Daiaphira Kharsati
Sohïong:
At another time and another election, the house here with its sprawling grounds would have worn a lively look with people milling around; tea would have flowed and food served.
On February 27 though, as Meghalaya celebrated the festival of democracy, voting to elect its 11th Legislative Assembly, the house wore a desolate look; two-three vehicles were parked at the driveway while a few workers were dismantling a pandal erected recently for a funeral service.
Polling for the Sohïong seat was adjourned after United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate and former home minister HDR Lyngdoh passed away on February 21.
“We would have had so many people here today had he been contesting,” Lyngdoh’s wife BB Rymmai told The Meghalayan, as her three-year-old granddaughter Serafina virtually stuck to her; Serafina’s twin sister Evana, peeping out from behind a curtain of another room, would join them later.
She recalled that Lyngdoh initiated the establishment of banks, and also brought the Sohïong Community and Rural Development Block and Ïew Sohïong.
Asked about the election that would be held later, she said, “Our tears have not dried up yet. We are not thinking about it now.”
His son, Nathaniel Osbert Rymmai, said, “At this time, if there was an election, we would be touring the polling stations. I saw my father smile for the first time on February 9 since the campaigning started after a rally on that day. My father told me that he had not seen such a large turnout during his entire public life and was certain he would win.”
Votes are like loans: Lyngdoh
Rymmai recalled, “My father would tell people that their vote was like a loan to him which he would repay by doing good work for them. He was one of those old school netas who would be with the people. He wanted to make sure that nobody was unhappy.”
Nathaniel, a lawyer, is now helping out with his father’s business and is not keen to follow his footsteps just yet.
He said, “When I contested the MDC election, he said that it is not a job but a responsibility and not to treat it as a business opportunity.”
Nathaniel remembered his father’s particular interest in education. Stating that Sohïong Higher Secondary School was an initiative of his late father, he said, “He was really into education. This year, he wanted to start Science and Commerce in Sohïong Higher Secondary School.”
Lyngdoh was only 23 years of age when he got into public life by becoming a Lyngdoh of Sohïong and altogether spent 45 years in public life.
Nathaniel said that it was Lyngdoh’s maternal grandmother, Meribon Thabah, who had brought Christianity to certain areas in Sohïong.
Election Plans
He said that the UDP was in touch with the family and will announce the party’s candidate for the seat soon.
He expressed concern that the many schemes initiated by his father were not pursued by the former legislator Samlin Malngiang, who resigned from Hill State People’s Democratic Frontto join National People’s Party.
Recalling that fateful day, he said that his father had finished a meeting and was going in the car when he suddenly felt pain in his chest. “He still wanted to attend another meeting, but people took him to Bethany Hospital in Shillong.” Lyngdoh passed away soon after in the hospital.
“I think it’s the stress that got to him because he was working very hard,” his son said. “We were waiting for March 2 [Counting Day] to dance and celebrate, but it was not to be.”