People, places and things behond headlines

That’s another series, right?
That’s true but I was referring to Ziona Chana, of Mizoram, the 76-year-old who passed away due to diabetes and blood pressure. Social media has been referring to him as “Family Man”.

Why? Was he a well-loved paternal figure or something?
I guess you could say that. He was reported to be the head of one of the world’s largest families.


How large are we talking?
By some accounts, 167 members — 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren.

Whoa! How on earth did that happen?
Chana was the head of a local Christian sect named “Chana” — some call it a cult — which was started by his grandfather in 1942, and which permitted polygamy.

What were the, ahem, living arrangements?
They lived in a sprawling, four-storey pink building with some 100 rooms. The wives reportedly shared a dormitory near his bedroom and, according to locals, there would be 7 or 8 of them with him at any given time.

Early bird and all that. How did the family manage their livelihoods?
Apparently on donations and the private incomes of some.

Remarkable
Indeed. He and the family were so famous that the village they lived in, Baktawng, became something of a tourist spot and no less than the chief minister of the state announced his death.

May he rest in peace
Actually, his family initially refused to accept his death and his funeral was put on hold. But that was resolved so yes, may he rest in peace.

Text: Indulekha Aravind