The Kohima Press Club (KPC) paid tribute to late Xavier Rutsa, KPC president who had passed away on June 11 during the general body meeting on June 30 at the NSF conference hall.
A press release by KPC general secretary, Alice Yhoshü stated that the tribute was led by vice president & acting president Atul Sarma. Late Rutsa was remembered for his extensive contribution to the press fraternity, particularly that of Kohima. He was a founding member of the KPC as well as a member of the drafting committee of the KPC constitution in 2001. Rutsa, who wrote for Nagaland Post, Eastern Panorama and the Times of India, had also served as KPC treasurer for two terms and as president for two consecutive terms. He passed away while serving as the president of the press club.
KPC general secretary, Alice Yhoshü announced in the meeting that with the sudden demise of Rutsa, vice president Atul Sarma has assumed additional charge of the office of the president as per the KPC constitution. She stated that as the tenure of the current Executive Council was less than one year, the constitution does not provide for a by-election, therefore the vice-president will continue to hold the additional charge till the completion of tenure in May 2019.
The annual audit report of the club (June 2017-June 2018) was also presented and approved by the house during the meeting. Treasurer Ng. Solomon Sha reported that a total of 54 members had registered with the KPC during the club’s recent membership drive.
KPC also expressed gratitude to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) for allotting a room to the press club at the federation’s office in Naga Club building to be used as its temporary office till the time the KPC relocates to a new office.