Former UDWJA president Thotshang Shaiza no more, many condole

Former UDWJA president Thotshang Shaiza no more, many condole

 

By R Lester Makang

 

Senior journalist and former president of the Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) Thotshang Shaiza passed away late Saturday night at JNIMS hospital after suddenly developing a cardiac arrest due to Covid-19 complications.

He was 49 and is survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters and three grandchildren.

A medical report from JNIMS said that Shaiza was admitted to the hospital on June 11 with breathing difficulty and was intubated on June 12. He developed a sudden cardiac arrest around 10 pm on Saturday and was immediately resuscitated but there was no return of spontaneous circulation.

He breathed his last around 10:38 pm at the ICU ward of the government-run medical institute in Imphal.

Shaiza was admitted to UDH Covid Isolation Ward after he was found Covid-19 positive on June 4 last. He was referred out to JNIMS from Ukhrul District Hospital on June 11 after his condition worsened.

His mortal remains were laid to rest at 2 pm on Sunday in a mournful yet lowly-attended interment at the Viewland Cemetery.

His untimely death has been widely mourned cutting across the press and social spectrum in the state.

 

In its condolence message, UDWJA termed Shaiza's demise as a big loss for the Ukhrul press fraternity.

"Words wouldn't suffice to say that the Tangkhul community has lost a brave son of the soil, a veteran journalist in him," UDWJA president Addie Chiphang and secretary Ricky Angkang said in the statement.

Bidding a tearful adieu, they said that UDWJA members saluted their departed fellow comrade for upholding and protecting "freedom of expression and true spirit of journalism" as he reached the unreached sections of the populace with the message of truth during his time as a journalist.

The UDWJA leaders said Shaiza would be remembered as a source of knowledge and experience in the district's journalism fraternity.

Stating that the senior journalist was a source of strength for the association, they said that he was an outspoken and jolly gentleman who always wore a smile on his face.

"His absence would be profoundly missed in our midst. It is just like yesterday, we can't believe that he is no more! The void left by him would be irreparable."

Stating that Shaiza had immensely contributed to the growth and the welfare of UDWJA during his tenure as its association president, the statement added: "Though he is no more, his legacy will live on forever."

"Our profound condolences go out to the bereaved family members as we join in prayer for the soul of our dear departed comrade to find an eternal rest beside the Almighty God. We also pray for God's strength and solace to the bereaved family during this difficult time," they said.

At the same time, UDWJA has also expressed its gratitude to Manipur Hill Journalists' Union (MHJU) and Churachandpur District Journalists' Union (CDJU) for extending financial assistance of Rs. 10, 000 and Rs. 5,000 respectively to Shaiza's family during his hospitalisation at JNIMS, Imphal.

Thotshang Shaiza joined journalism in 2009 and had served the district's press fraternity in varied capacities as its president for consecutive two terms, and as district correspondent for ISTV News. He was UDWJA advisor and a district correspondent for The Aja Daily till he breathed his last.

He served UDWJA as its president for consecutive two terms from 2015-18 and 2018-21.

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.

"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). 

"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," added Pamei who is also president of Tamenglong District Working Journalists Union (TADWJU)..

Joining the emotional outburst, All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors' Guild of Manipur (EGM) have also expressed their sorrow and grief over the untimely death of Shaiza.

"We remember him as a very active and diligent journalist who worked to bring information from remote corners of the state to the mainstream both for the electronic media ISTV News and Tangkhul dialect daily the Aja Daily," EGM stated in a statement, adding that Shaiza's passing will leave a void amongst the journalist fraternity of Manipur. 

Meanwhile, the Hunphun Village Authority, Tangkhul Naga Film Association and others have also condoled the death of the senior journalist.

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