Meghalaya

Recalling the legendary Khasi poet U Soso Tham, a family member shared memories handed down by her mother, offering a touching glimpse into the man behind the literary icon. “I was born in 1939 and he died in 1940. I was just a baby,” she said, adding that whatever she knew about him came from her mother. “She told me he was very broad-minded.” One such memory spoke of his firm support for traditional Khasi archery, despite criticism. When questioned by a few men, he calmly replied, *“Phi la wan saw ngut, phi la wan saw kynhun, nga la wan saw spah,”* making it clear that he would not be swayed. “He thought, as it’s a game of the Khasi people, we should support it,” she recalled. She also remembered being told how U Soso Tham engaged freely with people from all backgrounds. “He would...

Meghalaya paused to remember one of its greatest literary icons, U Soso Tham, as the state commemorated the 85th death anniversary of the pioneering Khasi poet and writer. Revered as a towering figure in Khasi literature, U Soso Tham’s timeless words continued to give voice to the soul, identity and aspirations of the Khasi people, decades after his passing.The Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya, organised an official commemorative programme on December 18, 2025, at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, State Central Library, Shillong. The event paid tribute to a literary legacy that not only preserved the Khasi language and culture but also awakened social consciousness and strengthened the collective heritage. The Governor of Meghalaya graced the occasion as the Chief Gues...

In what may be described as a welcome announcement, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak on Wednesday promised uninterrupted supply in water-starved Shillong from Thursday. A day after the High Court of Meghalaya registered a PIL over the severe water shortage in the city, the PHE Minister pointed fingers at the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for damaging a major water pipeline during road construction works, leading to the disruption. Marak, who inspected the affected site along with department officials, confirmed that the leakage occurred deep within the newly-constructed NHIDCL road in the 101 Area. This caused massive water scarcity across Shillong for over a week. “The leakage was well inside the road, making it difficult to excavate and r...

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar has stated that the acquisition of land for setting up new landfills in Shillong and other district headquarters is still pending due to ongoing negotiations over rates with landowners. "No public hearing has been held, so we are yet to negotiate about the rate, and we have formed a negotiation committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner or Director of Urban Affairs," Dhar told reporters on Wednesday. "The rate, if it is win-win for both, we may go ahead, but if the rate is too high, that's a different question altogether." Regarding the proposed landfill site in Nonghali, Dhar said, "The public hearing had gone smoothly, and the main part is the rate now. We cannot discuss the rate until and unless the hearing is complete...

Civil society organisation, Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has urged the Meghalaya government to complete the recruitment process for the newly-functional Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU) and not rely on ad hoc and temporary appointments, which impact education and hinders critical administrative functions. In a statement, the ACHIK, while accusing the senior administration of the university of arbitrary appointments, asserted that such practices should be stopped with immediate effect.“We express grave concern regarding the protracted delay in the recruitment of permanent teaching and non-teaching staff at the CWSSU, the newly functional State University. We want to highlight the fact that sustained reliance on ad hoc and temporary appointments se...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched a city beautification drive in Mawlai Mawroh, Shillong, emphasizing the government's commitment to making cities clean, green, safe, and beautiful through the urban affairs department and municipal collaboration. He expressed satisfaction with the community's active involvement in the initiative and reflected on a previous meeting with Rangbah Shnongs, where local leaders voiced the need for CCTV systems. During the event, Sangma announced the inauguration of a CCTV system, revealing that out of 45 localities identified for phase one, installations have been completed in 25, with progress continuing in the remaining 20. He highlighted that the installation of CCTVs and streetlights is an ongoing effort, with plans for expansion in a...

While other measures are being investigated to protect the interests of local taxi companies, the Meghalaya government has ruled out limitations on the admission of foreign tourist taxis into the state, citing legal constraints. The demand made by the All-Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to forbid outside tourist vehicles from entering the state is not legally feasible, according to Sniawbhalang Dhar, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport.According to him, this was based on the Advocate General's advice that the current legislation did not allow for such a restriction. According to Dhar, the State administration is still considerate of the local taxi companies' concerns in spite of the legislative restrictions.The State administration has chosen to take a co...

The Shillong Ropeway Project, pivotal for Meghalaya’s tourism, has cleared significant hurdles and has resumed progress. A review meeting between New Development Bank (NDB) officials and the state Tourism Department confirmed that preliminary work is underway at the Lower Terminal Point in Riat Laban, with civil construction set to commence in January 2026 and the Upper Terminal's construction starting soon after. Spanning 896 meters with six towers, the project will feature modern 8-seater detachable gondola cabins and aims to be operational by June 2028, though efforts are being made to complete it by July 2027. The Lower Terminal will act as the drive station, while the Upper Terminal will be the return station, designed with sufficient space for passenger flow and essential amenities....

The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival Committee (HDWFC) will organise the Narang Festival on December 18 at Chibragre in the Garo Heritage Village, Wangala A•dam. The event will be held from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and is aimed at highlighting the rich agricultural traditions of the Garo Hills, with special focus on Komila, or orange, one of the most important crops of the region. The festival is being planned as a platform to bring farmers, villagers, and visitors together to celebrate farming practices that have been part of Garo life for generations. Organisers said the Narang Festival is not just about competition, but about recognising the hard work of growers and the role agriculture plays in sustaining local communities. Several competitions will be held as part of the programme. These...

As of the beginning of this month, the West Khasi Hills district administration, in collaboration with local police, has demolished 17 illegal coke plants. This action is part of a broader initiative launched over two years ago by the Meghalaya government to combat the proliferation of illegal coke factories, particularly in Shallang and its surroundings. The demolished plants include 11 in Kyllon Mathei, three in Swangre, two in Pyndengjalong, and one in Nonghynrum. Currently, only four legal coke plants remain operational in the area, with an additional four temporarily shut down due to the absence of necessary documentation. Delays in demolition were attributed to a lack of state funding. A significant ruling from the Supreme Court on November 25, 2024, prompted these demolitio...