States » EastPosted at: Oct 15 2026 7:31PM


Meghalaya CM inaugurates Rilbong centenary celebrations, honours 25 trailblazers

Shillong, Oct 15 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the year-long centenary celebrations of Rilbong, marking 100 years of the locality, the Rilbong Durga Puja and the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha.

The event, held in the presence of Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai, kicked off with a historic tribute to 25 iconic individuals who shaped Shillong's legacy over the past hundred years, who were honoured posthumously as “Trailblazers.”

Congratulating the residents of the locality, the Chief Minister said Rilbong had distinguished itself over the past century from the peaceful coexistence of its diverse communities to the contributions of individuals across different walks of life.

The awardees were chosen by an advisory committee headed by Donald Philips Wahlang, former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, and include figures from literature, education, institution building, political leadership, sports and journalism.

Commending the awardees for their contributions, Sangma 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 expressed profound gratitude to the families of the awardees, many of whom travelled from the United States, Delhi, Kolkata, Dibrugarh, and across Shillong to receive the honours.

Sangma urged the public to keep their legacy alive by living according to their principles and ideologies.

The awardees are 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.

Sangma said that his government backs community-led development through Dorbar Shnongs, resident committees and local bodies, alongside larger urban programmes.

He outlined several state initiatives to beautify cities and towns while ensuring they are also safe.

On support for cultural and community institutions, he said assistance to cultural and faith-linked bodies is extended as cultural and heritage infrastructure through the Arts and Culture and Tourism departments, the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF).

During the programme, the Chief Minister also handed over a sanction letter for Rs 25 lakh from the CMSDF to the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha.
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Tags: #Meghalaya CM inaugurates Rilbong centenary celebrations# honours 25 trailblazers
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