NONGSTOIN: The Nongstoin Syiemship Memorial Celebration Committee on Monday observed the 25th death anniversary of Late Wickliffe Syiem, Syiem Khynnah (Deputy King) of Hima Nongstoin at Nongstoin Syiemship campus.
O Syiem Sad Syiem of Rambrai along with Shantimon Mawlieh daughter of Late Wycliffe Syiem, his sons Theophilus Sholamar, Winston Churchill Sholamar and Kyrmen Shalomar along with heads of different villages under Nongstoin Syiemship were present on the occasion.
Highlighting the history of Late Wycliffe Syiem, EP Syiem, Syiem of Hima Nongstoin said the Khasis should emulate Wycliffe Syiem who was pioneer in many respects.
Born in Nongstoin on August 15, 1909 Syiem obtained an engineering degree from College of Engineering Technology, Baroda, Gujarat and became the first engineer from the Khasi community. EP Syiem added that Wickliffe Syiem struggled hard to obtain autonomy status for Nongstoin during his lifetime.
“On January 13, 1948, Wickliffe Syiem declared Nongstoin as a Khasi Sovereign State. He was also responsible for freeing Hima Nongstoin from the British, Indian and Bangladesh governments,” O Syiem Sad said.
O Syiem Sad also released a book about the life of Wickliffe Syiem.
On behalf of the family, Winston Churchill Sholamar thanked the Hima Nongstoin for remembering late Wickliffe Syiem every year. He also hoped that Hima Nongstoin would once again rise to its glory and produce more stalwarts like his late father.
Meanwhile, the KSU West Khasi Hills district led by John Fischer Nongsiang and its general secretary Wellesly Lyngkhoi and the KSU Nongstoin Circle led by president Davis Goldfield Wanniang laid floral wreaths at the memorial site of Late Wycliffe Syiem at Nongstoin and Sohpian.