SHILLONG: Gone are the days when Shillong used to witness bandh, closed shops and deserted roads on August 15. Now, Meghalaya is celebrating Independence Day in a positive spirit.
For the past three years, people of Shillong have been celebrating Independence Day and Republic Day with fervour and come out in hordes on these national holidays.
The Shillong Times spoke to people from all walks of life and sought their opinion on the changing trend in the city.
East Khasi Hills DC PS Dkhar admitted that there is a changed perception towards the celebration compared to the previous years and he hoped that more people would come out in the open unlike the past.
‘Besides the customary Independence Day celebrations at Polo Grounds and Raj Bhavan, we have lined up a series of entertainments at Wards’ Lake from 12 pm,” he said, adding that entry is free.
Cabinet Minister AL Hek said the Day should be celebrated in the most befitting manner and the present generation, which has missed the celebration for so long, should be reminded about the importance of the Independence Day.
Echoing similar views, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said that it is a good feeling that peace is coming to Meghalaya
Kharshiing said that the government should accept the offer of HNLC for peace talks even as she added that she wants her children and grand children to see how Independence Day is celebrated and how democracy prevails.
A young lawyer, M. Iawsai said she will visit different places in the city on Wednesday wherever the government organises programmes.
“This is real independence. I feel free to go anywhere on August 15,” she said.
Another businessman, who did not wish to be identified, said shops in all the places in the town remained open for the last few years except Iewduh and he hoped that shops will remain open in Iewduh this time.
