SHILLONG: Governor Tathagata Roy inaugurated the diamond jubilee year of Relief and Rehabilitation Colony and the R&R Colony Saradiya Utsav Samity on Friday.
The locality had come into existence in 1958 to rehabilitate the religious minorities of East and West Pakistan after the partition of the country. The meeting started with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries amidst chanting of Vedic hymns.
Roy recollected the memories of his youthful days in Shillong. He appealed to the youths and children not to forget the circumstances which led to the exodus of their ancestors from Pakistan to India adding “history is not communal or secular; history is history”.
Health Minister AL Hek, who was also present at the function, lauded the efforts of the R&R Colony Welfare Society for catering to the civic and administrative needs of the people of the locality.
Local legislator Charles Pyngrope appreciated the yeoman’s service rendered by the society. He said he would always feel proud to be a resident of this “role model colony”.
The meeting was followed by a cultural show performed by the artistes of the Saradiya Utsav Samity.