SHILLONG, Nov 25: Shad Nongkrem also called Nongkrem Dance, annual thanksgiving festival of the Khasis, concluded on a solemn note on Wednesday as unlike yesteryears when the venue would be packed with crowds, restrictions were in place for this year’s event in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court also attended the festival.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Deputy Syiem of Hima Khyrim, alias Syiem Khynnah, Habapan Sing Syiem, expressed gratefulness for the opportunity to celebrate the festival despite it being a turbulent year.
“This year has been sad as COVID-19 has taken the lives of people all over the globe but the creator has given us the chance to celebrate as we used to do every year even though there were protocols to be followed this time”, he said.
The deputy Syiem lamented that the khun ki hajar (the people) could not attend the festival as in previous years owing to the restrictions imposed by the government.
He, however, thanked the people for their cooperation while also expressing hope that the festival will be celebrated with much zest in the coming year.
