SHILLONG: Honsen Lyngdoh was an entrepreneur with a difference and his philanthropic activities were manifold. He was also known for his love for vintage cars and one such model from his stable was also used in Sir Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi.
But the road came to an end on Tuesday morning when the 82-year-old social entrepreneur breathed his last at Super Care Hospital. He is survived by his wife, six children and six grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at his residence at 12 noon on Thursday. Lyngdoh was born in a poor family on March 16, 1936. He did not have any formal education and could not read or write. But he knew English, Hindi and Nepali, besides Khasi.
Lyngdoh, one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the state, started his career as a workshop owner but with self-acquired experience and expertise he set up a road construction firm, Honsen Lyngdoh Earth Moving and Hauling Services.) With hard work and vision, he took the firm where it is today.
He was also a first class contractor with the Public Works Department (Roads), Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd, CPWD, IOC and MES.
Lyngdoh was also known for his contributions to youth empowerment. He had developed numerous playgrounds in Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He also contributed to educational institutions by way of developing sites for schools and colleges and also extending financial support for infrastructure development.
Lyngdoh always set a portion of the profit from business for village roads development, playgrounds and educational institutions. He had constructed many roads in rural areas which connected villages with PWD roads and national highways.
Some of the major motorable roads constructed by him are 5 Kilo (Shallang) to Langmar village (West Khasi Hills) – 36 km, Shallang to Rongkhukre village (Garo Hills) – 22 km, from Shallang to Dadengiri village (Garo Hills) – 18 km. These three roads are known among the locals as ‘Honsen Roads’.
In Shillong, he constructed the Lower and Upper Mawiong roads, Shillong (East Khasi Hills) – 3 km, presently taken over by the Public Works Department.
Vintage love
Lyngdoh was the president of ‘The Antique Wheels of the North East’ and was the owner of the vintage car model ‘Ford T1904’ that was used in the movie Gandhi.
He had won many vintage car rallies since 1975 and received first prize from Dunlop, Good Year, MRF and State Bank of India for the same.
A visionary
Lyngdoh received the National Citizens Award 1991 on September 14, 1992, from the then President Shankar Dayal Sharma for his contribution to the development of the northeastern states.
He was also the winner of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ on January 30, 2015, conferred by the 5th North-East Consumer Awards for Social Entrepreneurship. The award was handed over by Union Cabinet Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra.
Lyngdoh received the ‘Silver Elephant Award’ on February 16, 2015, from the then President Pranab Mukherjee for his contribution to Scouts and Guides movement.
Other activities
He was a life member of the Indian Red Cross Society, Meghalaya, and also part of its managing committee. He held the post of executive member of YMCA, Shillong, and board member of the KJP Synod Sepngi (Robert Hospital).
Besides, Lyngdoh was a life member of the Kaziranga Wildlife Society, Assam, and executive member of Earle Holiday Home. He was the vice-patron of the Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides.
