Silverine : 1st Padmashree awardee dies

Shillong, February 1:Meghalaya first Padmashree awardee Silverine Swer died on Saturday morning at her residence in Riatsamthiah ending a long and eventful life. She died at the ripe old age of 103 years at around 10.40. Incidentally she was also the oldest voter of the state.

Swer relatives said , “She did not eat well for the past two weeks. She became very weak and today morning she passed away peacefully. Doctors declared her dead.”

Born to a Christian tribal family in November 12, 1910, Swer was a  graduate (BA. BT) from Calcutta University and started her career from 1932. She had served in various capacities both under government and non-government organization.

Swer was also the Assistant Controller of Rationing during the World War – II period – held this post for five years (1944-1949) under Assam government and then served in Arunachal Pradesh under erstwhile NEFA government for 15 years (1953 -1969) as Chief Social Education Organizer, Assistant Education Officer, Pioneering Principal of the Teacher Training Insitute at Changlang Tirap district and retired from service in 1968.

But retirement did not keep Swer bound to her house as her activities only expanded in the social field and she was appointed as chairperson of International year for Women’s Committee, 1979, pioneering chairman of YWCA, Shillong, state commissioner (G) Bharat Scouts & Guides Association.

Swer also involved herself passionately with various women voluntary social welfare organizations and governing bodies of schools, colleges and co-operative societies.

In 1991, she was nominated as member of the Executive Council of NEHU till 1994 (for three years). She became the advisor of Ka Lympung ki Seng Kynthei, a co-ordination of 20 women welfare organizations of Shillong in 1992.

Swer received the Padmashree Award from the then President of India V Venkataraman in 1990.

Besides other awards she was bestowed with the RG Buruah Smriti Rakhya Samiti, Guwahati, Assam award for eminent persons of north east India for rendering invaluable service to the North East on October 17, 1994.

Other awards included the Pa Togan Sangma Award for social service (1990), the Silver Elephant Medal of the Bharat Scout & Guides Award presented by late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed – president of India and the Kaisar- I – Hind Medal for handling the difficult problems of rationing system with ability and integrity and many years of service to the Girl Guide Movement in Assam.- By Our Reporter