SHILLONG: Former Rajya Sabha member and Minister Onward L Nongtdu passed away on Saturday at around 7.15 am at his residence at Pynthorbah Block 4 after a brief illness.
Nongtdu (78) is survived by his wife, four children, ten grand children and two great grand children.
Born on May 8, 1938 at Sutnga village, Nongtdu did his schooling in Sutnga and Jowai and secured his graduation from a Shillong college.
He took up teaching profession and functioned as the headmaster of Sutnga Presbyterian High School till 1972. In the same year, he contested and won the Assembly polls from Sutnga constituency.
He was re elected to the State Assembly in 1988 and represented the State as a Rajya Sabha member from 1996 to 2002. As a Minister, he held portfolios like Home, Finance, Health, and PWD among others.
He was also elected as the President of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee twice- from 1996 till 2000 and then from April 2005 till he resigned from the post in September 2008 to pave way for Friday Lyngdoh as the next President.
He was associated with the Congress party till his death.
Meanwhile, the MPCC president D.D Lapang has conveyed his condolences to the wife of the late O.L Nongtdu, and her family.
In his condolence message, Lapang said that Nongtdu was committed to service and he represented Rajya Sabha with full dedication.
“Nongtdu was a strong advocate of family values and education. Till the last days of his life, he was involved in helping the state for its all round development. As a friend I will remember his mission and vision”, Lapang said.
