Shillong: Rilbong is set to celebrate a triple centenary. The locality commemorates its 100-year history, the Durga Puja, and the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha. Founded in 1925 as a British-era administrative hub, the area became a permanent settlement by 1927. Centenary Celebration Committee chairman Manas Chaudhuri described the locality as a quiet place that produced leaders who made an impact across India and abroad.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will kick off the year-long event on October 15. He will open a commemorative Centennial Arch. The committee plans to honor 25 pioneering figures with Trailblazer awards. These recipients shaped fields like literature, sports, and journalism. Advisory committee head DP Wahlang confirmed that families will travel from the United States, Delhi, Kolkata, and Dibrugarh for the ceremony. The list of winners includes the city's first Khasi poet and the person who brought electricity to Shillong.
Festivities start on October 2 with a Centennial Run. A food festival follows on October 3. Performers from across India will take the stage for an indigenous dance show on October 12. Governor CH Chandrasekhar and Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikash Lathera will open a new Puja Mandap on October 16. They plan to honor 50 local torchbearers. Cultural events continue through October, featuring plays from Debshankar Halder and Paulami Basu.
The group wants to look ahead. They plan to host a session called 'Shillong Looking Forward' next May to discuss urban development. They will invite experts from Shillong and Delhi. The goal is to design a roadmap for the next century. Wahlang stated, "The programme would include a tableau representing the different communities of Shillong." Organizers hope residents join the events to bridge the gap between past achievements and future growth.
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