Ukhrul scribe succumbs to Covid-19
Thotshang third journalist victim in state; CM, others condole
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 13 2021:
Former president of Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) Thotshang Shaiza passed away at JNIMS ICU here on Saturday around 10:40 pm.
He was 49 and is survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters and three grandchildren.
Thotshang's mortal remains were laid to rest at 2 pm on Sunday in a mournful yet lowly-attended interment at the Viewland Cemetery.
In a release, UDWJA said that the senior journalist succumbed to Covid-19 complications as he developed severe lung infection.
He was referred to JNIMS from Ukhrul District Hospital on June 10 after his condition worsened.
Shaiza was found Covid-19 positive on June 4.Thotshang joined the profession in 2009 and had served the district's press fraternity in varied capacities as its president for consecutive two terms from 2015-18 and 2018-21 and as a district correspondent for ISTV.
He was UDWJA advisor and district correspondent for The Aja Daily till he breathed his last.
While mourning the demise of Shaiza, UDWJA saluted the departed soul for upholding and protecting "freedom of expression and true spirit of journalism" as he reached the unreached sections of the populace disseminating the message of truth during his time as a journalist.
"Shaiza will be remembered as a source of knowledge and experience in the district's journalism fraternity.
He was a source of strength for the association.
His demise is a big loss for the Ukhrul media fraternity.
Words wouldn't suffice to say that the Tangkhul community has lost a brave son of the soil, a veteran journalist in him," said the Ukhrul journalist union.
Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren extended his condolences on the untimely demise of Thotshang.
"I was deeply aggrieved to learn about the untimely demise of Thotshang Shaiza, correspondent of The Aja Daily@," read the message of CM, adding "in his demise we, and in particular the media fraternity, have lost a multi-faceted personality who had dedicated his life in the service of society".
Information and Public Relations minister Th Biswajit Singh also expressed his heartfelt condolences on Shaiza's demise.
"His untimely demise is an irreparable loss of the journalistic fraternity," said the minister.
All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU), Manipur Hill Journalists' Union, Tamenglong District Working Journalists' Union and Editors' Guild Manipur also expressed deep condolences over the demise of Thotshang.
"We are saddened beyond words to hear the sudden demise of our comrade Thotshang Shaiza, a senior journalist from Ukhrul district.
His loss has left a vacuum in the press fraternity which can never be filled," stated a condolence message issued by Ramkung Pamei, president, Manipur Hills Journalists' Union (MHJU) and President, Tamenglong District Working Journalists Union (TADWJU).
"We could not stop the hands of death reaching for our comrades but hope that we will meet him again someday on the 'other side of the river', he said, adding that Shaiza's contributions in dissemination of information to the masses and for the development of the press in the hill districts shall remain forever.
"We share the grief of the bereaved family and pray that the Almighty grant solace to the family and peace to the departed soul," Pamei added.
The scribes' bodies also prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace and conveyed solidarity to the bereaved family in their hour of crisis.
On the social front, Shaiza had the distinction of being one of the best known faces public leaders in the district.
He was associated with Tangkhul Leihsak Long (trade & commerce council) as its president, Tangkhul Naga Film Association as convenor of its censor board, and was also a senior member of Ukhrul District Sports Association.
He was also a deacon of the Phungyo Baptist Church, the mother Church of the state.
Meanwhile, the Hunphun Village Authority, Tangkhul Naga Film Association and others have also condoled the death of the senior journalist.
Mention maybe made that former AMWJU president S Hemant and Ereibak sub-editor S Santikumar also died due to COVID-19 recently.
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