August 27.
Following his cremation, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Alumni Association (VKVAA) members brought the ashes from Kanyakumari to Arunachal Pradesh. The ashes were divided into five urns and handed over to respective VKVAA units for immersion at designated locations.
The proceedings at the different locations included solemn tributes, prayers and traditional rituals, with local indigenous shamans joining members of VKVAA, Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti in paying their final respects.
At Komolighat, the immersion was led by John Pada along with VKVAA chairman Dr Minggam Pertin, Dr Amin Tayeng and others. Moshaso Minin led the ceremony at Parshuram Kund, while Lardak Murtem led the proceedings at Kuporijo.
The immersion at Seppa was led by Basang Wahge, while Kamjai Taisam led the Tirap River ceremony at Changlang, wherein Changlang Deputy Commissioner RD Thungon also participated.
For the participants, the five-river immersion was more than a ceremonial farewell. It was a fulfilment of the departed social worker’s parting wish and a tribute to his enduring association with Arunachal Pradesh, where he had devoted much of his life to social service and education.
The ashes, carried back from Kanyakumari and taken to different corners of the State, thus returned to the rivers of the land with which Balakrishnan had shared a long and deeply significant association.
The ceremonies concluded with prayers and traditional tributes, bringing to an end a four-day farewell to a social worker remembered for his contribution to the growth of VKVs and educational initiatives across Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast.