Title: “Ninu- A Saga of the Valorous Wanchos”
Author: Mady Menon aka Colonel P . Madhavan (Retd.)
Publisher: Notion Press
Publication date: 08/03/2020
Pages: 350
Product dimensions: Paperback, 5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.78(d)
FOREWORD BY HIS EXCELLENCY “BRIG (DR) BD MISHRA (RETD)”,
HONORABLE GOVERNOR OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
It gives me immense pleasure to write these lines of FOREWORD for “Ninu- A Saga of the Valorous
Wanchos” the book written by Colonel P. Madhavan (Retd.), aka Mady Menon. This unique book covers the History, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Politics and Defence aspects of North Eastern India in general and Arunachal Pradesh in particular. The story of the imaginary Wanchos family of Ninu village, cast in the book, is set out in the present day Longding District of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a role model description of tribal martial traits and traditional tribe centric vitriolic proclivity. The combat prowess of the Wanchos and their bold temperamental sensitivity is extremely well recorded here. Wanchos revolted against the British Rule in India file in the year 1875. This happened when a British Survey Party of 80 men, with their conceited Commander Lt. Holcombe occasioned a perceived insult to Wanchos dead Chief. The whole Survey party fell prey to the spears and short swords of Wancho villagers of Ninu. This killing of the Britishers severely vexed the British rulers who forced total isolation on the Wanchos till the Colonial Rule lasted in India. After the Independence of India, it took many long years for the Wanchos of Longding to integrate with the National mainstream.
While the central theme of this book revolves around the Wanchos, the author has well covered the history of the Danavas, the Bodos, the Baro Bhuyans, the Chutiyas, the Dimasas and of course the Ahoms Kings who ruled the Region for 600 years, and the short interlude of the Burmese rule over Assam.
The write up herein, includes interesting descriptions of Jhum cultivation, Bamboo flowering, Assam Rifles, Burmese Army, the thorny insurgency menace, the Indian Frontier Administrative Service and the sagacious .* liberation of Tawang from the high handed Tibetan feudals and its integration with the people of India by Major Bob Khathing in 1951 on the orders of the then towering Governor of Assam Late Jairam Das Daulat Ram.
“Ninu a Saga of the Valorous Wanchos” is an extremely well researched Book, and evinces the exceptional knowledge, empathy and ratiocination of the writer about the people and the domain of the remote North Eastern part of our country. I am sure this Book, as a source of information and
reference, will make a good reading for the Students of Anthropology, Researchers of India’s North Eastern land, teachers and students of history, members of armed forces, politicians and the Administrators alike.
I compliment Colonel P. Madhavan (Retd.) for writing this interesting book. I am sure the book will find a wide readership
Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd)
HONORABLE GOVERNOR OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
