SHILLONG: Prominent educationist of the State Padmashree Queenie Rynjah breathed her last at her residence on Wednesday at Laban Harisabha (Dunn hill). She was 96.
Born to an Anglo-Indian father and a Jaintia mother, she was the fourth among nine siblings. A former Principal of Pinemount School, Shillong, she preferred to work in silence and was ever ready to help people in distress, especially rural women.
She was looked upon as a lady with a unique personality who chose to lend a helping hand without raising any hue and cry. She was awarded the Padmashree in the field of social service in 2004.
She was former president of three social organizations – Ka Seng Teilang Kynthei, Synjuk Kynthei and the larger Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei.
It was not only issues of women empowerment that she lived and worked for but also environment, education and afforestation.
She worked tirelessly to ensure the well being of the people and funds for her social work were raised through fetes and sale of products that helped her raise additional funds of around Rs.50,000-Rs.60,000 every year, although she once stated that the Meghalaya Advisory Board provided some assistance, although the amount was meager.
The underprivileged residents of Laban will remember her for her initiative to set up vocational training centres in crafts, tailoring and embroidery through Ka Seng Teilang Kynthei at Laban, which initiated her into social work over two decades back.
She will be laid to rest at the Laban Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Lawsohtun on Friday at 2 pm.
