Itanagar: Retired IAS officer Takap Ringu who served the state as the chief secretary from 1992-95 breathed his last at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences here on Wednesday. He was 82.
A native of remote Ngopi village in Kora circle of present day Lower Siang district, Late Ringu defied all odds pursuing education and graduating in Economics (Hons) from St Edmunds College, Shillong in 1963. He began his bureaucratic journey the very next year as assistant political officer and IFAS and was inducted as IAS in 1964.
He served the people to the best of his ability all through his career in capacities like assistant commissioner, additional deputy commissioner, deputy secretary and director (Panchayati Raj) under the NEFA administration.
He went on to serve as deputy commissioner, finance secretary, resident commissioner (New Delhi) and development commissioner. For a brief period he also served as commissioner to Government of Mizoram and chief secretary, Andaman and Nicobar.
After serving as chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh (1992-95), Late Ringu was elevated to the post of secretary, North East Council, where he served from 1996 to 2000 before opting for voluntary retirement.
Governor B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed profound grief and sorrow at the demise of Late Ringu.
The governor in his condolence message said in Ringu’s demise, Arunachal has lost the man who shaped the state through its nascent years.
“Late Takap was a distinguished bureaucrat and a respected person. He made valuable contributions towards the development of Arunachal Pradesh as also to the Galo community in true tradition of the ‘pay back’ to his fold. In his passing away our state has lost a great son of the soil,” Mishra said.
Chief Minister Khandu said Late Ringu will be always remembered as one of the first generation civil servants of the state, who served in various capacities, reaching to the top post in bureaucracy of the state, in his long and illustrious career.
His demise is the loss of an era of sheer determination, dedication and service to the people. Late Takap will remain an inspiration for generations, Khandu said.
Incumbent chief secretary Sharat Chauhan also offered his condolences to the family members of Late Ringu.
“Late Takap Ringu served in various important capacities during his long and illustrious administrative career. He will be fondly remembered for his services rendered to the people and his humanitarian approach,” Chauhan said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has also condoled the demise of Late Ringu.
“Late Ringu served the state’s people in various capacities as an able and dedicated administrator during his long illustrious career. His demise is a great loss to the state and his selfless contribution for the interest of society and the state as a whole will be always remembered,” APCC president and former chief minister Nabam Tuki said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Cibo Baage Ao Keba (CBAK) also joined the rest of the state in mourning the passing away of Late Ringu.
CBAK president Dr Emi Rumi in his condolence message described Ringu as one amongst the first torchbearers of the Cibo Baage Ao Keba clan and also the first Arunachalee to be appointed as a chief secretary.
“He was our guiding light and pride as well as our inspiration. The entire CBAK clan humbly remembers his immense contribution towards the state and the country and appreciates his selfless and glorious service rendered to the public,” Dr Rumi said.
