A one-day water sports festival was today held at Umngot Shnongpdeng as part of Meghalaya’s 50th year of Statehood attainment and 75th years of Independence.
Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui who attended the festival appreciated the efforts of the organising team for conceptualizing the festival in Umngot River.
“Shnongpdeng Village and River Umngot needs no more introduction as it is already well-known tourist spot, the only room needed is to continue maintaining cleanliness and to incorporate hospitality habits and to make the visitors and tourist comfortable during their visit and stay,” Rymbui said.
He informed that Rs. 20 lakhs had been sanctioned to repair the hanging bridge across the Umngot River at Shnongpdeng.
Arts and culture commissioner and secretary, F R Kharkongor informed that the objective of the festival is to promote tourism and water sports activities in these areas. He called upon the villagers to continue cooperating with government for further development.
Later the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners to the different sports competition.
The festival was marked by events like boating, swimming, water polo, boat tableau presentation and zip lining.
The festival was organised by the Department of Arts & Culture, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Amlarem and Seng Samla Shnongpdeng Cultural & Sports.