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Webster Davies Jyrwa Daddy of Jaiaws
Once I was ask by my students, sir, where do you stay? I instantly replied - Jaiaw, near Robert Hospital. Oh! He said near Daddy’s Shop!? and I said yes. Then he ask me why it is called Daddy’s shop? Since I do not have any answer to his querry at that moment, and to divert the attention of my dear student, I said to him one day, we will together find out. That very moment, my mind scream for an answer, and together with the said students, brief survey and research were conducted at the ‘Fideriga Institute of Learning’-Laitkor Rngi, and the result is this article.
Son of (L) Eprino W. Rowe Blah, bah Webster Davies Jyrwa, the daddy of Jaiaw which we may be permit to call him, was born in a rented house at Jaiaw Laitdom, on the 6th. July 1923. His mother Pristino Sati Jomes Jyrwa, was a very hard working woman, and earned her living by tailoring clothes, to support the schooling of her two sons and her ailing daughter. Later she was appointed, to tailor Nurses dress at the Robert hospital and was also ask to take care of the Linen room, a very special Hospital room, at that time. Bah Web, as many fondly called him, had one elder brother Arthur Davies Jyrwa and one younger sister Gracelynda Violet Jyrwa, who died at a very young age, before attaining maturity.
In this short article, much of Bah Web or Daddy of Jaiaw, cannot be written. But a profile of his activities and achievements is being highlighted. On the 9th.Nov.2012., while paying a visit to his house, we were happy to find him in good health, humorous, approachable, kind, no memory loss, a discipline man of the 90’s etc. Daddy, fondly recalled his childhood days, narrated many stories of his friends, elder people and their moral, ethical, character, brotherhood etc., and the transition Shillong City underwent at a very fast rate. He also narrated stories of Ka Iewduh Shillong - the meeting place of all the villagers during his time, and above all his thoughts of U Motphran. We were also very fortunate, to have seen him, still busy in preparing a book, which is expected to be published soon. As we open, one of his written book, showed to us, we found the following written words:
In His Hands,
The Mountains not so high;
In His Hands,
The Valleys not so low.
………
“When one stands on the brink of life and the decades seem to be slipping behind the horizon, indicating that what had once seem like an endless journey had come to an end, events of the past stand out more clearly”.
Leaving aside Daddy’s involvement with many organizations, Daddy as a scholar presented many researched papers at the State, National and International level. A good number of article in Khasi, English, seminar papers, All India Radio broadcasts goes to his credit. Daddy’s write up on ‘The KHASI STATES AFTER THE BRITISH RULE’, published in Meghalaya Guardian 1998, is a remarkable paper. For Khasi university and non-university scholars, who might have heard the broadcast in Khasi, by All India Radio, Shillong, about the institution of the federation of Khasi states after the British rule, is worth remembering.
What we have mentioned above, we believed is too little, but what is worth mentioning is his personal achievements, which beyond doubt, commendable.
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Here are the distinction and awards received by Daddy of Jaiaw, Distinction/Excellence Awards. Received by Shri. Webster Davies Jyrwa 1)THE INDEPENDENCE DAY and CENTENARY CELEBRATION AWARD (1857 - 1957). 2)The MEGHALAYA DAY AWARD. (TIROT SING MEMORIAL AWARD) - 1993 in recognition of the valuable Services rendered in the field of ART and CULTURE. 3)The SILVER ELEPHANT AWARD. (The highest AWARD of SCOUTS and GUIDES). – Presented by the President of India Smti. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 14th July 2010. 4)The BHARATI JYOTI AWARD. From the India International Friendship Society for Meritorious Services, Outstanding Performance and Remarkable Role presented by Dr. Bishma Narain Singh (Former Governor of Assam and Tamil Nadu) at New Delhi on 30th July 2010. 5)The RAJIV GANDHI EXCELLENCE AWARD. From the International Friendshop Society for Outstanding Individual Achievements and Distinguished Services to the Nation presented by Dr. H. T. Sangliana, Vice Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities, Govt. of India at New Delhi on 19th September, 2010. 6)The JEWEL OF INDIA AWARD presented by the Indian Solidarity Council, New Delhi on 23rd November 2010 for Outstanding Achievements in Choser Field of Activity. 7)The EMINENT CITIZEN of INDIA AWARD. Presented by the International Institute of Education and Management, New Delhi on 21st February 2011. 8)Six STATE LITERARY AWARDS for best Khasi Books published from 1980 to 1987. |
