Lian No Thang
Lian no Thang (December 12, 1961 - August 16, 2019), also Panova, was a Burmese politician, statesman, philanthropist and nationalist for democracy. He was the founding fathers of Chin National Front (CNF), and financed everything for the foundation of the party itself. He was the President and leader of Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD). During the late 1980's Universities were closed in Burma, source of income and jobs were depleted and with the military government in power, he fled to Mizoram state of North Eastern India for refuge. Prior to fleeing Burma, he was a candidate for the Member of Parliament, but decided not to risk his own life as the military regime were out to arrest leaders for the democratic freedom in Burma. With thousands of Burmese refugees in Mizoram, many of them were not able to go to school and were left without proper care and family. In 1999, he came in contact with the Brackett Foundation from Hamilton, New York and founded "Chin National Project." This helped many refugees with education, care and benefits. He devoted his entire life to the Chin movement. During the early 2000s, with the rise of malaria and certain sickness among the Burmese population, he contacted Medical Mercy in 2002 and founded a project to help refugees along with physicians from Canada and open a free health care clinic. He was elected President to manage the board and teams for Health Care for Burma. Later, a hospital was established in Champhai, Zokhawthar of Mizoram to help support refugees from Burma. He was the leader who helped give shelter and food to various families during the mid 2000s as the local Mizoram groups and political affiliates were on the move to arrest, harass, discriminate and deport all Burmese refugees who settle in the state. Later, he helped established "Relief Committee" and raise funds from across the globe to help refugees who settle in Mizoram. This helped many to cross Mizoram and enter Delhi to apply for a refuge status to UNHCR. Many of whom are now settled in the United States, Canada and Australia. [1] [2] [3]
Lian No Thang | |
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| Born | Lian No Thang December 12, 1961 Chin State, Myanmar, Burma |
| Died | 16 August 2019 (aged 57) |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts |
| Alma mater | Hrangbana College |
| Occupation | politician |
Early Life and Education
Lian No Thang was born in Chin State of Burma. His father Hlawn Hmung passed away when he was just five years old and was left to care by his eldest brother who was a Catholic priest. He was a close relative of Salai Sun Ceu, a well known famed singer and songwriter of the Chin community. After fleeing his beloved country, he got married in 1991 to Lal Rem Ruati in Champhai district of Mizoram. He had a family of five children, his sons Lal Hmun Mawia, Mal Sawm Dawnga, Biak Tha Kima, Lal Ro Hlua, and one daughter Baby Zakhumi. He attend Hrangbana College for Bachelors in Economics and Political Science prior to his marriage and open a small business to support the Burmese community.
Lai Bible Project
In the early 1990s, he started the project to establish a Lai Bible with Zanniat language specification. As there was no Zanniat Bible in existence, he took the matter in his hands and funded everything for the development of the Bible. After more than 20 years in development, the Zanniat Bible was approved and published by the Bible Society of Myanmar in 2018. Later, an electronic version of the Bible was published in the Google Play Store.
Death and funeral
Lian No Thang passed away in 2019. It was his wish to be buried in his beloved hometown in Chin State.
A funeral service was held in Tahanin, Sagaing division of Burma. Many politicians, community and church leaders, family members, and friends from the various Chin communities paid their respects to Lian No Thang. Many organizations in Yangon paid their respects to him by placing wreaths on his casket.
References
- https://www.facebook.com/191100144931231/posts/pu-lian-no-thang-thlahnaka-nupi-in-mizo-tongin-ngan-aw-in-ti-ruangah-mizo-tongin/381488382559072/
- "CNF vs Pu No Than Kap".
- Pu Lian Uk (2008). SUPPRESSION OF CHIN NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR FEDERALISM UNDER THE REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL AND THE BURMA SOCIALIST PROGRAMME PARTY (1962-1988). Ottawwa, Canada: The Chin Forum Megazine.