Each day is not one more day gained, but one day less. A sad truth, yet a truth nonetheless.
On 23rd January 2026, which is not even a month ago, I, along with my colleague Avishek Sarkar, represented Aaranyak at a workshop on Human-Wildlife Conflict in Shillong, held in the presence of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee. It was there that we met Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, Member of the 18th Lok Sabha representing the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency in Meghalaya and General Secretary of the Voice of the People Party (VPP).
That morning, Avishek and I presented our three years of work on elephant habitats and corridors in Meghalaya. Dr. Syngkon listened intently. He remained present throughout the meeting, actively participating in discussions as the PCCF, CCF, DFOs, the District Council Officer, and various stakeholders spoke about the rising human-elephant conflicts in Meghalaya and the gradual destruction of elephant habitats over the years.
Toward the end of the session, Dr. Syngkon delivered a brief speech-one I am certain everyone in the hall still remembers. He placed Nature above all else and reminded us that our existence is meaningless without it in its finest state. He asked me several thoughtful questions about poaching and the electrocution of elephants, and we went on to have a meaningful discussion about the future of these wild giants. As someone meeting him for the first time, I was deeply impressed by his personality. It is rare to encounter someone briefly yet remember them for a lifetime. He was one such person.
At 10 p.m. last night, I received a message with a news link: Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, Shillong MP, had passed away after collapsing while playing football. Alongside the headline was the image of the man I had met just weeks before. It is difficult to comprehend how fragile human life truly is. The memory of that morning-of him shaking my hand, congratulating us on our work in Meghalaya, and wishing me well for the future-came rushing back in a flood of emotion.
Dr. Syngkon was just 54 years old when he passed away on 19th February 2026. Holding an M.A. in Economics, an M. Com, and a Ph.D. in Economics from North Eastern Hill University, he had served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics before stepping into politics. With his academic background and dedication, he undoubtedly had much more to offer. His speech at the meeting that day said so much about the depth of his vision for his people and his state. Someone with such commitment and foresight could have contributed immensely to society. It is truly tragic that we lost him so suddenly while he was engaged in what seemed like an ordinary activity- while playing football with his friends. He had been tirelessly active and devoted to his work until the very end.
His untimely death has made me reflect on the reality of life, that each passing day is not simply another day added, but one day lesser. I did not realize then that the image of Ricky Sir shaking hands with everyone, from the PCCF to the office staff serving tea, after the meeting would be the last living memory I would carry of him.
My prayers for his departed soul and my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. I only wish I had met him more and known him better.
— By Anushka Saikia,
Project Officer, Elephant Research and Conservation Division, Aaranyak, Guwahati
