I was still in school when I met him for the first time in 1968 during the Christmas season at Guwahati. He was pursuing his MBBS then. The next occasion was during his wedding and I remember it vividly because his younger brother Rainao and I did the twist, a very popular dance at that time. The doctor and his beautiful bride Joy were the talk of the village. Then in 1980 Dr. Shaiza was my church member at Kohima Tangkhul Baptist Church where I served as the pastor. He normally didn't pray in public. One day when I asked him to pronounce the benediction I was startled to hear a different voice praying. After the service he told me, "Nephew, you can ask me to do anything except to pray and preach." I told him that being the head of the family he was the priest and therefore he had to lead the family in prayer and reading God's word. After that he not only started sharing to his family but also started preaching in the church. He was so gung-ho about the first time he stood on the pulpit that he literally rolled up his sleeves in full preparation.
He was a very simple and straightforward character. His wife Joy being a Sunday School teacher, he would snore away while the teachers were busy practicing songs, but when it was time to present the number he would come up onstage and stand with the others regardless of whether he sang or not.
During the Nagas '90 celebrations, I was given the task of contacting the speaker in South Korea and he came along with me without even having a passport. In Guwahati we approached the regional passport officer who said that for the Nagas it would take not less than two months. He told us that it had to be sent to Delhi for clearance, but for Dr. Shaiza the word impossible was not to be found in his dictionary. He had such an optimistic outlook, so much so that he could even envision a door in the walls that were blocking his way, and walk right through them! He badgered the officer so much that the officer asked me whether my uncle was 'a little loose in the head.' My reply was to find out for himself. Dr. Shaiza asked him who made the rules; since it is man made there must also be a way that man can change it. The officer was dumb founded and could not withstand his persuasive arguments. He finally said that the only solution was a telephonic conversation with Delhi, and if possible it would be valid only for two months. Lo and behold, the passport was issued within two days through this route. Dr. Shaiza told the officer, "God bless you!" gave him three kilograms of oranges and added, "It is good for health."
When we reached Calcutta, his worried wife called him and expressed her concern that he had not left them any money for Christmas celebrations. He shouted back into the phone at the top of his lungs. "Don't you know that I'm on God's mission?” Then we went out and bought the largest Christmas card we could find, wrote a pay authorization letter for her and sent it through our friend Rev. Shiwoto.
He refused to let anyone call him 'doctor' saying that it was preposterous, and insisted that he should be addressed as 'Awo' which means uncle. He had a generous soul and would give without a moment's hesitation. Being a down to earth person without any pretensions he could talk to anyone and everyone, right from a labourer to the highest Minister with the same equanimity. When his brother was shot dead, he told the Chief Minister of Manipur. "You are the king of Manipur, and you should be able to arrest the culprit." The Minister was totally floored by his conviction and ability to speak his mind.
The last time I met him was with his wife at the Dimapur airport on September 12 2007. He was on his final journey to Imphal where he was headed to undergo treatment. Though he was critically ill he still had his trademark smile and positive attitude. We both didn't know that it was going to be our last meeting.
To me Dr. Shaiza is an uncle and a good friend who has done so much for the Tangkhuls in particular and the Nagas in general. His death is a great loss for me and I shall always miss him. Yet I do not mourn but continue to celebrate the great person that he was. He was such a large-hearted person that even death cannot diminish his brilliance and powerful personality.
I also hold fast to my heart the believer's faith that we shall meet each other in heaven, and then I shall be with my Awo again.
Rev. Candid Sareo
Public Relations Officer
Patkai Christian College, Nagaland
