SHILLONG: East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal on Wednesday inaugurated a Youth Cultural Centre at Nongkrem village.
The project, constructed at a cost of Rs.17.90 lakh, was jointly funded by the Arts and Culture department and the Nongkrem Youth Development Association (NYDA).
The Arts and Culture department contributed Rs.9.90 lakh while the rest of the expenditure was borne by the NYDA.
Speaking after inaugurating the project, Goyal expressed satisfaction that the project had shaped up according to expectation.
While appreciating the efforts of the NYDA in contributing towards the progress and development of the village, Goyal lauded the efforts of the youth organisation for taking up the mantle to ensure the betterment of the community.
“I always feel disappointed when I find that such buildings remain unutilized within a few years after their inauguration. I am confident that this project would not face a similar fate,” he said.
He said that the project is aimed at nurturing the young talent of the villages in the field of music and others and said that this centre can be used for organising various kinds of youth related programme.
Goyal also said that Nongkrem village had the potential of turning into a major tourist destination because of its natural beauty.
“The Government does not need to invest any money to project the village as a tourist destination,” he said.
Others who were present on the occasion included Nongkrem Trust Committee chairman Medistar Warbah, Nongkrem Dorbar Pyllun general secretary A. Dkhar, Dorbar Pyllun chairman B. Lyngdoh and Mawryngkneng BDO A.S. Mukhim, among others.