Three from the state among ten awardees

SHILLONG, APR 12:   Noted author, columnist and former PTI bureau chief  Sumar Sing Sawian, mountaineer  Wansuk Myrthong and Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) were among the ten awardees who were awarded the “Achievers Award 2014” at the 22^nd anniversary of the Eastern Panaroma magazine at the state convention center on Saturday.

The ten awardees were awarded for their outstanding contributions in the social, economic, cultural development of the society in north east region.

The awards were handed by Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri and DY365 managing director Dipannita Jaiswal to the awardees.

During the award presentation function, Warjri said there are various challenges faced by the north eastern region in term of development. She emphasized the importance of public-participation to ensure that the development reaches the grass-root.

Congratulating the Eastern Panaroma team, Warjri acknowledge the role of the magazine launched in 1992 for its contribution towards disseminating information and highlighting the rich culture and tradition of the different tribes of the north eastern region.

Jaiswal, who also spoke, said there are immense potential and talent in the north east but dearth of adequate supporting system to help talented people to achieve their goals.

Sawian, who is also presently the Chief of Sacred Peak (U LumSohpetbneng) Committee of the Seng Khasi Community, was awarded the achievers’ award as recognition for  his contribution towards preserving and promoting the rich cultural and tradition of the indigenous Hynniewtrep people.

Sawian, also the founder and organizing secretary of Apphira Archery Committee founded on April 4, 1990 has authored a number of Khasi books – ‘Ka Khanasamari Ri Hynniewtrep (Census of Traditional Khasi Administrative States and Institutions)’, Ki Khun Ki Hajar Na Jingkieng Ksiar (The Children of the Golden Vine Bridge of the Sacred U Lum Sohpetbneng) and a Khasi translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Gitanjali”.

Two women – Wansuk Myrthong from Meghalaya and Anshu Jansempa from Arunachal Pradesh who scaled the 8848 meter Mount Everest were also the recipients of the award.

While Myrthong became the first woman from Meghalaya to climb the highest mountain in the world on May last year, Jamsenpa, a mother of two became the first mother to scale the peak within a span of ten days on May 2011.

Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), which was established in 2006 was also awarded for its contribution towards the field of education and promotion of higher education in the state and the region.

MLCU vice chancellor RG Lyngdoh, its former vice chancellor G Kharkongor and their team received the award during the function.

The other recipients included the Tetseo sisters, a folk  band from Nagaland, State Bank of India, Shankar Lall Geonka, a businessman who open the first cinema hall in the north east – Kelvin Cinema in Shillong in 1926, noted photographer from Assam Dr Utpal Baruah , GVK EMRI and a rural entrepreneur from Karbi Anglong Chandan Borah.- By Our Reporter