SHILLONG, Jan 17: Nongtrai village in East Khasi Hills under the Shella confederacy completed 100 years of its establishment. In this regard, a grand three-day celebration was held in the village field where villagers congregated to honour their past Rangbah Shnong, Sordar and an elderly lady aged 94 years, who were pillars of Nongtrai village.
Headman Pynshai Rymmai highlighted the journey of the ancestors who first established the village.
On the occasion, a memorial stone crafted by noted artist Raphael Warjri and his team at Riti Academy was unveiled by Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, who is also the Chairperson of the Special Purpose Vehicle Committee set up by the Supreme Court to monitor the development funds deposited by Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Ltd (LUMPL) for the areas surrounding the limestone mines at Nongtrai.
A bilingual chronicle, jointly authored by Raphael Warjri and Banjop Leo Gregory Kharmalki, documenting the history of how the village was started and its journey until the present, was also released by the Chief Secretary.
The cultural programme was followed by the inauguration of a state-of-the-art football field with artificial turf within the village at a cost of Rs 3 crore funded by the Special Purpose Vehicle Society. An inaugural match was played in the evening between the Chief Secretary’s team and the Nongtrai Dorbar Shnong Members. The Chief Secretary’s team won the game 4-1.
Earlier, addressing the gathering of youth and elders at the centenary celebration, the Chief Secretary lauded the Dorbar Shnong Nongtrai for a united effort to ensure all round development of the village. Pointing out that school drop-out is a major problem in Meghalaya, Wahlang said that the students of Nongtrai have no reason to drop out for want of resources as the SPV Society can provide scholarship and free uniform and books. Wahlang also stated that efforts would be made by the SPV Society to provide hostel facilities for students from Nongtrai who have to come to Shillong for their college education. He also said that the Government is also exploring the possibility of setting up a college in Nongtrai to assist students to study closer home.
Wahlang also exhorted the youth not to be addicted to the mobile phone and social media, especially if they wish to study for the UPSC exams. “Studying hard is important but studying smart is more important as you have to adopt a strategy on how to maximise your efforts and choose the right subjects,” Wahlang said, underpinning the fact that getting a second division does not mean they cannot pass the UPSC exam.
Addressing the women’s self help groups (SGHs) in the village, Wahlang said SGHs are integral to reducing maternal and infant mortality as they can help create awareness among their fellow members and counsel younger women on good health practices and to avoid teenage pregnancy.
Later, Wahlang, while inaugurating the football ground, said that it is meant to encourage the youth to and elders to be healthy and stay fit even while they avoid unhealthy habits.
