By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 16: The first day of the budget session on Friday witnessed the customary obituary references with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma leading the members in paying glowing tributes to former Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya (Late) SD Khongwir who passed away in November last, former Rongjeng MLA (Late) Nihimson R Sangma who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic and to other national leaders.
Khongwir was the first deputy chief minister of the state from 1978-1979 and again from 1979-1983. He had also worked in the Ministry of Finance in Delhi and later became an assistant revenue officer in the autonomous district council.
Participating in the obituary reference, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, ‘Khongwir has contributed immensely to the society, he was a person who was connected to the community and society. He served as the headman of Mawlai Nonglum for 55 years. This reflected his commitment to the people and his desire to serve the society in whatever capacity he could.”
“This is a true quality of great leader and it’s a great loss to the state. I was fortunate to meet him a few months before he passed away,” the chief minister added.
Joining in the obituary reference, Leader of Opposition, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said, “His substantial contributions from the statehood movement to the government formation have left a lasting impact on our state”.
Recalling his association with Khongwir, Lyngdoh said,
Lyngdoh also reminded the house that Khongwir initiated and co-founded the Ex-MLA Former MLA Forum which aims to address concerns and promote the well-being of all former MLAs.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker, Thomas Sangma informed the house that Late Nihimson R Sangma a former MLA from Rongjeng passed away on 15 November during the COVID-19 pandemic and since there was no information of his demise during that time, therefore, no obituary reference was paid for him in the House in the earlier sitting. He conveyed his apologies to the surviving members of Nihimson R Sangma for the delayed obituary reference.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Mukul Sangma recalled Khongwir as a man who was a friend to all and an enemy to none. Talking about Late Nihimson Sangma, he said, “I remember Late Nihimson Sangmaas an intelligent politician”.