Shillong, Sept 30: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday visited Nartiang village in West Jaintia Hills district on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami and Dusshera.
Addressing the gathering, the minister expressed his satisfaction for visiting the place and informed that it was his long cherished dream to visit Nartiang.
Shillong MP Vincent Pala, Nartiang MLA Sniawbhalang Dhar, and newly elected CEM of JHADC A Andrew Shullai and other MDCs were also present.
“I have visited Shillong and West Jaintia Hills several times but never had a chance to visit this holy place. Today I am very happy that I could pay a visit to this beautiful place and to the holy Shaktipeeth; and that too on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami and Dusshera,” Rijiju said.
The Shaktipeeth, he said, is very sacred and that mother goddess will keep the people of Nartiang blessed and away from all sorts of misfortune.
Acknowledging the significance of the village, the minister said, “I can proudly say that this is culturally one of the richest villages in the country” while appreciating the efforts of the villagers in their dedication to keep the village clean and from other places have many things to learn from this place.
The minister said that he will extend all possible help from his side to preserve the rich natural heritage of this village.
According to the Minister, the place is a centre of attraction for the whole world and not just for Meghalaya or the rest of India.
He also said that he would request the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture, to help develop the place into a tourist destination so that more and more people could come and visit this place.
Later, Rijiju met officers and jawans of the Assam rifles, at the Headquarters, Directorate General, Assam Rifles Laitkor.
Rijiju who was accompanied by Pala interacted with the jawans during the cultural programme.
Rijiju said that the sole purpose of his meeting with the jawans of the armed forces has always been to boost the morale of the force in their service for the cause of the nation.
