By Our Reporter
Shillong: Renowned author and the first Khasi to receive a PhD for his thesis on, ‘The origin and history of the Khasi people,’ from Gauhati University, Dr Hamlet Bareh Ngapkynta breathed his last in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Dr Ngapkynta was 81 and a resident of Lower Lumsohphoh, Nongthymmai. He was the son of (L) Mondon Bareh. He was married to (L) Merlicia Kharshiing and has four children.
Dr Ngapkynta was the Editor of the District Gazetteers of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland from 1965 till 1976; He was the forerunner of the 35 minutes first Khasi Movie produced by the Khasi Cultural Society in 1981 titled ‘Ka Synjuk Ri Ki Laiphew Syiem. He was the Publicity Officer of the Union Christian College (UCC), Umïam and a lecturer in the history department of St Edmund’s College.
He was also the founder and head of the Centre for Creative Arts NEHU. Dr Ngapkynta served as president of the Khasi Cultural Society and the Khasi Jaiñtia Welfare Association and represented Meghalaya in the Sahitya Akademi from 1981-1987 and the Indian Council of Historical Research 1984-87 besides others.
He had written over 50 books which included the Economy in Meghalaya, Progress of Education in Meghalaya, The Art History of Meghalaya, William Carey in a new perspective, A Short History of Khasi Literature, Meghalaya, The History and Culture of the Khasi People, The Church of England (Now the Church of North India) besides others.
He had also received the National Fellowship from the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the year 1998 – 2000 for his books “Statesmanship” and “Economy in Meghalaya”. Dr Ngapkynta was known not only in his country but internationally as well. His name is included in the fourth edition of the Reference Asia (Who’s who of Men and Women of Achievement) edited in 1989 and the Learned Asia Vol.1 (Educationists Who’s Who) edited in 1992. He was given the State Award in 2004 for his contribution to arts and literature and was conferred the Padma Shri by the then president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam.
Recently, he was appointed to the Executive Committee Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh.
The mortal remains of Dr Hamlet Bareh Ngapkynta will be laid to rest on Thursday at Church of North India (CNI) Cemetery at Bishnapur at 1pm.