By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 27: Kongthong — the whistling village of Meghalaya — bagged the Best Tourism Village (Bronze) Award at the National Tourism Awards 2023 which was presented by the Ministry of Tourism at an event at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Kongthong, also referred to as ‘The Whistling Village’ preserves the tradition called Jingrwai Iawbei that roughly translates to the song of the first clan lady, and is a unique tradition about assigning a tune to each child upon their birth, a melody that is unique to them and they carry on throughout their lives.
Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma expressed his pride and stated; “This recognition is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that Meghalaya has to offer. Kongthong’s melodious whistles echo the harmony of our diverse traditions and the serenity of our landscapes. The second large scale employment generator for our State is the Tourism sector.”
He added that the government is working towards making Meghalaya India’s most preferred tourist destination, and therefore are giving attractive subsidies for home stays. He also added that 300 homestays had already been sanctioned, and 2,000 more are in the pipeline.
Dr. Vijay Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism Department, said Kongthong stands as a harmonious testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the nation.