Guwahati, August 20: Sixty years after appearing for his Bachelor of Arts examination, former Mizoram Chief Minister and Mizo National Front president Zoramthanga received his graduation certificate from Gauhati University during a special programme held on the university campus.
The certificate was presented to Zoramthanga on August 20 during a Special Lecture-cum-Interactive Programme at the Phanidhar Dutta Seminar Hall, Gauhati University.
The programme was jointly organised by the Gauhati University Institute of North East India Studies (GUINEIS) and the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD).
The event also featured a special lecture by Zoramthanga titled “From Guerrilla Fighter to a Peacemaker.”
A Degree Certificate Received Six Decades Later
Sharing details of the occasion, Zoramthanga said he had appeared for his B.A. examination in 1966 from D.M. College, Imphal, which was under Gauhati University at the time.
However, he was unable to collect his graduation certificate after his life took a different course. Following his examination, he joined the underground movement of the Mizo National Front under the leadership of Laldenga.
Zoramthanga said that even after the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord, he continued to devote himself to public life and the service of the people, resulting in the certificate remaining uncollected for decades.
Receiving the document after 60 years, he described the occasion as personally significant, saying that although it might appear to be a small achievement to others, the circumstances surrounding the long delay made it particularly valuable to him.
He expressed his gratitude to Gauhati University and all those associated with making the long-awaited presentation possible.
From Conflict to Peace
The special lecture drew upon Zoramthanga’s recently published book, From Guerrilla Fighter to Chief Minister, published by Penguin Random House India.
During the programme, he reflected on Mizoram’s journey from the beginning of the MNF movement through the years of conflict and towards peace and statehood, while also sharing experiences from his own political journey.
The theme, “From Guerrilla Fighter to a Peacemaker,” reflected the transformation of both Mizoram’s political history and Zoramthanga’s personal journey—from his years in the underground movement to his later role in democratic politics and public life.
The programme brought together an important chapter of Zoramthanga’s academic past with his long and eventful political journey, making the presentation of the graduation certificate a particularly memorable moment.
Zoramthanga Thanks Gauhati University and Organisers
Following the event, Zoramthanga thanked Gauhati University, GUINEIS and OKDISCD for organising what he described as a meaningful and memorable programme.
He also acknowledged the presence of Dr. R. Lalthangliana, MLA and Senior Vice President of the Mizo National Front, along with leaders from the MNF General Headquarters and the Mizo National Youth Front (MNYF) Headquarters, who accompanied him to the programme.
The event marked a rare moment in which an academic journey that began in the 1960s was formally completed six decades later, while also giving students and members of the academic community an opportunity to hear directly from one of the key political figures associated with Mizoram’s transition from conflict to peace.
