A Correspondent
Boko: Gijang Area A-Chik Cultural Arts and Sports Association organized the 8th edition of the Songkristan competition at Umshek Village playground (along the Assam Meghalaya border) in West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya on Thursday. The competition started with a Garo traditional Wangala Dance performed by the local youths of the area. Remington G. Momin, MLA Rambrai-Jyrngam Constituency took part as the chief guest in the competition.
Lurshai Kharbani, candidate for MDC Malangkona-Sildubi, A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) president of Aradonga Regional Unit Spren G. Momin, General Secretary Jenggrim A Marak, FKJAGP (Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People) president of Aradonga regional unit Trellingstar Shira, Kamrup District GSU also took part as invited guests along with hundreds of Garo villagers from both Meghalaya and Assam states.
MLA Remington G. Momin emphasized the Songkristan programme as an important cultural programme for the Garo people. “Through the Songkristan cultural programme, Garo people bring peace and prosperity among the community. Songkristan has united the Garo people. Therefore we celebrate the Songkristan programme every year,” MLA Momin said.
MLA Momin said, “Songkrisrtan is celebrated on the occasion of the new year celebration. This year I have organized the competition with our people and invited many villagers of the Gijang area to take part in the competition. Therefore ten cultural groups from various villages took part in the competition which includes Maspara, Malapara, Khasi Salbari, Malsapara, Athiabari, Ranikhat, Dogaon-Malang, Umshek, Madankillor, Rongdhali under Rambrai-Jyrngam Constituency.”
Ranikhat achieved the first position, Maspara and Dogaon achieved the second and third position in the competition. The first, second and third winners were awarded thirty thousand rupees, twenty thousand rupees and ten thousand rupees respectively. It is to be mentioned that the Malapara cultural group was the champion last year.
During the speech, MLA Momin also emphasized that Wangala is the historical culture of the Garo people and Songkritan is the religious culture of the Christian Garo people. “I hope in the future, bothe Assam and Meghalaya governments will help the Garo people to organize the Songkristan programme.” Momin urged the people from various communities living in the area to live together with peace and harmony.
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