Shillong, Oct 15: Meghalaya 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.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded the Mission for its longstanding philanthropic work and its contribution to the welfare of society. He said that organisations dedicated to serving people embody the true spirit of secularism, peace and harmony, helping foster mutual respect and understanding across generations.
“We should love our community, but never hate others,” he said, emphasising that unity and secularism are essential for the progress and well-being of any society.
The Chief Minister said that over the past eight years, the State Government had worked for the welfare of all its citizens, irrespective of community or background. He noted that every community is an integral part of Meghalaya’s social fabric and that the contributions of each community are vital to the State’s progress and development.
“Every religion shares a common message of service and brotherhood. It is heartening to see the participation and inclusion of diverse cultures, including our indigenous communities, in today’s programme,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of peaceful coexistence, the Chief Minister said that the strength of the region has always rested on its ability to bring people together through mutual respect and understanding.
“Our faiths may express devotion in different ways, but the values they teach are the same: compassion for others, honesty in our dealings and a readiness to stand by those in need. When communities come together on a common platform, these values become visible in action and not just in words,” he added.
Appealing to the gathering, particularly the youth, the Chief Minister urged everyone to carry the spirit of the occasion beyond the celebration and put its message into practice in their daily lives.
“Let us make unity in diversity a way of life. When we serve one another without distinction and respect each other’s beliefs and heritage, we build a society that is peaceful, inclusive and proud of its roots,” he said.
The Meghalaya Hindu Mission was established in 1926 as the Hindu Sammelan Anath Ashram, with a vision of supporting vulnerable sections of society and promoting social welfare.
Its founding objectives included establishing an orphanage for destitute and orphaned children; setting up schools and libraries for students in need; working against untouchability and other social practices; and imparting vocational skills, particularly to women, in weaving, knitting, tailoring and cottage industries to promote self-reliance and economic independence.
Over the decades, the Mission has also shared portions of its land for community and public purposes. Approximately 27,425 square feet of its land has been ceded for other uses, including 14,500 square feet for the Mawprem Presbyterian Church and 4,755 square feet for the widening of Mawprem Road. Approximately 1,48,351 square feet of land remains with the Mission. Parts of its campus have served the neighbouring church and the public road, reflecting a longstanding arrangement of shared space within the locality.
The Meghalaya Hindu Mission Home for Boys and the Meghalaya Hindu Mission Home for Girls, located at Lower Mawprem, are registered Child Care Institutions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and are listed by the Social Welfare Department of the Government of Meghalaya.
The two Homes provide children in need of care and protection with shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care and recreational facilities, with support from government child-maintenance grants.
