Mizo Pioneer Laid To Rest In Tomb He Built

Peter Hauhnar lights a candle at the tomb of his father in Ri Bhoi.

Umran (Ri Bhoi), Jan 17 : The founder and editor of a Mizo vernacular daily and a man with many firsts on his resumé, Paul Zakhuma Hauhnar, 85, has been finally laid to rest in one of the two tombs he had constructed 10 years ago for himself and his wife.

Hauhnar, who had settled in this hamlet in Ri Bhoi district, around 40km from Shillong, died on January 11 and the unconventional funeral was held the next at his residence, Breezedale.

His love for his home had prompted him to construct the two tombs so that he and his 84-year-old wife, Virginia Biaknemi, could forever rest there and be remembered by their five children, 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Hauhnar also had many firsts to his credit.

Besides starting and becoming the editor of a Mizo vernacular daily, The Aijal Daily News, in 1963, he was also pioneered a public transport system in Aizawl.

He also was the first Mizo to graduate from the Notre Dame University in the US, and the public transport system, Aizawl Town Service, was based on his experiences in the US. He converted a station wagon into a passenger vehicle, which ferried passengers between Dawrpui to Kulikawn areas of the town at 50 paise per ride. A young woman was appointed the conductor. Two jeeps were also pressed into service to ferry people, especially the sick.

Hauhnar also played a major role during the 1966 Indian Air Force raids against Mizo National Front (MNF) rebels and ferried dead civilians to burial grounds and also took the initiative to rehabilitate affected families.

As the law and order situation worsened, Paul and family moved to Shillong in 1967, only to know after a few months that MNF rebels had torched his paternal home in retaliation against his neutral stance.

After settling at Umran in 1977, he combined business and protection of environment and started the Breezedale Tourist Resort in his residential complex, while preserving the pristine beauty of nature.

According to Haunhar’s son, Peter, he used to educate people in and around Umran not to hunt wild animals, especially deer, which were found in the forests of Umran in the past.

“He carried out a lot of charity work in and around the locality, and we will continue to emulate his example,” said his youngest daughter, Cecilia Zohmingliani Ravi, a doctor currently working in the US.