Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday inaugurated the Nabon Memorial Home, an initiative of Jingiaseng Kynthei Shillong Ri Lum Presbytery, at Mawiong Rim, Shillong. Sangma also announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund towards the memorial home.
Delivering his inaugural address, the Chief Minister said the home for the elderly named after the first Christian lady among the Khasis is very meaningful. “It reflects not only the acceptance of Christianity but also living the Christian life every day, reflecting the values of service and support to the needy, and this basic aspect of Christianity is reflected in the name and the building that we have inaugurated,” he said.
The Chief Minister also informed that the government is in the process of establishing homes for the elderly in different parts of the state on the concept of having active and happy aging for the elderly. “I am very keen to see how we can have these active aging centers and how we can collaborate with institutions like the Nabon Memorial Home for the benefit of our elderly and senior citizens,” he said. He further elaborated that the anganwadi center will have an important and active part in the operation of the active raining centers.
“The anganwadi centers are crucial for the development of a child and a key player in the Mission 1000 Days; these anganwadi centers can be facilitators for the engagement between the children and the elderly,” he said.
He said that the engagement between the young and the old will create a happy environment in the society.
Concluding his speech, the chief minister remarked that the tribal communities and society have always taken care of the elders.
The Nabon Memorial Home aims to support women who are widowed, abandoned, or destitute—living in precarious conditions without adequate shelter or emotional support—and the project is spearheaded by the Jingiaseng Kynthei Shillong Ri-Lum Presbytery. The vision of the project is to create a safe, secure, inclusive, and compassionate environment where women can age with dignity.