SHILLONG, Sep 8: The Shillong Records Collection Centre (SRCC), a premier archive of historical and cultural heritage, marked its 50th anniversary with a grand exhibition at St. Anthony’s College on Saturday. Founded on September 8, 1974, by the late Gilbert Shullai, former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), the SRCC has amassed an extensive collection documenting the history of the Hynniewtrep people and the surrounding region.
The anniversary exhibition featured numerous significant items, including the 25th-anniversary edition of The Shillong Times from 1970, amongst other historical artifacts. The SRCC originally started at Shullai’s residence in Riatsamthiah, Shillong, later moving to Nongthymmai in January 1986, where it has evolved into a critical research hub for historians and scholars.
Over five decades, the SRCC has served as an indispensable resource for understanding the political, cultural, and historical narratives of Meghalaya and its neighboring areas. Gilbert Shullai, who worked at the Assam Secretariat for two decades before becoming the CEM, recognized the need to preserve historical records. Motivated by this vision, he resigned on June 14, 1974, dedicating himself to collecting and safeguarding old records, books, and documents.
Shullai was not just a collector but also a socio-political thinker and philosopher. His efforts aimed to conserve the history of the Hynniewtrep people, detailing periods from British rule to the struggle for independence and the Hill State Movement, which led to the creation of Meghalaya. His documentation also illuminates the early student movements advocating for self-rule in the region, driven by Shullai and contemporaries like RS Lyngdoh and Hoover Hynniewta.
The event at St. Anthony’s College, organized by the Department of Mass Communication and supported by individuals such as Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh and the Lyndem family, highlighted Shullai’s legacy. Their collaborative efforts underscore the continued importance of preserving historical records, celebrating one man’s dedication to conserving the rich heritage of his people.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/09/09/value-of-hynniewtrep-history-in-records/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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