Shri V L Nghaka
Padma Shri awarded Shri V L Nghaka, an Aizwal-born author and translator of Hindi who is well-known for creating the Hindi-Mizo dictionary.
Who is Shri V L Nghaka?
In 1930, V L Nghaka was born. He is the first member of the Mizo ethnic group to pass the Shiksha Visharad, a test that determines who is qualified to teach in schools. He completed his MA degree in 1976 and his MEd degree in 1980, both of which came somewhat later.
He devotedly promoted the Hindi language in Mizoram early in his life. He took the initiative to organize the first Mizoram Assam Hindi Prachar Samiti at Kawnpui Village in the northern section of Mizoram in 1954 before the current Mizoram State had been established. Later, this organization changed into the Mizoram Hindi Prachar Sabha. When Nghaka received the Padma Shri award, the Sabha had 18 institutions offering a BA in Hindi, 35 Prachar centers, and 64 Vidhyalayas.
Nghaka is the author of a number of works aimed at promoting Hindi education. The most essential of these is a Mizo-Hindi dictionary, along with books on Hindi grammar and how to prepare for the Hindi examination (“Hindi Pariksha Sahayika”). In 1965, the dictionary was released.
He commonly acted as an interpreter between locals and Hindi-speaking government officials due to his proficiency in the language. Later, during the Mizoram conflict, this duty was expanded to include mediating peace talks between the Indian Army and the Mizo National Front. Through negotiations with the authorities, paying bail with his own money, and signing Bail Bonds, he assisted in getting numerous Mizo inmates their freedom on bail.
