Neiliezhü Üsou
Encyclopedia
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou was an influential Baptist
preacher
, theologian, Church music
ian, Music teacher and composer
from the North-Eastern state of India
, Nagaland
. He belonged to the Angami Naga tribe and hailed from Nerhema Village in Kohima district
, Nagaland
, India
. He was well known for his interpretive skills, powerful sermons and involvement with the State Government
.
, Nerhema village, in Kohima District
, was born on July 7, 1941. He did his early schooling from the village Lower Primary School. He came from a Non Christian family but was inspired to become a missionary by witnessing Rev. B. I. Anderson, an American Missionary
, and his wife playing Piano Accordion
during their visit to Nerhema Village Baptist Church in 1951 led by Kenneth Kerhüo. He took water baptism on March 13, 1953, from Rev. Kevizelie.
He joined the Naga National Movement
and went underground for sometime. He resurfaced and continued his schooling in Government High School, Kohima. He joined the Eastern Theological College (ETC), Jorhat, Assam
and did his Bachelor of Theology (B. Th) from 1960 to 1964. Seeing his interest in Music he was sent to Leonard Theological College (LTC), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh by an American Missionary, Dr. Frederick S. Downs, where he did his Religious Education in Church Music
from 1964 to 1965.
Neiliezhü Üsou joined Baptist English School, Kohima
as teacher for sometime and married the youngest daughter of Rev. Zhapuzhülie Sekhose, Rüülhou-ü, on December 18, 1965, at the age of 24.
.
he joined the Angami Baptist Church Council
(ABCC) as Superintendent of Mission Hostel under ABCC from 1966 to 1968 and also in 1971. He also served as Youth Director of ABCC in 1968, 1971 and as Youth Promoter in 1972. He started Nagaland Christian Youth Movement (NCYM) in 1970 and Angami Youth Gospel Team (AYGT) in 1971 as the Director respectively.
The ABCC gave him license
in 1974 and in 1975 he was appointed as Evangelist-at-Large
and held the same post till 1977. He was the Vice President of the ABCC during 1987 to 1989.
(NBCC) in 1972 and actively participated in the Billy Graham
Crusade
held in Kohima the same year.
He became the Liaison Committee Member of Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) under the aegis of NBCC from 1975 till 2009.
He led the Naga
Choir
as a Choir Director
to India
Youth for Christ
(YFC) convention in 1975 at Kolkata
.
He along with other members of Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) met the then Prime Minister of India
, Mrs. Indira Gandhi
, and Home Minister, Shri. Giani Zail Singh, in October 1979 at the Prime Minister’s Office
, New Delhi
in connection with peace work in Nagaland
.
He actively took part in the movement spearheaded by Nagaland Baptist Church Council for total liquor prohibition in Nagaland which finally culminated in the Government of Nagaland
passing the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) in 1989 in the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly
.
He attended the 16th Baptist World Alliance
(BWA) Congress at Seoul, South Korea from August 14 to 18, 1990. He was among the 370 Ordained ministers from 149 countries to take part in Mass Baptism
at the Olympic rowing competition site in Misari Regatta
, where 10,000 (ten thousand) candidates received water baptism.
(CBCNEI) to Arunachal Pradesh
(Indian state bordering China
) to conduct two weeks music seminar
. Incidentally Arunachal Pradesh was famous for Christian persecution
during those days. He successfully carried out the dangerous mission trip. He conducted music classes in the afternoons and Bible studies
in the evenings.
in Nagaland, the School of Music, Kohima, on August 13, 1969, which has been producing many amateur musicians and Church
Pianists. The School now has Voice
, Violin
, Piano
, Saxophone
, Drums and Conducting
departments under the music exam boards of ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) & Trinity Guildhall, London.
He did (Condensed Piano Course) from Kolkata in 1972 to equip himself better.
on October 1, 1978, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC), located at a hillock named Ministers’ Hill Colony because it quarters
Government Ministers. He successfully completed twenty five years as full time pastor and was conferred the title of Senior Pastor during the Silver Jubilee
celebration held on October 12, 2003, attended by many Church leaders and believers from various Churches including the State Chief Minister
, Shri. Neiphiu Rio
. The same evening a musical concert was organized to honour him. He opened the concert singing his favourite song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow
”. Many local musicians and veteran
singers participated.
He was ordained on December 20, 1981, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC) and celebrated twenty five years as ordained minister on December 20, 2006. During his Pastorship the Church grew from strength to strength, the Church managed school Ministers’ Hill Baptist English School was alleviated to Higher Secondary level, Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School (MHBHSS), in 1998. The Church
and the School
has been producing many theologians and missionaries. His dream project “The new church building” was completed and dedicated by him on December 22, 2002.
of the Royal British Legion (RBL) from 1994 till 2009.
Kohima is famous for the battle (the Battle of Kohima
) between the British
and Japan
ese during the Second World War. The slained soldiers of Britain
, India
and Nagaland
are buried in Kohima War Cemetery. Every three years the relatives and war survivors from the United Kingdom
visit Kohima
for memorial services where he conduct these solemn occasions.
He chaired the Remembrance Day Service
along with some Agape members from Japan
led by Lady Keiko Holmes
, recipient of OBE, working for reconciliation
on November 11, 2002, at Kohima War Cemetery.
as his favourite. He formed his family musical band christened Üsou’s Instrumental Praise in 2002, where he plays piano Accordion; his three sons on piano
, saxophone
, acoustic
and bass guitar
, Hawaiian guitar, drum
and a daughter on violin
and cello
. They are considered to be the only musical family in Nagaland and they perform in different concerts, government functions and Churches.
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou was a composer
and has composed many songs, including few theme songs which are sung by the respective members on appropriate and specific occasions.
in Nagaland and was also invited to a number of such crusades and Churches to speak.
He is considered to be one of the best interpreter in Nagaland. He has interpreted renowned preachers including Dr. Billy Kim
, Dr. Frederick S. Downs and Roger Houstma. His interpretive skill was marked by speed, accuracy and enthusiasm.
by invoking God’s blessing in almost all the important Government functions and dedications. Some of his important engagements with the Government are:
(IIFS) at New Delhi
.
He was conferred Doctorate in Divinity (D.D) by the International Institute of Church Management (IICM) on August 24, 2002, at Gurukul Theological College
, Chennai
.
indigenous music
from 1981 to 1984 and published a booklet and also produced an audio cassette in 1985 with an aim to bring the Naga tribes
closer through spiritual unity.
He has compiled a number of song books which are widely used in school assemblies
and Revival crusades
.
His book Elementary Music is used in Nagaland Schools as an externally assessed subject approved by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
He has also produced his own audio cassette of Christmas songs
.
He also wrote a book on Naga Music, Naga Identity which was published in 2007.
in the month of August and underwent major surgery. The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri. Neiphiu Rio
, and many other dignitaries
and well-wishers visited him at the Hospital. Than he was admitted to Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
for follow-up treatment.
Under his dynamic Chairmanship his native village Nerhema Baptist Church successfully celebrated 100 years of Christianity
from December 15 to 17, 2006.
He launched the Naga Global Mission (NGM) in July 2007. The most significant achievement of this Mission is having supported two missionaries in China
.
Soon after, he visited the United States
during August 2007 on the invitation by Mt. Gilead Church, Indianapolis
and gave sermons in different churches in Indianapolis
, Kentucky
, Michigan
and Ohio
.
His family band Üsou’s Instrumental Praise gave a concert at the State Academy Hall, Kohima on October 25, 2007, under the theme “Transcend” which was attended by the State Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues
and many well-wishers.
and in the month of November 2007, he was shifted to Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
for further treatment. For the first time in his entire ministry he was compelled to spend the festive season of Christmas far away from his family and his Church.
It was during this very critical period that the Nagaland Baptist Church Council
(NBCC) General Secretary, Rev. Zhabu Terhüja, wrote an appeal to all the Nagaland Churches to pray for his health. And prayers of the believers were answered.
He came back home stronger and was able to continue serving the Lord by being one of the main speaker during the “Naga Peace Convention” held from February 22 to 24, 2008, at Dimapur
.
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou breathed his last on January 30, 2009, at Naga Hospital, Kohima. His mortal remains was kept for three days in his residence enabling thousands of mourners from all walks of life to pay their respect. His Funeral
service took place at 2:00 PM IST
on Sunday, February 1, 2009, in his Church (MHBC) and was attended by thousands. His demise was mourned by the then Governor of Nagaland, Shri. K. Sankaranarayanan
, the then Governor of Maharashtra, Shri. S. C. Jamir, different organizations and Churches in Nagaland and the United States. Speakers at the Funeral included the Chief Minister of Nagaland
, the NBCC
, the ABCC, the NPC, the KBPF, the ANBPU and several others.
(HSLC) examination in Nagaland was held on June 6, 2009, at the Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou Memorial Hall. Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu
, Minister
for Higher and Technical Education
and Urban Development, Nagaland gave away the award as the Chief Guest of the auspicious occasion. This award is given annually and carries a citation and cash money of 15,000 (fifteen thousand Indian Rupees
).
entitled “A Tribute”: A life time of memories through Music and Testimonial was held on January 30, 2010, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC) and was attended by family, church leaders, members, friends and well-wishers.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, theologian, Church music
Church music
Church music may be defined as music written for performance in church, or any musical setting of ecclestiacal liturgy, or music set to words expressing propositions of a sacred nature, such as a hymn. This article covers music in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. For sacred music outside this...
ian, Music teacher and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
from the North-Eastern state of India
North-East India
Northeast India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States, Sikkim, and parts of North Bengal...
, Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
. He belonged to the Angami Naga tribe and hailed from Nerhema Village in Kohima district
Kohima district
Kohima district is a district of Nagaland state in India. It is the home of the Angami Naga tribe. As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Nagaland , after Dimapur.-History:...
, Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was well known for his interpretive skills, powerful sermons and involvement with the State Government
State governments in India
State governments in India are the governments ruling States of India and the main minsters in the state are the chief ministers. Power is divided between central government and state governments. While central government handles Military, external affairs etc., the state government controls...
.
Early life and education
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou, son of Putsolie Üsou, GB (Gaon Bura)Village head
The village headman or village chief is a central government post. The village headman is the person appointed to administer an area that is often a single village.The headman has several official duties in the village...
, Nerhema village, in Kohima District
Kohima district
Kohima district is a district of Nagaland state in India. It is the home of the Angami Naga tribe. As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Nagaland , after Dimapur.-History:...
, was born on July 7, 1941. He did his early schooling from the village Lower Primary School. He came from a Non Christian family but was inspired to become a missionary by witnessing Rev. B. I. Anderson, an American Missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, and his wife playing Piano Accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
during their visit to Nerhema Village Baptist Church in 1951 led by Kenneth Kerhüo. He took water baptism on March 13, 1953, from Rev. Kevizelie.
He joined the Naga National Movement
Naga National Council
The Naga National Council was a political organization of Naga people, active from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. Under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo in the 1940s, it unsuccessfully campaigned for the secession of the Naga territory from India and creation for a sovereign Naga...
and went underground for sometime. He resurfaced and continued his schooling in Government High School, Kohima. He joined the Eastern Theological College (ETC), Jorhat, Assam
Jorhat
Jorhat is a city of Assam in India. Jorhat was established as a new capital in the closing years of the 18th century by the declining Tunkhungia Ahom Dynasty. Jorhat, as the name signifies, was just a couple of markets . Two parallel markets namely, Chowkihat and Macharhat, lay on the eastern...
and did his Bachelor of Theology (B. Th) from 1960 to 1964. Seeing his interest in Music he was sent to Leonard Theological College (LTC), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh by an American Missionary, Dr. Frederick S. Downs, where he did his Religious Education in Church Music
Church music
Church music may be defined as music written for performance in church, or any musical setting of ecclestiacal liturgy, or music set to words expressing propositions of a sacred nature, such as a hymn. This article covers music in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. For sacred music outside this...
from 1964 to 1965.
Neiliezhü Üsou joined Baptist English School, Kohima
Kohima
Kohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
as teacher for sometime and married the youngest daughter of Rev. Zhapuzhülie Sekhose, Rüülhou-ü, on December 18, 1965, at the age of 24.
Family
Neiliezhü Üsou and his wife Rüülhou-ü have seven children: three sons and four daughters. They have two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and eight grandchildren. Most of the children are involved in Christian MinistryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
.
Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC)
After his theological studiesTheological Studies
Theological Studies is a quarterly academic journal published by the Society of Jesus in the United States. It is published at Marquette University....
he joined the Angami Baptist Church Council
Angami Baptist Church Council
The Angami Baptist Church Council is one of the 20 Associations in the Nagaland Baptist Church Council . Through the NBCC, the ABCC is part of the Baptist World Alliance , the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India and the North East India Christian Council , to name a few...
(ABCC) as Superintendent of Mission Hostel under ABCC from 1966 to 1968 and also in 1971. He also served as Youth Director of ABCC in 1968, 1971 and as Youth Promoter in 1972. He started Nagaland Christian Youth Movement (NCYM) in 1970 and Angami Youth Gospel Team (AYGT) in 1971 as the Director respectively.
The ABCC gave him license
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
in 1974 and in 1975 he was appointed as Evangelist-at-Large
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
and held the same post till 1977. He was the Vice President of the ABCC during 1987 to 1989.
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC)
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou was the first Honorary Youth Director of Nagaland Baptist Church CouncilNagaland Baptist Church Council
Nagaland Baptist Church Council is a Protestant church of India. It is in the North Eastern state of Nagaland. It counts more than 1001 congregations. It has over 600,000 members. More than 20 Naga Baptist conventions are affiliated to it. Baptists form more than 80% of Nagaland's population and...
(NBCC) in 1972 and actively participated in the Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
Crusade
Revival meeting
A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a church body, to raise funds and to gain new converts...
held in Kohima the same year.
He became the Liaison Committee Member of Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) under the aegis of NBCC from 1975 till 2009.
He led the Naga
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
Choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
as a Choir Director
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ is the name of a number of previously unaffiliated evangelical Protestant religious campaigns which led to the creation of Youth for Christ International in 1946....
(YFC) convention in 1975 at Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
.
He along with other members of Nagaland Peace Council (NPC) met the then Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
, Mrs. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
, and Home Minister, Shri. Giani Zail Singh, in October 1979 at the Prime Minister’s Office
Prime Minister's Office (India)
The Prime Minister's Office known as PMO consists of the immediate staff of the Prime Minister of India, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the Prime Minister. The PMO is headed by the Principal Secretary, currently TKA Nair...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in connection with peace work in Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
.
He actively took part in the movement spearheaded by Nagaland Baptist Church Council for total liquor prohibition in Nagaland which finally culminated in the Government of Nagaland
Government of Nagaland
The Government of Nagaland also known as the State Government of Nagaland, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Nagaland and its 11 districts...
passing the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) in 1989 in the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly
Nagaland Legislative Assembly
Nagaland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Nagaland. Nagaland became a state of India on 1 December, 1963 and after elections in January, 1964, the first Nagaland Legislative Assembly was formed on 11 February, 1964. In 1974, the strength of the Legislative...
.
He attended the 16th Baptist World Alliance
Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
(BWA) Congress at Seoul, South Korea from August 14 to 18, 1990. He was among the 370 Ordained ministers from 149 countries to take part in Mass Baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
at the Olympic rowing competition site in Misari Regatta
Misari Regatta
Misari Regatta is a boat racing track and park located in the neighborhood of Misa-dong in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, in the vicinity of 20 km east of Seoul, South Korea. It was established for the rowing and canoeing competition during the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics...
, where 10,000 (ten thousand) candidates received water baptism.
Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI)
In 1974 he was sent by the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast IndiaCouncil of Baptist Churches in Northeast India
Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India is a major Christian denomination of India. It does not belong to the Baptist World Alliance or the World Council of Churches. It belongs to the National Council of Churches in India, however. Furthermore, it is a member of the Asia Pacific Baptist...
(CBCNEI) to Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
(Indian state bordering China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
) to conduct two weeks music seminar
Seminar
Seminar is, generally, a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is...
. Incidentally Arunachal Pradesh was famous for Christian persecution
Persecution of Christians
Persecution of Christians as a consequence of professing their faith can be traced both historically and in the current era. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith, at the hands of both Jews from whose religion Christianity arose, and the Roman Empire which controlled much of the land...
during those days. He successfully carried out the dangerous mission trip. He conducted music classes in the afternoons and Bible studies
Bible study (Christian)
In Christianity, Bible study is the study of the Bible by ordinary people as a personal religious or spiritual practice. Some denominations may call this devotion or devotional acts; however in other denominations devotion has other meanings...
in the evenings.
School of Music
He established the first Government approved institute for Music studiesMusic school
The term music school refers to an educational institution specialized in the study, training and research of music.Different terms refer to this concept such as school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department or conservatory.Music instruction can be provided...
in Nagaland, the School of Music, Kohima, on August 13, 1969, which has been producing many amateur musicians and Church
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
Pianists. The School now has Voice
Voice type
A voice type is a particular kind of human singing voice perceived as having certain identifying qualities or characteristics. Voice classification is the process by which human voices are evaluated and are thereby designated into voice types...
, Violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, Piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, Drums and Conducting
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
departments under the music exam boards of ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) & Trinity Guildhall, London.
He did (Condensed Piano Course) from Kolkata in 1972 to equip himself better.
Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC)
He was installed as full time PastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
on October 1, 1978, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC), located at a hillock named Ministers’ Hill Colony because it quarters
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
Government Ministers. He successfully completed twenty five years as full time pastor and was conferred the title of Senior Pastor during the Silver Jubilee
Silver Jubilee
A Silver Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 25th anniversary. The anniversary celebrations can be of a wedding anniversary, ruling anniversary or anything that has completed a 25 year mark...
celebration held on October 12, 2003, attended by many Church leaders and believers from various Churches including the State Chief Minister
Chief Minister (India)
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a state of India. The chief minister is the head of the state Cabinet, and the leader of the state Legislature. By the Constitution of India, the chief minister is appointed by the Governor of the state....
, Shri. Neiphiu Rio
Neiphiu Rio
Neiphiu Rio is an Indian politician who is currently the Chief Minister of the state of Nagaland. He was Chief Minister from March 6, 2003 to January 3, 2008, and has been Chief Minister again since March 12, 2008....
. The same evening a musical concert was organized to honour him. He opened the concert singing his favourite song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow
His Eye is on the Sparrow
"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...
”. Many local musicians and veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
singers participated.
He was ordained on December 20, 1981, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC) and celebrated twenty five years as ordained minister on December 20, 2006. During his Pastorship the Church grew from strength to strength, the Church managed school Ministers’ Hill Baptist English School was alleviated to Higher Secondary level, Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School (MHBHSS), in 1998. The Church
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
and the School
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
has been producing many theologians and missionaries. His dream project “The new church building” was completed and dedicated by him on December 22, 2002.
The Royal British Legion (RBL)
He served as Officiating ChaplainChaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
of the Royal British Legion (RBL) from 1994 till 2009.
Kohima is famous for the battle (the Battle of Kohima
Battle of Kohima
The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U Go offensive into India in 1944 in the Second World War. The battle was fought from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima in northeast India. It is often referred to as the "Stalingrad of the East".The battle took place in...
) between the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese during the Second World War. The slained soldiers of Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
are buried in Kohima War Cemetery. Every three years the relatives and war survivors from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
visit Kohima
Kohima
Kohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
for memorial services where he conduct these solemn occasions.
He chaired the Remembrance Day Service
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
along with some Agape members from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
led by Lady Keiko Holmes
Keiko Holmes
is a Japanese coordinator for a charity named ‘Agape’ which helps to promote reconciliation between Japan and her former World War II P.O.Ws. She lectures at universities and schools, and was awarded the O.B.E.-Early life:...
, recipient of OBE, working for reconciliation
Reconciliation
Reconciliation may variously refer to:* Bank reconciliation* Truth and reconciliation commission-Religion:* Sacrament of Penance , also known as Reconciliation...
on November 11, 2002, at Kohima War Cemetery.
Music
He plays several musical instruments with the piano AccordionAccordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
as his favourite. He formed his family musical band christened Üsou’s Instrumental Praise in 2002, where he plays piano Accordion; his three sons on piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, acoustic
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
and bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Hawaiian guitar, drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
and a daughter on violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
. They are considered to be the only musical family in Nagaland and they perform in different concerts, government functions and Churches.
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou was a composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and has composed many songs, including few theme songs which are sung by the respective members on appropriate and specific occasions.
Crusades
He conducted several Revival CrusadesRevival meeting
A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a church body, to raise funds and to gain new converts...
in Nagaland and was also invited to a number of such crusades and Churches to speak.
He is considered to be one of the best interpreter in Nagaland. He has interpreted renowned preachers including Dr. Billy Kim
Billy Kim
Billy Kim was the president of the Baptist World Alliance from 2000 until 2005 when he was succeeded by David Coffey.-Career:Billy Kim first began to work with Suwon Central Baptist Church on January 1, 1960, when it had only 10 members...
, Dr. Frederick S. Downs and Roger Houstma. His interpretive skill was marked by speed, accuracy and enthusiasm.
Governmental engagements
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou closely associated with successive Governments in NagalandGovernment of Nagaland
The Government of Nagaland also known as the State Government of Nagaland, or locally as State Government, is the supreme governing authority of the Indian state of Nagaland and its 11 districts...
by invoking God’s blessing in almost all the important Government functions and dedications. Some of his important engagements with the Government are:
- During the occasion of distribution of tickets to a Political partyPolitical partyA political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
for Nagaland general electionElections in IndiaIndia has a quasi federal government, with elected officials at the federal , state and local levels. On a national level, the head of government, the Prime Minister, is elected directly by the people, through a general election. All members of the federal legislature, the Parliament, are directly...
in 1987 by the then Prime Minister of IndiaPrime Minister of IndiaThe Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
, Shri. Rajiv GandhiRajiv GandhiRajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
, he offered DedicatoryDedicationDedication is the act of consecrating an altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of...
prayer for the candidates and for peaceful election.
- He dedicated the newly built Nagaland State Secretariat Building with over 200 rooms on May 30, 1994.
- He invokedInvocationAn invocation may take the form of:*Supplication or prayer.*A form of possession.*Command or conjuration.*Self-identification with certain spirits....
God’s blessings during the State level peace rally held on March 13, 1999, participated by thousands of people where Mrs. Sonia GandhiSonia GandhiSonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi...
was the Chief Guest.
- He offered dedicatory prayerInvocationAn invocation may take the form of:*Supplication or prayer.*A form of possession.*Command or conjuration.*Self-identification with certain spirits....
at the inauguration of the newly built Governor’s Office, the Naga Bhavan, at Raj Bhavan, KohimaRaj Bhavan (Nagaland)Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor of Nagaland. It is located in the capital city of Kohima, Nagaland.The present Governor of Nagaland is Nikhil Kumar.-External links:*...
on August 15, 1999.
- He also invoked Gods blessing for the KargilKargil WarThe Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
heroes on the occasion of Kargil Vijay DiwasKargil vijay diwasKargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. and resulted in the loss of life on both...
at Durbar HallDurbar HallDurbar Hall is a place where Indian Kings had their formal and informal meetings. The famous ones belonged to Great Emperors and Kings. In the North, places like Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Agra have palaces that adorn such magnificent halls. The Mughal Emperor Akbar had two halls; one for...
, Raj Bhavan, Kohima on July 26, 2000.
- During the Indian Republic Day Celebration on January 26, 2002, he chaired the farewell ceremony of the outgoing Governor of Nagaland, Shri. Om Prakash Sharma, and delivered the farewell message at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
- He offered invocation prayer on the public reception to His ExcellencyExcellencyExcellency is an honorific style given to certain members of an organization or state.Usually, people styled "Excellency" are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, aristocracy, and military, and others holding equivalent rank .It is...
, the new Governor of Nagaland, Shri. Shyamal DattaShyamal DattaShyamla Datta is a former governor of the Indian state of Nagaland.Shyamal Datta was born on May 10, 1941. He joined the Indian Police Service in July 1965...
on February 4, 2002.
- He offered dedicatory prayer at the inauguration of the Multi Purpose Sports Complex at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on August 1, 2007, where Union Minister for Ministry of Youth Affairs and SportsMinistry of Youth Affairs and SportsThe Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, a branch of the Government of India, which administers Department of youth affairs and Department of Sports in India. The ministry also overlooks the organisation of Commonwealth 2010 games. As of September 2009, head of the ministry is the Minister of...
, Shri. Mani Shankar AiyarMani Shankar AiyarMani Shankar Aiyar is a former Indian diplomat who resigned from foreign service and became a politician working for Rajiv Gandhi in 1989-1991. He is a member of the Indian National Congress party and was the Minister of Panchayati Raj until he lost his seat in the 2009 Election...
, was the Chief Guest.
Others
- He was twice Chairman of Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF): 1982 and 1995 to 2004. Prompted by the resolution passed on March 27, 1984, by the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF) that Tribal tunesIndigenous musicIndigenous music is a term for the traditional music of the indigenous peoples of the world, that is, the music of an "original" ethnic group that inhabits any geographic region alongside more recent immigrants who may be greater in number...
and songs could be used in Christian worshipChristian worshipIn Christianity, worship is adoration and contemplation of God.-Overview:Throughout most of Christianity's history, corporate Christian worship has been primarily liturgical, characterized by prayers and hymns, with texts rooted in, or closely related to, the Scripture, particularly the Psalter;...
, an Indigenous Tribal Music Concert was organized at Kohima College Auditorium under his chairmanship on June 8, 1984, which was wholeheartedly participated by all Naga Tribal Churches in Kohima.
- He became the PresidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of All Nagaland Baptist Pastors’ Union (ANBPU) in 1994 till 1999.
- He was the President of Kohima Baptist Church Council (KBCC) from 1999 to 2001. One of his most remarkable achievement is that under his leadership the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF) organized a mass Holy Communion on Easter Sunday Sunrise ServiceSunrise serviceSunrise service is a worship service on Easter. It takes the place of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran tradition of the Easter Vigil, and is practised mainly by Protestant churches...
held at Kohima War Cemetery on April 16, 1995, where believers from different denominations from all over Kohima city, in thousands, took part.
- He baptized and served the Holy Communion to the Naga Vigil Prisoner of Conscience, Mr. David P. Ward, a British citizen, on March 12, 1993, in Kohima District Jail.
- He was the Convenor of the historic Naga Shisha Hoho Assembly where 1, 20,000 (one lakh and twenty thousand) Nagas congregated from February 25 to 27, 1994, and pledged to pray for peace and unity amongst the people.
Awards and honors
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou was awarded Bharat Jyoti Award on December 21, 2000; International Gold Star Millennium Award and the Jawaharlal Nehru Excellence Award for enriching human life and outstanding attainments on March 2, 2001, by the India International Friendship SocietyIndia International Friendship Society
The India International Friendship Society is a prominent – though not the only – voluntary organisation seeking to strengthen the ties between India and the international Indian diaspora in the hopes of utilising their potential for the benefit of the country, and at the same to build bridges of...
(IIFS) at New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
.
He was conferred Doctorate in Divinity (D.D) by the International Institute of Church Management (IICM) on August 24, 2002, at Gurukul Theological College
Gurukul Lutheran Theological College
Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute is an ecumenical seminary situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India. It is affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College .-Background:...
, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
.
Works
He researched on NagaNaga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
indigenous music
Indigenous music
Indigenous music is a term for the traditional music of the indigenous peoples of the world, that is, the music of an "original" ethnic group that inhabits any geographic region alongside more recent immigrants who may be greater in number...
from 1981 to 1984 and published a booklet and also produced an audio cassette in 1985 with an aim to bring the Naga tribes
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
closer through spiritual unity.
He has compiled a number of song books which are widely used in school assemblies
Congregation
A congregation is a large gathering of people, often for the purpose of worship:* Local church* Congregation , an administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church...
and Revival crusades
Revival meeting
A revival meeting is a series of Christian religious services held in order to inspire active members of a church body, to raise funds and to gain new converts...
.
His book Elementary Music is used in Nagaland Schools as an externally assessed subject approved by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
He has also produced his own audio cassette of Christmas songs
Christmas Songs
Christmas Songs is a 2005 album by Diana Krall performed with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. This is Krall's first full-length album of Christmas songs , and her first studio album with a big band. It is her ninth album overall...
.
He also wrote a book on Naga Music, Naga Identity which was published in 2007.
Later years
He fell sick in the first part of 2006 and was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New DelhiSir Ganga Ram Hospital (India)
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is a 650-bed multi-speciality state-of-the-art hospital in Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. It provides comprehensive medical services to patients from all over Southeast Asia and is regarded as one of the leading healthcare institutions in India...
in the month of August and underwent major surgery. The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri. Neiphiu Rio
Neiphiu Rio
Neiphiu Rio is an Indian politician who is currently the Chief Minister of the state of Nagaland. He was Chief Minister from March 6, 2003 to January 3, 2008, and has been Chief Minister again since March 12, 2008....
, and many other dignitaries
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
and well-wishers visited him at the Hospital. Than he was admitted to Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Apollo Hospitals India
Apollo Hospitals India is a hospital chain based in Chennai, India. It was founded by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy in 1983. With over 8500 beds across 53 hospitals within and outside India, the Apollo Hospitals Group is one of the largest healthcare groups in Asia....
for follow-up treatment.
Under his dynamic Chairmanship his native village Nerhema Baptist Church successfully celebrated 100 years of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
from December 15 to 17, 2006.
He launched the Naga Global Mission (NGM) in July 2007. The most significant achievement of this Mission is having supported two missionaries in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Soon after, he visited the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during August 2007 on the invitation by Mt. Gilead Church, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
and gave sermons in different churches in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
His family band Üsou’s Instrumental Praise gave a concert at the State Academy Hall, Kohima on October 25, 2007, under the theme “Transcend” which was attended by the State Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
and many well-wishers.
Declining health and death
His health deteriorated and he was once again rushed to Apollo Hospital, New DelhiApollo Hospitals India
Apollo Hospitals India is a hospital chain based in Chennai, India. It was founded by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy in 1983. With over 8500 beds across 53 hospitals within and outside India, the Apollo Hospitals Group is one of the largest healthcare groups in Asia....
and in the month of November 2007, he was shifted to Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
Tata Memorial Hospital
The Tata Memorial Hospital is situated in Parel, Mumbai in India. It is a specialist cancer treatment and research centre, closely associated with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer . One of the fields of specialization of this hospital is in the treatment of acute...
for further treatment. For the first time in his entire ministry he was compelled to spend the festive season of Christmas far away from his family and his Church.
It was during this very critical period that the Nagaland Baptist Church Council
Nagaland Baptist Church Council
Nagaland Baptist Church Council is a Protestant church of India. It is in the North Eastern state of Nagaland. It counts more than 1001 congregations. It has over 600,000 members. More than 20 Naga Baptist conventions are affiliated to it. Baptists form more than 80% of Nagaland's population and...
(NBCC) General Secretary, Rev. Zhabu Terhüja, wrote an appeal to all the Nagaland Churches to pray for his health. And prayers of the believers were answered.
He came back home stronger and was able to continue serving the Lord by being one of the main speaker during the “Naga Peace Convention” held from February 22 to 24, 2008, at Dimapur
Dimapur
Dimapur in Nagaland is bounded by Kohima district on the south and east, Karbi Anglong district of Assam on the West, the Karbi Anglong and stretch of Golaghat District of Assam, in the west and the north...
.
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou breathed his last on January 30, 2009, at Naga Hospital, Kohima. His mortal remains was kept for three days in his residence enabling thousands of mourners from all walks of life to pay their respect. His Funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
service took place at 2:00 PM IST
Indian Standard Time
Indian Standard Time is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a time offset of UTC+05:30. India does not observe daylight saving time or other seasonal adjustments, although DST was used briefly during the Sino–Indian War of 1962 and the Indo–Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971...
on Sunday, February 1, 2009, in his Church (MHBC) and was attended by thousands. His demise was mourned by the then Governor of Nagaland, Shri. K. Sankaranarayanan
K. Sankaranarayanan
Kateekal Sankaranarayanan is the current governor of the Indian state of Maharashtra and Goa. He had also served as the Governor of Nagaland and Jharkhand. Prior to his appointment as Governor, he had served as a Minister in several Congress led governments of Kerala headed by Chief Ministers A....
, the then Governor of Maharashtra, Shri. S. C. Jamir, different organizations and Churches in Nagaland and the United States. Speakers at the Funeral included the Chief Minister of Nagaland
Neiphiu Rio
Neiphiu Rio is an Indian politician who is currently the Chief Minister of the state of Nagaland. He was Chief Minister from March 6, 2003 to January 3, 2008, and has been Chief Minister again since March 12, 2008....
, the NBCC
Nagaland Baptist Church Council
Nagaland Baptist Church Council is a Protestant church of India. It is in the North Eastern state of Nagaland. It counts more than 1001 congregations. It has over 600,000 members. More than 20 Naga Baptist conventions are affiliated to it. Baptists form more than 80% of Nagaland's population and...
, the ABCC, the NPC, the KBPF, the ANBPU and several others.
Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou Memorial Award for Music
For his tremendous contribution to the growth of music in Nagaland, an award in Music was instituted and approved by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The first awarding of "Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou Memorial Award for Music" to the highest scorer in Music in High School Leaving CertificateHigh School Leaving Certificate
The High School Leaving Certificate is awarded after school students successfully complete the curriculum and examinations of schools affiliated to state boards in India....
(HSLC) examination in Nagaland was held on June 6, 2009, at the Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou Memorial Hall. Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu
Shürhozelie Liezietsu
Dr. Shürhozelie is a politician from Nagaland, India. He is the president of the Nagaland People's Front. In 2003 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland, as the Nagaland People's Front candidate in the constituency Northern Angami-I...
, Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
for Higher and Technical Education
Education in India
Education in India is provided by the public sector as well as the private sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory. The Nalanda University was the oldest university-system of education in the world...
and Urban Development, Nagaland gave away the award as the Chief Guest of the auspicious occasion. This award is given annually and carries a citation and cash money of 15,000 (fifteen thousand Indian Rupees
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
).
1st Death Anniversary
His first death anniversaryMemorial service
Memorial service is often used to describe a secular or non-religious funeral. A funeral is a religious service that is held with or without the body of the deceased present...
entitled “A Tribute”: A life time of memories through Music and Testimonial was held on January 30, 2010, at Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC) and was attended by family, church leaders, members, friends and well-wishers.
See also
- Nagaland Baptist Church CouncilNagaland Baptist Church CouncilNagaland Baptist Church Council is a Protestant church of India. It is in the North Eastern state of Nagaland. It counts more than 1001 congregations. It has over 600,000 members. More than 20 Naga Baptist conventions are affiliated to it. Baptists form more than 80% of Nagaland's population and...
- Angami Baptist Church Council
- Angami Nagas
- Tenyidie (Angami Language)Angami languageAngami is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Naga Hills in the northeastern part of India, in Kohima district, Nagaland....
- Tati (musical instrument of the Angamis)Tati (musical instrument)Tati is a single stringed Naga traditional musical instrument invented and used by the Naga people since time immemorial. It is popularly used by the Angami Nagas and Chakesang Nagas to sing traditional folk....
- The Naga PeopleNaga peopleThe term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
- NagalandNagalandNagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
- KohimaKohimaKohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
- Battle of KohimaBattle of KohimaThe Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U Go offensive into India in 1944 in the Second World War. The battle was fought from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima in northeast India. It is often referred to as the "Stalingrad of the East".The battle took place in...