States » EastPosted at: Oct 4 2026 8:26PM


Noted social worker Balakrishnan’s final wish fulfilled in five-river farewell across Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, Oct 4 (UNI) The final wish of veteran social worker A Balakrishnan, who devoted much of his life to education and social service in Arunachal Pradesh, was fulfilled as his ashes were immersed in five major rivers across the state in a four-day farewell that brought together members of the Vivekananda Kendra family and local communities.
The ceremonies, held from October 1 to 4, took place at the Tirap River in Changlang town, Lohit River at Parshuram Kund, Subansiri River at Kuporijo, Siang River at Komolighat in Pasighat and Kameng River at Seppa.
Balakrishnan had expressed a wish for his ashes to be immersed in the rivers of Arunachal Pradesh, which he regarded as his Karmabhumi.
He was closely associated with the establishment and growth of the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya movement in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the Northeast.
Balakrishnan passed away at Kanyakumari on August 27.
Following his cremation, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Alumni Association (VKVAA) members brought the ashes from Kanyakumari to Arunachal Pradesh. They were divided into five urns and handed over to respective VKVAA units for the ceremonies.
The proceedings at the different locations included prayers and traditional rituals, with local indigenous shamans joining members of VKVAA, Vivekananda Kendra and Arun Jyoti in paying their final respects.
At Komolighat, the immersion was led by John Pada along with VKVAA chairman Dr Minggam Pertin, Dr Amin Tayeng and others. Moshaso Minin led the ceremony at Parshuram Kund, while Lardak Murtem led the proceedings at Kuporijo.
The immersion at Seppa was led by Basang Wahge, while Kamjai Taisam led the Tirap River ceremony at Changlang, wherein Changlang Deputy Commissioner RD Thungon also participated.
For those who participated, the five-river immersion symbolised Balakrishnan’s enduring bond with Arunachal Pradesh and fulfilled his wish to return to the rivers of the state where he had devoted much of his life to social service and education.
The ceremonies concluded with prayers and traditional tributes, bringing to an end a four-day farewell to a social worker remembered for his contribution to the growth of VKVs and educational initiatives across Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast.
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