Sohra: On the final day of her four-day visit to Meghalaya, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the historic Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School in Sohra. During her visit, the Minister paid floral tributes at the statues of Swami Ramakrishnanda and Swami Vivekananda. She was shown the Mission's vocational training facilities, where around 100 women are being trained in weaving free of cost. Swami Anuragananda, Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Sohra, shared that the Minister has long been familiar with the institution's work. "Being one of the oldest centres in the Northeast, she was eager to learn about the history, growth, and current challenges of the Mission, as well as the various activities it undertakes," he said. "She expressed a keen interest in meeting the women entrepreneurs and was deeply moved by the empowerment initiatives on the campus," Swami Anuragananda added. "We also gave her an overview of our work in healthcare, education, community relief among other activities." Minister Sitharaman also inquired about the many distinguished alumni of the institution. Swami Anuragananda recalled her interest in legendary figures such as Bah B.B. Lyngdoh, former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a pioneer of coalition politics in India; Bah G.G. Swell, renowned parliamentarian; Bah Donkupar Roy, and other prominent leaders, bureaucrats, and technocrats who were shaped by the Mission's values. To welcome the Minister, several dignitaries were present, including the school's President Kong Theilin Phanbuh, recipient of the Padma Shri in 2006 for her work in women's upliftment. It may be noted that the Ramakrishna Mission School, Sohra, has recently completed 100 years of dedicated service in the region. Minister Sitharaman planted a sapling on the campus towards the end of her visit. Also present were former teachers and staff, including Kong Lolin Lyndem, one of the school's oldest alumni at age 90, who had served both as a student and a teacher. The school community, including students and faculty, among other dignitaries were present to grace the special occasion. On Saturday, the Union minister visited the iconic living root bridge at Siej Village in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills District. The Minister interacted with village elders, local leaders, and beneficiaries of the Payment for Ecosystem Services programme, an initiative supported by the World Bank, KFW, and ADB, to understand how indigenous communities are preserving and innovating age-old ecological practices. During her address to the village community, Sitharaman expressed deep appreciation for the traditional knowledge systems that have been preserved over generations in Meghalaya. "I thank the entire village community for having upheld the spirit of living in this dense green environment. For over a hundred years, you have maintained a culture that respects nature and fosters sustainable mobility - even finding ways to connect across rivers without violating the living trees," she said. Highlighting the uniqueness of the living root bridges, she stated, "At a time when the world is searching for sustainable solutions, the people of Siej have shown what is possible through simple, nature-aligned practices. You have found a way to survive, move, and grow without harming your surroundings. It's extraordinary how local indigenous solutions can serve as global examples." Minister Sitharaman also acknowledged the ongoing community-led efforts to document and seek UNESCO heritage status for the living root bridges. "Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first. Your practices are not only effective--they're replicable. Global recognition will help inspire others." She also visited Laitkynsew Village, East Khasi Hills District and interacted with Women SHGs and Lakhpati Didis, and Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs). During her visit, she expressed her deep appreciation for the Government of Meghalaya's dedicated efforts in implementing Central and State schemes across the state. The Union Minister during her visit also laid the foundation stone for multiple landmark development projects in Shillong, Meghalaya worth over Rs 1,500 crore, besides dedicating and reviewing a few projects. She inaugurated Shillong's first multi-facility Shopping Complex in Polo, along with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
