The Arunachal Pradesh government on February 14 honoured Major Ralengnao Khathing with a memorial, 70 years after he brought Tawang under Indian rule.

by reaching the area located near McMahon line and unfurling the Indian national flag.

It is believed that Ralengo Khathing on February 14, 1951, reached the area located near McMohan Line and unfurled the Indian national flag.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd.) BD Mishra laid the foundation stone of the memorial at Tawang.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, union sports minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and family members of Khathing were present on the occasion.

Khathing was popular as Bob.
However, he is relatively an unknown figure- not just in India but even in Arunachal Pradesh.

People in Tawang, however, still remember him with respect for establishing Indian control over the area when the threat of China loomed.

"Major Ralengnao 'Bob' Khathing, an Unsung Hero of Arunachal is finally honoured today. A momentous occasion to take part in laying of the foundation for the memorial of Maj Khathing, who established an administrative post in #Tawang in 1951 for the first time as per 1914 Shimla Convention," tweeted Arunachal CM Khandu.

"Finally, an unsung hero, the legendary Maj. Bob Khathing has been given due honour by unveiling his statue and laying a foundation stone to built a magnificent museum in honour of the soldier who led the team to establish formal Indian administration over Tawang in 1951," tweeted Kiren Rijiju.

"Major Bob Khathing secured Tawang for #India & unfurled the tricolour on this day, 70 yrs ago. Today, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh through CM @PemaKhanduBJP Ji honours his legacy by laying the foundation for the "Major Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing Memorial Museum" in Tawang," tweeted Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma.

The memorial will highlight Khathing’s life and will also showcase traditions of the local Monpa tribe.

Born at Ukhrul in Manipur in 1912, Khathing had served in the British Army in the Second World War. He was awarded the Military Cross and received the Member of British Empire (MBE) as well.

After Independence, he was appointed as an assistant political officer in November 1950 in Tirap division and was posted in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh (known earlier as North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA)).