SHILLONG, June 5: The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council-Central Executive Council (HYC-CEC) marked its 10th anniversary by launching Bei Rymaw, an anthem urging individuals to safeguard the environment.
Crafted as a wake-up call for society, the anthem aims to underscore the crucial role of every individual as stewards of the environment.
Penned by songwriter and artiste, Amabel Susngi, and performed as a duet with Bahun Marweiñ, Bei Rymaw celebrates the beauty of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, establishing the connection between the hills and the creation story of Mother Earth.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem, while emphasising the urgency of addressing environmental degradation, said, “Our streams are being mistreated, forests abused, and nature tampered with. We cannot remain indifferent. It’s incumbent upon us, as an organisation and as members of society, to respond to such recklessness.”
Synrem highlighted the alarming trend of man’s interference with nature, citing recent disasters such as cyclone Remal and floods, which claimed lives in Meghalaya and beyond.
He stressed the need for collective action to preserve the environment.
The release of Bei Rymaw is part of HYC’s anniversary celebration, which culminates on July 17, the organisation’s Foundation Day.
The anthem, featuring lyrics in both Pnar and Khasi Sohra, aims to resonate with a wider audience.
‘Bei Rymaw’ was produced by folk-fusion ensemble Summersalt, and Gregory F. Nongrum, a member of the band, spearheaded the recording and editing process, further amplifying the song’s impact.