Meghalaya

The 49th edition of the Wangala Festival, Meghalaya’s most celebrated cultural event of the Garo community, kicked off today at Chibragre Wangala A’dam near Tura. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, officially inaugurating the vibrant festivities. Known as the “100 Drums Festival,” Wangala is a traditional harvest celebration honoring Saljong, the Sun God of fertility and prosperity. The festival marks the end of the agricultural season, expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest, and heralds the onset of winter in the Garo Hills. The two-day festival—or sometimes extended to a week—begins with the “Ragula” ritual in the village chief’s residence, followed by the “Kakkat” ceremony. Men and women don traditional attire and feathered headgear to perfo...

The Governor of Meghalaya, C.H. Vijayashankar, attended the National Educational Conference of Don Bosco Schools (NECDBS), a prestigious annual gathering of Heads and Principals of Don Bosco Educational Institutions from across the North Eastern region. The conference aims to strengthen Don Bosco's mission of imparting holistic, value- based and future-ready education for the youth. The Governor, in his address, appreciated the remarkable contribution of Don Bosco Institutions in shaping generations of students through the spirit and philosophy of St. John Bosco based on Reason, and Loving-Kindness. He acknowledged the pivotal role played by Don Bosco schools in the North East in raising educational standards, improving teacher competence, encouraging skill-based learning, and nurturin...

The East Jaintia Hills District Administration has issued a detailed clarification regarding the ongoing strike by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) against cement companies operating in the region. Authorities have termed the continued blockade along National Highway-6 as “illegal” and warned that no group will be allowed to take the law into its own hands. Following the strike call on October 27, 2025, officials initiated a series of meetings to resolve the dispute through dialogue. The first coordination meeting, held on 30 October at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat, included representatives from the Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association (JHCMA), Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association (JHTOA), and East Jaintia Hills Truck Own...

Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, today, attended the opening day of the three-days 49th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival at Wangala A’dam, Chibagre, in West Garo Hills.The programme was also attended by MLA of Gambegre Mehtab Chandee Agitok Sangma, Superintendent of Police (West Garo Hills) Abraham T. Sangma, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed and other dignitaries. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister thanking the various contingents from different places in Garo Hills for participating in the 100 drums festival said that such culmination of the Garo community from different places is a blessing of the Almighty and also expressed his gratitude to the Organising Committee for upholding the culture and tradition of the Garos for about five decades. "People from different parts of th...

Cement and clinker movement from Meghalaya has come to a standstill since October 27 due to an illegal strike called by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners Association (MCTOA). The blockade has disrupted dispatches from all major cement plants in Jaintia Hills, leading to an acute shortage of cement across Meghalaya and all North Eastern States. The strike was called by the newly formed MCTOA, demanding that government-notified transport rates should be given for inter state transportation outside the state of Meghalaya. This demand has no legal validity, since the fixation of freight for inter-state movement falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Union Government as per the Constitution of India. Transportation rates within the State are already implemented in full complian...

As Meghalaya prepares to celebrate the 50th edition of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival, excitement is building for performances by child stars Jetshen Dohna of SaReGaMa fame and Binita Chetry from Britain’s Got Talent. The milestone event will be held from November 6 to 8 at Wangala A’dam, Chibragre, West Garo Hills, highlighting five decades of tradition, rhythm, and community gratitude. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will inaugurate the three-day festival as Chief Guest, joined by several Union Ministers and distinguished personalities. The Wangala Festival, a post-harvest thanksgiving ceremony honoring Misi Saljong—the revered “Great Giver”—showcases Garo heritage through music, dance, and rituals. This year’s celebration will feature over 300 drummers and 3,000 dancers across ten conting...

Preparations are in full swing for the grand 100th Wangala Festival, often called the “Festival of 100 Drums,” as the Garo Hills gears up to celebrate its century edition with unmatched enthusiasm and cultural pride. In the run-up to the milestone celebration, hundreds of performers from across the region have begun rigorous practice sessions, perfecting the rhythmic beats of the dama (traditional drum) and the graceful Wangala dance. The rehearsals, held at various community grounds in and around Tura, showcase the unity and spirit of the Garo community. Organizers said this year’s festival will be “bigger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever,” featuring traditional music, indigenous games, and cultural exhibitions that highlight Garo heritage. The 100th edition will also witness par...

The construction of the new Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building is expected to be completed by June 2026, according to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, who chaired a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the project's progress. The Speaker informed that the original completion target was March 2025, but the vendors responsible for interior works have sought an extension of around six months to complete crucial components such as the main hall, reception area, and lobby. To ensure timely execution, Sangma announced that monthly review meetings will be conducted, with the next meeting scheduled for December 8, 2025. He expressed confidence that the Autumn Session of 2026 will be held in the new building. Highlighting the complexity of the project, the Speaker said it involves sever...

The construction of the new Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building is expected to be completed by June 2026, according to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, who chaired a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the project's progress. The Speaker informed that the original completion target was March 2025, but the vendors responsible for interior works have sought an extension of around six months to complete crucial components such as the main hall, reception area, and lobby. To ensure timely execution, Sangma announced that monthly review meetings will be conducted, with the next meeting scheduled for December 8, 2025. He expressed confidence that the Autumn Session of 2026 will be held in the new building. Highlighting the complexity of the project, the Speaker said it involves sever...

The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has taken strong action against a road construction agency after reports and viral videos showed debris from the ongoing Shillong–Dawki highway project being dumped into the Umngot River, one of India’s clearest and most scenic water bodies. The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been under construction since December 2021. Locals and environmental watchers raised alarm after the river, famous for its glass-like clarity, was seen turning murky from waste material washed down from excavation sites. Residents who depend heavily on tourism expressed concern that pollution could damage the river’s fragile ecosystem and harm the region’s global reputation among travellers. Following inspections, th...