Shillong, Oct 15: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Rilbong locality, the Rilbong Durga Puja and the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha at Rilbong in presence of Arts & Culture Minister Shanbor Shullai.
Congratulating residents, Sangma said Rilbong has stood out for diverse communities living in peace and harmony.
On the 25 posthumous ‘Trailblazers’ awards, he said, “These extraordinary individuals were there in difficult times yet one thing common among all of them is that they did not give up and consistently pursued what they wanted.”
He said the government supports community-led development through Dorbar Shnongs and local bodies, and cultural institutions through Arts & Culture, Tourism Departments, NEC and CMSDF.
He handed over Rs 25 lakh sanction from Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund to Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha.
The 25 trailblazers, selected by committee headed by former Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, include Khan Saheb Amjad Ali, Ardhendu Chaudhuri, Bibhu Bhushan Chaudhuri, Sudhindra Bhushan Chaudhuri, Jyotindra Nath Chaudhuri, Saradamanjori Datta, Dr Basudeb Datta Roy, Dr Pulin Behari Deb, Dr Bidhu Bhusan Dutta, Rai Saheeb Shivnath Dutta, Primrose Garfield Gatphoh, Jeewan Ram Goenka, Hopewell Elias Khariong, Brington Buhai Lyngdoh, Mavis Dunn Lyngdoh, Dr Homiwell Lyngdoh, Neil Nongkynrih, Babu Wilson Reade, Babu Jeebon Roy, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, Rev J.J.M. Nichols Roy, E.N. Shullai, Ratanlal Singhania, U Soso Tham and Col Puran Bahadur Thapa. Families travelled from US, Delhi, Kolkata, Dibrugarh and Shillong to receive the honours.
