Conrad witnesses colorful Rongma Fest in Kharkutta

TURA: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took part in the grand finale of the colorful Rongma Gital tourism fest in Kharkutta area of North Garo Hills on Saturday highlighting the beauty of the region and the importance of tourism.
The first ever two day tourism festival in the picturesque village of Rongma Gital was inaugurated by Tourism minister Metbah Lyngdoh on Friday.
The scenic Rongmil Gitil tourism site comprises of a giant rock mountain that has over the years become a major spot for visitors and outdoor tourists from far and near.
Tourists from outside the state who visited the area were surprised to see this giant mountain of rock jutting out and looming over the plains below. Some visitors have even likened it as the junior Uluri, or Ayers Rock, which is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of Australia’s northern territory that draws record tourists every year.
At Rongma Gitil, with the tourist footfall increasing with each passing year, locals with active support from the local legislator Rupert Momin recently got together to organise an annual event and this year it has been jointly launched with the district administration of North Garo Hills. Already it has begun drawing large crowds from as far as Tura and even Assam, which shares a border with Garo Hills.
The chief minister, who landed at Kharkutta by air, was escorted to the venue through traditional pathways, even crossing a stream through an indigenous bamboo bridge.
Happy with the way the area had transformed into a tourism site, the chief minister assured all possible help to further improve and expand tourism in the area.
Tourism minister Metbah Lyngdoh, while inaugurating the festival on Friday said the beauty of the site was “God gifted” and encouraged local entrepreneurs to take over the management of the area, while at the same time promising all possible support from the government.
Lauding the efforts of the local MLA Rupert Momin, the tourism minister also suggested the introduction of home stays in the scenic area.
The deputy Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Dolly K Sangma also announced a financial package of three lakh rupees for construction of toilets at the tourist site.
The route to Rongma Gitil was choc-a-bloc with hundreds of vehicles as outdoor enthusiasts and music fans made a beeline to reach the venue in time to witness the conclusion of the event with a rock concert where Garo legendary musician Browny of the famed Riprap rock group would be performing.