SHILLONG: British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Scott Furssedonn-Wood visited Khyrim State House (Iing Sad) on Tuesday and met Dr. Balajied S. Syiem, Syiem of Hima Khyrim, and John F. Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board.
During the meeting, Furssedonn-Wood expressed keen interest in the traditional and customary practices and enquired as to the challenges faced by the indigenous people in the present context.
The Syiem of Hima Khyrim explained the guest on the elaborate preparations being made for the forthcoming Nongkrem Dance, which has been declared as a National Festival by the Ministry of Tourism.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, also enquired on the present status of the traditional institutions.
Kharshiing informed the dignitary that the Chiefs of the Federation of Khasi States have been pursuing their constitutional rights as laid down in the 1950 White Paper on Indian State, and also handed over a copy of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed on August 17, 1948.
He informed the Deputy High Commissioner that the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya were unique in their administration as they were party-less institutions, based on consensus and referendum and not on the basis of ‘majority’.