Manoj Lakra, Ranchi:
Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church is completing 178 years of establishment on November 2. When four Lutheran Gossner missionaries on their way from Germany to Burma stopped in Kolkata, they saw the tribals of Chhotanagpur working as porters on the streets there. On enquiry, it was revealed that he had come to Kolkata in search of work after being fed up with the harassment, forced labor and land looting by the landlords in Chhotanagpur. Circumstances became such that the missionaries’ trip to Burma was postponed and in such a situation they decided to come to Chhotanagpur. These four missionaries reached Ranchi on 2 November 1845. He was the first missionary of any church to come to Chotanagpur. 178 years have passed since then. It will be interesting to see what this church did for the tribals of this area.
JIEL Church Chhattanagpur and Assam is running 128 schools:
In Ranchi, JIEL Church is running Gossner College, Bethesda Women’s Teachers Training College, Bethesda Primary Teachers Education College, Bethesda Women’s Intermediate College, Bethesda Women’s College, while 128 schools are being run by JIEL Church in Chhattanagpur and Assam. Bethesda School is the first school in the entire Chhotanagpur, where girls got the opportunity to study. The school was started on 1 December 1852. Apart from this, many hospitals, health centers and social service institutions are also being run. Many people associated with the church have shown their talent in various fields.
Jual Lakra was a religious leader and skilled politician:
The religious leader of GL Church, Jual Lakra (13 September 1894 – 8 October 1974) was a religious servant as well as a skilled politician. He was the President and Chief Chairman of JIEL Church. The then President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan honored him with the Padma Shri award on 17 April 1963. In undivided Bihar, he was nominated as a member of the Legislative Council in the year 1957. Raised voice for the educational and economic development of the tribals of Chhotanagpur. After his retirement, in 1969, at the behest of late Indira Gandhi, he joined the board of directors of United Bank of India. He was also a senate member of Ranchi University.
Dr. Nirmal Minj started teaching tribal languages:
Bishop (late) Dr. Nirmal Minj always remained in favor of the language of the tribals. As the founder principal of Gossner College, Ranchi, he first formally started the study and teaching of tribal languages.
Performed religious rituals in Kudukh in the church and started the tradition of singing songs in Kudukh language. Got the Bible translated into Kudukh. On the initiative of Bishop Nirmal Minz, the Indian Council of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples was established in 1980, which presented the views of tribals on international platforms like the United Nations. Joined All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) in 1980. Became Bishop of the NWGEL Church in 1980 itself.
Praveen Horo becomes the first officer from Jharkhand in the Indian Statistical Service:
Praveen Horo became the first officer from Jharkhand in the Indian Statistical Service (ISS). Recently retired as Director General (DG), Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Government of India. He served on various posts in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Sample Survey Organisation. Have also taken special training in IIM, Lucknow, Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, International Institute Australia, Cairo Demographic Centre, Egypt etc.
Former hockey team captain Sumrai Tete is honored with Dhyanchand Award:
Sumrai Tete has been a member of the Indian women’s national hockey team. Sumrai, a dynamic player of the left half, joined the Indian senior team in 1996 on the basis of her excellent game. He was awarded the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award in the year 2017.
She was a member of the team that won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester 2002. His journey ended in 2006. She was the captain of the Indian team at that time. In 2006 itself, India had won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games held in Australia. He has trained the Indian Senior Women’s team as well as the Indian Railways team.
Rupa Rani Tirkey won gold medal for India in lawn ball:
Rupa Rani Tirkey, who was part of the team that won India the gold medal in lawn ball in the Commonwealth Games 2022, has played Kabaddi at the national level. She also played basketball. Studied from Sant Anna School, Ranchi. Graduated from Gossner College. Currently working in Sports Department. Indian national team selected to represent the Blue Ribbon event, 2023 World Baseball Championship. Won three medals in Asia Pacific Ball Championship. Won fourth gold medal in the 14th Asian Lawn Ball Championship in Kuala Lumpur in 2023.
Akashvani presented the first Nagpuri program from Ranchi:
Naveen Mundu is 91 years old and lives in Dibdih. He told that he was a part of Dehati Duniya, the first program broadcast in Nagpuri language from Akashvani Ranchi. Julius Tigga, Essenia Khes (member of GEL Church) and Kishore Singh were also present with him in this program. Naveen Mundu worked as a staff artist in All India Radio, Ranchi from 1957 to 1960. Was an Intelligence Officer in IB. Was a founding member of the Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. Jovana Minz of GEL Church also used to prepare programs for All India Radio and Doordarshan. She was a section officer in Mekan.