SHILLONG — The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is considering installing a life-size statue of JJM Nichols Roy at its headquarters as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, which will begin on October 30 and run until October 2027.
KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh, who heads the anniversary steering committee, said on Monday that the council was also discussing a commemorative initiative at the Khasi Heritage Village in Mawphlang, which could host the closing programme.
“Both proposals are still being discussed. Nothing has been finalised yet,” Lyngdoh said. The council has held four steering committee meetings so far and formed separate committees for finance, media and publicity, reception, souvenir, programmes and cultural activities, logistics and infrastructure, and documentation and research.
Lyngdoh said the steering committee included MDCs from both the ruling side and Opposition, including Leader of Opposition Titostarwell Chyne.
“We have included all the MDCs, from both sides of the House. The Leader of Opposition is also part of the committee,” he said. MDCs who are also MLAs were left out of the committee because of their other responsibilities, Lyngdoh said. The anniversary will be inaugurated at the KHADC headquarters on October 30.
Lyngdoh said the council was not planning to invite VVIPs for the opening programme. “It will be a programme of about three to four hours, mainly to formally begin the year-long celebration. After that, the programme and cultural committee will take forward the different events,” he said. A workshop on culture and related subjects is planned for December. The council is also preparing a souvenir covering its 75-year journey, with former MDCs and prominent citizens being approached for contributions.
A documentation and research committee has been tasked with recording the council’s activities and examining its archives as part of the anniversary project.
The council is also looking at different sources to finance the year-long celebrations, including assistance from the Centre and state government and funds available through corporate social responsibility.
