| Shillong Turns Festive | ||
| ANDREW W. LYNGDOH | ||
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful — Norman Vincent Peale
Shillong, Dec 20 : Dipping mercury,
chock-a-block roads, festive shoppers and an array of decorative lights
across the streets are some of the prominent features in Meghalaya in
the run-up to the festival of peace, joy, hope and love — Christmas.
Liberated momentarily from the agitation
by pro-ILP pressure groups but bracing for the bandh call by rebels, the
spirit of merry-making appears to be gripping this hill state
notwithstanding the rapid drop in temperature.
In the capital city, and even at Tura, the
nerve centre of the Garo hills region, people are busy preparing for
Christmas with carols, get-togethers, prayer service, and feeding and
clothing underprivileged children each passing day.
People in Garo hills are particularly
enthusiastic during Christmas. One could hear carol-singing late into
the night with the advent of Yuletide.
At the recently concluded Ahaia festival in Tura, a Christmas carol singing competition was a part of the itinerary.
Another significant aspect in the run-up
to December 25 is the benevolence of people who came forward to offer a
taste of the festive season to streetchildren.
Soon after the culmination of the Assembly
polls in February, Meghalaya was plunged into a cycle of crises with
the ILP agitation dominating the headlines.
However, with no fresh agitation until
next year barring a bandh on Monday, people are now willing to welcome
Christmas with pomp and gaiety, and above all, with peace, joy and hope.
This festive season is epitomised by
music. The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum has come forward to
organise the Shillong Choir Festival, where renowned groups from the
Northeast will sing at the State Central Library here on Monday to ring
in the joyful season.
The Shillong Chamber Choir, which recently
performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be heading the evening musical
show. Other groups include Serenity Choir, KERYGMA Choir, Mizo
Presbyterian Choir and Ameu Useu and the choir.
The last is a renowned group from Nagaland while Serenity and KERYGMA are from Meghalaya.
To add to the gaiety, the forum will also put up a 17-foot Christmas tree, forum general secretary Ian Khongmen said.
“The Shillong Choir Festival is an effort
to enrich and promote some positive effect in the city in this season of
peace, joy, hope, brotherhood and reconciliation,” Khongmen said,
adding that the forum plans to make the festival an annual affair.
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2 comments:
Christmas is another way to relax and stay with your be-loved ones for a while! I am so happy to have found such an inspirational post!
This is my first time visit here. From the tons of comments on your articles. I guess I am not only one having all the enjoyment right here!
family ornament
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