Paul Lyngdoh
Paul Lyngdoh is an Indian politician, poet, author, songwriter and musician who was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, on the 22nd of September, 1972. As of 2023, he is still the working president of the United Democratic Party. He is a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Meghalaya[1] and an honourable member of the 11th House of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. He is also the MDC representing Jaiaw Constituency in the KHADC (Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council).
Family
Father's Name: (L) Anthony Gilbert Blah
Mother's Name: Patsydora Lyngdoh
Spouse's Name: Sweety Jane Pala
Sweety Pala is a renowned actress and producer. She was the lead actor in the 2016 National Award winning Khasi language movie Onaatah.
He has one son, named Nashlem Laphrang Pala Lyngdoh.
Educational qualifications
Paul Lyngdoh completed his schooling from Khasi Jaintia National School and Mawprem Modern Higher Secondary School. He pursued his Bachelor's Degree (with English Honours) from St. Anthony's College, Shillong. He also has a Master's Degree in English from the North-Eastern Hills University. He studied Law up to the intermediate level and completed a course on journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism.
Literary Career & Published Works
Paul Lyngdoh is a bilingual writer (Khasi & English). His collection of short stories 'Shithiar Ki Khana Lyngkot' (1989) which he penned as a high-school student, is now part of the Higher Secondary School Curriculum of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE), while his pioneering bilingual collection of poems, 'Floodgate / Ka Kyrdop' was published whilst he was in college. His poetry has been widely acclaimed and has been published in reputed journals and anthologies like the 'Indian Literature' (Sahitya Akademi), 'Poetry Chronicle' (edited by Sanjiv Bhatia), 'The Telegraph Sunday Magazine' (edited by Jayanta Mahapatra), 'Dancing Earth' and 'Anthology and Contemporaru Poetry from the North-East (both edited by Kynpham Nongkynrih and Robin Ngangom), amongst others. Khushwant Singh introduced Paul to a wider audience through a review of Shillong-based poets in 'The Sunday Observer' (1995).
Paul's latest work 'A Return to Poetry' (2018) received excellent reviews from renowned personalities like Ananya S Guha, Desmond Kharmawphlang, and Noorul Hasan, amongst others.
Paul Lyngdoh was also inducted as part of the prestigious Khasi Author's Society in 2020.
Music career
Paul Lyngdoh has also penned & composed a number of songs, many of which continue to be popular anthems to this day. Some of his famous songs include 'Ri Lum', 'Ri Baieid i Pa i Mei', 'Mait Shaphrang', 'Ko Khun U Hynniew Trep', 'Ka Jingkhot ka Por' etc. He contributed numerous tracks to widely popular albums - 'Na Thwei Ka Dohnud' (KSU), 'Na ka bynta U Khrist bad ka Balang', etc.
His most recent album comprises 18 songs of which nine are part of the first leg titled “The Search” and the second part with the other nine songs is named 'The Journey', all of which were written, composed and sung by Paul himself.
Paul Lyngdoh is a gifted vocalist and musician, skilled in guitar, drums, and even the keys. He continues to perform with his band on numerous stages across Meghalaya. His avid passion for music took him to live concerts by Dire Straits, Coldplay, U2, the Eagles, Sting, John Mayer, Dave Gilmour, Ronan Keating, Jason Mraz, Fire House, White Lion, Smokie and more.
Student leadership
Paul Lyngdoh was one of the most prominent leaders of the Khasi Student's Union, having been actively involved in it for more than a decade. He held the position of General Secretary and also President (1994-2002) of the KSU.
He is widely remembered for his fantastic oratory and his dynamic speeches, especially the one delivered at Don Bosco Square in 2001.
Political career
Paul Lyngdoh entered into the realm of politics and won the elections to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 2003 as well as 2008 from the party which he founded- KHNAM- Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement
He again won the MLA elections from 18 West Shillong Constituency from the United Democratic Party in 2013. He got elected to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in 2019 from Jaiaw Constituency.
He is currently the Working President of the United Democratic Party.
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Paul Lyngdoh recently got elected as the MLA of 18 West Shillong Constituency on the 2nd of March 2023 and was also sworn in as the Cabinet Minister of the Govt. of Meghalaya on the 7th of March 2023, in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
As a Cabinet Minister, Paul Lyngdoh is currently holding the portfolios of:
- Social Welfare,
- Tourism,
- Arts & Culture,
- Textiles
He is also the Spokesperson of the MDA 2.0, Govt. of Meghalaya.