By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 16: A century of faith, resilience and community spirit took centre stage on Friday as the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha inaugurated its year-long centenary celebrations, coinciding with the 100th Durga Puja celebration at Rilbong.
In his inaugural address, Governor CH Vijayashankar stressed the need to involve the younger generation in community programmes and cultural celebrations, saying the responsibility of preserving traditions rested with the present generation.
He said young people should be encouraged to understand the values and significance of such occasions, as they would carry the community’s legacy forward.
“Not only are they the future of our families, but they are also the future of our society and our nation,” he said, urging senior members to take the initiative in bringing young people into community activities rather than blaming them for their lack of participation.
Tracing the history of the Sabha, Vijayashankar recalled that its origins dated back to 1925, when 37 employees of the British government were allotted land and housing advances.
The first puja was performed in a private residence in 1927, marking the beginning of an institution that would gradually grow alongside the Rilbong community.
Over the decades, the community established institutions to meet its educational, social and cultural needs. These included a school, a cooperative store, a library established in 1935 and a sports club established in 1952.
The Governor praised Rilbong’s reputation as a peaceful and cohesive community, highlighting its longstanding traditions of understanding, coexistence and shared responsibility.
He said these values remained relevant in an increasingly complex world and deserved to be preserved for future generations.
He also acknowledged the contributions of distinguished personalities associated with the community, including legislators, ministers, Padma Shri awardees, decorated Army officers, teachers, civil servants, professionals and entrepreneurs.
Twenty-five distinguished personalities were recognised for their contributions to society. The Governor said a community’s progress should not be measured merely by its buildings, roads and infrastructure, but also by the people who serve society with dedication and enrich the lives of others.
He further highlighted the importance of looking ahead while celebrating the past, referring to the proposed dialogue on Shillong in 2026 as an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to collectively reflect on the city’s future.
In his welcome address, organising committee president Manas Chaudhuri reflected on Rilbong’s transformation from a small settlement into a community known for its social harmony, distinguished personalities and contribution to public life.
Recalling the hardships faced by the early settlers, Chaudhuri said people who came from the plains to the hills of Shillong during British rule had to adapt to an unfamiliar climate and environment with limited support. He credited their resilience, vision and collective efforts with laying the foundations of the locality.
He identified peace and cohesion as two defining characteristics of Rilbong, saying the community had largely maintained a tradition of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Chaudhuri attributed this legacy to the values of the founding generation, which emphasised decency, integrity, accommodation and service to society.
He said Rilbong had produced accomplished individuals in theatre, music, sports, academics, professional fields and public administration. Many had earned recognition for their contributions while maintaining high standards of integrity in public life.
The centenary, he said, was an opportunity not only to celebrate the community’s achievements but also to remember those whose sacrifices and hard work had made them possible.
The felicitation of 25 iconic personalities during the centenary observances was part of this effort to recognise individuals who had helped shape Shillong over the past century and beyond.
Chaudhuri also expressed gratitude to the Governor and other dignitaries for attending the celebrations, particularly during the busy Durga Puja period.
Meanwhile, Assam Rifles Director General Lieutenant General Vikash Lakhera, addressing the gathering, highlighted humility as an essential quality of service and said the celebrations underscored the importance of social and religious harmony.
Responding to Chaudhuri’s praise of Army officers, Lakhera said humility was a value instilled in military personnel and was essential to serving the nation in the right spirit.
He congratulated the Sabha on reaching the centenary milestone and expressed hope that future generations would continue to honour the contributions of their predecessors.
Describing life as a continuous journey in which each generation passes the baton to the next, he said the responsibility of preserving the community’s values rested with everyone.
Lakhera observed that celebrations of this nature were particularly significant at a time when several parts of the world were experiencing conflict and instability. Such gatherings, he said, offered hope by bringing people together and reinforcing the importance of peaceful coexistence.
A native of Uttarakhand, Lakhera said his visit had given him an opportunity to learn about the contributions of earlier generations to Shillong and Meghalaya. He stressed that people should never forget their roots, regardless of how far they travelled or how much they achieved.
He also urged elders to pray for peace and harmony in the Northeast, particularly in areas affected by continuing difficulties, expressing hope that the coming days would bring stability, happiness and prosperity to the region.
South Shillong MLA and Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai, DGP, Idashisha Nongrang and Advisory Body chairman DP Wahlang were also present.
The celebrations brought together community leaders and residents to commemorate the Sabha’s history and pay tribute to generations whose contributions have shaped Rilbong and enriched the social life of Shillong.