[ Bengia Ajum ]

Tawang is often considered to be the jewel of India. But not many know that it was once part of the Tibetan administration, and after India gained independence, many people played a crucial role in its integration into India.

One among them was a local Monpa tribesman, late Rinchin Dhondup, fondly known as Nyerpa Khow. His life bridged the gap between tradition and modernity, spirituality and statecraft, leaving behind a legacy rooted in service and harmony.

Born in 1893 in Shernup village, Tawang, Nyerpa Khow hailed from a prominent Monpa family. The word Nyerpa in Tibetan means caretaker or administrator – a title bestowed upon him by the Tawang monastery for his integrity and wisdom.

Initially a monk at the Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang monastery), he later served in

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