SHILLONG, April 8: Veteran journalist Sumar Sing Sawian and a torch-bearer for the Khasi journalists, passed away on Friday at his residence in Labansaro, Umroi. He was 80.
Sawian was the first Khasi journalist to be hired by any national agency.
His funeral will be held at Lum Jingthang Briew on Sunday. Sawian’s mortal remains will leave his residence around 1.30 pm.
He did his schooling from St. Edmund’s School. Sawian was a former member of Jylli Pyrkhat Kam (JPK) of Seng Khasi Kmie. He was instrumental in starting the annual pilgrimage to Lum Sohpetbneng.
Sawian was the author of many valuable books related to indigenous faith and culture of the Hynniewtrep community. He has received numerous awards on journalism and for social service. He pioneered the traditional archery through the traditional arrow competition organised by Apphira Archery Committee.
The octogenarian, who represented top news agency Press Trust of India and was associated with a number of local English publications, was unwell for a while.
He was the founding editor of the short-lasting English daily Apphira published by Ri Khasi Press group.
He was posted in Delhi as PTI correspondent and subsequently headed the agency’s Shillong office.
For nearly two decades, Sawian contributed to a weekly column in The Shillong Times beginning the early 70s. Earlier, he started his career as a reporter with the erstwhile Shillong daily, The Frontier Times.
He was actively associated with the Shillong Journalists’ Association and Shillong Press Club.
He translated into Khasi part of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel winning composition Geetanjali. His effort was duly recognised on the occasion of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary in Shillong.
In 2017, Sawian was awarded U Tirot Sing Award for his outstanding contribution to “art and literature”.
To his credit, he was a regular commentator of current affairs in Khasi dailies.
Among others, he leaves behind his son, former minister Don Kupar Massar, besides a host of friends and admirers.
The Seng Khasi Kmie has conveyed condolences over the demise of Sawian.
In a statement, general secretary of the Seng Khasi Kmie, Hainess Marbañiang, said that they will cherish the contributions of Sawian.
According to him, he was one of the pillars for the growth of Seng Khasi Kmie and expansion of the traditional Khasi religion through his writings.
Marbañiang also mentioned that as a member of the Literary Committee, Seng Khasi Kmie, Sawian also made huge contributions through his writings like ‘Ka Sneng Khasi’. He has always been a member of the Editorial Board to the various souvenirs published by the SKK.
Sawian was also the first secretary of the Lum Sohpetbneng Committee, Seng Khasi Kmie, and the former chairman of the committee.
The Seng Khasi Kmie felicitated Sawian during the Seng Kut Snem celebration on November 23 last year.
