Darwin Diengdoh Pugh

Darwin Diengdoh Pugh Biography

D. D. Lapang, also credited as Darwin Diengdoh Pugh was an influential politician from the hilly state of Meghalaya. He served as the 2nd Chief Minister of Meghalaya for a brief period during 10 March 1978 – 6 May 1979, and was the first Khasi leader from the state to serve this position. He also served as the general secretary of All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC). He lived during the period, 12 January 1927 – 17 November 2008.

D. D. Lapang was born on 12 January 1927 in Meghalaya. He was born to Bransly Marpna Pugh and Glis Diengdoh. His higher education was completed from Guwahati University. Later he began his professional career as a crew in the Navy during the Second World War. After Indian independence, he taught at a couple of schools before joining active politics in the 1960s. Since then he has been fully active in regional politics for a while. During his professional years as a teacher, he served as Headmaster of the Nichangram School in Garo Hills and Cherra Presbyterian Proceeding High School in Nongsawlia, Sohra.

He was an elected member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in 1967–72, marking a successful beginning in state politics. Soon after Meghalaya state was formed in the early 1970s, Williamson A. Sangma served as the first CM of the newly formed state for nearly two terms. He was an elected member to the first state assembly of Meghalaya in 1972. He contested on APHLC ticket from Nongskhen constituency. D. D. Lapang was the second elected CM of Meghalaya, for a brief period of 10 March 1978 – 6 May 1979.

Published: January 10, 2019

Updated: January 10, 2019