By Jeffrey Yaden & Family Members in Nagaland of (L) Dr John L. Sailo Ryntathiang
It has been days since the mortal remains of our beloved Dr. John L. Sailo Ryntathiang was finally laid to rest on April 16, 2020 and we, his family members want to put on record our solidarity with his family who are going through a painful ordeal due to the stigmatisation. The purpose of this write up is not to defend late Dr. John L. Sailo Ryntathiang because he has done no wrong in falling victim to COVID-19. He does not need any defence; rather what everyone has written or spoken about him, bears testimony to his integrity, nobleness, compassion, acumen and skill as a medical doctor. Dr. John came from a line of illustrious pioneers who distinguished themselves in the service of the people. His late father, Capt. LR Sailo was the son of the chief of Kelsih (Mizoram) and the first Mizo to graduate from Indian Military Academy (IMA). Late Capt. Sailo joined Indian Frontier Administrative Service (IFAS) and was posted as Political Officer to North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). Capt. Sailo was among those involved with drawing the McMohan line between India and China. He died and was buried in NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh). Dr. John’s mother, late Dicky Sailo Ryntathiang was a well known educationist and social worker in Shillong. She was the daughter of Dr Lukira the first Mizo doctor and Glossimon Ryntathiang.
Late Dr John was renowned for his acumen and skill as a physician besides being a hard worker, soft-spoken, compassionate and jovial. Dr John was awarded Gold Medal and also honorary member of Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (FCCP, USA). He also represented Meghalaya in the IMC. After giving up a government job, Dr John served in some private hospitals before pursuing his cherished dream of starting a medical mission. He opened a small clinic near his home and years later, established Bethany Hospital. Under his stewardship, Bethany hospital grew to become a reputed and best equipped private hospital in Meghalaya. He expanded his medical outreach by establishing a branch of Bethany Hospital at Nongpoh, which became an oasis of health in the area. Later he opened OPD centres at Umsning and Byrnihat to meet the long felt needs of the people of the area.
Dr John was also involved with many charitable organisations, medical outreach programmes as well as resource person at many medical conferences. He also funded many poor and needy students to pursue education. After Dr. John succumbed to COVID-19, his family did not even have time to mourn, when the burial of his body became another ordeal. First, the local body at Nongpoh refused to allow burial in his own land. Later the Government could not cremate the body at the Jhalapura crematorium due to street protests. Amidst the gloom, it was heartening that the Government of Mizoram intervened to request the Government of Meghalaya for early burial. Many friends in Mizoram even offered to take the body to Mizoram and bury him with dignity and honour befitting a “hero”. The body was finally buried on April 16 after 36 hours of ordeal during which the family had to undergo immense trauma. It is also to record our gratitude to the five churches that volunteered to take over the body for burial in their respective cemeteries. In particular, we are ever grateful to Pastors- Rev. E.R. Tynsong (Pastor-in-charge Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church) and Rev. Lyndan Syiem (Pastor in-charge Mawroh Presbyterian Church) for conducting the funeral service in Khasi and English, before the body was laid to rest at the church cemetery.
The way the matter was handled at the government level only heightened controversy over the status of Dr. John’s son-in-law, a pilot with Air India. Despite the son-in-law being tested negative for COVID-19 twice and earlier also tested negative for COVID-19 in Imphal, he was still considered as the suspected primary source. The Government of Manipur then had to write to the Government of Meghalaya, to clarify on the matter. In pursuance of truth, it is hoped the authorities will thoroughly track the source of the virus instead of allowing conjectures to dominate the narrative. To all of us who knew, Dr. John, he was like a God-sent angel who brought immense joy to our lives. His life is an example of a true practitioner of Christian tenets. Late Dr John was a man of peace who never used harsh words, let alone raise a finger at anyone whatever the provocation. He was compassionate, helpful and jovial and always saw the humorous side of life even in bad situations. We have no ill-feelings towards any person(s) or section of society for what has happened but only hope and pray that they will never have to face the same ordeal, if their near and dear one was to fall victim to COVID19. Let us treat everyone with the dignity in death as that is the least we can do as human beings.