SHILLONG, Oct 25 – Coinciding with the 36-hour bandh called by the banned militant organisation Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) against President Pranab Mukhrejee’s two-day visit to the State capital on Monday, a musical concert held on Tuesday drew a large crowd at Khyndailad (Police Bazaar).
Christened ‘Free Ur Mind’ concert, it featured some of the well known bands of the State as well as the Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) enthralling the gathering. The Choir presented a medley of songs during their performance and sang ‘Heal the World’, Price Tag, Where is the Love and other numbers.
Apart from the SSC, renowned local artists such as Rana Kharkongor, Jameer Kharkongor and the Cubicle Band also performed during the concert. Lou Majaw, who is popular for his rendering of Bob Dylan songs, gave a stellar performance.
SCC Director Neil Nongkynrih spoke during the performance and urged the people to pray for the wellbeing of the State. His sister Pauline Warjri, a pianist and a composer also performed during the concert.
Apart from the singers, members of Under-17 Subroto Cup team from OM Roy Memorial HSS School which won this year’s cup also made it to the stage and the crowd cheered the team.
Moreover, a group of young boys performed stunts on their BMX bicycles.
A similar programme was organised on Tuesday by an organisation called ICARE. The organisation called a public rally against the 36-hour bandh called by the HNLC and a number of people spoke against the bandh culture. The SCC also performed on the first day and a group of boys performed hip-hop dance.
Incidentally, the President addressed the Assembly at 4.30 pm on Tuesday during the first day of his visit and the following day on Wednesday the president attended the 21st Convocation of the North Eastern Hill University.
The ICARE has clarified in a press release today that it is “committed in its opposition to bandhs and other forms of agitation that adversely affect the rhythm of life especially that of the poor, the marginalised, the students and the daily wage earner.”
It further said that the public gathering at Khyndailad on October 21 is a testimony to that commitment. “ICARE has nothing to say about the issues or differences that groups have with the Government. Its stand is simple. In such confrontations the innocent public should not be made the whipping boy.”
“The release clarified that the public gathering was an independent ICARE initiative. The musical concert conducted on another platform on the same day and venue was not an ICARE initiative,” president of ICARE Toki Blah clarified through a statement.