Shillong, May 10: The Member of Rajya Sabha (MP) Rakesh Sinha attended the largest indigenous tribe of Meghalaya Seng Khasi Marbisu centenary celebrations as chief guest on May 8. He considers it a rare occasion since it was for the first time that a non-tribal was chosen to be the chief guest of the event.
"The largest indigenous tribe of Meghalaya Seng Khasi centenary celebrations is on 8th May. I am fortunate that perhaps for the first time a nontribal has been invited as chief guest. Will be staying in Meghalaya from 7-8. Your adopted Kongthong +3 There will also be a review of the empowerment of the people of the villages," he had informed.
People were gathered in huge numbers for the special celebrations. The Rajya Sabha MP was seen wearing traditional clothes.
The three villages - Mawmang and Sder in the Khatarshnong Laitkroh Tehsil of East Khasi Hills district and Mawshut in the Mairang Tehsil of West Khasi Hills district - are located in different parts of Meghalaya.
It should be noted that earlier in the year 2019, the Rajya Sabha MP had adopted one village in Meghalaya named Kongthong also called Singing Village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. In 2021, Kongthong was included in one of the 3 entries for the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) "Best Tourism Village."
During his two-day visit to Meghalaya, he met Meghalaya BJP Chief Ernest Mawrie in Shillong. He also interacted with teachers and intellectuals on various subjects. He met representatives of SEED, an NGO operating in Shillong. The office bearers of SengKhasi Sohiong Pyllun explained the problems of Khasi.
Later, he also visited Kongthong to review the development. He discussed with the people of Kongthong about strengthening the whistling tradition. He informed that Kongthong did not have a well-functioning health center till a few months back. It has been systematically started now. He also informed that there will be a virtual clinic soon in the region.