Meghalaya Day Awards 2026: Honouring Excellence that Shapes the State’s Soul

The Meghalaya Day Awards 2026 stood as a proud reflection of the State’s intellectual strength, social responsibility and rising presence on the global sports stage. More than a ceremonial occasion, the awards celebrated individuals whose life’s work has contributed meaningfully to the identity, progress and reputation of Meghalaya – both within India and beyond its borders.
By recognising achievements in literature, grassroots social development and international football officiating, the Meghalaya Day Awards highlighted how dedication across diverse fields can collectively uplift society. The awards also reaffirmed the State’s commitment to honouring excellence rooted in service, integrity and perseverance.
This year, three outstanding personalities were honoured which include Dr Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, an acclaimed poet, novelist, translator and scholar. Fr Benoy Joseph, a tireless social reformer whose cooperative movement has transformed rural livelihoods in the Garo Hills and Riiohlang Dhar, a pioneering FIFA-listed football referee who continues to break barriers for women in international sports.
Dr Kynpham was conferred the U Tirot Sing Award for Arts and Literature, Fr Benoy Joseph received the Pa Togan N. Sangma Award for Social Services, and Riiohlang was honoured with the U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games.
Dr Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih: Preserving Identity Through Literature
Born in Sohra, Nongkynrih has emerged as one of the most powerful and original literary voices from the North-East. A poet, novelist, dramatist, translator and scholar, he writes fluently in both Khasi and English, seamlessly blending Khasi oral traditions with modern literary forms.
His writing draws deeply from Khasi culture, myths and lived experiences, while also addressing universal human questions—making his work resonate far beyond Meghalaya. Over the years, he has built a body of work that not only preserves indigenous knowledge but also invites global readers to understand the social and spiritual roots of Khasi society.
His novel The Distaste of the Earth brought him widespread national and international recognition. The book was long listed for the JCB Prize 2024, shortlisted for the Kerala Literature Festival Book of the Year Award, and was named by The Conversation (Australia) as one of the best books of 2024 worldwide. Critics praised the novel for its rich narrative layers and its thoughtful exploration of land, identity, displacement and belonging.
Another major literary achievement is his epic novel Funeral Nights, published in the UK and the US in 2024. The novel received strong critical acclaim, with a well-known Indian critic and novelist, Nilanjana S Roy describing it as one of the greatest modern epics written by an Indian author. The work delves deep into Khasi history, spirituality and social transformation.
Nongkynrih’s other important works include The Yearning of Seeds, Time’s Barter and Around the Hearth: Khasi Legends. He has also co-edited several important anthologies that have helped bring literature from the North-East into the national literary conversation.
Currently serving as a faculty member at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Nongkynrih has earlier received several prestigious honours, including the Veer Shankar Shah–Raghunath Shah National Award and a Tagore Fellowship. Despite these accolades, he said the U Tirot Sing Award holds special meaning, as it represents recognition from his own home state—something that had been missing despite his achievements elsewhere.
Reflecting on his work, Nongkynrih said that Khasi oral literature and culture have always shaped his writing. Through his stories, he seeks to explore who the Khasis are, what their spiritual and sociological roots reveal, and where their society is heading. He noted that at times society appears directionless, “like bees without a queen,” a metaphor drawn from one of his characters in Funeral Nights.
While his stories are deeply rooted in Khasi life, customs and the natural landscape of home, he believes meaningful literature must transcend geography. Its true purpose, he said, lies in uncovering universal human truths. He expressed satisfaction that his work has connected with readers across India and the world.
Offering advice to young writers, Nongkynrih encouraged them to write honestly about what they know best and what brings them joy. He urged them to remain patient in the face of criticism and delayed recognition, emphasising that passion and sincerity are the foundations of lasting literature.
Fr Benoy Joseph: Restoring Dignity Through Collective Action
The Pa Togan N. Sangma Award for Social Services was conferred upon Fr Benoy Joseph for his exceptional contribution to rural development through the Muktidata Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which has transformed the economic and social landscape of communities in the Garo Hills.
Founded in 2015 at Tikrikilla, the cooperative was born out of Joseph deep concern for tribal farmers who were trapped in cycles of exploitation and debt. He explained how middlemen often forced farmers to mortgage plantations for years in return for modest houses. As crop yields and market prices increased, farmers lost lakhs of rupees, pushing many families into long-term poverty and daily wage labour.
Determined to break this cycle, Joseph established Muktidata with just 19–20 women members. Over time, the cooperative grew into a powerful collective of more than 2,800 members, most of them women. Today, it works across multiple areas, including sustainable livelihoods, cooperative finance, women’s empowerment and fair market access.
Through Muktidata, farmers now receive better prices for crops such as pineapples, turmeric, ginger and black pepper. They are also connected to national and international markets through initiatives like Meghalaya Collectives. Women have been empowered through Self-Help Groups, skill development programmes, microfinance support and awareness initiatives focused on education, health and cultural preservation.
The cooperative’s achievements have earned national recognition, including the North East Regional Cooperative Excellence and Merit Award. As part of the Meghalaya Day honour, Fr Benoy received a cash award of Rs 20,000, which he announced would be used to support school admissions for 65 children from economically disadvantaged farming families.
With support from the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), Muktidata has expanded into grocery outlets, tribal textile shops and collective farming initiatives launched in 2023. Interest-free government support has enabled the cooperative to establish the Megh Farm Processing Hub and the Nokma Ice Cream Factory, ensuring fair prices for fruits such as pineapple, jackfruit and litchi.
The factory employs around 150 tribal youths, operates in organised shifts and provides regular training. It produces nearly one lakh cups of ice cream daily, along with juices and processed food products. As a result, farmers in areas like Tikrikilla and Demdema Development Block now earn better prices, forcing middlemen to adopt fairer practices.
Muktidata has directly supported over 3,000 farmers, while many young people have gained employable skills through MSSDS programmes. Future plans include setting up a Food Park that could generate employment for more than 500 people and establishing additional Nokma Ice Cream plants in Tura and Nongpho. Nokma products are steadily expanding across markets in the North East.
Accepting the award, Joseph dedicated the honour to the farmers of Meghalaya, especially the people of the Garo Hills and the members of the Muktidata Cooperative. He stressed the importance of strong cooperatives, financial discipline and sustained government support for long-term rural transformation.
On a personal note, he shared that his day begins at 2 am, with early hours devoted to planning, documentation and office work before attending to spiritual duties and community engagement. He also acknowledged Rev Sr Rose, Secretary of the Mendipathar Cooperative Society, for her vital support during Muktidata’s early years.
Beyond social service, Joseph has also contributed to cinema. He wrote the script for the Garo film Shalome, which depicted life in underground-affected areas and ended with a message of moral awakening. His second film, Asongni Janera (Mirror of the Land), portrays the everyday social life of Meghalaya’s people.
Riiohlang Dhar: Setting New Standards in World Football
The U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games was awarded to Dhar, whose journey as an international football referee has made her a symbol of determination and hope for women in Indian sports.
She was selected for inclusion in the FIFA International Referees List for 2026, as communicated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to the Meghalaya Football Association on December 31, 2025.
As a FIFA-level assistant referee, Dhar has become only the second woman from India to officiate at major international tournaments. Her notable assignments include the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic and the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia.
In May 2025, Dhar, who also serves as an officer in the Meghalaya Police was honoured with the AIFF Female Assistant Referee of the Year Award for the 2024–25 season.
Reacting to the Meghalaya Day Award, she said the recognition came as a complete surprise, as the honour had traditionally gone to players. Being recognised as a match official, she said, was not only a personal achievement but also an important moment for referees across the country.
She said that although officials do not win medals, representing India on the world stage—when her name is announced or displayed on television alongside the Indian flag—fills her with immense pride.
Dhar spoke honestly about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. She said she encountered discrimination, discouragement and attempts to undermine her success. To meet FIFA standards, she said she had to work twice as hard as men, especially in training and fitness, to prove herself every day.
Her football journey began as a player at Tome Memorial Higher Secondary School, Jowai. She later took up refereeing in 2009 while studying at Marian Hills Higher Secondary School. In 2017, she became Meghalaya’s first woman National Referee, and in 2018, the first person from the State to be listed as a FIFA referee, a position she continues to hold.
Addressing young girls, Dhar encouraged them to remain confident, focused and resilient. She urged them to ignore negativity, surround themselves with supportive people and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
The three awardees remind us that real progress comes from dedication and service to society. Through their work, they have not only achieved personal success but also uplifted communities and strengthened Meghalaya’s identity. Their achievements go beyond personal success. They inspire others and show how commitment, vision, and integrity can change lives and bring pride to Meghalaya, both within the state and beyond.