SHILLONG: Children and caretakers of SOS Children’s Village in Ri-Bhoi paid their last respects to Wanteilang Jyrwa, a 23 year old, who was drowned in the Arabian Sea on Monday.
Jyrwa tried to save two tourists at Kudle beach from drowning but the tide washed him away. His body was recovered on Tuesday and was flown to the state on Thursday.
A first-year M.Sc student at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, Jyrwa had completed his schooling from Seven Set Higher Secondary School and his 10+2 from St. Edmunds’ College.
He belonged to Diskiang village, 5 km away from Nongstoin, under Rambrai Jyrngam constituency. The fifth son among seven siblings, Jyrwa lost his parents, Stolington Iawphniaw and Khrinlina Jyrwa, at an early age. The SOS Children’s Village later took the responsibility to bring him up from the year 1999. JJ Kylla, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Ri-Bhoi district, KB Warjri, principal of Seven Set HS School, Anoop Singh, director of SOS Children’s Village Shillong, leaders from the Presbyterian Church, Malki,
relatives and friends of Jyrwa, besides Elizabeth Mawkhlieng, a senior youth co-worker of SOS Children’s Village, also paid their last respects.
“We have lost a gem. He was a brilliant and humble student. He passed his matriculation in the 1st division in the year 2011 along with distinction in four subjects,” Warjri, the principal of Seven Set HS School, said.
Jyrwa’s body was later taken to his village at Diskiang for burial.
Meanwhile, the Ka Lyngpung Ki Seng Kynthei has asked the state government to give due recognition to Wanteilang Jyrwa and honour his sacrifice.
“In his death, we have lost a great soul. We feel that the Government of Meghalaya should give due recognition to his act of bravery,” a statement from the organisation said.
