By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Elected as a public representative for five terms from Mawlai constituency and retired from politics in 1998, Standlington David Khongwir managed to juggle his task as an MLA of the constituency as well as that of the headman of Mawlai Nonglum. Khongwir is the first headman in the state to complete 50 years of service after taking charge as the headman on January 3, 1968.
The Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai, Nonglum took the opportunity to felicitate him on Wednesday at the Mawlai Nonglum ground in a function witnessed by hundreds of people who had gathered there.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Ricky Nelson Syiem lauded Khongwir’s efforts in bringing about transparency regarding the functions of the Dorbar Shnong.
Khongwir was also overwhelmed by the fact that the people were unwilling to give him up as the headman of Mawlai Nonglum.
Asked by reporters about how he juggled his work as a public representative and as a headman, he smiled and simply said, “Somehow I manage.”
“I feel that I am still physically fit to continue as headman. I will regret if I leave as the responsibilities are towards the people,” he said.
Khongwir said that the task of every headman is very tough and has made it a point to help people in need.
He also acknowledged the importance of the Headman’s office as it benefits both the public and the government wherein the government can direct the Dorbar Shnong (village council) to carry out important programmes or schemes.
Khongwir first tried his hand in politics when he had contested in the 1972 elections from the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).
Having served as Deputy Chief Minister, he told reporters that he had written to the Dorbar Shnong where he expressed his discomfort of also occupying the post of headman but the Dorbar Shnong allayed his uneasiness.
He served as Deputy Chief Minister during the tenure of former Chief Minister D.D Pugh and he had also worked alongside former chief ministers Captain Williamson Sangma and B.B Lyngdoh.
He said, “In one of the committee meetings of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong (association of headmen), there was an appeal on the part of the Synjuk which said, ‘No politics’.”
“Back then I was a member of UDP and having heard the appeal, I quit the UDP and now I am free. However, some candidates from Mawlai do often visit to chat about politics and talk to them about my experiences,” he added.
Trying to rub off the visible political stamp, Khongwir maintained that he will not campaign as a candidate.
Asked about how he sees the state in the current scenario, he expressed concern that the state is lagging behind in development compared to other states.
“Our state is having a slow progress,” he concluded.