Year-long celebrations kicked off
From Our Correspondent
Jowai: Prof RC Laloo, Minister in charge Education, kicked-off the celebration of the Quasqui Centenary of the first Unitarian Church in Assam and Meghalaya at a glittering ceremony in the Church Campus on Friday.
The church which was started on September 18, 1887 by a native of the place, Hajom Kissor Singh Lyngdoh Nongbri, will organise a yearlong celebration which will culminate on the grand occasion of the Annual General Conference of the Unitarian Union from February 9-10.
The occasion also marked the 147 birth anniversary of H.K. Singh Lyngdoh Nongbri who was a pioneer of the liberal church in the area. Nongbri was born to Borsing Malngiang and Bida Nongbri on June 15, 1865 at Saitsohpen, Cherapunjee. He lived during a time when Khasi literature was at its nascent stage and being a native speaker Nongbri immensely contributed to the development of Khasi literature. The same was noted by the only journal of those days, U Khasi Mynta. Nongbri also composed 63 Khasi hymns and helped RS Berry in compiling the Khasi Etiquette (Ka Jingsneng tymmen). Along with Robin Roy, the duo also wrote a booklet entitled Ka kot jingkylli Balyngkot Shaphang ka Niam mane Wei Blei. Nongbri’s major contribution though was the completion of the first Khasi-English Dictionary which was initially started by his younger brother Nissor Singh.
Speaking of the occasion, Prof Laloo said that he felt blessed to be able to associate with the church 25 years ago when in the year 1987 the church celebrate its centenary. “Now again I am able to join the members of the church on the inauguration of its 125 anniversary which is a happy moment for all of us,” he said.
As the motto of the church says ‘keep on progressing’ (To Nangroi), he hopes that the church will grow in leaps and bound in the days to come.
Meanwhile, commemorating the occasion, the Church has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for building a Quasqui Centennial Social Hall. Unveiling the tablet to commemorate the launching of the project, Prof Laloo annouced the allotment of Rs 5 lakh to support the the project.
