Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and local MLA of North Tura, Thomas A. Sangma on Wednesday inspected the Wangala A’dam at Chibragre, the Garo Heritage Village, to review preparations for the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival scheduled to be held in November.
The North Tura MLA was joined by Ronald Rikman Sangma, chairman of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival Committee, Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Tura, Rupam R. Marak, officials from various line departments including Tourism, Water Supply, PWD and Power, and other members of the organising committee.
The MLA was seen interacting with them and discussing in detail the preparations for the Wangala festival at the venue.
This year, the festival will be celebrated as the 1000-Drums Wangala Festival to mark its 50th year.
Speaking to the media at Chibragre, Sangma stated that he had come to visit the site as the local MLA of the area where the 100 Drums Wangala Festival is usually held every year.
“Since this year is its Golden Jubilee year, 1000 drums will be organised this time and it is going to be very unique. Preparations are underway despite challenges. Discussions have been held in this regard with the district administration and other related departments like Tourism, Water Supply, PWD, Power and all the organisers,” he said.
The North Tura MLA further informed that four Chief Ministers from the Northeast region were expected to attend the Golden Jubilee celebration.
“We are making arrangements to host VVIPs and other tourists coming from around the world, both domestic and abroad. The organising committee has made good progress so far,” he said.
On participation, he said that contingents from Nagaland, Assam and Tripura would be performing this year. He, however, expressed regret that the Bangladesh contingent would not be able to attend as their visa requirements had not been completed yet.
On logistics, the Speaker said that accommodation plans for participants and tourists were already in place and that he did not foresee any problem in accommodating them.
Admitting that traffic congestion from the main road to Wangala A’dam had been an issue in the past, he acknowledged that hosting such a big event was a very big challenge for the organising committee and for everyone involved.
He however said that they were arranging alternatives like shuttle services that would operate throughout the entire day. He said that while parking could not be provided to all visitors, the shuttle services would help resolve the issue.
The Hundred Drums Wangala Festival was first organised on December 6 and 7, 1976 at Asanang, 18 km from Tura, by a group of leaders led by then Chief Minister Captain Williamson A. Sangma to protect, preserve and promote the dying post-harvest thanksgiving tradition offered to Misi Saljong.
Meghalaya speaker reviews preparations for wangala festival golden jubilee celebration
