NONGPOH: The five-day celebrations of the silver jubilee of Ri Bhoi district started at NSCA Stadium at Pahamsyiem in Nongpoh on Monday.
D.D Lapang, Chief Adviser to the State Government of Meghalaya, inaugurated the programme by releasing a souvenir and cutting the cake.
Lapang said despite problems, “the vision, determination and untiring effort of the leaders of Ri Bhoi Dorbar have translated their dreams into a reality and that reality has travelled 25 years”. Ri Bhoi was upgraded from civil sub-division to district on June 4, 1992.
The inaugural function started with the World Environment Day rally from DTO office in Nongpoh to the stadium. A bike rally was organised from Umiam to the stadium at Pahamsyiem and then to Khanapara that was flagged off by D.P Kharsati, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi.
The day was marked by traditional songs and dances performed by students of St Paul Higher Secondary School, St John Higher Secondary School Jyntru, Ri Bhoi Presbyterian Synod Male Voices. A band from NEPA performed the national anthem.
Among other dignitaries present were Deputy Commissioner C.P Gotmare, Rev L.S Nongphlang, Rev. Fr Bernard Pala, Umsning MLA Celestine Lyngdoh, who is also the chairman of the function, and former MLA D. Khymdeit.
Traditional dance and folk songs competition were also conducted with many sub-tribes of Ri Bhoi District taking part in it.
