SHILLONG:
The two-day Shad Lakhempong festival commenced on April 21 at Ummat in Ri Bhoi district. The festival which is a Raid Nongtung yearly festival is organised by the office of the Dorbar Raid Nongtung.
RBYF president, Bipul Thangkhiew was the chief guest while Vincent Nianglang was the guest of honour. The distinguished guests also include the Syiem of Raid Nongtung, Nomiwell Shadap and Blikstar Sohtun, president Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Border Area Block-2 among others.
Speaking at the festival, Vincent Nianglang said, “Culture is of the heart while boundary is of the head, therefore culture unites us and through this we will be together. We should not divide among ourselves with the border issue instead let us unite.” He added that peace should reign the area and that culture has no boundaries.
Syiem of Raid Nongtung, Nomiwell Shadap said, “The festival aims to bring unity among the people who are living here, and especially the people of my raid. We are organising this event every year so that we get to know the other communities as well”.
On the border issue, Shadap said, “The border issue can be solved or remain unsolved but from my side as Syiem of Raid Nongtung, I will still claim that the people living under Raid Nongtung will still remain my people. I don’t see much hope in the government to give a reasonable solution for this border issue, all I need is that the people of Raid Nongtung will remain under Raid Nongtung.”
While RBYF president, Bipul Thangkhiew said, “The border issue will not arise if we are all united together like this, you can be from the Karbi, Lalung, Kharwang, Gorkha, Bhoi or any tribe living here. Come together to unite as one without a fight or dispute we will live in peace. This place Ummat is known as a disputed area because of some people trying to bring issues among the people”.
He added that Madan Ummat should be a place where the peace for the border areas start.
The festival saw the participantion of many communities living in the border areas of Meghalaya – Assam to showcase their traditional food, dance, song, dress among others.