Shillong, September 30: Rilbong is preparing for a major year-long celebration marking three centenary milestones — 100 years of the locality as an urban habitation, the centenary of its Puja celebrations and 100 years of the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha.
The celebrations will begin on October 2 with a Centennial Run, sponsored by Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank, followed by a multi-cuisine Food Festival on October 3, sponsored by Magic Cook.
According to the Centenary Celebration Committee, Rilbong locality came into being in 1925 following allotment of land to offices of the British administration. It effectively developed into a habitation by 1927 after houses were constructed and residents moved into the area.
Ahead of the Puja festivities, a special dance recital featuring indigenous communities from different parts of the country will be held on October 12 under the aegis of the ICCR, North East Zone.
The year-long centenary celebrations will be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on October 15 at 10.30 am. A commemorative Centennial Arch will also be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on the occasion.
As part of the celebrations, the organising committee has decided to posthumously honour 25 personalities who made notable contributions to Shillong and its people over the past century.
The awards, titled “Trailblazer”, were selected by a broad-based Advisory Committee headed by retired Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, IAS. The awardees represent fields ranging from literature, education and institution-building to political leadership and public service.
According to the organisers, the list includes pioneering personalities such as the first Khasi poet, the first woman to become a Cabinet Minister in Indian political history and the person credited with bringing electricity to Shillong, besides several other prominent figures.
Family members of the awardees are expected to travel from places including the United States, Delhi, Kolkata and Dibrugarh, besides Shillong and nearby areas, to receive the honours.
On October 16, Governor C.H. Chandrasekhar is scheduled to inaugurate a remodelled Puja Mandap, while Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikash Lathera, AVSM, SM, will attend as Guest of Honour. The dignitaries will also present mementoes to around 50 people described as torchbearers of Rilbong for their distinguished service to the locality.
The organising committee said special emphasis is being placed on community participation, public safety, decoration, innovative illumination and the Puja idol, which is being created by artists from Kolkata.
Entertainment programmes will also feature singers from Kolkata and Mumbai. Bengali stage actor Debshankar Halder and Paulami Basu, daughter of actor Soumitra Chatterjee, are scheduled to stage two Bengali plays on October 23 and 24.
Beyond the cultural celebrations, the committee is also planning discussions on a roadmap for the next 100 years of Shillong. The proposed exercise will involve experts and stakeholders in urban planning and is expected to be held in May-June next year in collaboration with government agencies in Delhi and Shillong.
The centenary programme is being led by Centenary Celebration Committee Chairman Manas Chaudhuri and Advisory Committee Chairman D.P. Wahlang.
