The Khublei diaries
Khublei, a word so overused, yet so warm. It’s Shillong’s magic trick, a universal icebreaker that can turn the grumpiest faces into smiles. Even more so when tourists say it, their slightly awkward pronunciation only adds to the charm.
If it is a cab that you has been stuck in traffic for the longest time, but as you step out and say, “Khublei mo, bah”, his face lights up, and you can almost see an invisible wall crumble. Suddenly, he nods back with a genuine smile.
Or take a local shopkeeper, tired after hours of standing behind a stall. Bargaining customers and endless transactions have taken their toll. But then, a customer pays up and says, “Khublei”. The shopkeeper’s shoulders relax, and there’s a visible shift in mood, like someone turned on a light bulb.
And then there are tourists. Their effort to fit in by saying “Khublei” is met with amused grins and instant warmth.
‘Tumhara Naam Kya Hai? Wait, Kyu Bataun?’
If you’ve been walking, driving, or even just daydreaming your way through Shillong this week, you’ve probably spotted the mysterious boards with a question, “Tumhara naam kya hai?”
Now, is this some existential query? Or most definitely a marketing ploy. The guessing game is on, and Shillongites are divided.
Until the big reveal happens, the city-zens are left guessing. Whatever it is, the boards have already achieved one thing, made people talk and laugh.
For now, we’ll keep our names to ourselves. But perhaps this can serve as the new conversation starter for the Shillongites.
