Oldest general secretary of the organization fellicitated, centenary souvenir released
By Our Reporter
Shillong, Sep 4: Formed in 1923, the Khasi National Dorbar celebrated its 100 years of existence at its Dorbar Hall, Mawkhar here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said that he has just read about the short public notice served by the Khasi Himas to every village for serious thinking and planning about the creation of the separate state for the tribal which ultimately led to the birth of the Khasi National Durbar on September 4, 1923 to safeguard and protect the unique Khasi culture and identity.
According to him, people had to work for weeks to attend the important meeting which lasted for three days.
Tynsong said that this only shows that the far-sightedness past late leaders who understand about the need to have a common platform by forming the Khasi National Dorbar.
He said that the formation of the Autonomous District Councils is a result of the commitment of the past leaders to protect the interest of its own community.
On the occasion, the deputy chief minister also felicitated the oldest general secretary of the organisation, JK Tariang and also released the centenary souvenir of the Khasi National Dorbar.
It may be mentioned that in 1917 the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which proposed the development of self-governing institutions in India, saw the beginning of political development in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
At this time Meghalaya was a province under Assam and the people felt strongly about the creation of a separate hill state for the tribals. A few Khasi elders within the Khasi community noted the changes of the report as something fundamental.
The report asked the people to gather for discussions on the importance of the report and what should be done about it.
Fifty-four representatives from various Hima(s) and about three hundred people from different parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills attended the Dorbar.
From 1923 to 1928 there were intense discussions held in the Khasi National Dorbar that proved instrumental to the Hill State Movement.