Leading by action: Senior journalist and Dimapur Press Club’s incumbent President K Filip Sumi during a face masks distribution in the streets of Dimapur town held on December 9, 2020. Filip breathed his last on November 12, 2021 morning. (Morung file Photo)
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Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 12
Nagaland senior journalist K Filip Sumi breathed his last on Friday morning. He was 38.
A well-known name in the state’s media scene, Filip had substantial, peerless journalistic gifts and a boundless, bountiful personality. He instantly recognised a story and had an intuitive ability to know how a tale must be told.
These traits accompanied him on a journey that encompassed Nagaland Post and The Morung Express, bringing talent, passion and wisdom to both the publications. Filip also held the fort for journalists in Dimapur, heading the Dimapur Press Club as President.
His greatest gift, though, was his generosity of spirit that extended powerfully into both his professional and private life.
Recounting their first meeting at the Nagaland Post desk 13 years ago, senior journalist Bhadra Gogoi remembered Filip as a talented, energetic, kind hearted, outspoken and fun-loving person. “One of his outstanding qualities was he was ever ready to help anyone in need. His kindness and positive attitude will always remain an inspiration for us to carry on with our life's journey,” Gogoi said, in fond remembrance of Filip who he said was his closest and great friend.
Similarly, senior journalist Ashihko Pfuzhe said Filip was always energetic, sprightly and full of life. “Humorous to the bone, it was real fun to be in his company at all times— whether covering an event together, indoors or out in the woods.”
But it was not only his cheerful disposition that touched the hearts of those he worked with over his journalistic career. Filip was also a committed journalist and had the knack to turn his contacts into valuable pool of information, Pfuzhe noted.
“I always admired his knowledge and skill when it came to political reporting. He was one of the few journalists who could write and analyse about the political state of affairs,” said Along Longkumer, a former Editor at The Morung Express.
Longkumer remembered Filip as someone who always carried a positive attitude and was easy to get along with as a team person. I remember him as a very well mannered young man who also looked up to his elders and seniors with respect, he said, adding that “We have lost a fine human being.”
Mourning the loss of a former colleague and a dear friend, Kohima Press Club President Alice Yhoshü attested that Filip was “a perfectionist, a no-nonsense journalist who was very thorough and meticulous with his work.” Through her association with him for over a decade, she said Filip was “a brilliant, yet simple, and well-grounded gentleman; someone who deeply valued family and friends.”
“The news of his passing away has come as a shock and deeply saddening too... His demise is a huge loss to our Press fraternity, and to the public, for whom he sought justice through his stories,” Yhoshü added.
Photojournalist Caisii Mao, a former colleague of Filip’s, said that he was “a friend and brother to every colleague.” He was a relentless supporter of those who worked with him and treated everyone equally, Caisii said, noting that Filip was devoted to public service and would often put the needs of others before his own.
The same sentiments were echoed during the funeral service that took place at Sughuna, Boro Lengri on Friday afternoon as family, friends, well-wishers and people whose lives he touched gathered to bid him farewell.
As attested by those that eulogised him at the funeral service, Filip’s kindness was never shouted. His help and contributions to the community were never advertised. He merely took it upon himself to nurture his talent and wisdom and use them to guide his younger siblings and to tell the stories of those whose voices were unheard. Even in the face of the pandemic that scarred the world, he always coped brilliantly— camping out at odd hours, putting in his all to gather news, and meeting deadlines that seemed unachievable, all the while balancing his life as a father and a husband.
Filip who leaves behind his wife, a daughter and an unborn child will be remembered not only as an exceptional journalist but a fine human being.
