Shillong
Encyclopedia
Connectivity
Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.Roadways
Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states. Two major National Highways pass through Shillong- National Highway 40 (India)National Highway 40 (India)National Highway 40 is a National Highway of India entirely within the state of Meghalaya that connects Jorabat and Jowai in Meghalaya, India. It covers a distance of .-See also:* List of National Highways in India...
– Connected to GuwahatiGuwahatiGuwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India... - National Highway 44 (India)National Highway 44 (India)National Highway 44 is a National Highway in Northeast India that connects Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya with Sabroom, near India-Bangladesh in Tripura. It runs for a distance of , of which is in Meghalaya, is in Assam and is in Tripura...
– Connected to TripuraTripuraTripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
& MizoramMizoramMizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
Private bus operators as well as state transport buses from other states ply to and from Shillong daily. Sumo taxi service is also available to various destination like Guwahati, Agartala, Dimapur and other north eastern towns and cities.
Local Transport
Major mode of local transport within Shillong are the shared black-and-yellow taxis that run fixed routes (5 to 10 rupees per hop). But if one wants to book a private taxi, the price is 50 rupees for a one-way trip within town. taxis. Unlike other Indian cities, Auto-Rickshaw are rarely seen here.Demographics
India census Shillong has- Population of 256,997.
- Males constitute 46% of the population and females 54%.
- Average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 63.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 88%.
- 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Khasis make up the majority of the population though the percentage of Khasi people in the city continues to fall as a result of the large number of migrants from other Indian states. All the other northeast Indian tribes are represented here as well as significant numbers of Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
, Nepali, Assamese
Assamese people
The Assamese people are a well-defined subgroup of People of Assam. Though sometimes they are defined as the Assamese-speaking Indo-Aryans of the Brahmaputra valley,, this definition is not legally binding...
, Bihari
Bihari people
The Biharis are an ethnic group originating from the present state of Bihar with a history going back three millennia...
s and Marwaris
Marwaris
Marwari or Marwadi or Rajasthani people are Indian ethnic group, that inhabit the Rajasthan region of India. Their language Rajasthani is a part of the western group of Indo-Aryan languages....
making it a fairly cosmopolitan city.
Christianity is the dominant religion in the city. Presbyterianism and the various denominations of Protestants and Roman Catholic church make up the Christian population of Shillong. A sizeable proportion of the population follow the original Khasi religion, Niam Khasi and Niamtre. Other religions found in India are also represented in significant numbers in the city.
Places of interest
These are a number of location in and around Shillong which are tourist spots. These include:- Elephant Falls : 12 km on the outskirts of the city, the mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern covered rocks.
- Lady Hydari Park : A popular charming tourist draw, the adjacent mini zoo is an added attraction.
- Wards Lake : Known locally as Nan-Polok. Its an artificial lake with sprawling garden and some boating facility. Located right at the heart of Shillong
- Golf link : Shillong has one of the largest golf courses (the world's wettest) in Asia and the golf course is called Gleneagles of the East. It enjoys the rare distinction of being one of the few natural golf courses in Asia. Not only is the Shillong golf course scenic and enjoyable, it is also challenging. A group of British Civil Service officers introduced golf to Shillong in 1898 by constructing a nine hole course. The present 18 hole course was inaugurated in 1924. The course is set in an undulating valley covered with pine and rhododendron trees. The tight fairways, carpeted with a unique local grass which hardens the soil, are difficult to negotiate. The number of out-of-bounds streams that criss-cross every fairway makes it all the more trying. Obstructions come in the form of bunkers, trees and rain. The longest hole is the 6th, which is a gruelling 594 yards.
- Motphran : The “Stone of France” which is locally known as "Motphran" was erected in memory of the 26th Khasi Labour Corps who served under the British in France during World War I. It bears the words of the famous Latin poet HoraceHoraceQuintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:...
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria moriDulce et decorum est pro patria moriDulce et decorum est pro patria mori is a line from the Roman lyrical poet Horace's Odes . The line can be roughly translated into English as: "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."-Context:...
" which can be roughly translated into English as: "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."
- Shillong Peak: An ideal picnic spot, 10 km. from the city, 1965 m above sea level, offers a panoramic view of the scenic country side, and is also the highest point in the State. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum sanctorum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. In the evening the city lights below appear like a star-studded abyss.
- Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum: For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this Govt. Museum offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state had been erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
- Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures: The Don Bosco Museum is part of DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures). DBCIC comprises Research on Cultures, Publications, Training, Animation Programmes and the Museum, which is a place of knowledge-sharing on the different cultures of the Northeast in particular, and of culture in general.DBCIC with its Don Bosco Museum is situated at Mawlai, Shillong. Since then it has been attracting visitors from the region, from all over India and from abroad.
- Entomological Museum (Butterfly Museum): A privately-owned museum of M/s Wankhar, Riatsamthiah, Shillong at a distance of about 2 km from Police Bazar is the only known museum in India devoted to moths and butterflies.
- Other Museums:
- Air Force Museum at Upper Shillong
- Forest Museum in Lady Hydari Park
- Rhino Heritage Museum at Shillong
- Zoological Museum in Risa Colony
- Anthropological museum at Mawblei
- Botanical Museum at 4th Furlong
- Arunachal Museum at the Cantonment Area
- Chrysalis the Gallery: Chrysalis the Gallery (an ArtGallery) is situated on the 2nd floor of SalonsarMansion at Police Bazaar, the Commercial Hub of Shillong. Chrysalis has flexible spacing to display paintings (canvases), sculpture, photography and handicrafts. Run by a local artist, Jaya Kalra, the gallery caters to exhibitions of artists and artisans especially from the north east and also from the rest of India.
- State Museum : Located at the State Central Library complex, visitors can get a glimpse of the lifestyle and heritage of the people.
- Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian : It is located in Don Bosco Square, it attracts devotees and visitors alike.
- Bishop and Beadon Falls : Both cascade down the same escarpment into a deep valley, the mass of water dissolving into misty sparks.
- Spread Eagle Falls : 3 km from Polo Grounds, a soothing setting amidst the calmness of nature-a treat to the eyes.
- Sweet Falls : Situated near Happy Valley, most suitable for a day's outing and picnic. Explore it!
- Crinoline Falls : Near Lady Hydari Park, a cool spot within the city limits. This is a must visit place in Meghalaya.
Sports
Locals are adept in archery. Shillong is also famous for its daily dose of archery gambling where people predict scores of an archery game played near Polo Ground, Shillong.
Binningstar Lyngkhoi, a lad from Shillong is a national marathon runner and represented India in the last 2010 Commonwealth Games. He is currently the fastest marathoner in India with a timing of 2:18 hours.
Education
Shillong is fast emerging as an educational hub for the entire North eastern region. Important educational institutes like North Eastern Hill University, Indian Institute of ManagementIndian Institute of Management Shillong
The Indian Institute of Management Shillong , also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management , is a Business School established in 2007 by the Government of India in the state of Meghalaya...
, National Institute of Technology, Shillong, National Institute of Fashion Technology Shillong
National Institute of Fashion Technology Shillong
NIFT Shillong is another addition to the premiere fashion institute of India. It is established in June 2008 by the government of India. It is a member of the premiere NIFT fashion institute of IndiaAcademic And Departments...
and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences
North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences
North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences is a premier medical institute of India in Shillong, Meghalaya...
, The English and The Foreign Languages University,Shillong Campus, St. Edmund's College
St. Edmund's College, Shillong
St. Edmund's College, often known as SEC, is the oldest college in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. It is an educational institute of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. It was established in 1924 and celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 1999.-Campus:...
, St. Anthony's College, Shillong and several others College and Engineering Institution have been established here.
St. Edmund's is a century old educational institute which has produced many eminent personalities in different spheres of life. UPES Deradun has come up with its sister university in UTM- The Lifestyle University which offers courses like MBA in Sports management and Fashion and Retail Management
Media
Local media in Shillong is strong. There are a number of theatres, newspapers, magazines, local radio and television stations.Print Media
Quite a number of dailies are published for Shillong both in Khasi and English. Prominent English dailies published here include Shillong TimesShillong Times
The Shillong Times is an Indian newspaper. It is North-East India's second oldest English-language daily) started as a tabloid-sized weekly on August 10, 1945, on a treadle machine in Shillong. S. B. Chaudhuri was its founding editor and proprietor....
, Meghalaya Guardian, Mawphor Today,MeghalayaTimes. Khasi dailies like Mawphor, Nongsain Hima among others are published here.
Electronic Media
The radio industry has expanded with a number of private and government owned FM channels being introduced. State-owned Doordarshan transmits terrestrial television channels. Apart from these few weekly news channels like PCN, Ri Khasi are broadcast weekly on the local cable networks. Currently, the only News broadcaster in English is Media Plus.Communication Services
Shillong has a well connected communication network. Fixed telephones lines are available. Internet services are available both wired and wireless broadband. It is also well covered in mobile networks with all major cellular providers like Airtel, AircelAircel
Aircel group is a mobile phone service provider in India. It offers both prepaid and postpaid GSM cellular phone coverage throughout India. The Aircel group is a joint venture between Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia and Sindya Securities & Investments Private Limited, whose current...
, Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
, IDEA
Idea cellular
Idea Cellular, usually referred to as Idea, is an Indian wireless telecom company based in Mumbai, India. Idea is the 3rd largest mobile services operator in India, in revenue terms, and recorded of over 98.4 million customers as of August 2011....
, BSNL, Tata Indicom
Tata Indicom
Tata Teleservices Limited is a Indian broadband and telecommunications provider based in Mumbai, India. It is a subsidiary of the Tata Group, an Indian conglomerate...
, available here.
Localities
Shillong is divided geographically into a number of localities. These include- Demthring
- Umsohsun
- MawlaiMawlaiMawlai is a census town in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.-Demographics: India census, Mawlai had a population of 38,241. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Mawlai has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male...
- LaitumkhrahLaitumkhrahLaitumkhrah is a place in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. It is quiet, calm and beautiful place. This place is relatively cold compared to other places of Shillong. Laitumkhrah has a number of churches, schools and colleges. It is situated in the heart of Shillong.Laitumkhrah is near to Police Bazar...
- Pynthorumkhrah
- Jaiaw
- Mawkhar
- Mission compound
- Malki
- Rynjah
- Lumpyngngad (Motinagar)
- Nongthymmai
- Pohkseh
- Nongrah
- Umpling
- Nongmynsong
- Lumparing
- Riatsamthiah
- Lamavilla
- Lummawbah(Upper Shillong)
- Mawprem
- Rilbong
- Lower Mawprem
- Nongsohpoh
- Mawbah
- Laban
- Madanrting
- Happy Valley
- Laitkor
- Madan Iewrynghep
- Lower Lachumiere
- Upper Lachumiere
- Old Kench's Trace
- New Kench's Trace
- Polo
- Jingkieng Umshyrpi
- Jail Road
- Jhalupara
- Risa Colony
- Cleve Colony
- Police Bazaar
- Lum Kartik
- Dum Dum
Eminent personalities associated with Shillong
People who have been associated with Shillong include- Swami VivekanandaSwami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
(12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902),born as Narendranath Dutta, was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and is the founder of Ramakrishna Mission head quartered at Belur. He was primarily responsible for introducing Hindu philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga in the West and best known for his inspiring speech beginning with "Sisters and Brothers of America”,in his opening remark at the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893. The Swami delivered his last public lecture of his life in Shillong. The place of his last public lecture have been immortalised by erecting his statue at the very spot.(Also known as Quinton Memorial). - Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
, Nobel laureate, poet, author, thinker, artist, playwright, considered a patriarch of Bengali society, often sojourned in the cool climes of Shillong; besides living in a summer residence called Mitali, (today in use as a temporary State Legislative Assembly on loan from the State Art and Culture Department). A writing desk and chair used by the Poet Laureate can still be seen (and used) in the Maharaja Suite of the Tripura Castle Heritage Hotel; - John Shepherd-BarronJohn Shepherd-BarronJohn Adrian Shepherd-Barron, OBE was a Scottish inventor, who pioneered the development of the cash machine, sometimes referred to as the Automated Teller Machine or ATM.-Early life:...
, inventor of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was born in Shillong. - Queenie RynjahQueenie RynjahQueenie Rynjah is a noted social worker and educationist from Indian state of Meghalaya. She was awarded Padma Shri award by Government of India in 2004 for her contribution.- References :*...
, Padmashree & educationist - Victor Bannerjee, an actor is also a student of St. Edmund's School.
- Amita MalikAmita MalikAmita Malik was described by Time magazine as India's "most prominent film and television critic", dubbed the "first lady of Indian media" and "India's best known cinema commentator"...
, famous film critic. - Nirad C. ChaudhuriNirad C. ChaudhuriItalic textNirad C. Chaudhuri was a Bengali−English writer and cultural commentator...
has written extensively about Shillong in his book The Autobiography of an Unknown IndianThe Autobiography of an Unknown IndianThe Autobiography of an Unknown Indian is the autobiographical work of one of India's most controversial writers -- Nirad C. Chaudhuri. He wrote this when he was around fifty and records his life from his birth at 1897 in Kishorganj, a small town in present Bangladesh...
. - Dhruba HazarikaDhruba HazarikaDhruba Hazarika is an Indian novelist who writes in English and hails from Assam. He is the author of A Bow String Winter. He lives in Guwahati.-Early life and education:...
(1956–) former student of St. Edmunds College. Recipient of the Katha prize for story writing. Presently based in Guwahati. His first novel 'A Bowstring Winter' has been published by Penguin India in May 2006. - Arthur Llewellyn BashamArthur Llewellyn BashamProfessor Arthur Llewellyn Basham was a noted historian and indologist and author of a number of books. It is perhaps not a mere coincidence that two of the most renowned living historians of early India, Professors R.S...
, noted historian of Indian culture. He died in Kolkata in 1986 and is buried in Shillong. - Arundhati RoyArundhati RoyArundhati Roy is an Indian novelist. She won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel, The God of Small Things, and has also written two screenplays and several collections of essays...
, noted writer and Booker Prize winner was born in the KJP Synnod Hospital in Shillong. - James Michael Lyngdoh I.A.S, a student of St Edmunds, retired as the Chief Election Commissioner of India. He is also the author of “ Chronicle Of An Impossible Election.”
- Pradyot Bikram Kishore Manikya, (b. 4 July 1977) is the current head of the Royal House of Tripura also has a summer Castle in Shillong and owns a Hotel called The Royal Heritage -Tripura Castle and the popular news and current affairs magazine The Northeast TodayThe Northeast TodayTNT-The Northeast Today, a popular magazine was launched by Kirit Pradyot Deb Burman in August 2007. In a short span the magazine has become the highest-selling magazine in the Northeast of India, with an estimated circulation of 49,000...
- L. Rynjah, (b. 1950) I.A.S, born & brought up in Shillong. He was a prominent bureaucrat in Assam. he is now one of the Advisers to Planning Commission of India]]
- Edward Pritchard GeeEdward Pritchard GeeEdward Pritchard Gee was a Cambridge educated, Anglo-Indian tea-planter and an amateur naturalist in Assam, India. He is credited with the 1953 discovery of Gee's Golden Langur...
, India's famous naturalist and author of the best seller The Wild Life of India spent his retired life in 'Evergreen cottage' in Upper Shillong. He left for England in 1968 and died soon after. - Anwaruddin ChoudhuryAnwaruddin ChoudhuryAnwaruddin Choudhury MA, Ph.D, D.Sc, is an Indian naturalist, noted for his expertise on the fauna of North-East India.He is an ornithologist, mammalogist, artist, civil servant, photographer and author. Choudhury is recognized by many as an eminent naturalist and conservationist studying wildlife...
, a prominent naturalist who is also known as the 'Birdman of Assam' was born and brought up in Shillong. He is the author of 19 books including The Birds of Assam. - Rono DuttaRono DuttaRono Dutta is the former President of United Airlines from 1999 to 2002.From July 2004 until 2006 he served as Chairman of Air Sahara.In 2007, Mr. Dutta joined US based AAR Corporation as a strategic adviser for the Indian market.-External links:**...
, President of United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
did his schooling from St.Edmunds, Shillong. - Anjum HasanAnjum HasanAnjum Hasan is an Indian poet and novelist. She was born in Shillong, Meghalaya and currently lives in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.Street on the Hill was her debut collection of poems. Her debut novel Lunatic in my Head was shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award 2007...
is a Bangalore based writer from Shillong and her debut novel Lunatic in my Head which is set in Shillong was launched on 7 Dec 2007. She has also written a book of verse titled Street on the Hill. - Utpal DuttUtpal DuttUtpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali Theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the 'Little Theater Group' in 1947, which enacted many English, Shakespearean and Brecht plays, in a period...
, the prominent actor of Bengali and Hindi cinema, was born on 29 March 1929 in Shillong. - Leela MajumdarLeela MajumdarLeela Majumdar , was a Bengali writer.-Early life:Born to Surama Devi and Pramada Ranjan Ray , Leela spent her childhood days at Shillong, where she studied at the Loreto Convent. Surama Devi had been adopted by Upendra Kishor Ray Choudhuri...
, the writer, spent her childhood days at Shillong, where she studied at the Loreto. - Shawn LaneShawn LaneShawn Lane was an American musician. Although piano was his first instrument, he quickly became a noted player in underground guitar circles and joined Black Oak Arkansas when he was just fourteen years old....
the legendary guitarist and composer spent time jamming with the locales of Shillong in February, 2003. In a comment made later about AizawlAizawlAizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. With a resident population 228,280 , it is the largest city within the state. It is also the center of all important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat...
and Shillong, he said:
- Rose Millian Bathew(Kharbuli),(b 1931) was the first woman Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission. She is from Shillong and lives there now.
- Indira Goswami (Mamoni Goswami spent her early days in Shillong and studied at Pine Mount School.
- Manas Chaudhuri, Padmashree awardee and former editor of Shillong TimesShillong TimesThe Shillong Times is an Indian newspaper. It is North-East India's second oldest English-language daily) started as a tabloid-sized weekly on August 10, 1945, on a treadle machine in Shillong. S. B. Chaudhuri was its founding editor and proprietor....
. Presently a Member of the Legislative AssemblyMember of the Legislative AssemblyA Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction.... - Arin PaulArin PaulArin Paul is a Bengali film director, writer and researcher on film history.-Early life:Paul was born in Belur, West Bengal and raised in Shillong, Meghalaya and Calcutta. He attended St. Edmund's School, Shillong, Andrews High School, the Scottish Church Collegiate School, and Shyamaprasad...
, Film Maker, spent his early days at Laitumkhrah, Shillong and was a product of St. Edmund's School, ShillongSt. Edmund's School, ShillongSt. Edmund's School, Shillong is an all boys institution of the Roman Catholic Church affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, India. The school is situated in the Laitumkhrah Hills of Shillong.-History:...
. - Nirendra Dev, Author and Journalist. Studied in St Anthony's between 1982–1985. Penned books 'The Talking Guns: North East India'; Godhra-A Journey to Mayhem and 'Ayodhya-A Battle for Peace'.
- Internationally acclaimed choir group Shillong Chamber ChoirShillong Chamber ChoirShillong Chamber Choir is an Indian chamber choir based in Shillong; founded in 2001, it shot to fame after it won the a reality talent show, India's Got Talent in October 2010, on Colors TV, part of the Got Talent franchise, where it performed western chorals, as well as choral-style revamps of...
is also from Shillong. They have performed in the World Choir Olympics and elsewhere in the world. Recently they won the talent show India's Got TalentIndia's Got TalentIndia's Got Talent is the Indian franchise of the Got Talent series, and is a cooperative effort between India's TV channel Colors and Britain's FremantleMedia. The first episode of India's Got Talent premiered on June 27, 2009. India's Got Talent follows the global Got Talent format, in which...
2010.
External links
- Muslims in Shillong struggling to make their presence felt – TCN News
- Eastern Panorama – Oldest Magazine of North East India
- Meghalaya State Government Portal
- Shillong.com
- Shillong Online
- Resubelpara
- The Shillong Times – North East India Second Oldest English Daily
- Online news in Khasi