Tonsing hosts grand feast in wife's honour
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, April 17 2013: Exactly two years after losing his wife to cancer, senior politician and the incumbent State Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing today hosted a historic ceremonial feast in her honour feeding tens of thousands of his followers and commemorating the unveiling of her mausoleum.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his wife Landhoni also an MLA, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and his better-half, most of the Cabinet Ministers, Parlimentary Secretaries and a good number of members of the State Assembly graced the function that was hosted in honour of (L) Chhungi.

A dedicated video album and a souvenir on her titled 'Forever in our hearts' were released alongside the mausoleum that was supplemented by a memorial park.

Tonsing and his late wife had spent their life together for 46 years.

Addressing the gatherings, Tonsing said he had erected the mausoleum to honour and immortalize his late wife, the love of his life that he still doesn't have the courage to call by her real name to this day.

Days before she breathed her last on April 17, 2011, Chhungi was brought to her residence in Imphal using a special Air Ambulance from Texas, US, barely conscious, in an exercise that saw Indian authorities allowing a US plane to land on north-east soil for the first time ever since WW II .

Chief Minister Ibobi who led the guests in wreath laying at the tomb during his address said he and his colleagues too felt the vacuum Chhungi had left in their life.

He said she was God fearing and down-to-earth in her lifestyle; an exemplary and compassionate mother.

Before her death, it is said Chhungi had raised four Churches, two in the State and two others in Orissa besides a couple of Prayer Halls.

So overwhelming was the turn-out on the day that a cabinet minister in Mizoram H Rohluna was astounded, and even said he would not be wrong to say that the State capital had shifted to Churachandpur for the day.

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