He stood strong in faith even when his father was shot death by some gunmen demanding money in the year 1997, and despite the tragic event, he kept his mother’s special prayer alive by becoming a Christian Warrior
Venusa Tinyu comes across as a very interesting person who did not leave behind his childhood dream, which he says is to study theology and become a Servant of God.
This he also describes as his mother’s prayer which never left him even when he was going through different stages of life – through the most trying times.
But then, his life has a series of beautiful chapters and celebrating moments like the time he got through HSLC in First Division with distinction in Science in the year 1994. He had his Dad then to advise him when he was sincerely striving to be in the Top Ten list but got sick for a whole month before the exam. He fondly remembers his Dad, who he recalls told him not to worry about sitting for his matriculation exams given his poor health. However, he recovered in time and even came out in flying colours despite not being able to prepare as much as he would have liked to.
Always remarkably intelligent, he was ranked 2nd in his Pre-University Exam in Vocational Music and 3rd in B.A Philosophy honours, both from Patkai Christian College. He topped the Entrance Test for MA Philosophy and gained entry into the University of Hyderabad, emerging later as the University Gold Medallist.
Here is one man who believes in destiny as he decided he would pursue is PhD only if he gets to do it without financial support from family. And coming as strong evidence that luck and blessings favour those who give their best, he not only got through the NET exam but was also awarded UGC-JRF. Interestingly, he also did a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights from the University of Hyderabad during this time. It would make anyone feel good that their Coordinator was a member of the National Human Rights Commission.
Venusa went to Singapore in 2007 for greater spiritual pursuits and finished a Master’s Course in Christian Studies from Biblical Graduate School of Theology, which he describes as the answer to his theological quest. ‘I thank God for such a school’, he says, and goes on to credit it for allowing him to realise that ‘the Christ we worship on Sundays was not being worshipped in the workplaces during weekdays’.
“I realised that we are in need of a theology that goes beyond the church walls to the marketplaces,” he says.
Reflecting back, he says, “I used to see myself as a happy go lucky kind of a guy,” and feels that his father’s death was perhaps one of the major turning points of his life. “When I was in the university I realised that I cannot escape from the questions of Naga identity and various political implications that come with it…earlier there was probably nothing I disliked more than tribalism and politics, but then I decided to confront some of the issues of Naga politics head-on,” he states. Towards this effort, he also presented papers on Naga Identity in a couple of National Seminars besides other academic papers related to his area of research and interest.
He also has had his own adventures and accomplished personal milestones that he justifiably holds dear. He recalls being Best Man at his friend’s wedding when he was just 16. He was adjudged winner in the Preaching Competition of Chakhesang Youth talent contest Pfutsero in 1994 in his teens. He definitely stood out among others his age when he captained his school and went on to lead the Troop for the Bharat Scout and Guide during his Highschool days. And at such young an age, he became the Recipient of Governor’s Award in Scout Movement (1994).
His leadership qualities didn’t end in school. He was the Class Representative all through his 5 years stay in Patkai, except the year he served as the Weekly Bulletin Editor and also the Assistant Editor for the students’ newsletter (philosophy) during his MA days. An avid writer himself, he was one of the Columnists for Kuknalim Website before it closed down.
He remembers being a member of the Guitar Ensemble, Patkai Chorale, Ensemble of Praise. “I have almost given up music now, but I still have some interest in painting, oil painting to be precise, and writing free verses,” he says.
Like many poets, he confesses that the first time he tried his hand in poetry was when he fell in love in college, and obviously fascinated by verses and painting, he wishes to grow old with these two hobbies.
But the most striking thing about Venusa to me is how he carried his faith in Jesus all through. He helped revive Naga Christian Fellowship Hyderabad in 2000, which was non-functional for about a year or two due to lack of members. While in Singapore, he coordinated the Naga Fellowship for 2 years and is presently a part of the Naga global organisation - Overseas Naga Association as Joint Secretary.
He recently joined the University of Hyderabad ‘with much prayers and consultation’. Interestingly, he was invited to apply even before he submitted his PhD and was appointed under general category in November 2010. However, he had politely declined then because, in his words, “I was then on a mission to fulfil my childhood dream - to study theology and become a servant of God.”
He adds: “It was my theological conviction/training that ultimately influenced my decision to come back to the University - to be a light and salt in the world. The other factor that contributed to my decision was the number of Naga Students at the University of Hyderabad - there are more than 150 of them at present…it has always been my desire to interact with the upcoming generation of Naga scholars and thinkers.”
And with this, he has begun another journey as a Warrior for Christ.
Venusa Tinyu comes across as a very interesting person who did not leave behind his childhood dream, which he says is to study theology and become a Servant of God.
This he also describes as his mother’s prayer which never left him even when he was going through different stages of life – through the most trying times.
But then, his life has a series of beautiful chapters and celebrating moments like the time he got through HSLC in First Division with distinction in Science in the year 1994. He had his Dad then to advise him when he was sincerely striving to be in the Top Ten list but got sick for a whole month before the exam. He fondly remembers his Dad, who he recalls told him not to worry about sitting for his matriculation exams given his poor health. However, he recovered in time and even came out in flying colours despite not being able to prepare as much as he would have liked to.
Always remarkably intelligent, he was ranked 2nd in his Pre-University Exam in Vocational Music and 3rd in B.A Philosophy honours, both from Patkai Christian College. He topped the Entrance Test for MA Philosophy and gained entry into the University of Hyderabad, emerging later as the University Gold Medallist.
Here is one man who believes in destiny as he decided he would pursue is PhD only if he gets to do it without financial support from family. And coming as strong evidence that luck and blessings favour those who give their best, he not only got through the NET exam but was also awarded UGC-JRF. Interestingly, he also did a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights from the University of Hyderabad during this time. It would make anyone feel good that their Coordinator was a member of the National Human Rights Commission.
Venusa went to Singapore in 2007 for greater spiritual pursuits and finished a Master’s Course in Christian Studies from Biblical Graduate School of Theology, which he describes as the answer to his theological quest. ‘I thank God for such a school’, he says, and goes on to credit it for allowing him to realise that ‘the Christ we worship on Sundays was not being worshipped in the workplaces during weekdays’.
“I realised that we are in need of a theology that goes beyond the church walls to the marketplaces,” he says.
Reflecting back, he says, “I used to see myself as a happy go lucky kind of a guy,” and feels that his father’s death was perhaps one of the major turning points of his life. “When I was in the university I realised that I cannot escape from the questions of Naga identity and various political implications that come with it…earlier there was probably nothing I disliked more than tribalism and politics, but then I decided to confront some of the issues of Naga politics head-on,” he states. Towards this effort, he also presented papers on Naga Identity in a couple of National Seminars besides other academic papers related to his area of research and interest.
He also has had his own adventures and accomplished personal milestones that he justifiably holds dear. He recalls being Best Man at his friend’s wedding when he was just 16. He was adjudged winner in the Preaching Competition of Chakhesang Youth talent contest Pfutsero in 1994 in his teens. He definitely stood out among others his age when he captained his school and went on to lead the Troop for the Bharat Scout and Guide during his Highschool days. And at such young an age, he became the Recipient of Governor’s Award in Scout Movement (1994).
His leadership qualities didn’t end in school. He was the Class Representative all through his 5 years stay in Patkai, except the year he served as the Weekly Bulletin Editor and also the Assistant Editor for the students’ newsletter (philosophy) during his MA days. An avid writer himself, he was one of the Columnists for Kuknalim Website before it closed down.
He remembers being a member of the Guitar Ensemble, Patkai Chorale, Ensemble of Praise. “I have almost given up music now, but I still have some interest in painting, oil painting to be precise, and writing free verses,” he says.
Like many poets, he confesses that the first time he tried his hand in poetry was when he fell in love in college, and obviously fascinated by verses and painting, he wishes to grow old with these two hobbies.
But the most striking thing about Venusa to me is how he carried his faith in Jesus all through. He helped revive Naga Christian Fellowship Hyderabad in 2000, which was non-functional for about a year or two due to lack of members. While in Singapore, he coordinated the Naga Fellowship for 2 years and is presently a part of the Naga global organisation - Overseas Naga Association as Joint Secretary.
He recently joined the University of Hyderabad ‘with much prayers and consultation’. Interestingly, he was invited to apply even before he submitted his PhD and was appointed under general category in November 2010. However, he had politely declined then because, in his words, “I was then on a mission to fulfil my childhood dream - to study theology and become a servant of God.”
He adds: “It was my theological conviction/training that ultimately influenced my decision to come back to the University - to be a light and salt in the world. The other factor that contributed to my decision was the number of Naga Students at the University of Hyderabad - there are more than 150 of them at present…it has always been my desire to interact with the upcoming generation of Naga scholars and thinkers.”
And with this, he has begun another journey as a Warrior for Christ.
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