SHILLONG:
Former Home minister of Meghalaya Robert G Lyngdoh passed away after a prolonged illness, on Friday. He was 62 and he breathed his last at his residence in Shillong.
The former minister was undergoing treatment in the ventilator care of a city hospital where he was admitted following deterioration of his health on July 11.
As soon as the news of his demise spread, Lyngdoh’s house at Nongrim Hills was flooded with eminent personalities namely Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie, police officer Francis Kharshiing, former Director General of Police Peter James Pyngrope Hahnemann and the members of the local dorbar shnong, to name a few. And soon, condolences started pouring in from all quarters, both offline and online.
“He was the eldest son. He served the Laitumkhrah constituency for two terms- 1998 and 2003. He suffered a stroke in 2004, in 2008 he did not contest the election as he was advised to not take any active role in politics. In 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer and it resurfaced in 2018. But he was never sad as he viewed the disease as test from God and he remained steadfast till the end and continues to inspire us,” said his sister and senior politician, Ampareen Lyngdoh.
She also informed that Lyngdoh’s last rites are likely to be completed on Sunday but the family is yet to confirm the date. “He will be cremated as per his wish,” said Ampareen.
Conveying his condolences, Governor Satya Pal Malik, in a statement, said, “In his death, our state as well as our nation has lost a visionary leader, an able administrator and a fine gentleman. His numerous contributions will be remembered by the people of Meghalaya.”
Taking to a popular micro-blogging website, Chief Minister Conard K Sangma, wrote, “The fearless Shri R. G. Lyngdoh, former Home Minister of Meghalaya was a personality we all looked up to. Cheerful and witty, Bah Robert was a friend to everyone he encountered. Deeply saddened by the news of his passing. My deepest condolences to @ampareenlyngdoh & his family (sic).”
Opposition leader and Lyngdoh’s former colleague in the Congress, Mukul Sangma tweeted, “Deeply saddened by d sad news – I condole d untimely demise of Bah R G Lyngdoh, x-Minister; will cherish d services rendered; may the Almighty God grant solace & fortitude 2 all in d bereaved family & may d departed soul rest in an eternal peace (sic).”
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that he has lost a good friend.
“As my personal friend, I miss him, I have lost him and in terms of his services that he has provided to the government and serving the people of the state, we have lost such a great leader,” said the cabinet minister.
Tynsong also recalled the time when he and the chief minister had met him on July 18 and how Lyngdoh had expressed his concern for the state. “He used to share his concerns and gave us suggestion and advice,” Tynsong said.
The state Congress held a condolence meeting on Friday at Congress Bhawan, here that was attended by Pradesh Congress Committee delegates from various blocks of the state. A two-minute silence for the departed was also observed at the meeting. The speakers at the meeting recalled how steadfast a Congressman he was. The Executive Council, Meghalaya State Olympic Association also held an emergent condolence meeting for its former working president (2011-2016) and adviser.
Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) Glenn C Kharkongor said, “He was a dynamic leader, engaged well with staff and students and the community and was a true ambassador of the university. He streamlined the operations of the university especially HR and finance.”