Kudos MTDF
The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum’s (MTDF) initiative to light up the city in view of the festive season has in a way redefined the Christmas celebrations in this part of the world.
Tourists who had flocked to Shillong for Christmas were pleasantly surprised by the zealous festive fervor that marked the run-up to the Big Day.
The magnificent display is a symbolic gesture depicting the city’s spirit of gaiety and grandeur at this time of the year thus paving the way for increased tourist inflow in the years to come.
Even though a lot needs to be done in terms of value addition to ensure there is more on offer than just the festive feel, nevertheless embarking on the cause does deserve an applause.
All said and done, it takes courage to be dismissive of the cynics or self styled champions of austerity in this case. The above initiative has not been taken kindly by all and sundry and some have ridiculously claimed that the odd power cuts every now and then were a result of MTDF’s glossy venture not to speak of accusations of ‘precious public money’ wasted in the initiative.
Well! Cynics can gripe over everything; for the rest, its celebration time.
Goodbye 2013; Welcome 2014
Lucky or unlucky, the year ending with ‘unlucky for some’ number 13 is nearing an eventful end and despite the freezing thermometer, Shillong is gearing up for a night to wash away the past (wash down rather), greet the future and enjoy the present.
A predictable but thrilling ‘blast’ is awaiting Shillongites with a penchant for midnight ‘dos’. All the tension of the past four months are temporarily shelved and people on different sides of the ILP fence toast to a happy new year.
January heralds new beginnings even for those with bruised egos as they await the next round of talks. Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma has asked the agitators to come “with an open mind.”
The common people hope that minds are sufficiently opened with the arrival of the New Year.
As January arrives, the elections to the three district councils will also be announced and a date set. Can anyone afford to create unrest during these crucial electioneering months?
After that the entire country will vote for the next Government in Delhi. To that extent 2014 is an eventful year.
We are set to see change in the political firmament of the country as new political ideas take shape and VIPism and the culture of red beacons is trashed by the Aam Aadmi Party.
Some things however are likely to remain unchanged. On 31st December when we herald a brand new year we will hear music of ear-shattering music coming out of vehicles which have become the new bars cum discotheques.
Alcohol is not sipped but gulped down in large doses and the bottles are not just thrown away but broken as they are strewn across the road and hit the metalled road. Drunken brawls are common and cool in Shillong.
Let’s not be all negative.
We sure have sober and meaningful moments like the midnight swim and family affairs of bonfire and meaningful talks…everyone has a reason to be excited and hopeful of a better year.
Carol singing festival
On December 23rd, Shillong was rocking. Despite the 12-hour HNLC bandh, there was the MindRocks festival at the new Convention Centre which was a brain jam of sorts and saw celebrities from the world of cricket, fashion, Bollywood et al in an intellectual sparring match.
But in the evening all roads led to the State Library premises where the MTDF organised a Choir Festival. The place was thronging with enthusiastic crowds who sang along with the choir.
The younger audience danced to their hearts content. Serenity Choir, Kerigma and Shillong Chamber Choir in particular, gave their best in the true spirit of Christmas.
Miss India (World) 2008, Parvathy Ommanakuttam who was in Shillong for the MindRocks Fest said she has never seen such a wonderful way of heralding Christmas. Parvathy was seen tapping her foot and gyrating to some of the Boney M numbers belted out by the SCC.
Not to be missed was the Consul General of Italy in India (Kolkata) Mr Cesare Bieller accompanied by a friend was also present at the carol singing programme. In fact the number of visitors to Shillong at this time of the year is phenomenal. Despite the cold December night people hung out till the very end.