Veteran journalist, Syndor Sing Syiem passed away at NEIGRIHMS last night after a brief bout of illness. He was 67.
Syiem who was the former president of the Shillong Press Club began his amazing journey in journalism when he joined U Pyrta U Riewlum in 1986 and continued till 1989. He then took over the reins as Editor of U Nongsaiñ Hima (UNH) from 1992 when it became a daily till 2003. Despite having departed from UNH, Paiem continued contributing to the paper till the day he fell ill. He continued his journey as Editor of U Peitngor before finally putting his pen down.
Born on August 3, 1954, Syiem grew up in Jaiaw and did his schooling from Mawkhar Christian School before pursuing his higher education in Cotton College, Guwahati.
He worked in the Indian railways in various capacities and had a brief tryst with active politics as President of the Indian National Youth Congress (Shillong City) when it was a force to reckon with. At an early age, Syiem exhibited fine qualities of leadership, eloquence and communication.
The Shillong Press Club has expressed profound grief at the untimely passing away of yet another stalwart of journalism in Meghalaya.
“The journalist fraternity has lost a wonderful soul, sapient journalist and scholar, humane personality and above all, a loving and jovial father figure and this will leave an indelible chasm,” SPC president David Laitphlang said.
“Though a very senior journalist both in age and astuteness Paiem however had the soul and exuberance of a young cub reporter. His spontaneous witty one-liners on any occasion be they sad or happy, made him a popular people gatherer cutting across age and colour” Laitphlang said.
The Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA) has also condoled the demise of Syiem, who was also its member. The association said his contribution to journalism for 35 years was immense and his death is a big loss for the journalism fraternity.
