Shillong, 15th Oct 2026: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated theCentenary Celebrations of Rilbong: 100 Years of the Locality, the Rilbong Durga Puja and the Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha at Rilbong, Shillong in the presence of Minister, Arts & Culture etc Shanbor Shullai.
Delivering his inaugural address, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, congratulating the residents of Rilbong locality said that the locality in the last 100 years has stood out in many ways from the diverse communities living in peace and harmony to the contributions of different individuals in different positions.
Speaking on the Trailblazers Awards the Chief Minister commended on the contributions of the 25 posthumous awardees saying, “These extraordinary individuals were there in difficult times yet one thing common among all of them is that they did not give up and consistently pursued what they wanted.” Extending his respects and gratitude to the family members of the awardees, he said that the legacy of these individuals ought to continue not only just by honouring and remembering them but by living their principles and ideologies.
On government support to localities and organizations, the Chief Minister said, “The Government supports community-led development of localities through Dorbar Shnongs, resident committees and local bodies, alongside the larger urban programmes,” and outlined the various state government initiatives and projects for beautification of cities and towns that ensures that cities are not only beautiful but also safe.
Speaking on government support to cultural and community institutions, the Chief Minister said that state support to cultural and faith-linked institutions is provided as cultural and heritage infrastructure, through the Arts & Culture and Tourism Departments, the NEC and the CMSDF.
He also handed a sanction letter of Rs 25 lakhs from Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund to Rilbong Sanatan Hindu Dharma Sabha during the occasion.
The year-long centenary celebrations kicked off with the inaugural session where 25 persons who shaped Shillong over the past century are honoured posthumously as ‘Trailblazers’. The 25 Trailblazers were selected by an advisory committee headed by Shri D.P. Wahlang, former Chief Secretary. Their fields include literature, education, institution building, political leadership, sports and journalism.
The awardees come from different communities and professions. Together they record that Shillong’s institutions, public life and cultural identity were built by people of every community. Trailblazers who were posthumously awarded for their contributions and achievements were Khan Saheb Amjad Ali, Ardhendu Chaudhuri, Bibhu Bhushan Chaudhuri, Sudhindra Bhushan Chaudhuri, Jyotindra Nath Chaudhuri, Saradamanjori Datta, Dr Basudeb Datta Roy, Dr Pulin Behari Deb, Dr Bidhu Bhusan Dutta, Rai Saheeb Shivnath Dutta, Primrose Garfield Gatphoh, Jeewan Ram Goenka, Hopewell Elias Khariong, Brington Buhai Lyngdoh, Mavis Dunn Lyngdoh, Dr Homiwell Lyngdoh, Neil Nongkynrih, Babu Wilson Reade, Babu Jeebon Roy, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, Rev J.J.M. Nichols Roy, E.N. Shullai, Ratanlal Singhania, U Soso Tham and Col. Puran Bahadur Thapa.
Families of the awardees have travelled from the United States, Delhi, Kolkata, Dibrugarh and Shillong to receive the honours.
Rilbong Centenary Celebrations inaugurated
