Music lovers defy Shillong rain!
The skies in the morning were already hinting at mischief while Police Bazar was gearing up for a fire-packed concert to mark the eve of Independence Day. The road leading to the market, christened “Lynti Sur Bathiang”, had been beautifully decorated, and anticipation was in the air. From afar, the high stage—complete with drum kit and guitar amps—stood as a beacon for the night of rock ’n’ roll to come.
But the dark clouds hovering above told a different story. Before long, the skies opened up and it poured.
Water pooled on the streets, the stage and equipment were hastily covered with tarpaulins, umbrellas popped open, and the crowd began to thin. Yet, spirits held firm as everyone looked skyward, hoping the downpour over Khyndai Lad would soon relent.
It didn’t. At least, not until 7:30 pm, when the rain finally eased into a drizzle.
The concert, originally slated for 3 pm, eventually kicked off around 8. Though delayed by hours, the wait proved worthwhile. From the moment the first notes rang out, the show surged with energy. The performers’ music ripped through the misty night air, and the crowd responded in kind.
A sizeable audience braved the weather and reveled in every moment of the power-packed performance. The rain may have tried to dampen the night, but it couldn’t dampen the spirit of Shillong’s music lovers. And credit goes, too, to the artistes, who stood their ground, honouring their commitment to music and delivering a night to remember.
A patriotic trek
On August 15, as India celebrated its 79th Independence Day, Shillong decided to honour the occasion with a unique tribute: the near absence of public transportation aka buses.
While the rest of the nation waved tricolours and sang anthems and played patriotic songs on loop, Shillong’s residents embarked on a patriotic trek, navigating the city’s streets on weary legs with nothing but their wits keeping them company.
The day began with the usual patriotic fervour seen every year. Flags fluttered as citizens observed the customary “Har Ghar Tiranga”, schoolchildren marched, and speakers blared “Vande Mataram” from every corner.
But for the average Shillongite hoping to join the celebrations, the lack of buses turned the day into a struggle. Buses were nowhere to be seen. Local cabbies, known for their mood swings, chose to charge higher than normal for bookings.
Residents, undeterred by this vehicular betrayal, took to the streets on foot. An SJ team member observed an enthusiastic group of schoolchildren marching all the way to Raj Bhavan from Jhalupara, turning their heads every few minutes hoping for a city bus to come to their rescue. But there was none.
He learnt later that the same group had to return on foot from Raj Bhavan in the evening.
Perhaps the government, in its infinite wisdom, must have decided to test Shillongites’ pedestrian resilience on Independence Day.
As the sun set on Independence Day, Shillongites, exhausted but undaunted, spent the evening reflecting on their newfound cardiovascular strength. After all, walking is a good exercise.