By Kit Shangpliang
As the state of Meghalaya is grappling with development issues and striking a balance between celebration and contemplation, the JOWE Festival held in Patharkhmah on August 15, Independence Day this year, proved to be a combo occasion with a meaning. Organised by the office of the Patharkhmah Civil Subdivision, the event brought together artistes, sports persons, self-help groups, youth representatives, government line officers and pageant specialists to complete the purpose of JOWE as a pro-people event.
JOWE meaning ‘Ours’ in Ri Bhoi dialect, was designed to be a community-led initiative to draw the attention of the local leaders especially the youth, imbibing a sense of people’s ownership and accountability. It was also a platform where ordinary people could ask any question concerning the development of their villages, be it, education, health, roads, power and financial inclusion.
Supported by the Chief Minister through CM Connect and the Meghalaya Sustainable Tourism Enhancement Programme (MSTEP), this community-based initiative is another innovation where songs, self-help groups and sustainable development converged. Representatives from 100 odd villages turned up in thousands to participate as the audience was mesmerised by the creative diversities be it music, pageantry or quick Q&A sessions.
The entertainment leg of the event started with the fashion rounds of Mr and Miss Western Ri Bhoi, designed not merely as a beauty pageant but with an aim to build the confidence of the youth. This was followed by a dashing performance of popular artistes like Kyntiewlin Mawphniang, Colours and Meghalaya folk-fusion leading group Summersalt who took the evening by storm, as they belted out their popular numbers including Hoi Kiw, Kamai iaka Hok and more songs from their sophomore album. The evening also saw the exquisite display of the Ryndia in all its traditional glory by Kiniho’s Iba Mallai from Umden silk village.
The event was in close touch with traditions as dances from the Rabha and Garo communities from the border areas adorned the day. Inter School drama was another highlight where children expressed their concerns on the spread of drug addiction. The inter school traditional dance competition showcasing customary dances was in itself an expression to stay in closest proximity to the indigenous roots.
Keeping citizens first, the event was attended by the local MLA, Sosthenes Sohtun who spoke widely about the eagerness of the government to engage with the people, “There is a need for the public from all quarters to work closely with the government systems. There are schemes that could benefit more people in the Ri Bhoi area and the only way to maximise public benefits is for people to come forward and have more constructive dialogues with the representatives and the district administration”.
The event’s key aim is to facilitate open public interaction and grievance redress to clear any public doubt. In the words of DC Ri Bhoi, Abhilash Baranwal, “Event-based reach out programmes like JOWE was repurposed to build a bridge between government and local communities and we never thought that the success was going to be this big. The response from the community has been largely positive”.
Additional DC in charge of Patharkhmah, Mardondor B. Tongper adds on, “This has been a people-driven exercise and the District Administration has played a role as facilitator. Alongside the Independence Day Celebration, the event has emerged as a youth capacity building exercise which was well received by the community leadership”.
Local BDO Dr. P. Hajong narrates, “To see the communities coming together to celebrate freedom on Independence Day reminds us of the spirit of national integration and celebrating unity amid diversities. The day was truly heart-warming”.
Besides the entertainment value that the event carried, JOWE served as a way to community integration, bridging distances among various tribes, particularly those residing along the state borders with Assam by fostering inclusivity and better understanding. Self Help Group leader, Rabia Marak expresses “Events such as these offer an opportunity for female members of different SHGs to share ideas and learn from each other. We were able to display our products and run stalls for the benefits of the SHGs”.
JOWE has been by and large a youth and women centric event, giving a platform for the citizens to express themselves and build their capacities. Youth leader Remington Syngkli in his remark says, “What is striking about the event is the fact that it provides a platform for young people to speak openly and question the systems. Until and unless, open public conversations and room for critiquing is created, the community will remain stagnant in development. The platform offered the youth an opportunity to be equal partners in development which acted as impetus to the spirit of democracy”
All said, the JOWE Independence Day Event may go down in history as a Meghalaya model youth and development focused festival. Much contemplation should be harboured by the development think tank to consider facilitating more such programmes in the future keeping citizens first.
(The author is a social communicator based in Shillong)