Shillong celebrates I-Day with gusto

SHILLONG: Gone are the days when the capital city was under lock and key on Independence Day. Things have changed in the past couple of years with people from different age groups coming out to celebrate the day of national importance.
On Tuesday, Shillong joined the rest of the country in celebrating India’s 71st Independence Day with a marked difference compared to the situation five to 10 years ago.
This correspondent witnessed that many shops in the capital were open. Vehicular traffic too was normal with public transport services such as local taxis and buses plying.
It was also seen that families came out in large numbers to celebrate the day as the state government had lined up a series of programmes including musical concerts at Khyndailad.
Food stalls and   kids corners were also set up besides a dog show while a BSF band party put up a performance in the picturesque Wards Lake.
Sharing their views on the trend, seasoned politician Bindo M Lanong said it was really good that the situation has changed in Shillong.
“Good sense has finally prevailed and it has been realized that people should not be restricted on the day of national celebration. Everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and be a part and parcel of the system. It seems now we are in an era of understanding and goodwill,” Lanong said.
Former IAS officer and activist, Toki Blah, echoed similar views. He expressed his happiness over the change saying people were earlier forced to remain indoors. “But that era is over and now people are coming out and enjoying freedom as citizens of India,” he said.
Another social activist, Angela Rangad,  said, “Change is good as people should have the freedom to do what they want to do.”
She however said that questions should always be posed in a democratic set up like India. “But surprisingly, people are now being questioned about their patriotism,” Rangad said.
Eugene Niangti, a young entrepreneur, termed the   change in Shillong as “beautiful” as those days of staying indoors on Independence Day were finally over.
“I feel good to see that people, society, NGOs and government have brought us back to what we were in school,” he said.