Shillong: At a time when most Dorbar Shnong in the city are struggling for a place to meet and a decent community hall, the Umpling Dorbar Shnong on Saturday inaugurated its Community Centre below which is the office of the Shnong, equipped with a computer et al, for storing important data related to the Shnong.
The Community Centre is built on and around a 14 feet rock which in the early days was used as a seating place for an open air meeting. The land for this project was donated by one Constantia Pyngrope and constructed gradually with assistance from the MLA and MP schemes. The land has been in use since the days of World War II, reminisced an elder of the Shnong, R Pyngrope, who also listed out the names of the past Rangbah Shnong.
The Umpling Dorbar stands out for being progressive and futuristic. The Rangbah Shnong and his council members sit in office three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to assist the members of the Shnong with certificates and other queries. Umpling has five Dong or Blocks with two Rangbah Dongs each to assist the Rangbah Shnong.
On Saturdays the members of the Shnong move around to take stock of what happens in the Shnong and to plan out new roads and lanes for easy connectivity.
MLA of Umpling, David Nongrum, while inaugurating the Dorbar Stone (Mawdorbar) said he visits Umpling every Saturday because the Shnong demands his presence to chalk out new development programmes and follow up on old ones which remain pending.
But despite the hard work put in by the members of the Dorbar all of whom also hold a job Umpling still suffers from acute water shortage. Most residents have to purchase water by the tanker. Water selling is a brisk business in Umpling.
Community water taps located at the roadside of the different Blocks supply water erratically. When the water does come, there is a long queue of people waiting for their share. Students, housewives and working men are all waiting in the queue. For students it is a loss of precious study time.
Reacting to the water crisis as pointed out by the development secretary of the Umpling Dorbar, R.C. Lyngdoh and the Rangbah Shnong, S.F. Pyngrope, the local MLA, David Nongrum said, “I admit that water supply is a problem in Umpling but I have been your MLA for just over a year. Umpling is now in the list of Shnong which will be served by the 4th phase of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS). I will ensure that you get adequate water supply at the earliest.”
Member of the KHADC representing Umpling, Latiplang Kharkongor, lauded the efforts of the Dorbar Shnong. He was especially impressed by the dance troupe which put up an energetic Shad Mastieh. Trained by noted artiste Genevieve Khongjee, a resident of Umpling who runs a cultural training centre, the dancers truly impressed the audience.
Earlier Catherine Pyngrope, a singer of repute, crooned about the devastation to Mei Ram-ew (mother nature) and warned that nature might also fight back to restore herself.
Umpling Rangbah Shnong while addressing the packed hall spoke proudly of his residents who he said comprised the cream of Shillong’s population. “Umpling is proud to have renowned doctors (Dr Sam Pamei, Radiologist and Dr Bernard Lyngdoh, neuro-surgeon), former IFS official River Wahlang, and a host of engineers, artistes and entrepreneurs who have made Umpling their home. He enlisted their support for the uplift of the Shnong.
The BSF headquarter is also located in Umpling and Pyngrope the Rangbah Shnong said he would seek their cooperation in the cleanliness campaign.
Umpling remains a model of what a good Dorbar Shnong can do when members work with zeal and dedication. The feather in its cap is that Umpling has a huge football ground where hundreds of young people play daily. On Sundays, cricket matches are also organised on this field.