By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 15: As Meghalaya bid a teary adieu to former Chief Minister Donwa Dethwelson Lapang here on Monday, his son Baluk R. Blah paid an emotional tribute, describing Lapang as a statesman to the world but, above all, a father who lived by humility, hard work and service to the people.
“To the world, he was a statesman. To me, he was my father—the man who held my hand when I stumbled, who taught me to speak, who reminded me that rules matter, and who always said: no matter how far you go in life, never forget where you come from,” Blah said, while addressing the state funeral of his father at Students’ Field, Jaiaw, on Monday.
He recalled how his father often reminded him that listening was more important than speaking, and serving others more important than being served.
Blah described his father as a man of humble beginnings who rose through sheer determination. “Born into simple circumstances, he began his journey as a road labourer and, through hard work, rose to become the Chief Minister of Meghalaya not once, but five times. Yet, to me and to our family, he was never defined by his titles. He was defined by his kindness, his wisdom and his quiet strength,” he said.
He remembered his father’s words: “The measure of a man is not how high he climbs, but how many people he helps climb with him.”
These, he said, shaped his own understanding of leadership. “My father taught me that leadership is not about power, but about service. I watched him walk through the villages of Meghalaya, not as a politician seeking votes, but as a son of the soil, listening to the heartbeat of his people. He never forgot where he came from, and he never let us forget either,” Blah said.
He also recalled that before entering politics, his father was a teacher, and even as chief minister, he never stopped being one.
“He believed education was the greatest gift one could give. He also lived by the principle that all work carries dignity—whether it was building roads, farming fields, or running the government. Even in his final years as Chief Adviser to the Government, he carried the hopes of Meghalaya with grace and humility. He never stopped learning, and he never stopped teaching,” he said.
Beyond politics, Blah said his father was a man of warmth and joy. “He had the amazing ability to turn even the simplest meal into a celebration. Food was his way of connecting with people, of showing love, of building bridges. These moments remind us that leaders are also human beings who laugh, share stories, and find comfort in the simple joys of life.”
He further highlighted his father’s legacy of inclusivity. “He showed us that you don’t need to be born into privilege to make a difference. You don’t need to forget your humble beginnings to achieve great things. You can remain connected to your people, your culture, and your values while still reaching the highest office in the land,” he said.
He recalled that his father’s favourite quote was simple but powerful: “Work hard, stay humble and always remember—you are here to serve, not to be served.”
He added, “He lived those words every single day of his life.”
Blah said the presence of people from all walks of life at the gathering reflected his father’s true impact. “I see people from every corner of Meghalaya, from different political parties. In this, I see the true measure of my father’s impact—he brought people together by building bridges, not walls,” he concluded.
