SHILLONG: The 48th annual conference of the Meghalaya Koch Association (MKA) has urged the state government to give recognition to the dance forms of the tribe.
The MKA also wanted the government not to delay issuing ST certificates to the community.
The conference concluded with a three-day programme held from February 6 to 8 at Bordup village located in East Khasi Hills district.
The conference was attended by more than 200 official delegates from various parts of Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal and Nepal, which also included a special delegation of Koch Akhing Nokmas (traditional heads) from Meghalaya.
The three-day programme exhibited a grand display of the unique cultural legacy of the Koch held for the first time in this part of the region.
On the opening day, a meeting of the delegates from various zones met and discussed important issues affecting the Koch Society and thereafter adopted important resolutions, notable among them are adoption of the song ‘Sarai, Sarai Kocho, Sarai’ as National Anthem of the community, Pabuni as their national festival and resolved to move Meghalaya government to declare it as a restricted holiday in the state. The society also wants Hoko dance to be the national festival of the Koch.
The second day of the conference was attended by Kumar Pranab Narayan Dev, Secretary, Consortium of Koch Royal Families, Beltola, Guwahati at the literary session as the chief guest who stressed the need to maintain the unique cultural legacy of the community.
He also spoke of the need for unification of the Koch living in various parts of India and abroad under one roof.
He said that holding the conference in a remote part of the state was an important milestone as it will remove the sense of alienation among the Koches living in far-flung areas.
The special open session held on the last day was attended by local MLA HM Shangpliang as the chief guest who appreciated the efforts of the association for holding the conference in a remote part of the state.
He said this sort of meet provided opportunities for exchange of culture and ideas among communities residing in the area, besides building national integration.
Harolyne Koch Shadap was also felicitated on the occasion by the MLA for her winning the Miss Koch International title held recently in Nepal.
The leaders of the association submitted a memorandum apprising the local MLA of the various grievances — like delay in issue of ST certificates by the district administration in spite of the Koch being an indigenous tribe listed as Scheduled Tribe in the state since 1987 — affecting the Koch living in the area.
The conference also resolved to submit a memorandum to the chief minister highlighting the problems faced by the Koch living in Khasi Hills since time immemorial.
