Shillong, Oct 15: Rilbong, one of Shillong’s oldest and most diverse localities, turned 100 on Thursday with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launching its year-long centenary celebrations.
The CM also inaugurated the Rilbong Durga Puja and Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha festivities in presence of Arts and Culture Minister Shanbor Shullai.
Kicking off the celebrations, 25 legendary figures who built Shillong over the last century were honoured posthumously as ‘Trailblazers’.
The list includes Rev J J M Nichols Roy, U Soso Tham, music icon Neil Nongkynrih, U Primrose Gatphoh and Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy among others, drawn from literature, education, politics, sports and journalism.
“These extraordinary individuals were there in difficult times, yet they never gave up,” the CM said, paying tribute to the awardees. He said their legacy must be lived, not just remembered.
The 25 names were shortlisted by a committee headed by former Chief Secretary D P Wahlang. Families flew in from the US, Delhi, Kolkata and Dibrugarh to receive the awards.
Highlighting Rilbong’s model of peaceful co-existence, Sangma said government is backing community-led growth through Dorbar Shnongs and supporting cultural institutions through Arts and Culture, Tourism and NEC funds.
On the occasion, he handed over a Rs 25 lakh sanction from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund to the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha.
