Guinness record holder Pastor Melhite honored
Source: Oken Jeet Sandham / NEPS

Chumukedima, November 18: Pastor of the Town Baptist Church Chumukedima (TBCC), Melhite Kenye, who is known for his discovery of the �tallest paddy� in the world, has been given a befitting honor by TBCC by organizing a colorful and spectacular �Celebration of his 25 Years of Pastoral Ministry� in the same church here at TBCC on Sunday.

Melhite came to the Church in 1982 as Pastor and completes 25 years of his pastoral service today in the same church.

He never turned back from the service of God.

During his life time and particularly the last 25 years of his pastoral service here, he had discovered many strange things and one of which was the rare paddy species from the Chumukedima jungle, having 8 � ft height, 175 tillers and 510 grains in each ear.

This rare paddy species, discovered 10 years ago in 1998, has later been recognized by the international famed Guinness World Records, London in the year 2001.

Guinness record holder Pastor Melhite honored

In the following years, Pastor Melhite has also been awarded Governor�s Gold Medal for his discovery of the �tallest paddy in the world.� He received many commendation certificates from the State government and also participated in International Rice Year in 2004 at Merapani, Shillong.

It may be mentioned that Pastor Melhite has been experimenting this rare paddy species since 1999 till date in small area of land in the TBCC church compound.

The current plants cultivated by him in the church compound are yet to be harvested.

These plants are also having similar characteristics as mother plant discovered by him.

He also invited interested persons to visit the plants and the mother plant still preserved in his pastoral residence here at Chumukedi Town.

Speaking on the occasion of Melhite�s 25 Years of Pastoral Ministry,� Rev Deo Vihienuo, State Chaplain, while lauding his (Melhite) phenomenal achievements over the years, said all these were possible because God had given him wisdom and the way.

His discovery of the �tallest paddy� in the world was an example that God had given him such amazing power and wisdom because he was a true servant of God, Rev Vihienuo stated.

He also said the Naga society would grow if they had many Melhites, asking many to follow the simple and God fearing life of him.

Several speakers also highlighted about his strange discoveries including the tallest paddy during his Pastoral time in Chumukedi Town and prayed to Almighty Lord to give him more life and continue to serve as servant of God.

Pastor Melhite also thanked the Church people saying that it was because of their support and cooperation he could serve as Pastor at a stretch since 1982.He narrated that since his coming to the church as Pastor in 1982, he and his family members had never faced any problem.

Rather his closeness to Chumukedi people became from strength to strength, he stated.