Former Nagaland CS and VDB pioneer AM Gokhale no more

CM Rio leads State in paying tributes

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 19

Former Nagaland Chief Secretary and Padma Shri, Achyut Madhav Gokhale passed away today in Pune. He was 75 and survived by his wife and two children.

A former Short Service Commissioned Officer in the Indian Navy, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1974, with 1968 as his year of allotment.

Thereafter, till his retirement in 2006, he served under the government of Nagaland (GoN) and India, under various capacities.

According to one of his resume, during his stint at the Indian Navy, he spent half the period in Missile Boat squadron and was the 2nd in command of Missile Boat INS VINASH, which saw action in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and received the gallantry award of “Mentioned in Despatches.”

After completing his IAS probation in Mussoorie (1973-74), he first joined the service of the GoN as an Assistant Commissioner, Mokokchung and culminating with the topmost job of the State bureaucracy as the Chief Secretary.

In the intervening periods, he was deputed at the Centre on various assignments.

Gokhale received Bachelor of Science, University of Mumbai, 1965 majoring in Physics and Mathematics.

For his distinguished services to the State and Union Government, Gokhale was conferred with the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India Padma Shri in 1990 for ‘Civil Service.’

After superannuation, he served briefly as Consultant in the Planning Commission, to advise the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission on the Northeastern states and thereafter as Executive Director of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, in Chennai.

Lasting legacy:
In his first stint in the service of the GoN from 1974-1987, Gokhale made the biggest contribution in institutional building, particularly at grassroots level.

Chief among those were the establishment of the Village Development Boards (VDBs) and NEPED in Nagaland, formation and establishing CBOs (Community Based Organisations).

During the 13 years, Gokhale led campaign for “formation and firm establishment of the VDBs in the State,drafting and finalising the procedures for their funding, and day to day functioning, establishing clear roles for the Deputy Commissioners, District Planning Boards, the Rural Development Department, and the State Planning Board for servicing the VDBs.”

As the Deputy Commissioner of Phek, Gokhale pioneered the concept of ‘Village Development Board’ in Ketsapomi village under the district in 1976.

Returning to State after a central deputation in 1992, he was instrumental in launching of the Nagaland Environment Protection and Economic Development Project (NEPED) as the State’s Agricultural Production Commissioner.

At the centre, Gokhale was recognised particularly for formation the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana as well as Village Energy Security Programme.

CM, Dy CM, others condole
Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led the State in grieving the demise of Late Gokhale and said that it is a “loss which is not limited to his immediate family members but to all of us in Nagaland.”

“Gokhale was an exceptional office , an optimist, a true leader, and a thinker par excellence, who during his more than three decades of service in the Indian Administrative Service brought about revolutionary changes,” Rio stated in a condolence message.

In Nagaland, he developed the concept of the VDB which decentralised development to the village level, much before the Panchayati Raj institutions were brought in the rest of the country, he said.

The people of the entire state shall continue to fondly remember the passionate manner in which he executed and put in place the necessary foundation to ensure its success and sustainability, he added.

Rio further noted that Late Gokhale merged his passion for conserving environment with the strengths and traditions of the Naga people and established the NEPED, building a motivated and dedicated team from scratch.

For the first time, the initiative brought in financing from external agencies to Nagaland and its success also motivated the State Government to set-up a number of other game changing missions such as the Bamboo Mission, Honey Mission, Rio added.

“Gokhale always did what was in the best of interests for the people of the State, and he will always remain in the hearts of people of Nagaland,” he said.

At this moment of grief I extend my deepest condolences to the family — Savita Gokhale and children and pray to God Almighty to grant them the strength to bear with this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace, he added.

Nagaland CS: On behalf of the State Government, the Nagaland Chief Secretary, J Alam has conveyed condolences to the bereaved family of Late Gokhale and prayed to the God Almighty to grant them the courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

During his illustrious career, Late Gokhale distinguished himself with several path breaking innovations in public and development administration and his most “lasting and shining contribution” was the setting up and nurturing of VDBs, the CS stated in a message.

Besides, he served as the chief Secretary of the State at a crucial time when the ceasefire was signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), it said.

Describing him as a gifted bureaucrat with a limitless capacity for innovative thinking, change management and team building, the CS noted in the message that Gokhale “remained dedicated to the cause of development of the rural poor” throughout his life.

Nagaland can never forget his contribution in conceiving and building the institution of VDB,that remains a model of success in the north east and indeed the entire country, it added.

In his sad and untimely demise, we have lost a fine gentleman with infectious energy and dedication, a team leader and a true friend and benefactor of the people of Nagaland. His lasting legacy of VDBs and NEPED will continue to inspire and guide the young civil servants and the people of Nagaland for all time to come, it added.

Patton, State BJP: The Dy.CM and BLP leader Y Patton also remembered a reformer and a brilliant Civil servant.
Remembering his contribution, Patton said that Late Gokhale was the brain behind in introducing Alder tree plantations drive which helped in jhum cultivation cycles, and its benefits in eco- forestry.

His vision for an integrated rural development became a reality with the establishment of VDB, starting with Ketsapo in Phek district as a model village, he said.

As a reformer and a brilliant Civil servant, Gokhale left deep imprint in the hearts of the people of Nagaland, he added.
On behalf of the state BJP legislators, the Dy.CM also conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the departed to rest in peace.

K Therie: NPCC President K Therie also remembered Late Gokhale as a “socialist at heart” who dedicatedly served the people with purpose guided by that mindset.

His continued zeal to empower the grassroots by bringing government mechanisms to them saw the formulation and birth of the VDB system and NEPED amongst a host of other achievements throughout a lifetime of public service, he said.

The fruits of his wisdom and labour will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come, he added.

Stating that Late Gokhale’s affable personality and love for the Nagas would be ever cherished, Therie added: “All rank and file of NPCC join me in offering our deepest condolences It is our prayer that the Grace of the Almighty God be upon you all and console you. May his soul rest in peace.”

NRDSA: The Rural Development Service Association (NRDSA) also expressed sadness over his sudden demise and said that Late Gokhale will always be remembered as the man who founded the VDB in Nagaland.

Extending its deepest condolence to the bereaved family, NRDSA prayed the God Almighty to comfort and give strength to overcome the grief and loss and further wished the departed soul a rest in eternal peace.

Nagaland VDB Secretary Association: Expressing its sorrow over the sudden demise, the Nagaland State VDB Secretary Association remembered the architect of VDBs in Nagaland.

It was first set up in 1976 at Ketsapomi Village in Phek District under Late Gokhale’s authority on a trial basis which became a success and till today the Nagaland State is enjoying its fruit, the Association stated in a condolence noite.

“His departure has left us all in shock and pained, we show our respect and share our deepest sorrow and sympathy to his family during these hour of grief and may the love of the Lord give their family strength during this hard times,” it added.

KVC, KWSK: The Khezhakeno Village Council (KVC) and Khezhakeno Welfare Society Kohima (KWSK) have also expressed pain over the demise of Late Gokhale.

“In his death, we have lost a brilliant administrator and a pioneer who had introduced the system of VDB to our people,” stated a joint condolence note from KVC and KWSK.

Indeed, Late Gokhale left behind a great legacy to the Nagas, particularly to our Khezhakeno villagers and his special regard to this ancestral heritage village and his love for our people shall be deeply imprinted in our hearts to be cherished, it said.

“We pay our humble homage to the departed officer and pray Almighty God to grant the departed soul to rest in eternal peace. And, at this hour of grief and pain, we also extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members,” it added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/former-nagaland-cs-and-vdb-pioneer-am-gokhale-no-more