Itanagar/Imphal, Dec 4 (NationPress) A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been formalized between the Arunachal Pradesh state government and the Indian Army to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valor located in Tawang. This significant event took place under the watchful presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

The MoA was officially signed by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang along with Brig V S Rajput from the 190 Mountain Brigade.

Through this agreement, the management of the museum will be effectively handled exclusively by the Indian Army.

Khandu took the opportunity to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India, who directed Major Bob Khathing to journey to Tawang and assert administrative control over the area in 1951, which was previously overseen by Tibetan governance.

“Had it not been for Sardar Patel, Major Bob Khathing, and the then Governor of Assam Daulat Ram, who knows if we, the Monpas and the Tawang region, would still be under Chinese-controlled Tibet,” Khandu remarked.

The Chief Minister expressed profound gratitude to the Indian Army, especially the 190 Mountain Brigade stationed at Tawang, for designating defense land for the museum's establishment and for their commitment to manage it.

He assured that whenever government assistance is necessary for the museum's upkeep, the state government will be ready to assist.

Also present at the signing were Tourism Minister P.D. Sona, legislators Oken Tayeng and Namge Tsering, Tourism Secretary, Commanders of the 106 and 46 Brigades, ZPC Tawang, department heads, and senior Army officials.

In a related note, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced that his administration has allocated Rs 3 crore for constructing a memorial for Major Khathing, who led his troops in raising the Tricolour and claimed Tawang as an integral part of India.

Major Bob Khathing made history as the first individual of tribal descent to act as an ambassador for India in what was once Burma, now known as Myanmar.

Born on February 8, 1912, in Ukhrul district, Manipur, he was the first tribal from Manipur to earn a degree.

During World War II, he became the first Manipuri to receive the King’s Commission.

He was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later the 7th Kumaon Regiment) and served under Major Thimmayya (who eventually became the chief of army staff and commander-in-chief of the Indian Army) at the Regimental Training Centre in Agra. He passed away on January 12, 1990.