By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Three cyclists from Delhi practising were in the hill station five days ago spreading the message of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao which the cyclists say is not an issue in matrilineal Meghalaya.
Stating that the tour is to celebrate the girl child, Naveen Gautam, an entrepreneur said, “People are already celebrating here. Women are empowered here. We can see girls are running shops and doing their rituals.”
Siraj Saxena, an artist, said that there is a lot to learn from the people here, people (from the rest of India) can learn a lot from North East.
Aakash Oswal, a lawyer said that they would write a book on their experience out of their cycling tour which will in a way inspire people.
Painting a rosy picture of Meghalaya, the three cyclists were in awe of the cultural milieu in the state where they praised the beauty, hospitality and traditional system of administration of the state.
“It is not like Central India where they treat you like outsiders, here we received warm hospitality,” Saxena said.
Complimenting the people for speaking in their own mother tongue, he said that the people here have great respect for their language.
Further, he was charmed with the Living Roots Bridge prevalent in the villages as being an artist himself said that it is an important example of Public art and government should make efforts to promote it worldwide.“The Living Root Bridge is the Taj Mahal of Meghalaya though Taj Mahal is not a public art,” he added.
The cyclists urged the State Government to promote more arts and culture programmes and to incorporate ‘fine arts’ in school curriculum.
