Ralengnao Khathing MC, MBE, known as Bob Khathing, was an Indian soldier, civil servant and diplomat and the first person of tribal origin to serve as an Ambassador for India.
13 Facts About Ralengnao Khathing
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Ralengnao Khathing was born on 28 February 1912 at Ukhrul, a suburban district near Imphal, in the North East Indian state of Manipur in a Tangkhul family.
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Ralengnao Khathing did his schooling at Kangpokpi Mission ME School and Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Imphal and joined Cotton College, Guwahati of Calcutta University from where he graduated, becoming first tribal graduate from the Manipur.
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Ralengnao Khathing started his career by joining the British Army and participated in World War II, first as the Commissioner of the 19th Hyderabad Regiment and then as the Local Captain of the V Force Operations in Manipur.
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In 1953, the Government of India constituted the Indian Frontier Administrative Service and Ralengnao Khathing was inducted as one of the two officers of the civil service.
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Ralengnao Khathing's first posting as an IFAS officer was at Tuensang Frontier Division as the Political Officer in 1954 and his contribution is reported in the establishment of the Village Volunteer Force.
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Ralengnao Khathing worked as the Chief Civil Liaison Officer of IV Corps, Tezpur and his contributions are reported in the formation of Sashastra Seema Bal, a paramilitary force established following the 1962 war.
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Ralengnao Khathing worked in Burma for three years and retired from service in 1975.
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Ralengnao Khathing served as a member of the committee to finalise the 16-point agreement that led to the Shillong Accord of 1975 and the formation of the state of Nagaland.
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Ralengnao Khathing died at his home at Valley View, Mantripukhri, Imphal, on 12 January 1990.
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Ralengnao Khathing had four children, two sons, John Somi R Khathing and Darlando Thanmi Khathing, and two daughters, Leballa Khathing Gupta and Sela N Khathing.
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John Ralengnao Khathing is a former chief commissioner of Customs and Central Excise and Darlando is the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand.
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Ralengnao Khathing was a two time recipient of the Gallantry Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.