SHILLONG: The Shillong Chamber Choir on Thursday clarified on the CAG report by stating that the request for financial assistance from the Government for participating at the World Choir Games (WCG) 2012 was only towards airfare expenses and travel insurance.
” All other expenses including accommodation, food and local travels within USA were arranged and supported by our well-wishers”, Damon Lyndem, the spokesperson for the Choir said on Thursday in a rejoinder to the news report appeared in this daily quoting the CAG report.
The CAG report tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday indicted Arts and Culture department for the grant of Rs 39.22 lakh as travel expense to the Choir as according to the CAG there was nothing on record to indicate that the Arts and Culture department prescribed any modalities to SCC for promoting Meghalaya at World Choir Games.
However, in response, the Choir spokesperson said, “Yes. Shillong Chamber Choir was invited to attend the closing ceremony of the World Choir Games held at Cincinnati USA, 2012. Internationally renowned choirs participated from all around the globe and ‘Shillong’ was on the map! Let’s first rejoice in this, the statement said.
Stating that they respect CAG’s observation and integrity, the Choir clarified that they had submitted a report to the Department of Arts & Culture highlighting the major outcome of the tour.
The SCC did not only perform at the WCG 2012 but also sang at the U.S. State Department (Washington DC), International Monetary Fund IMF (Washington DC), Indian Ambassador’s Concert (Washington DC), Southern Asian Church (Maryland), Collington Life Care Community (Maryland), The Great Hall (Maryland) & Blowing Rock (North Carolina)’, the statement said.
“Our repertoire included many Khasi songs from Neil Nongkynrih’s Opera ‘Sohlyngngem’, which were very well received by the American audience more than even our ‘Bollywood items!’ The Choir-girls wore our glorious ‘Dharas’ and we spoke more in music about our beautiful state beckoning all to visit us”, it added.
The Choir said it received the Governor of Maryland award for outstanding services to the citizens of the state and the Indo/American Community award for exceptional talent and contribution in that tour. “I think Meghalaya and India have been represented”, the statement said
According to Lyndem, the Choir is a band of dedicated young people and “we are grateful to the Government of Meghalaya for supporting us in this endeavor. We also thank the people in general who have loved and supported our mission to bring Shillong and the entire northeast to a better light. Our region has more to offer than guns and malicious envy”.
According to the Choir, unfortunately there were ‘complications’ in the arrival of funds resulting in having the travel agency to book their flights in whatever was available in order to reach the destination on time.
“On Our return journey we all came back economy. We will be writing to the airline to request them to issue us a travel certificate for all 20 members who have undertaken and completed the journey”, the Choir added.
Lyndem said that any sane person who has known the journey of the choir over many years will be the best judge. “Dear fellow artists who are battling so hard to achieve their dreams in this difficult journey- do not lose heart. The SCC will continue to fight for integrity and the beauty of music and make Shillong a destination worth coming to”, the statement added.
