Born on April 10, 1934 in Shillong , Lapang has travelled a long after starting out as a labourer and going on to serve in various capacities in the Meghalaya government.
Lapang, born in a poor agrarian family, struggled to educate himself, studying at night, while working as a labourer during the day.
After matriculation, he was appointed as an assistant inspector of schools. He later resigned from the government service to pursue a political career.
In 1972, he contested the state assembly elections from Nongpoh as an Independent candidate and became a member of the first legislative assembly in Meghalaya.
He, subsequently, joined the Congress only to lose the seat in 1993 to a rank newcomer, Constantine Lyngdoh.
Lapang, during his early days in the Congress developed strong grassroots contact with the people of his constituency and party workers.
Lapang became chief minister for the first time in 1992. This is his fifth innings as chief minister. He has, however, never completed any of the full term in office.