Sohra, Nov 23: The Sohra Taxi Owner’s Association (STOA) organised the inaugural function of its silver jubilee celebration on the 22nd of November 2018 at Mawmihthied, Sohra. Shri. Gavin M. Mylliemn, Hon’ble MLA, Sohra Constituency was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The programme was also attended by Shri. L. Kynjing, MCS, SDO (Civil), Sohra Civil Sub-Division and Shri. B. Kharjana, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Sohra as the Guest of Honours.
In his address, Shri. Gavin M. Mylliem, congratulated the Sohra Taxi Owner’s Association (STOA) both past and new members, for their relentless work over the years in the association and said that it was through their continuous dedication that the association has reached this milestone of 25 years despite facing a lot of difficulties and shortcomings. He lauded the vision and efforts of the Association in its motive to try and set up the first of its kind Inter State Parking Lot at Mawmihthied.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Dorbar Shnong of Mawmihthied in generously contributing land for the purpose. He urged the Association to capitalize on the huge inflow of tourist coming to the region and to improve on their hospitality skills, as local transport is also an important factor which adds to the overall development and attraction for tourists.
He informed that the Tourism department is providing Capacity Building in Hospitality management from time to time for different Tour Operators, Guides and Drivers so as to improve their communication and hospitality skills. He lamented that despite the huge tourist inflow, there was not much improvement in the livelihood of the people residing in that region as most of the operators are from outside the state.
However, if the idea of an Inter State Parking Lot mooted by the Association materializes, this would bring in a lot of revenue to the people. Tourists would also benefit a lot from such an initiative as local taxi operators would have a better insight and access to the different tourist sites and places than operators from outside the state. He expressed his happiness that the association has been able to grow from a humble beginning of just six members to today, where the total number of taxi owners registered is 180.
He expressed optimism that with the completion of the Airport at Umroi, the tourists coming to the region would then be able to utilize the services of more local taxi operators, in particular the ones operating in Sohra region. In conclusion, he appealed to the Association to extend their support to him so they can jointly work towards achieving their vision of setting up of the Interstate Parking Lot.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri. L. Kynjing, MCS, SDO (Civil), Sohra Civil Sub-Division, Shri. B. Kharjana, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Sohra, Shri. Wandonbok Jyrwa, Secretary, East Khasi Local Taxi Welfare Association, Shri. F. S. Lyngdoh, General Secretary, STOA, Shri. P. K. Riahtam, President, STOA and Shri. A. S. Syiemlieh, Adviser, STOA.
