By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), PN Syiem, on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the Council’s Legislative Building to be constructed on the premises of the District Council here.
The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 4,74,13,000, half of which has been sanctioned under the 2011-2012 Finance Commission while the remaining amount is sanctioned under the 13th Finance Commission (2012-2013).
On the same day, Syiem also inaugurated the newly-constructed auditorium of the KHADC which was constructed at an outstanding amount of Rs 1.05 crore.
Soon after inaugurating the auditorium, the CEM also announced the dates for the Monolith Festival 2013, to be held at the Heritage Village at Mawphlang on October 25-26.
Addressing the gathering, Syiem said that the KHADC is committed to preserving and promoting the fading cultures of the Khasis.
“Our ideas should be constructive towards the welfare of the indigenous communities and it should focus on preserving not only the cultures and traditions but also the rights of the indigenous lot,” Syiem added.
Referring to the heritage village as one of its attempts to preserve the slowly disappearing cultures of the Khasis, Syiem said, “This village will revive the cultures and traditional practices of the people and will showcase various cultures under one roof in such a manner that it will be a feast for the eyes and the ears.”
Situated opposite to the Law Kyntang or the Sacred Groves at Mawphlang, this village will enhance the flavour of the much visited and widely publicized sacred forest thereby bringing thousands of tourists from all over the world to witness the scenic beauty and richness of the Khasi culture.
Terming this project as a ‘conserver of the Khasi culture’, Syiem said it is high time for the KHADC to think beyond the four walls of politics and shift its focus to something which really matters and that is to revive those cultural practices which are environmentally sustainable.