Remembering Dr. A K Nongkynrih

The passing away of our Pillar, a loss to our communities, a loss to our organization.

It is with deep sadness that we receive and share the news of the passing away of our dearest Dr. A K Nongkynrih, Vice-Chairman of NESFAS, at Bethany Hospital Shillong, Meghalaya after his continuing battle with illness.

Mr. Nongkynrih, also a founding member of NESFAS, played a big role in advocating the works and beliefs of the organisation. He was very instrumental and contributed immensely and always continued to help and guide us through all times. He was a man of great intellect and vision who contributed immensely to the cause of preserving traditional knowledge, the indigenous food systems and advocating the role of women participation.

He dedicated himself to building bridges to a better future and in this way, he touched the lives of all of us and especially the community members in the rural areas. He strongly believed that traditional farming is one of the many ways that we can preserve our traditional knowledge in this region. One of his aims was to defend the local food systems in the state.

Mr. Nongkynrih, also a noted sociologist, played an active role during the Indigenous Terra Madre hosted by NESFAS in 2015 in Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills as a speaker and a panelist. He was also a founding member of the Indigenous People Assistance Facility Grant Committee 2006, UN-IFAD.

Today we mourn the passing of a great man, a son who has left behind a powerful legacy of humility, simplicity, and dedication to all the things that he greatly believed in. We at NESFAS, will forever be grateful that we have had the opportunity to work closely with such a legendary man and promise to uplift his words of wisdom at all times.

We convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family.