SHILLONG, April 7: Former Rajya Sabha member, Robert Kharshiing breathed his last at Nazareth Hospital here Thursday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 63.
The funeral will be held at the Catholic Church cemetery in Laitumkhrah on Saturday.
Kharshiing was a Member of Parliament from April 2002 to April 2008. During his tenure in the Upper House, he was a member of the Committee on Commerce and the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The late Kharshiing was also the chief whip of the Nationalist Congress Party in the Rajya Sabha.
Closer home, he was an MLA between 1990 and 1993 and held the position of deputy chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board.
He was also the president of the Khasi Students’ Union from 1981 to 1983 and the general secretary of the Meghalaya Students’ Union besides the Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah between 1983 and 1985.
He was instrumental in designing the present blue flag of the KSU and had played a key role in drafting the constitution of the union.
He had unsuccessfully contested the 1993 Assembly polls as a Hills People’s Union candidate from Nongkrem constituency. He was defeated by former Minister, the late HS Shylla who contested the election from APHLC (A).
He, however, won the bye-election from the Laitumkhrah constituency in 1990.
He was the brother of senior police official Francis Kharshiing, politician John Kharshiing and social worker Agnes Kharshiing.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted his sorrow to the bereaved family.
“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Shri Robert Kharshiing, former MP of the Rajya Sabha. My prayers and deepest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in eternal bliss,” he wrote on the microblogging site.
Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh mourned the former MP’s death. In a statement, he said the people of Meghalaya will always remember Kharshiing’s committed service and contributions to the state.
“Bah Robert Kharshiing was one of the most popular leaders from Meghalaya who served as legislator of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha),” Lyngdoh said, recalling his hard-working and pleasant nature.
“In his death, our country and the state have lost a good leader who worked for the betterment of society,” he said.
Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent H Pala expressed condolence on his death.
“Sad to hear about the loss of a great leader. His intellect and dedication would always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace. I express my sincere sympathy to the family,” Pala said.
The Assembly Secretariat mourned the former MP’s untimely demise.
“(L) Shri Robert Kharshiing will be remembered as a promising, talented and forward-looking political leader, who was at ease with the latest trends in world as well as Indian politics. He also enriched the proceedings of the House with his thoughtful and enlightening speeches. He left an indelible mark in the political arena,” Commissioner and Secretary, Andrew Simons said.