Shillong, Dec 18: The Khasi Students Union Central Body along with the Federation of the Khasi Jiantia and Garo People observed the 72nd death anniversary of the legendary Khasi poet U Soso Tham n Tuesday.
Marking the solemn occasion floral tributes was paid at the bust of u Soso Tham located at the premises of the State Central library.Besides as a mark of respect, observed a one-minute silence followed by a gathering.
Expressing 
their deepest appreciation to the legendary poet who made his greatest contribution through his writings in uplifting the society the NGO leaders urged upon the people of the state to ponder on the words of wisdom written the poet.
“The poems that U Soso Tham wrote were meaningful and out of it the poet tried to awaken the Khasi people” Samuel Jyrwa said adding that it is up to us to turn those words into deeds.
Highlighting on the importance of upholding the language, FKJGP President Joe Marwein informed that as per report of the United Nations Khasi language is on the verge of extinction.
“If the language extinct it also means extinction of the identity”, Marwein said while urging the Khasi people to uphold the mother tongue and uphold the identity.
Meanwhile Separate functions were held in memory of the poet in different places where the statue of the legend was erected—Sohra, where the two life-size statues of U Soso Tham were erected recently, State Central Library premises and NEHU campus (Khasi department).
In one of the occasion, the KSU Mawlai Circle also paid floral tribute to the poet at NEHU campus () where the bust of the poet was erected in 2007 by the union. Members of the different units observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the legendary poet.
Addressing the gathering, president of the KSU Mawlai circle Donboklang Kharlyngdoh rued the fact that instead of commemorating the death-anniversary of the legendary poet, most of the Dorbar Shnong are all out, taking advantage of this state holiday and conducted cleaning drives.
“It is sad to witness that this day is being compared to a day of a sweeper. Instead of organising something worthwhile like quiz or debate or a discussion, we however, see cleaning drives being conducted everywhere which only implies that people don’t care much about this day”, Kharlyngdoh said.
Besides, the Death Anniversary of the Khasi poet laureate, U Soso Tham a special programme was organised by the Department of Arts and Culture at U Soso Tham auditorium.
Highlighting the occasion cultural programmes was organised. Besides, students from various schools in the city attended the programme.
While recalling of the contributions made by poet in terms of enriching the Khasi literature, the Director of Arts and Culture D Syiem urged upon the people especially the young ones to follow the poet’s footsteps and contributed towards the upliftmen of the society through their writings.
It may be mentioned here that https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gifU Soso Tham was born in 1873 in Sohra. He was the first poet to initiate secular literature with diction, both singular and genuine and also the first person to make use of Khasi idioms in a form taken mainly from English poetry.
He is basically remembered for his beautiful poems. His Ka Duitara Kshiar (The Golden Harp, 1925) — a compilation of poems, is one of the most distinguished works. He is widely regarded as the greatest icon in the literary history of Meghalaya.(SP News)
