NEW DELHI, April 28: Students and residents from the Khasi community celebrated the “Hynniewtrep Convention” in Meghalaya House here on Saturday on the theme “Away from Home Reflecting the Lights of Our Roots”.
The tone of the mega event was set by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh. He urged the Khasi people living in the national capital not to forget their roots.
“Your roots belong to Meghalaya and always try to contribute something or the other for the place of your origin,” he said in his speech.
Lyngdoh gave an example of Israel, stating that it is a desert country with no natural resources but developed with its human resources.
“Meghalaya can develop too if our human resources in every place can strive for the hill state,” he said, adding, “Meghalaya, located close to South East Asia, has world famous tourist places and its people are welcoming by nature.”
Recalling his life in the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) which is a part of the North East Students’ Organisation, Lyngdoh said it was due to the persistent demand of the students’ organisations that the Ministry of DoNER was created during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He further recalled how GG Swell, the then Deputy Speaker and others, were instrumental in securing special status for the entire Northeast under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In his speech, KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said the union’s aim in organising the event is to bring all Khasis living in the national capital region together and celebrate roots through a shared culture to create a sense of unity.
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Singh Syiem and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla were among those who were present. KSU leader and lawyer Marbiang Khongwir welcomed the guests.
The KSU felicitated various organisations and individuals actively involved in helping the community in Delhi in times of distress.
Those felicitated include Meghalaya House, Delhi ACHIK Association, Meghalaya Police 5th Battalion, Special Police Unit for North East Region, KJCF, Vanora Nongrum, Laeticia Warjri, RP Warjri and Grace Rynjah.
Khasi dances, fashion shows and Khasi dinner were the highlights of the event.
