SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh recalled with pride the thoughts and philosophy of Hajom Kissor Sing Nongbri, who founded the indigenous religious movement in 1880s.
Attending the opening ceremony of the 130th Khasi – Jaintia Unitarians Lyngdoh said “It is a pride of the Khasi community to have a tall figure like Kissor, irrespective of any religious backgrounds,” Lyngdoh said while addressing at the opening ceremony at Nongthymmai.
He said the Khasi literature was at its initial stages when Kissor founded the Khasi Unitarians in 1887.
The minister also lauded his teachings which include deep respect for other religious faiths and gender equality bringing about empowerment of women.
“We should protect religious pluralisms and at the same time respect and this is the need of the hour in the world today,” he said.
Local MLA Jemino Mawthoh spoke on the truth and the various teachings of various religions which lead to one God.
Unitarian Union president Rev D P Pariat reminded the historical significance of Kissor’s contribution to the Khasi literature.
Kissor, who founded the Unitarian movement when he was only 22 years old, was a co-author of the first Anglo-Khasi dictionary along with his brother Nissor.
Kissor was also a member of the Khasi Text Book Committee along with Soso Tham, whose appeal to the British government to allow students to write their examinations in Khasi, was approved.
Kissor was also instrumental in assisting Jeebon Roy in his writings, apart from being one of the best translators and a poet himself.
